![\"deVOL](\"https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/deVOL-St-Johns-DSC_6896.jpg\")
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- <\/ul><\/div>The St. John’s Square showroom in Clerkenwell<\/em><\/p>\n
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1. Look at a plan \u2013 it sounds a hassle but it’s really worth it!!<\/strong><\/p>\n
Before you begin a new kitchen project take a look at your kitchen on paper if you can, maybe measure it all up and draw up a rough plan. I know it sounds like a boring, maybe pointless job, but maybe someone could do it for you or maybe you have an architects plan.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a busy place a kitchen and probably the most used room in your house, so it\u2019s worth getting the space as right as you can. A floor plan is a great start, as it simplifies your spaces and may bring up some unexpected options. It may not!! but it\u2019s worth a play about, you may find you can knock a wall down simply and easily and have space for a big table, you may find you can do without part of your cloakroom and move your laundry chores out of the kitchen, giving you lots more space. Who knows what you might find, but it\u2019s worth a look and a head scratch.<\/p>\n
![\"deVOL](\"https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/deVOL-St-Johns-DSC_7326.jpg\")
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- <\/ul><\/div>This beautiful pantry and loo used to be a long dark corridor with no purpose, a little thought and it has become the most useful and pretty space in our St. John’s Square Showroom<\/em><\/p>\n
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2. Splash out on the important stuff \u2013 no buts!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n
Spend your money on really good cupboards, better to have less cupboards but really nice ones. I can hear people saying \u2018that\u2019s all very well, but I need a full kitchen and can\u2019t afford lots of expensive cupboards\u2019 and yes that\u2019s one way of looking at it, but I prefer things to be beautiful even if a little more minimal. Adding a few vintage pieces can help with costs, finding a quirky pantry cupboard could save you money and add individuality to the overall look of the room. It\u2019s the hardest thing for us English folks, doing with a bit less in the name of style.<\/p>\n
![\"Osgathorpe-_DSC5397_HiRes_Edited\"](\"https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Osgathorpe-_DSC5397_HiRes_Edited-1.jpg\")
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This deVOL Kitchen from a long time ago is just a few beautifully made cupboards, this kitchen will never age or go out of style<\/em><\/p>\n
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3. Less baggage \u2013 go on you can do it!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n
The age old piece of advice, but a must!! Get rid of stuff and do with less, try to have really nice things rather than just everything you have ever been given since you left home!! If you feel guilty then have a car boot sale or take a trip to a charity shop. We all do it, we think \u2018well I may need it one day\u2019!! chances are we won\u2019t, especially if its 20 old tupperware boxes without lids, or a selection of crappy saucepans that may come in handy if you have 100 people over for Sunday lunch!!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Classic_Fitted_Pantry_DSC2551-2-1.jpg\")
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- <\/ul><\/div> Clean, well organised things that you need and use every day, no clutter, no excess baggage in our Cotes Mill showroom fitted cupboards<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n
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4. With a caveat \u2013 there\u2019s always an exception!!<\/strong><\/p>\n
Never throw away or get rid of things with style and memories, an old and beautiful serving dish, a battered basket from a holiday in Provence or an old pine plate rack, these are what take ordinary to special in your new kitchen. When I go on photoshoots I often have a rummage in people’s kitchen cupboards (I do ask first!) and find something really unusual that makes for a much more interesting image, in fact it really can make a lovely photo into a really special and memorable one. So don\u2019t throw away or even hide away your treasures they are unique to you and they are so much more important in so many ways than buying something new and mainstream even if it is cool and expensive. Something unusual catches people’s eye and adds interest and a little more mystery to a room. I love people who have cupboards and shelves with memories, this image below was from a beautiful house in London and it was the special collections of antique and vintage items the lady had collected that has made this image so very popular with our customers and Instagram followers.<\/p>\n
![\"Upminster\"](\"https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Upminster-Essex-Shaker-DSC_8772.jpg\")
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The perfect situation, storage, great cupboards, great view, great place to sit and precious memories in everyday items<\/em><\/p>\n
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5. A Pantry = best thing ever!!<\/strong><\/p>\n
I think one of the most important, best and life changing things to have in your kitchen is a pantry, if you have a specific room then lucky you, if not then find space for a big pantry cupboard. It could be an old vintage piece or it could be new and part of your kitchen order, but try to get one. Having all your food in one place makes life so much better and if it’s big enough for crockery and linens, that is envy inducing. Random cupboards with a mixture of contents scattered around your room is frustrating and not for grown-ups, good organisation is good for the soul and your inner peace. Sounds a little heavy but if you keep the simple things in life like food well organised then you have more time to worry about the big things. Honestly, when we go on photoshoots, our Instagram followers love beautiful photos of incredible kitchens, but they love photos of organised pantries more!!!<\/p>\n
![\"deVOL](\"https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/deVOL-St-Johns-DSC_7009.jpg\")
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Pantry heaven in our St. John’s Square showroom<\/em><\/p>\n
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\u00a06. How many reasons do you need to have a kitchen table!<\/strong><\/p>\n
Is it just me? I get on so much more efficiently and do so many more jobs when I have someone else around, I want to cook more, clean more and get organised more. So for me having a big kitchen table is an absolute must. Family, friends whoever wants to drop by has a spot to sit, chat or just be there. Having a family meal at a kitchen table together is something we should never stop doing. Preparing a meal and sitting down to eat and chat about your day is one of the most important things you can give your kids, teaching them to eat well and enjoy the time of day dedicated to nourishment of body and mind. I was absolutely passionate about this when my kids lived at home and it has gone on to be an integral part of my relationship with my kids, chatting over food with no distractions, it makes us feel connected and open and personal. I always adore the parts in a foreign film when they eat long lazy lunches, hours of preparation, laughter and memories in the Mediterranean sunshine. I think we should make our kitchens little havens of happiness where people hang out, we don’t do enough hanging out.<\/p>\n
![\"Shaker-Showroom\"](\"https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Shaker-Showroom-DSC_8604-Edit.jpg\")
- <\/ul><\/div><\/p>\n
- <\/ul><\/div><\/p>\n
- <\/ul><\/div> Clean, well organised things that you need and use every day, no clutter, no excess baggage in our Cotes Mill showroom fitted cupboards<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n
- <\/ul><\/div><\/p>\n
- <\/ul><\/div>This beautiful pantry and loo used to be a long dark corridor with no purpose, a little thought and it has become the most useful and pretty space in our St. John’s Square Showroom<\/em><\/p>\n
- <\/ul><\/div>The St. John’s Square showroom in Clerkenwell<\/em><\/p>\n
![\"deVOL](\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button?&url=https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/a-random-collection-of-tips-on-kitchens-that-may-come-in-handy&media=https:\/\/www.devolkitchens.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/deVOL-St-Johns-DSC_6896.jpg\")