New kitchen time? Get expert advice from Puccini Kitchens!

[PucciniKitchens]

Considering a new kitchen?

Wondering how you are going to get the functionality and storage you need from your existing galley or oddly shaped room?

Or perhaps it is knock-through / uber-extension time and your dream kitchen is evading your grasp within a nightmarish amount of options?

We are Puccini Kitchens, a proudly independent kitchen designer, supplier and installer. Members of Checkatrade with an average score of 9.9, you may also have seen us recently featured in 'Real Homes' magazine.

This April we are delighted to join forces with Local Editor Alexandra Sykes at Mumsnet Wandsworth to give you the opportunity to ask questions about your current or future kitchen project. We'll also be sharing tips and ideas along the way to help your planning.

We have over 15 years of experience in the trade, so as kitchen specialists, our know-how is second to none. We are expert in maximising awkward spaces and providing bespoke solutions to ensure your kitchen is perfect for your lifestyle and your budget.

We hope this thread will save you time and money. All you need to do is post below. We look forward to hearing from you!

More about Puccini Kitchens

Our range of kitchens includes contemporary, classic and stylish British and European options to help you find the right combination for you. We provide design, supply only or fully fitted services, so we can project manage as much or as little as you need. We can also quote on any associated building work.

Call us on 020 3507 1937 to arrange your free home design visit. To view our products and receive latest news, offers and testimonials, you can also visit puccinikitchens.co.uk, follow us @puccinikitchens or find us at facebook.com/puccinikitchensltd.

We're extending our kitchen at the moment and will end up with a really big rectangular room.

I'm struggling with planning it as I can't work out how much space to allocate for the kitchen area (we want a dining area and ideally space for a seating area with sofas too). Obviously, we'll need oven, hob, sink, fridge, freezer, dishwasher etc... but I can't work out how many cupboards etc.. we'll need. Is there a normal amount?

Hi there SW12 and thanks for your question!

To be honest with you, we've seen that kitchens come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so there isn't a 'normal' amount that we would quote. It really does depend on the size of your household and the lifestyle that you lead. This is what we prefer to look at so that we can ensure our clients are getting the kitchen solution that suits their personal needs.

A good starting point is to look at your current kitchen arrangement and decide how much extra space you need/would like, and with what features and functionality i.e. drawer space, larder space etc.

Think about the occasions you have used your kitchen for over the past 6 months in terms of large and small events as well as day to day usage. Consider what you keep in your kitchen, the number of appliances you have and whether or not there is a separate laundry area. This overview gives you a realistic snapshot of what you will actually use the kitchen for and is useful in helping a kitchen designer create a beautiful, functional and flexible space to your requirements.

Ensuring that your space is measured by an expert will ensure that you can maximise your space with a tailored combination of different worktop and storage solutions. The contemporary trend - particularly in the type of family room you may have in mind - is for an island that hosts either the hob or the sink. We prefer to put the hob here so that the island becomes the focal point of creativity rather than a central dumping ground for dirty pots and pans!

A good size island will provide you with plenty of options for integrated drawers, bin solutions, cutlery, pots and pans etc, leaving you with more space for cupboards elsewhere in the kitchen space. If you don't have room for an island, then a peninsula can help maximise your cupboard space.

We work on many side and rear extensions so do let us know if you'd like us to come for a visit to look at your space/plans and give you some concrete, free advice.

Any more questions, ask away!