Cheshire kitchens

Start with the room, not a door sample

Choosing a kitchen for a Cheshire home involves more than deciding between painted and timber doors. The room’s proportions, the position of windows and the relationship with the dining area all influence how the furniture will look and work.

Kitchen Design was established in 1975. Its collection brings together framed cabinetry, contemporary furniture and individually shaped pieces. These photographs offer ways to compare different approaches before narrowing down materials and details.

In a room with alcoves or an existing chimney breast, consider how the cabinet run will meet those features. In a larger room, look at the furniture from the dining and sitting areas as well as from the preparation space. Neither a traditional nor a contemporary style needs to be chosen simply because of the age of the house.

Where made-to-measure details matter

A curved end, an adjusted cabinet width or a built-in seating area can help furniture meet the shape of the room. Establish which dimensions and details can actually be changed; “bespoke” is not a single door style or a guarantee that every component is custom-made.

Internal measurements matter too. Decide where trays, pans and small appliances will be kept before approving the cabinet layout. The appearance of a cupboard does not tell you how accessible its contents will be.

Compare handleless and Shaker doors, then use the storage planning checklist to look beyond the outside of the furniture.

Allow room for island seating

Where the kitchen also serves as a dining space, mark the worktop and seating positions on the floor. Check the route past occupied stools and the space needed to open drawers or a dishwasher. A smaller island or a peninsula may work better than a large centrepiece.

Our island and peninsula guide sets out the practical questions to consider.