The Great British Bake Off is well underway already, making it it’s clear once again that baking has absolutely captured our hearts here as a nation! We know that lots of you are itching to use the show as inspiration to try out some of your own baking recipes at home, so with that in mind we’ve decided to use this week’s blog to show you the best ways to prepare your kitchen for some baking.
As any successful baker knows, you need a treasure trove of ingredients in order to make the most delicious meals when baking. That means you’ve got to be able to reach your flour, sugar and lemon juice at a moment’s notice – you won’t want to have to keep crossing the kitchen to fetch them! It’s not just those, either; there are all sorts of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger that you’ll want to keep close by, too. For that reason, you’ll want deep drawers to keep your baking ingredients in, if at all possible.
You’ll also be grateful for deep drawers – or at least tall ones – when bringing out and putting away your trays and baking pans. For these reasons alone, if you’re redesigning your kitchen it’s the drawers and cabinetry that you’ll want to have a look at first. (If space is at a premium, some people even find that a rolling cart can be helpful, so you can bring your ingredients trundling across the kitchen with you!)
Kitchen worktops and islands are key considerations at the best of times, but giving yourself enough counter space to work should be at the top of your list of priorities when designing your kitchen for baking. You’ll need bowls, scales, whisks, ingredients, utensils…and preferably the ability to use them without sending anything crashing to the floor, too. Many cooks find that kitchen islands fulfil this role beautifully, as rather than tucked up in one cramped corner of your worktop, you’ve got plenty of room to prepare.
It’s also worth noting that lots of bakers actually prefer their work surfaces to be slightly lower than they might normally be in other kitchens. This is so they can get the right amount of leverage to press down and roll out dough or knead bread. If you’re designing your kitchen from scratch, this might be something worth considering. Of course, if you’ve not got the budget or the time for it, you can always achieve the same effect with a dedicated ‘baking stool’ (yes, it’s a real thing), and standing on that for anything that needs that extra bit of force.
There’s one other final point that’s possibly not quite as well known as the others – in recent years, more and more cooking professionals are singing the praises of ‘tech corners’. “What’s that got to do with baking?” you might ask. Well, bakers often need a variety of electronic appliances and utensils like food mixers and processors, and they often need several to be running at the same time. A dedicated ‘tech corner’ complete with the right number of power sockets, can really make your job easier, rather than stretching wires and cables across your worktops.
Even if you’re not planning on baking on that sort of scale, casual bakers can still get a lot of use out of a tech corner. If nothing else, it can be a place to plug in your iPhone, iPad or laptop to follow online how-tos or tutorials, so you can learn as you cook. Obviously, make sure to keep any electronic devices well out of the way of whisks or chocolate-covered spoons!
Finally, if you’re planning on transforming your entire kitchen into one that’s perfect for baking, you’re going to need appliances that are up to the job. A wall-mounted oven is the perfect solution to all your baking needs, especially as it saves you having to bend down all the time to put your meals into it. At Kitchen Design Centre, we’re proud to be an official Master Partner for Neff, a leading industry supplier of ovens and other powerful kitchen appliances.
If you want to see them in action, you can pop into any of our designer kitchen showrooms in Manchester, Blackburn or Colne, where one of our talented designers will be only too happy to perform a demonstration!
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Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
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