But instead of knocking down walls, submitting planning applications or starting from scratch, why not try retrofitting your current kitchen to make sure that hosting Christmas 2023 is a stress-free experience?

What is kitchen retrofitting?

Retrofitting is the process of installing new appliances and/or making necessary modifications to your current kitchen to make the space work for you.

“It’s ideal if your kitchen is still in good condition but you’ve outgrown some aspects of it,” Sam Fink, founder of Kent based Fink Kitchens says. “Maybe an expanding family has you craving extra hob space or endless washing up over Christmas has left you with pan hands and a yearning for a dishwasher. Retrofitting is an affordable, hassle-free and greener way of making your kitchen a better match for your current lifestyle.”

Ready to retrofit? Three affordable ways to transform your space

1. Goodbye old school hobs, hello induction hobs

A four-burner hob is perfect for most kitchens, but a growing family or a love of entertaining could mean that it’s time to upgrade and supersize. So why not switch from a standard electric/gas hob to a quick-to-heat induction hob?

An induction hob has coils beneath its flat glass surface. It cooks food quicker by heating the pan directly rather than heating the hob. This means that the glass surface stays cool to the touch.

“Along with being easier to clean and safer than a gas or electric counterpart, induction hobs are also much more efficient,” Sam says. “It’s also a much more modern way of cooking. Thanks to their cooking zones, you can fit multiple pots and pans on the hob all at once meaning you can boil, fry and griddle simultaneously. It’s fair to say they’re a popular choice for adventurous chefs.”

We have a range of induction hobs available from the exclusive Spanish kitchen manufacturer Pando like the P13400, which has three zones. Or the PI3300 which can link with the clever Air Link System extractor fan which turns on when you start your hob.

We also can fit induction hobs from brands like Neff, AEG and Bosch. “If you do decide to change your hob to a bigger size, there could be some worktop implications,” Sam adds. However, at Fink Kitchens we can manage your kitchen installation from conception to completion.

2. Say ‘cheers’ with a wine fridge

Entertaining guests is all well and good until you run out of fridge space.

But that’s where a wine fridge comes in. “These stand-alone pieces of kitchen equipment enable you to offload beer, wine and fizzy drinks from your main fridge, freeing up space for food.”

Depending on the wine fridge you choose, you can even set the temperature differently in each zone. And it’s not just full-width fridges that are available. You can choose from slim-line under-counter options which store 7 bottles to full height larder versions that house more than 100.

Small kitchen? Feast your eyes on this Pando PVZB 15-9  under counter wine cooler which holds 9 bottles. But if space is not an issue, you could always make space for the PVMAV 178-112 which stores 112 bottles.

3. Put the rubber gloves down — invest in a dishwasher

One of the worst jobs in the kitchen? We’d say it’s got to be washing dirty dishes. Especially when you’re hosting and cooking an elaborate meal. But a dishwasher can make light work of the task.

“If space is an issue, then I like to explore whether we can repurpose a cupboard or potentially move the washing machine out of the kitchen,” says Sam. “It’s surprising how often there’s scope in the utility or in a bathroom.”

In addition, dishwashers come in a range of sizes from a standard-sized option, measuring in at 60cm wide, to slimline ones at 45cm wide.

For example, you could choose from the Pando PLB 7145, which is ideal for kitchens where space is limited. Or you could opt for something a little bit different from Fisher and Paykel, which is available as a double ‘dishdrawer’. This gives you the option to wash a load while another one is drying. The options are endless!

“And, just in case you need further convincing, using a dishwasher is generally more energy-efficient than washing plates by hands,” Sam adds.

That’s according to the latest research, which states that the majority of modern dishwashers use around 9.5-14 litres of water per cycle. While handwashing can use far more.

Get in touch

These are just three retrofitting ideas. Here at Fink Kitchens our trusty kitchen designers use their years of experience to design a space you love. And that works for you lifestyle.

We also believe that considerable thought should be given to the energy rating of any new appliances fitted in your kitchen as it makes sense to improve the energy efficiency whenever any upgrades are made.

