You want a special kitchen design? Check this out. Ah, kitchens. The heart of the home in pretty much every sense, where family and friends convene for a hearty meal after a long day. Not only are they a hub for dining and drinking, they usually wind up being the home’s social focal point too. This makes it all the more reason to plan your's carefully! You’re going to be spending a lot of time in this room, so make sure you love it. The best place to start when planning a kitchen is to do your research—thoroughly. Look through brochures, ask around and get inspired. It’s also wise to seek recommendations from friends if they’ve recently had work done themselves. Next up, set out your goals and budget. Are you going for a complete overhaul? Or just a few low-cost cosmetic changes? Will you be doing any of the work yourself, or hiring professionals for all aspects? Also, don’t forget to factor in the size of the space you’re working with. Small kitchens come with a very different set of considerations to their larger counterparts. Next up, think about the style you’re after. Is chic and classic your look? Or would you prefer some rustic charm? Scandinavian minimalism is all the rage these days—does that float your boat? Once that’s decided, it’s time to think about the component parts. Do you want your floor to be tiled? Laminate? Wood or concrete? There are a multitude of choices out there. It’s also time to think about the layout; U-shaped, L-shaped, linear or with an island? And then, last but not least, you have the fun job of picking all the aesthetic details that’ll make this kitchen yours.