Every kitchen/interior designer and friend/colleague/random person you speak to will have a different answer to this question, as everyone has their own opinions and their own priorities when it comes to their own needs and wants in their kitchen.

Renovating or upgrading your kitchen can be a very expensive project, so it’s important that it’s not a project that is skimped on financially, but equally, you can’t let it break the bank. Like I’ve said, everyone will have their own ideas in terms of what they’d choose to prioritise, but here are a few of the ideas that My Tailor Made Kitchen would recommend concentrating your budget on:

- Cabinetry (of course - that is our speciality).

Knowing a few tricks could help you here:

Look to include a statement cabinet. Pantry cabinets or islands in solid oak or a different colour will create contrast against the other painted cabinets and give the entire kitchen a dimension that isn’t achievable with 1 tone. A section of glazed dresser style units can draw the eye around the room. Decorative cooker hoods, range surround cabinetry... There are many possibilities here, but maybe don’t use them ALL at once?!

Door units are cheaper than drawers. This is due to the fact that there is a great deal more labour and materials used in fabricating drawers. Whilst drawers are a huge benefit in any kitchen, concentrate your budget firstly to allow you to have cabinets which have 2 or 3 drawers close to, or on either side of the cooker to house pots and pans, and allow for drawers with dividers for cutlery, utensils etc. After this, have as many additional drawers as your budget will allow. They are a great solution for accessing the hard to reach and empty spaces that are difficult to access through regular doors.

- Handles and hardware

There are so many different styles of handles available on the market that it can often be hard to choose a style, let alone having to worry about quality and durability; so having a recommendation for a QUALITY supplier is key when choosing your knobs and handles. At My Tailor Made Kitchen, we can recommend and provide links to many reputable suppliers of handles which we’ve used in the past.

Soft-close hinges and drawer runners are things of beauty (especially in a house with a curious toddler with a penchant for slamming then she’s busted for raiding the snack drawer!). All of our drawers come with soft-close drawer runners as standard, and you can choose between either soft-close hinges or steel/brass butt style hinges if you prefer the hinges to be externally visible.

- Worktops

Your worktops will be THE MOST USED element of your kitchen - bar none. Having quality stone or hardwood is essential when choosing your preferred product. Softer woods will dent, marble can stain, waxed finishes require ongoing and repeated maintenance… Stone is of course the most hardwearing (Quartz or Granite being the better choices), but also the most expensive. To get the most from your budget here, maybe consider a hardwood Oak worktop, finished in a polyurethane varnish (available in non-glossy for a more contemporary look) which requires no maintenance but creates a solid moisture barrier, and then add an accent piece of Quartz to the island or breakfast bar.

- Lighting

Gone are the days when all you can have is a singular drop down light fixture in the centre of your ceiling. Undercounter lighting, directional spot lighting, accent lighting above the island, warm/cold light bulbs, LEDs…. The possibilities are endless, and with a little planning at the beginning of your project (and a good electrician!) you can light up every corner of your kitchen if you desire, but remember to focus on the areas where it’ll be most needed. Undercounter lighting is less intense, therefore at its best at the beginning and at the end of the day. Use drop down, softer lighting fixtures for above the island / eating area (trust me: no-one wants overhead spot lightening/shadowing while having breakfast at 7am!). The right lighting combination can make the difference between a DIY kitchen design and a polished, professional-looking design.