Renovating a kitchen is an exciting venture and a chance to reimagine one of the most important spaces in your home. I believe that a kitchen renovation should blend functionality with elegance, ensuring a timeless and effortless flow to elevate both your culinary and social experiences. Today I guide you in creating a kitchen that is as functional as it is beautiful.
1. Start with a Vision: Define Your Style and Functionality Needs
When starting a kitchen renovation, I advise my clients to examine their current space and define a clear vision. What kind of space do you truly want to create? Are you drawn to a sleek, modern kitchen, or do you envision a warm, inviting farmhouse-style space? It’s not just about looks – functionality matters just as much. Personally, I will admit that the kitchens I have created for my homes differ from the style of the rest of the property; this freedom of function, form and style is feasible as long as you work through the process deliberately and create connections.
Ask yourself what are your most pressing concerns? Do you need more storage? Is the traffic flow cumbersome? Do you want more natural light or better articifical lighting?
Here’s how I guide my clients through the process:
Identify your pain points – Take a good look at your current kitchen and be honest about what isn’t working. Are you constantly running out of storage? Do you hate your outdated cabinets? Does the layout feel cramped or awkward? Jot it all down – and prioritise your issues.
Define your style – Collect inspiration images that reflect your dream kitchen. Look widely and dont be limited to researching just one brand or style, you might see a clever use of space or a great colour in an image that is otherwise different from your taste. Start a mood board with images and focus on color palettes, furniture shapes, surface materials, appliances and any other accessories you are drawn to; such as artwork or light fittings.
2. Plan the Layout: Maximising Flow and Space
Selecting the ideal kitchen layout to meet your family’s unique needs is essential for creating a space that is both functional and inviting. Your choice must be thoughtfully guided by factors such as family size, cooking habits, entertaining frequency and available space. Equally vital is understanding how natural light possibly interacts with a space before conducting any spatial strategy to boost its functionality
Personally, I love how an L-shaped kitchen maximizes space, offering a natural workflow and plenty of countertop area. If you have more room, you can easily elevate it with an island, adding extra prep space, storage, and even seating for casual dining. If your kitchen is long and narrow you are more likely to suit a galley kitchen, where a streamlined, parallel design ensures efficiency and easy access to all appliances. If you have a rather square space, you may look at a U-shaped kitchen, the length of units provides ample countertop space, a seamless workflow, and room for multiple people to work comfortably. Perhaps there is a wall which can house an island or a kitchen table.
From experience I know it is important to throw many ideas around and wipe the slate clean. We use tracing paper to sketch over the empty floorplan and hash out as many options as possible and test them for their merits. Often kitchens have an awkward spot – a door to an adjoining room, a long wall of windows, an old chimney or narrow passage. Try to be creative how these problem spots can be turned into opportunities.
Whether you opt for a U-shaped, L-shaped, or island-centred design, my goal would be to maximise workspace while maintaining a natural flow. Islands can be a game-changer – not just for extra counter space but also for style and functionality. If you have a very large kitchen space, you incorporate unique island shapes where the height drops to table level and include proper dining space, or perhaps you leave space a beautiful vintage farm house table in a super modern kitchen – I do love a mashup of old and new.
3. Select High-Quality Materials for Longevity
The materials you choose will define the look, feel, and longevity of your kitchen. I always encourage my clients to invest in materials that are not only beautiful but also durable enough to handle daily life.
Flooring that lasts – One of the first considerations when renovating your kitchen should be flooring. Your kitchen floor needs to handle heavy foot traffic, spills, and daily wear. If you opt for natural materials of either hardwood or stone then you must factor in the maintenance regime. Luckily there are now deceptively good looking porcelain tiles mimicking stone and wood effects, in our recent chalet projects we used both of these and guests could not tell the difference to the real material without touching it. Whether you love the warmth of natural wood or the sophistication of sleek stone, choosing the right flooring sets the foundation for your entire space. If you want to differentiate your space, there are other options such as cork or patterned linoleum tiles which have merits and will add a different layer of texture, colouring and styling to your kitchen space. You can also combine materials, in one fabulous project we delineated zones: the very high traffic cooking zone is laid with colourful encaustic bricks and the rest of the kitchen dining area has engineered chevron wood flooring. Once you have made your decision on the flooring type you must pay attention to size of the pieces and their laying pattern and there again are myriad of options.
