Start the New Year with a Space That You Will Love

Dan Rowe • December 10, 2025

Why now is the perfect time to plan your 2026 kitchen remodel

There is something about the New Year that makes people want to refresh and reorganise. While most focus on personal goals, it is also the ideal time to start thinking about your home — particularly the kitchen. As the heart of most homes, the kitchen sets the tone for how you live day to day. If you have been thinking about upgrading yours, early planning can make all the difference.


Starting your kitchen project now means you will have time to think through ideas, explore designs, and avoid the rush that often comes later in the year. This guide explains how to begin the process without the stress.

Give Yourself Time to Plan

A person writing in a notebook with a gold pen, beside a basket of green plants.

A well-designed kitchen doesn’t happen overnight. From choosing the layout to selecting materials, it takes time to get things right. Beginning the process in early 2026 allows you to make confident decisions rather than rushed ones.


  • Define your priorities – Think about what is not working in your current kitchen; Is it storage, layout, or lighting?
  • Create a budget – Set a realistic figure for what you want to spend, with a little flexibility for unexpected costs.
  • Gather ideas – Save images, colours and styles that appeal to you. Over time, you will start to see a pattern in what you like.


Getting these basics in place early helps you move forward smoothly when it is time to design.

Understand the Timeline

Construction tools on architectural plans, including a drill, tape measure, level, nails, and anchors.

Many homeowners underestimate how long a kitchen remodel takes, especially if structural work or custom cabinetry is involved. Planning now gives you time to schedule builders, source materials and manage any required permits.


  • Design phase: 2–6 weeks depending on complexity
  • Ordering materials: 4–8 weeks for delivery
  • Installation: 2–4 weeks for fitting and finishing touches



Each stage builds on the one before it, so allowing plenty of time helps ensure everything runs efficiently.

Focus on Function as Much as Style

Modern kitchen with wooden countertops, black stovetop, and digital clock displaying 16:46.

While a beautiful kitchen is always appealing, function should come first. The best spaces are the ones that make cooking, dining and socialising effortless.


  • Think about how you use the kitchen day to day
  • Consider where appliances, lighting and storage will work best
  • Avoid overcrowding the space with too many design features



Small design choices, like the placement of sockets or under-cabinet lighting, can make a big difference once the space is in use.

Keep the Seasons in Mind

Family cooking in the kitchen: parents beside children, looking out the window, sunlight.

If you start planning early, you can time your renovation for the part of the year that suits you best. Spring and summer tend to be popular for installations since there is better ventilation and fewer weather disruptions.



Starting now means you will have your dream kitchen ready just in time for next year’s gatherings, without having to rush through important decisions.

Begin the Year with a Fresh Start

Planning your 2026 kitchen now is one of the best ways to ensure it turns out exactly as you imagine. With thoughtful preparation and a clear timeline, you can create a space that works beautifully for years to come.


For design ideas and expert advice on planning your new kitchen, visit www.hdkitchensltd.co.uk and explore how to turn your ideas into a space you’ll truly love living in.

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