Kitchens and commercial interiors have something in common. They both rely on joinery that has to look good, work hard every day and fit precisely around plumbing, electrics and the quirks of the building. Whether you are fitting a
bespoke kitchen or opening up for a
kitchen extension, in Edinburgh or wider Scotland, the planning makes a huge difference.
Here are the things we think are worth considering before work starts.
Kitchens: start with how you cook and live
A kitchen is not just a set of units. It is the room most people use most. Before choosing doors and worktops, think about:
- How you cook. Where do you prepare food, and where do you want the hob, sink and fridge in relation to each other?
- Storage. What do you need to store, and where would it be most useful? Deep drawers, larder units and corner solutions all change how a kitchen feels to use.
- Who uses it. A family kitchen, a kitchen for entertaining and a compact kitchen for one have different needs.
- Light and services. Where are the windows, radiators, sockets and pipes? Moving services is possible but adds cost and time.
Supply, fit or both
Some clients buy a kitchen from a retailer and want a joiner to fit it. Others want units supplied and fitted together, or something made to measure. All are valid. A good joiner will be honest about what works best in your space. Older Edinburgh properties with uneven walls and floors often benefit from careful scribing and adjustment, whatever units you choose.
Worktops and finishes
Laminate, solid timber, quartz, compact laminate and stone all have different costs, looks, maintenance needs and lead times. Some, such as stone and quartz, are usually templated and fitted by specialists after the units are in. Build that into your programme so you are not left without a worktop for longer than necessary.
Coordinating the trades
A kitchen fit usually involves joiners, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, tilers and decorators. The order matters. First fix plumbing and electrics, then plastering, then units, then worktops, then second fix, tiling and decorating. Clear coordination stops trades tripping over each other and avoids expensive rework.
Commercial joinery: function first
Commercial joinery covers a lot of ground: reception desks, counters, shelving, display units, office fit-outs, partitions, doors, wall panelling and storage. The priorities are often different from a home:
- Durability. Commercial joinery takes far more wear. Materials, edges and fixings need to stand up to daily use.
- Regulations. Commercial spaces may have requirements around fire performance of materials, fire doors, accessibility and escape routes. Your designer or building control will guide you, and the joinery should match the specification.
- Brand and appearance. A counter or reception desk is often the first thing a customer sees. It needs to look right.
- Timing. Businesses often need work done quickly, out of hours, or around trading. Plan the programme around the business, not the other way round.
Measure twice, make once
Whether it is a kitchen or a commercial fit-out, accurate site measurement is essential, especially for anything made to measure. Measure after walls are plastered and floors are down, where possible, so the joinery fits the finished space rather than the shell.
Lead times
Made-to-measure joinery, specialist worktops, ironmongery and certain finishes can all have lead times. Ask about these early and plan accordingly. A realistic programme is far better than an optimistic one that slips.
What to prepare before asking for a price
- Drawings or a sketch with rough sizes.
- Photos of the space as it is now.
- Any units, worktops or materials you have already chosen.
- What else is happening in the space, such as plumbing, electrics or flooring.
- Your timing, and any constraints such as trading hours.
The short version
For kitchens, design around how you live, plan your services and worktops, and coordinate the trades. For commercial joinery, prioritise durability, regulations, appearance and programme. In both cases, measure accurately and plan for lead times.
If you are planning a kitchen or commercial joinery project in Edinburgh or wider Scotland, send a short description, rough sizes and photos. We will be in touch.
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