Backsplashes with personality – A backsplash is where you can really have some fun! If you are using a natural stone worktop this would typically run up the wall for a calm sophisticated look. But you could contrast the worktop with tiled walls, we like especially naturally glazed materials such as Moroccan zelliges. You can see examples of this in our projects. You can zone your kitchen with the choice of different backsplashes. In my own kitchen which I redesigned recently the breakfast dining area has a backlit mirror under the hanging cabinets (which i hung higher also to differentiate this from the rest of the kitchen) and the high work intense area behind the main sink has a coloured glass backsplash such that the glass colour matches the wall paint which makes the area calm and blended. You can either set contrasts or blend or separate. Look up plenty of options online before settling but also keep an open mind, its the puzzling of all the kitchen ingredients which will determine the ultimate result.
Countertops that enchant – If you want a stunning surface, nothing beats picking your very unique slab of marble or quartzite (harder wearing). You can first look online but then i strongly advise you to visit stone yards to pick your slabs. Natural granites or soapstones are also a beautiful natural material and especially honed or leathered they add character. Other natural options are wood or metal, a little bit more maintenance intensive but each gives a distinct look and feel. There are a vast range of man made surfaces called quartz, look up their composition to be safe (stay clear of those containing high amounts of silica which has been banned in some countries). Corian is a valued kitchen surface which we are specifying as are new products we are trialling now such as paperstone and Foresso. Acolourful and unusual but beautiful option is to use tiles for worktops or a material in bright colours called Pyrolave which I have yet to use but has very high durability. These materials add a handmade rustic feel while standing up to the demands of a busy kitchen.
Cabinetry that works for you – Ask yourself what time horizon you are planning your kitchen for? Personally I like to build for the long term in which case investing into high-quality cabinetry is worthwhile. Whether you love sleek matte neutrals or the warmth of classic wood grains, your cabinets should reflect your style while standing up to daily use. We work with factory made kitchens, and when we do we like to collaborate with brands which have a flexible approach such as Eggersmann who combine the peace of mind of German factory engineering with incredible custom solutions that blend innovation with timeless craftsmanship. And there are many other brands which we could recommend for their quality production and customization, we have worked with Poliform, Arclinea and many more. And for a playful touch I like incorporating a pop of colour. This is very easy with painted timber kitchens (which can easily be entirely repainted in the future) . I recently visited Tom Howley’s new flagship store and saw an uplifting colourful contrast inside a breakfast bar – so there’s always a little surprise when you open the doors.
4. Invest in Efficient and Elegant Appliances
Modern appliances aren’t just about convenience – they’re a key design element that can elevate both the functionality and style of your kitchen. Consider incorporating innovative features that make everyday tasks easier while keeping the space looking sleek and sophisticated. Dont be afraid to mix and match – I love researching and so when I design kitchens I will compare functionality, sizes, looks, prices and energy efficiency ratings; a final kitchen might have Miele dishwashers, a Bora hob, VZug ovens and Gaggenau fridges or any other combincation depending on the particular requirements.
Seamless integration – If you want a clean, cohesive look then I am a fan of integrated appliances. Personally after more than ten years of polishing them I am done with large rows of stainless steel fridges and my kitchens now all have integrated fridge freezers and I obtain cold (and sparkling water) either from a Quooker tap or rom inside the fridge. Depending on circumstances – is your kitchen open plan? – then I will advocate for hidden microwaves and ovens and integrated dishwashers. I want to enjoy and appreciate the design, materials and colours of the kitchen furniture and not focus on the view of the appliances. One particular item are extractors. It will depend on your chosen layout where the hob is based, whether you can vent out or have to recirculate , either way I advise to spend on the best possible extractor from brands such as Bora, Novy or Falmec.
Smart & efficient choices – Choosing energy-efficient appliances isn’t just good for the environment – it helps reduce long-term costs too. I often recommend induction cooktops for their precision and safety, as well as dual-function ovens that maximize space and versatility. And if you love thoughtful details, an end-grain maple preparation surface with adjustable height is a game-changer for both prep and presentation.
With the right appliances, your kitchen will work smarter, not harder. Let’s find the perfect balance of beauty and function for your space!
5. Choose Lighting to Enhance Ambiance and Function
Lighting is a powerful tool in any renovation project – it will be an important aspect to transform both the mood and functionality of your kitchen. Ideally, the lighting should be layered to accommodate various tasks and settings. Consider your natural daylight in your kitchen area – how will you arrange the floorplan relative to your daylight? Ensure you have enough different circuits and you can dim them to adjust the light levels.
• Ambient Lighting: Recessed ceiling lights or pendant lights over the island provide general illumination and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
• Task Lighting: Under-cabinet lighting ensures clarity for food prep, while positioning skylights centrally over walkways illuminates work areas.
• Accent Lighting: Use accent lighting within glass-fronted cabinets or along architectural features to add a touch of elegance and highlight your design.
