These past 14 months have seen many of us enjoying the simpler things in life. From leisurely walks and fresh air, to undertaking a new hobby, we’ve learnt to appreciate the little things more.

A kitchen is an expensive investment!

Prior to even approaching a kitchen showroom, you’re likely to have given it plenty of thought. From an idea of spend, to the overall layout of how you envisage your new kitchen to look, it’s likely to be a room in your home that you’ve spent time an enormous amount of time considering.

A neutral colour scheme has always been a firm favourite in interiors…

Many of the neutral tones evoke feelings of calm and relaxation, making it an ideal colour combination frequently used in bedrooms.

When it comes to home improvements, there’s nothing quite as exciting as planning for a new kitchen!

Unless you have recently moved, it’s likely that you’ve lived with your current kitchen for a number of years. Having spent the majority of this past year at home and indeed in our kitchens, if you weren’t totally sure what you disliked about it before lockdown, there’s a good chance you’ve a clear vision now, as we head out of lockdown number three.

Marble and granite, along with many of the other naturally found products that are used for worksurfaces, have been the desired choice of the discerning customer for many years.

With Mother’s Day this weekend, and Easter fast approaching, 2021 has already seen a number of significant events that many of us would normally celebrate be scuppered!

Having spent so much time at home during the past year, many of us have been longing for a new kitchen!

Some of our clients have already realised this dream, even in lockdown. Like virtually all businesses, we have adapted to a new way of working, and now offer a remote consultation and design service, as well as being able to fit and install the kitchen, whilst stringently complying with ongoing government guidelines.

Currently seeing a revival, green is set to be one of the ‘on-trend’ kitchen colours in 2021, and with so many different hues and tones of green, it’s easy to see why!

Two of the key kitchen trends appearing in 2021 is the combination of using more than one tone across the units, and the resurgence of woodgrain.

The popularity of opting to have every unit in the kitchen being of the same uniform colour is diminishing, allowing kitchen designers and homeowners to explore the potential of mixing textures and finishes.

Having a new kitchen this January might seem like a pipe dream, but in reality, at Ray Munn Kitchens we are still able to plan and design your new kitchen, albeit remotely, and even deliver it, whilst stringently adhering to the current restrictions.

This Friday sees the start of a new year, a year that we all hope will certainly be better than 2020!

We have all been asked to ‘stay at home’ wherever possible during the last few months, and as such many of us have spent a great deal of time in our kitchens. For some, the kitchen has always been a ‘love affair’, whereas others have had to embrace or re-ignite their cooking skills! Either way, if your current kitchen isn’t up to scratch, one of your first wishes in 2021 is likely to be to invest in a new kitchen!

This year has been tough for so many people, many of whom are wanting nothing more than a better 2021!

The gifts that people wished for last year seem inconsequential this coming Christmas. It’s taken 2020 for us to appreciate what really matters to us… Even with eased restrictions over the festive period, many of us are longing for the day when we can spend more quality time with our family and friends!

‘Country kitchen’ is a style that has many signature hallmarks…

It’s a desirable look that’s increasing in popularity, evoking thoughts of a homely space which is both warm and welcoming. That’s not to say having a modern kitchen is any less popular, but over the last few months, people have re-looked at their homes as not only their pride and joy, but as their safe space.

When it comes to designing the overall layout of a kitchens, most tend to be planned around three conventional shapes— a ‘U’ shape, ‘L’ shape or a single wall of units with a parallel run or a central island to complement the single wall storage.

Planning for a new kitchen whilst in lockdown might seem like an impossibility!

Many people are sure to be somewhat hesitant about committing to a large purchase, especially in the run up to Christmas. Others are sure to think that there is no way a kitchen design can commence given the current rules! However, with careful planning, it is possible to make a start!

Over recent months, the rainbow has been a symbol of hope and better days to come, along with being an iconic representation of the tireless work of the NHS and the nations’ support and gratitude of all the NHS staff.

The main role of a kitchen, as you would expect, is a place to plan, prepare, cook, serve and even eat meals. Often it’s a room that acts a social hub too, and in more recent months it’s been a makeshift office area for so many as well!

Recent months may have put pay to many well-loved reality TV programs being filmed, but one of the most popular cooking shows was back on our screens last night!

After an eagerly anticipated wait, the Great British Bake Off has finally returned! Producers expect this series to be as popular as ever, as more and more people turned to baking whilst in lockdown!

Designers take inspiration from all manner of places, including online sources such as Pinterest, home interest magazines and trend forecasters.

Whilst these sources are certainly inspiring, nature, and indeed the way nature is affected by the seasons is some of the most captivating inspiration, and none more so than Autumn.

Choosing your new kitchen is sure to be an exciting time…

From the initial consultation to the designing stage, there will be a lot of emphasis on the style of your new kitchen, along with the finishes you require, and your chosen worksurfaces and appliances.