Take a look at some of our previous work here, and don’t hesitate to get in touch for a no -obligation phone call to find out more. We can help make sure that your kitchen will be totally fit for purpose well before Christmas 2023.

The post Kitchen retrofitting: 3 ingenious ways to affordably transform your space appeared first on Fink Kitchens.

Design trends are always a response to what is happening in the wider world. Economic crisis? Bright colours should make us happier. Living through a lockdown? Then bring nature indoors. By paying attention to what is happening in society, trends can be predicted.

Here at Fink Kitchens, our trusty team has put their heads together to decipher what will be the top kitchen trends for 2023 and beyond. Here’s what we’re predicting to be big next year:

1. Colour is king

You heard it here first: joyful colours are back on the table and to say we’re pleased would be an understatement.

“Over the past few months we’re seeing people move away from more muted tones and reach for blues and greens,” founder of Fink Kitchens, Sam Fink says. “In line with other interior trends, richer hues seem to be proving most popular with these joyful shades evoking feelings of warmth, optimism and positivity.”

And thankfully, at Fink Kitchens, there’s more than 2,000 kitchen cabinet colours to choose from with matt, silk gloss, structured and high gloss lacquers finishes available. You can pick from mustard yellows and spring greens to ruby reds or a blue grey. “There’s something for everyone,” Sam adds.

2. Two-toned kitchen cabinets

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: kitchen islands really are a thing of beauty. But in 2023, these countertop units can add an extra dose of style and sophistication, and that’s all thanks to the two-toned kitchen cabinet trend.

To tick off this trend, you could choose a light blue colour for your wall cabinets and a striking midnight blue on your kitchen island cabinets. Or you could use different materials and textures, by picking a block colour for your cabinets and a wood finish for your island.

Kitchen islands were born to stand out. And with this trend, they can be the star of the show.

3. Powered by nature

Biophilia — which means incorporating nature into our indoor environment — has been one of the biggest interior design trends for the past few years.

So it comes as no surprise that in 2023 we’ll continue to welcome natural tones and structures into the heart of the home.

“Within this trend, we’re seeing customers use nature as a source of inspiration,” Sam explains.

“For example, when it comes to choosing their materials, structures and colours, options like greige oak and sage green are expected to prove popular as they come with a calming, yet naturalistic feel.”

4. Smart tech is getting even smarter

The modern home is smarter than ever before. And our kitchens are no exception.

“In today’s fast-paced world, your kitchen can function as beautifully as it looks,” Sam says. “And innovative features, like smart extractor fans, LED lighting and appliances that pair up with Alexa are changing the way we cook, eat and live.

“For example, we partner with Pando who creates clever extractor fans such as the AirLink that turns on when you start your hob. It can also automatically light up when the hob is switched on, too.”

If you’re on your way to creating an automated home, do get in touch with the team. We’d love to talk through all the smart options available.

5. Going with the groove

If you love nothing more than sleek symmetry, perfect edges and fluted glass, you’ll love this grooved trend which comes with a whole load of texture.

“Traditional textures, classic colours and quality is at the heart of this movement,” Sam says. “This trend is all about our need to get life back on track, with sleek straight forward lines in wood and fluted glass.”

Here at Fink Kitchens, for 2023, we’ve got new woods to add to our Keller collection including Ribbonwood, which is a veneer that comes with milled grooves in every centimetre and it’s available in three different colours including: warm walnut, pure oak and raven black oak.

Plan on creating your dream kitchen in 2023? Or just giving it an upgrade? Check out our latest projects or get in touch to find out more.

The post 5 top kitchen trends for 2023: Calming colours, dual-toned kitchen islands & smart tech appeared first on Fink Kitchens.

Whether it’s pots and pans that need storing away, a place to stash your dried goods or somewhere to hide your recycling bin, we know just how important storage can be. Not only for keeping your kitchen tidy, but for making it functional, too.

Thankfully, no matter whether you’re in the process of renovating or retrofitting your kitchen, there’s a range of ways to elevate your kitchen cupboards. From clever corner units complete with rotating shelf systems, to luxurious made-to-measure wooden cutlery trays.