For a more in-depth exploration of lighting and lighting schemes, take a look at my article How a Lighting Scheme brings out the Best in Your Rooms.
6. Incorporate Ample Storage Solutions
Storage is crucial in a well-functioning kitchen. Most clients want to reduce kitchen clutter, so I advise – no matter how beautiful a kitchen is, if it lacks smart storage, it won’t truly work for you. The right solutions can help you maximize every inch of space while keeping things effortlessly organized. First, start with a ruthless declutter, most of us have too many old pots, pans, cups and mugs and takeout cutlery. Next analyse your storage capacity by grouping items; I have sections for dry goods (both in the kitchen and in my larder), one section just for baking ingredients, baking tins and tupperware/glass containers, water bottles and lunch boxes probably take up at least 2 drawers, coffee, tea and mugs, small kitchen appliances such as your grater, handmixer, blender, scales, mandolin etc. I literally analyse and record in a spreadsheet how many and how large each drawer or shelf needs to be to accomodate everything including pots, pans, lids, sieves, crockery, cutlery, cookbooks, napkins, tablecloths, spieces, oils etc.
Especially if you are gutting your kitchen and changing the style or layout entirely, please ensure you end up with enough storage, on your new plans and elevations which we would prepare or if you draw yourself or receive from your chosen kitchen company, annotate each drawer and shelf with the relevant item groups from your spreadsheet. Don’t forget to have room somewhere for a household DIY kit , i keep the bare essentials ready in the kitchen and some more in the larder: screwdriver assortment, various tapes and ducktape, measuring tape, pins, pens, envelopes, parking tickets or museum cards, I also keep a first aid kit and a fire blanket nearby. And then have some extra room, as you will accumulate new items.
Bespoke cabinetry, built for You – Custom cabinetry is a game-changer. Features like pull-out shelves, deep drawers, and special corner carousels make it easy to store and access everything from pots and pans to pantry staples. I also love incorporating curved end units – not only do they enhance the flow of your kitchen, but they create extra storage in often-overlooked spaces. Most of all customised sizes from height and depth ensure that no space is wasted, for limited size kitchen it pays to go bespoke because every inch matters such as using plinth storage drawers.
Smart, thoughtful additions – The little details make all the difference. Built-in spice racks, hidden utensil drawers, integrated bins (not necessarily under the sink), perhaps a champage bucket sink, a charger drawer, keep essentials within reach without cluttering your countertops. Perhaps your kitchen has an awkward unused space; I will always aim to create something truely bespoke such as the pullout kitchen chopping table or the dogs corner with all his treats. And if you love a welcoming, social kitchen, a beautifully shaped breakfast bar on your island creates the perfect gathering spot for family and friends.
7. Select a Timeless Colour Palette
Choosing the right colour palette is one of the most important decisions in a kitchen renovation. A well-thought-out scheme will elevate your design while ensuring your space feels fresh and timeless for years to come. I always encourage my clients to strike the perfect balance between classic elegance and personal style. Spend plenty of time researching and looking through inspiration images to nail down your presonal favourites.
Start with a neutral foundation – Whites, greys, and warm neutrals create a sophisticated backdrop that won’t go out of style. Plus, they’re easy to refresh with new accents over time, so your kitchen can evolve with you.
Create depth with contrast – If you want a dynamic look, contrast is key. Light cabinets paired with darker countertops (or vice versa) add dimension, while a bold feature wall in a deep, rich hue can bring an extra layer of personality to the space.
Subtle pops of colour – Introducing colour in a thoughtful way can make your kitchen feel unique without overwhelming it. I love using navy cabinets, a colourful tile backsplash, or even a muted green island to add character while keeping the overall look timeless.
Renovating a kitchen can feel like a never-ending game of Tetris – just when you think everything is in place, something unexpected pops up! But trust me, with the right planning, a bit of creativity, and a dash of patience, you’ll end up with a space that’s not only functional but truly fabulous. And hopefully, with no leftover pieces!
That being said, sometimes a full renovation isn’t necessary. You can refresh your kitchen and we have done this many time – replacing floors, respraying all the units or replacing some of the cabinet doors, or adding panelling to plain doors, decorating the walls (or ceiling), swapping out faucets or selected appliances, changing cabinet handles, or adding new lighting – can completely transform your kitchen without the need for a major overhaul. Small changes can make a big impact!
Whatever your vision, I hope i have given you some valuable expert tips and you can let your spring energy take you places where you create a kitchen that functions just as good as it looks!
Stay inspired, stay sophisticated
Love, Claudia
With sincere thanks to the team at Eggersmann Kitchen studio for hositing us for the kitchen photo shoot
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