Household and Kitchen and other UK DIY products

Take the ceiling height at several points.
Ensure the kitchen is square by measuring diagonally (or compare opposing walls).
Carefully mark the location of existing power points, plumbing, gas supply, air vents and any permanent features such as windows, sills, radiators and boilers.
Always check dimensions, if in doubt measure it again.
Note the space required for your kitchen appliances.
Finally check what the walls are made of to ensure that you buy the correct fixings for your unit.

Planning your kitchen: It's important to design a kitchen that revolves around your needs. Creating a triangle between your cooker, sink and fridge will make a better working environment. This will ensure that your workspace is never cramped, allowing you to move freely between appliances.
The layout you choose will depend on the size and shape of your room - and the position of windows and doors. Plumbing and electrical points can usually be moved, so do not let these restrict your design.
Most kitchens fall into four basic designs, a single line of units, a double line (galley), and an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen.
By combining cabinets imaginatively to these designs it is easy to totally transform your kitchen to suit your lifestyle.

Working out the detail: Using the dimensions of the cabinets you wish to purchase, sketch your chosen units to scale on a grid. Alternatively, cutting out the shape of the cabinets to scale allows you to move individual units around your kitchen plan and work out the best layout.

Hints & Tips

Try to position your sink by a window, so you have a view.
Position electrical sockets a minimum distance of 150mm above worktops.
Position extractors or cupboards a minimum distance of 750mm above hobs.
Use heat or fireproof cable on cookers or hobs.
Locate dishwashers and washing machines close to sink to minimise plumbing work.
Ensure that wall and floor units are of similar widths-so the doors line up.
Keep tall units at the end of the worktop runs, to maximise the working area.
Place your hob or free-standing cooker in position this minimises the distance needed to carry hot pans across the walkways in the kitchen.
Allow at least 300mm of clear space each side of the hob to allow for protruding pan handles.
Position extractor fans on (or close to) outside walls.
Allow adequate space around free-standing appliances for easy access, (refer to manufacturers fitting instructions).

DON'T

Locate a cooker or hob beneath a window where curtains could catch fire - or where it is dangerous to reach over to the window.
Plan a wall unit above a hob without an extractor fan.
Plan a hob next to a tall unit, corner wall or at the end of a run.
Plan appliances in a corner.
Put an inset sink near worktop joints.
Position a sink or cooker near or next to opening doors.
Box in boilers or other gas appliances as these require air flow to operate properly and safely.
Put a cooker hob under or near electrical sockets.
Position cookers next to fridges or freezers.
Block up existing air vents if there are gas appliances in the kitchen.

Everything you need to Take Away today

Once you have decided on your units and worktops don't forget the other exciting accessories that can add those finishing touches - such as plinths, pelmets, cornices, handles, decorative legs and wirework.

Consult a plumber if in doubt about the positioning of a sink or dishwasher as it is not always possible to reposition them - you will need to take into account the positions for waste pipes and drains. It is also important to consult a Corgi registered fitter about air vents and an electrician about electrical work.

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