With a few smart interior cupboard fittings, it’s easy to take your kitchen cupboards up a notch.

How to elevate your kitchen cupboards

1. Invest in a Blum space tower

Tired of searching for items in your cupboards? Convenient and ergonomic, a Blum space tower could be just the thing to upgrade your cupboard space.

Say goodbye to messy and unorganised shelves. The pull-out larder drawers make it easy to spot what’s inside and they are available in all different heights, widths and depths. You can choose from steel drawer designs, frosted glass inserts or white, black and original wood options. Meaning? You can tailor your space tower to your individual needs, interior design preferences while being easy on the eye too.

Plus, these drawers come with a high load bearing capacity with each pull out being able to hold a total weight of up to 70kg. So, whether it’s heavy bottles, canned goods or bags of rice, a space tower can stand up to heavy household items.

2. Opt for clever corner units  

Corners need not go to waste in any kitchen space. Especially when you’ve armed your kitchen with a clever corner base unit, complete with rotating shelves.

At Fink Kitchens you can choose from two different smartly engineered kitchen corner storage solutions, including:

• A semi-circular rotating shelf system, which is available as a ½ semi circular swing out shelf system or a ¾ style.
• The ‘Le Mans’ swing out shelf system, which swings out smoothly so you can get a clear view of every stored item.

Each design allows you to easily access kitchenware and make use of otherwise dead space under your corner kitchen counter. Meaning your cupboard can be beautiful from the inside, out.

3. Consider adding a knife block

Proper storage of your knives is essential. Not just for safety purposes, but for purposes of prolonging the lifespan of your blades.

Which is why it’s so important to consider the storage and not just shove them in a drawer. The best way to store knives? If you ask us, we think a stained oak wooden drawer block works wonders.

Fink Kitchens has got a range of perfectly sized knife blocks that fit in drawer systems, so that your sharp objects are out of the way, but easily in reach — leaving your worktops free of clutter.

4. Make the most of cutlery inserts

But don’t just stop at knife blocks.

Perhaps it’s also time to upgrade your cutlery drawer game with our range of made-to-measure inserts. Along with looking aesthetically pleasing and keeping things super organised, storing utensils in a cutlery drawer will make finding your knife, fork or spoon easy.

You can choose from plastic cutlery trays that come in a wide range of depths and width dimensions or sustainable bamboo cutlery trays which do good and look good.

But the good news doesn’t stop there. You can also choose your own layout for the trays, meaning there is a dedicated space for everything, no matter the shape and size of your utensils.

5. Give some thought to a built-in cupboard bin

Keep your bin out of sight and out of mind with a built-in option that fits easily inside of your kitchen cupboard.

Built-in cupboard bins allow you to space save and you can create a sleek modern kitchen look with a convenient recycling system thanks the numerous waste compartments in just one unit.

Here at Fink Kitchens, we’ve fitted a range of kitchens and we offer solutions for a built-in waste bin and/or extensive systems for separating waste. From a simple-but-effective integrated waste bucket box to a built-in waste system suitable for drawers that are 500mm to 1200mm wide.

6. Swap to pan drawers

Sometimes, an average-sized kitchen drawer won’t cut it. But that’s where pan drawers come in.

Deeper than standard drawers, pan drawers are great for storing and organising bigger items such as pasta pots, woks or even your trusty air fryer.

If you wanted to increase their usability, you could make your pan drawers work even harder by adding some drawer boxes to keep other hard-to-store items, like tall flasks, jars and bowls, in easy reach.

It really is a win win.

Ready to organise your kitchen?

With the New Year just around the corner, now is the time to get organised. Maybe you have invested in some new crockery for the entertainment season and are now wondering where you are going to store it all, or you have popped some kitchenware on your Christmas list.

No matter whether you have a vast space to design your dream kitchen in or you are modifying a current kitchen to your style, our talented team of kitchen fitters and kitchen designers can work around you.

Get in touch with Fink Kitchens to find out more and bring your dream kitchen to life.

The post 6 tips to help you elevate (and organise) your kitchen cupboard space appeared first on Fink Kitchens.