Making the most of your kitchen revamp

A pair of design experts reveal some of the most common layout mistakes and how to avoid them.

- By SAM WYLIE-HARRIS

WHEN it comes to home renovations, a shiny new kitchen certainly gives you the confidence to make the most of the hardest working room in the house.

But there’s more than meets the eye to kitchen upgrades, a total refurb, or switching up the fixtures.

From circulation and storage, to kitchen island sizing and placement, thoughtful layout choices can be make or break in everyday use.

Here, experts outline the most common kitchen layout challenges and practical ways to design around them...

“We're seeing kitchens take on more roles than ever, from cooking and dining to working and entertaining,” says Kiya Kelly-Paine, design expert from home and design platform Houzz, who specialises in design trends and how people are improving their homes. “[This means] circulation space plays a much bigger role in how well a layout functions day-to-day.”

Freeing up room to move around is a key consideration, says Kiya, with the Houzz Kitchen Trends Study 2026 indicating a third of renovations “are being driven by functionality rather than just aesthetics.”

Mark Andrews, director of Dual Designs, who has been creating bespoke kitchens and furniture since 1988, says: “A kitchen is a busy working space, so correct spacing is absolutely vital.