5 Key Things to Specify Before Your Kitchen Survey
- Callum Dunbar
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
At B-Spoke Kitchens, every project starts with a comprehensive design survey: the first step in turning your vision into a reality. Whether you’re a homeowner planning your dream kitchen or a trade professional working on behalf of a client, preparing for this stage makes all the difference.
Here are five essential things to think about and specify before your kitchen design survey takes place:
1. Budget - Be Clear, Be Realistic
It’s the question everyone’s thinking: “How much is this going to cost?”
Being upfront about your budget doesn’t limit your options, it empowers our designers to create the best possible kitchen within your scope.
At B-Spoke Kitchens, we design kitchens from £3,995 up to fully bespoke, large-scale installations.
Having a budget range helps us recommend the right materials, layout solutions, and appliances without compromising on quality.
Tip: Think in ranges, not absolutes, e.g. £15–20k is more helpful than “I’m not sure.”
2. Layout - Know What Can (and Can’t) Change
Understanding the existing layout of your kitchen will help you decide what you want to keep, change, or reconfigure entirely. Are you happy with the footprint? Would you like to knock down walls or open up the space?
We specialise in reworking layouts to optimise functionality, so bring any ideas, or frustrations, you have with your current setup.
Don’t worry if you’re unsure what’s structurally possible as our team can handle full building works, from moving doors and windows to rewiring and plumbing.
3. Workflow - Plan the Way You Live
The best kitchens are designed around real life. During your survey, we’ll ask how you use your kitchen day-to-day:
Do you cook solo or with family?
Do you want space to entertain?
Is dining integrated or separate?
Do you need space for kids, pets, or working from home?
Understanding your household’s habits lets us create a kitchen that works with you, not against you, blending design with function.
4. Lighting - Don’t Leave It Until Last
Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements of a kitchen design and one of the most important.
Natural light, task lighting, ambient mood lighting, under-cabinet LEDs - it all makes a difference in how your kitchen looks and works.
Our designers can advise on how to maximise both natural and artificial light, but it’s worth thinking ahead about:
Where you’ll need strong lighting (e.g. cooking zones)
Whether you want dimmable mood lighting
If skylights or new windows are an option
5. Storage & Materials - Think Practical and Personal
Storage is where good kitchens become great. Do you want deep pan drawers? Internal pull-outs? Hidden bins? A pantry?
We’ll design every cabinet around how you live, so have a think about what bugs you in your current kitchen, and what “wish list” features you'd love to include.
As for materials, we offer over 200 finishes and colours, including colour-matched cabinetry and solid 18mm rigid units built in our Scottish factory - no flatpack in sight.
Whether you prefer woodgrain, matte, stone or concrete effects, we’ll help guide your choices based on look, feel and durability.
Book Your Free Home Design Appointment
At B-Spoke Kitchens, we combine inspired design, superior craftsmanship, and a fully managed service - from survey to installation.
Your home deserves more than a template. Let’s craft something truly unique.
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