DIY with Nick Knowles: kitchens

Nick Knowles: What are the pros and cons of freestanding and fitted kitchens?
Mike Ashton: Freestanding kitchens are generally best for large spaces as you'll need to leave gaps between each cabinet for it to look right. Fitted kitchens are ideal for small spaces as they make the most of the given area. Each household has different needs, so it's important to consider your requirements when you're planning the design of your kitchen.

Nick: What is the best storage solution for a small kitchen?
Mike: Make use of height in a kitchen with tall cupboards to hide away bulky items such as the ironing board and vacuum cleaner. Most people think that it's a mistake to sacrifice worktop space for tall cupboards, but what they don't realise is that the more cupboard space they have in their kitchen, the less worktop space they will need because the worktops can remain clear of kitchen clutter. Pull-out tall larder drawers as well as deep storage drawers are also excellent to maximise storage.

Nick: What's the ideal height for a splashback?
Mike: As a rule, a splashback of approximately 10cm in height all the way around a kitchen is best, extending up to the height of the cooker hood behind the hob area.

Nick: Could you recommend a good-quality modern work surface on a tight budget?
Mike: On a tight budget, good quality laminate is excellent value for money and widely available. Going up from that, man-made synthetic and stone-mix worktops are also reasonably priced.

Nick: Do you have any industry tips on how to make a kitchen look more spacious?
Mike: The secret to making a kitchen seem bigger is to choose light coloured units and a darker worktop. Paint the walls in pastel colours and use glass panels and stainless steel splashbacks as they reflect light, making the room seem larger and brighter. In a particularly small room, keep wall cupboards to a minimum
to open out the space.

Nick: Is it worth fitting an extractor fan, and if so, what types are available?
Mike: Yes, it is worth it, if you are able to install one properly. Ideally, ducting to the outside is more effective than choosing a unit that recirculates the air. Recirculating units need a charcoal filter, which gets rid of the majority of smells and steam, but they won't do this as effectively as a fan that goes outside.

As for the styles available, there are stainless steel chimney hoods, stainless steel and glass finishes, traditional style canopy hoods and telescopic hoods that disappear into wall units, to name just a few. Do your research and ask a kitchen designer for help and advice on finding the best model to suit your kitchen.

Nick: Do kitchen islands help or hinder?
Mike: If they are the correct size and shape for a room, kitchen islands can provide marvellous additional storage and worktop space. However, if the room is on the small side, installing an island unit can be disastrous as it may leave very little room to manoeuvre around it.

About Mike Ashton
Mike Ashton is chairman of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association
(KBSA).