What’s Involved in a Kitchen Remodel?
A kitchen remodel can range from a simple refresh to a full redesign:
1. Cosmetic Update
- New cabinet doors, handles, worktops
- Painting walls/cabinets
- Upgraded lighting or taps
2. Mid-Range Remodel
- Full cabinet replacement
- New appliances, tiling, and flooring
- Minor layout changes (maybe moving a fridge or island)
3. Full Redesign
- Reworking layout entirely (e.g. moving sink or cooker)
- New plumbing, electrics
- Potential structural work (knocking down walls, adding skylights, bifolds)
Estimated Costs (UK 2025)
Popular Kitchen Layouts
- Galley – Ideal for small, narrow spaces
- L-shaped – Great for open plan with room for dining
- U-shaped – Loads of storage and workspace
- Island kitchen – Ideal for entertaining and multi-use (cook, eat, work)
- Peninsula – Perfect for small spaces where a full island won’t fit
Key Design Trends (2025)
- Handleless cabinets for a modern, seamless look
- Matte finishes in deep greens, warm taupe, and dark navy
- Quartz and porcelain worktops
- Statement splashbacks (kit-kat tiles, zellige, fluted glass)
- Integrated appliances for a clean flow
- Pantry cupboards or walk-in pantries
- Smart tech: boiling water taps, smart ovens, app-controlled lighting
Must-Have Features
- Efficient storage: pull-out larders, corner units, deep drawers
- Task & ambient lighting: under-cabinet LEDs + pendant lights
- Durable flooring: LVT, engineered wood, or porcelain tiles
- Extractor hood (especially for open-plan kitchens)
Timeline
- 1–2 weeks for light refresh
- 3–5 weeks for full remodel
- More if structural work (walls, windows) is involved
Planning & Regulations
No planning permission usually needed unless:
- You’re extending or changing external appearance
- It’s in a listed property
Building regs required if:
- Moving gas or electrical lines
- Major plumbing changes
- Structural changes (like removing a wall)
