ASK THE EXPERT

Our expert gives advice and tips on redesigning your kitchen and the top trends for the season

With 25 years’ experience in kitchen design, Paul Selway has the answers.

In the second of our Ask the Experts series, we take a look at kitchen design with the help of Paul Selway. Paul has 25 years of experience in the industry and is a director at Selan Design, the company that his father George started in Broughty Ferry in 1989.

Paul has been a finalist and shortlisted in the UK Kitchen Designer of the Year awards. Q. Where is the best place to start for anyone thinking about getting a new kitchen? A showroom is probably the best place to start. At Selan Design for example, there are 10 large displays showing all manner of units and colour options.

A wish list is always helpful, including type of appliances, colours and worktop styles.

Letting us know your likes and dislikes in the existing space is a good starting point, along with some indicator of budget. Some clients also like to give us a free rein with a blank canvas to allow us to create something that they wouldn’t have envisaged. Q. What are the most important things to get right in your kitchen design. The layout of the kitchen is THE most important element to a successful design.

It needs to be both functional, having enough storage and worktop space, and still have that wow factor, but all on a budget.

Trying to “future proof” the colour scheme is definitely something to be considered, we try to give the space a life span that will last for years to come.

A lick of paint, a change of floor covering or a feature wallpaper allows the space to be transformed again in a couple of years or 20 years.

Lighting is a very important part of how the overall space looks.

Being able to turn on/off lights in particular parts of the kitchen will create different ambience throughout any time of the day or night. Q. What are the most common mistakes that people make when designing their kitchens? The worst offences are usually: – Circulation spaces being too narrow. – Minimal prep space. – Not having the ovens up off of the floor. – Rushing decisions. – Lack of information/research on new technology such as appliances etc.

– Opting for cheap and cheerful. Q. What are the best recent innovations in kitchen design or the must haves for modern kitchens? The latest thing in technology is WIFI appliances, such as those from Siemens – being able to turn on your oven from your mobile phone or seeing inside your fridge while you are in the supermarket to check what’s in there.

You could also be choosing and making any type of coffee you can imagine from your iPad/ phone while sitting in the living room? Unfortunately you still need to go and get it.

Boiling hot water taps are still making a big play at the moment – the 3 in 1 taps from ZIP & Quooker are really popular.

Qi undersurface chargers for phones and tablets will become commonplace soon, allowing you to simply lay devices on the worktop to charge without having to plug them in. Q. What are the key kitchen trends for autumn/winter 2016/17? We see the newest colour ways with dark greys, concrete, dark moody woods and textures with super thin worktops.

Other trends will range from 3D wall features to super smooth banks of hidden appliances with impossibly clever interior fitments. Q. Where do you look for inspiration? We attend Eurocucina in Milan, and the furniture Expo in Cologne, which are both big yearly exhibitions along with regular visits to our Leicht factory in Germany.

Leicht is deemed one of the most innovative German brands. Q. What would your dream kitchen look like? My style is most definitely slick, modern, contemporary and minimalist – that whole “less is more” design and tech edge led look but a sumptuous dark moodiness with it. Q. Any other tips for readers planning a new kitchen? A scrapbook of things you love in magazines will help you build up an indicator of the style that you will really appreciate.

Truly good design and good taste are always current, always relevant.

Quiet, muted colours determine the image of the modern kitchen.

Paul Selway, a director at Selan Design, has 25 years of experience in the kitchen design industry.