Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for your kitchen. With family gatherings, festive feasts, and endless cups of mulled wine being prepared, it’s the ultimate stress test for your space. If you’ve been contemplating upgrading your kitchen, the holiday season is a great opportunity to identify what works well and what doesn’t.
Here’s what to look for over Christmas to help guide your New Year renovation plans.
1. Assess Your Storage Space
Christmas often means an abundance of food, drink, and cookware. Take note of whether your cupboards and pantry provide enough space. Are items crammed together? Do you struggle to find what you need? If your storage feels inadequate, it might be time to consider more efficient cabinetry or creative storage solutions, such as pull-out larders or corner units.
2. Evaluate Your Worktops
From prepping vegetables to rolling out pastry, worktop space is vital. Pay attention to whether you have enough surface area to work comfortably. If you often find yourself juggling chopping boards and bowls, adding an island or extending your counter space could make all the difference.
3. Check Your Appliance Performance
Christmas cooking puts appliances through their paces. Is your oven heating evenly? Does your fridge have enough capacity? Are your small appliances easily accessible? Take note of any frustrations you experience, as upgrading to modern, energy-efficient appliances could save you time and hassle.
4. Review Your Layout
Does your kitchen’s layout make entertaining easy or chaotic? The ‘kitchen triangle’—the flow between your sink, stove, and fridge—is key to functionality. If you find yourself constantly walking back and forth or bumping into family members, your layout might need a rethink.
5. Pay Attention to Lighting
Winter evenings and Christmas dinners highlight the importance of good kitchen lighting. Is your space too dark, or are harsh lights creating an uninviting atmosphere? Consider adding layered lighting, such as under-cabinet LEDs for task work and pendant lights for ambience.
6. Take Note of Traffic Flow
Christmas often means multiple people in the kitchen, whether they’re helping out or sneaking in for a mince pie. Observe how people move around your space. Are there bottlenecks or awkward areas that cause congestion? Open-plan layouts or strategic zoning can help improve flow.
7. Assess Comfort and Style
Do you enjoy spending time in your kitchen, or does it feel outdated and uncomfortable? A kitchen should be functional but also a welcoming space where you love to gather with family and friends. Pay attention to the overall vibe and identify elements you’d like to change, whether it’s the colour scheme, flooring, or seating options.
8. Consider Cleaning and Maintenance
After the Christmas chaos, cleaning up can be a chore. Notice which surfaces and finishes are hardest to clean. Upgrading to materials like quartz worktops or matt cabinetry can make maintenance easier and keep your kitchen looking pristine.
9. Gather Feedback
If you’re hosting guests over the holidays, ask for their impressions. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can highlight issues or inspire ideas you hadn’t considered.
10. Start a Wishlist
While you’re observing your kitchen’s performance, start making a list of must-haves for your renovation. Include practical upgrades like better storage, as well as aesthetic improvements like a new colour scheme or modern finishes.
Planning for the New Year
Once the Christmas decorations are packed away and the last leftovers are eaten, you’ll have a clear idea of how your kitchen could be improved. Whether you need a complete overhaul or a few key updates, this is the perfect time to start planning.
At Vicky Elmore Kitchens Ltd, I specialize in creating bespoke kitchens tailored to your needs. Get in touch to book a consultation and turn your dream kitchen into a reality for 2025. Let’s make your kitchen the heart of your home—ready for all of next year’s celebrations.
Have a good week!
Vicky
