STICK TO THE SAME LAYOUT

If you can, avoid radically changing the layout of your existing kitchen, as this usually means moving services and meters. By that, we mean the plumbing for your dishwasher, sink and washing machine, your gas supply for your cooker or additional electrical sockets or cables for ovens and extractor hobs. Swapping like for like when it comes to unit positioning might also let you get away with keeping the existing flooring, too. A simple galley kitchen

(runs of units facing each other) is often the cheapest layout as there are no corners to be fitted with clever units and doors, no mitred joins needed in worktop lengths and you might get away with buying just two end panels. If you want to ring the changes, play around with wall units instead – go for a different height or finish than previously, or mix with open shelving.