The kitchen has to be one of the most important rooms of any household, a place where family meals are prepared, and a warm and social atmosphere to entertain casual friends and neighbours. Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen and this is why it's so important that the design and style is satisfactory for your needs.

If your kitchen hasn't been remodeled for years and is looking dated, or you have recently moved and want to invest in a more modern look, then it doesn't have to cost the earth for a new look. A new kitchen can bring a fresh feel to the whole house, as well as making it an enjoyable space for the whole family to enjoy.

When planning your kitchen there are various aspects you need to take into account if you want to make your life easier when it comes to preparation, baking and cooking. Here are some things you should think about, whether you are designing the area yourself or getting the professionals in to do it for you.

One of the main aspects is space, a common problem when people design and fit a kitchen themselves is that they don't consider if there is enough space to open appliance doors, and storage units comfortably. If the kitchen is particularly small or narrow, or has an island in the center space, you may find it difficult to open the oven or fridge door properly if the area wasn't measured up correctly. When creating your design you might find you can't have the one you prefer as the shape of the area won't allow for it, especially if placement of utilities and waste can't be moved.

Safety is particularly important in a kitchen particularly if you have young children. Place the oven away from other entrance doors where children could come running through without looking, also you will need proper ventilation, particularly above the oven. Sufficient lighting is also essential especially in the preparation area where sharp knives are used and cleanliness is a concern. Stain resistant and non-slip flooring can make it much easier to keep the area clean and prevent bugs from setting up home, and stop accidents when the floor is wet.

How you update your kitchen nearly always comes down to how much it is going to cost you. If you are on a tight budget then you can buy kitchens at affordable products at all the big DIY stores, such as B&Q and MFI and other home base stores. Prices can be low and they sometimes have offers where you get appliances at a lower price too. With these kinds of stores you have a limited choice and you really need to check out how durable they are if you want something to last for years. In this case it might be better to pay the extra and invest in fitted kitchens that will last much longer and can be designed to suit your needs.

A fitted kitchen encompasses a lot more of course than wall and floor units, when choosing styles and designs you'll also have to think about flooring, worktops and appliances, as well as lighting, seating areas and more. There are plenty of decisions to make, from built-in or freestanding cookers, a separate fridge and freezer or combined, to twin bowl sink and table or breakfast bar. Everything will contribute to the overall finished look and that is why even the very little details are important.

It's much easier these days to come up with a design you really like, thanks to kitchen design software. This can either involve going into the store, whereby the consultant will input all your choices or be able to present you with a finished 3D version, or via a kitchen company website where you can download the software and do it yourself. You just need the dimensions of the area and you can have hours of fun designing your very own fitted kitchen!