If you are planning a U-shaped kitchen design or want to learn ways to optimise your corners, this episode is for you! While this layout is a favourite for maximising storage and workspace, it is also a minefield for common design errors. Clashing cabinet doors, poor appliance positioning and of 'dead' corner space.

In this episode of the Love Your Kitchen podcast, independent kitchen designer & advisor Faye Newman breaks down the smart, practical tips you need to design a well-thought-out U-shape. Discover how to optimise your ergonomics, place your appliances for a seamless workflow, and where to add a wow factor personality to a traditionally restrictive layout. Plus, Faye walks us through three real-life design projects to show these principles in action.

What we cover this week

1. Why you should never leave your corners as dead space. Faye compares the LeMans swivel system vs. the Magic Corner and explains when to opt for a simple 900mm L-shaped cabinet.
2. Learning about corner posts and why this small, functional piece of furniture is the secret to preventing your handles from bashing into your beautiful new cabinets.
3. Why you should never place your cutlery drawer at a 90-degree angle to your dishwasher and how to avoid the 'bin vs. dishwasher' collision.
4. Moving away from under-counter ovens to eye-level towers for better accessibility and safety.
5. How to avoid the "cluttered" look by swapping heavy wall cabinets for floating shelves, artwork, or mid-height housing.
6. 3 U-shape kitchen design examples, to inspire you for your design.

Best Moments

"Make sure you haven't got your cutlery drawer next to your dishwasher... It’s going to be really annoying having to take all that out, hold it, and push that drawer back in. That would massively annoy me."

"I personally advise clients to go for the LeMans over the Magic Corner... if you've dropped a tin of beans, it’s much easier to get into the back of a LeMans cabinet."

"The main part of nailing your kitchen design is making sure it lasts past the honeymoon phase. You want to love using the space every single day."

About Your Host: Faye Newman

Faye Newman is an independent Kitchen Designer and advisor with over 9 years of industry experience. She specialises in helping homeowners navigate the endless choices of a renovation to create functional, beautiful hearts for their homes. The end result? A kitchen you love walking into everyday.

Free Kitchen Design Resources

1. Free Kitchen Guide: Download "Where to Start & Ways to Save"
2. Book a Call: Get expert advice with a Free Kitchen Discovery Call
3. Follow for Daily Tips: TikTok | Instagram

#KitchenDesign #KitchenRenovation #UShapedKitchen #KitchenLayout #KitchenStorage #InteriorDesign #LoveYourKitchenPodcast #KitchenPlanning

Proudly sponsored by Blum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you redesigning your kitchen want to know the latest features and innovative products available? In this episode of the Love Your Kitchen podcast, I’m sharing my top five favourite finds as a kitchen designer. These are game-changing items that combine style, ergonomics, and cutting-edge technology to help you create a kitchen that is as functional as it is beautiful. Whether you're looking for accessibility solutions, scratch-resistant appliances, or "wow-factor" storage, these finds are universal and can be incorporated into any kitchen style.

In This Episode: Top 5 Kitchen Renovation Finds

1. The Chefs Table by Kesseböhmer: A heavy-lifting mechanism for small appliances like mixers and air fryers. Perfect for "forever homes" and accessibility, this lift brings heavy items from base cabinets to worktop height with zero strain.
2. Matte Induction Hobs: Why the new matte finish from brands like AEG, Neff, and Smeg is 10 times more scratch-resistant than traditional glass and solves the fingerprint problem.
3. The FernSpin by Kutchenhaus: Discover the future of flexible cabinetry with interchangeable, swivelling modular shelving that hides or showcases your items with a simple push.
4. How Blanco’s pan holders, rollout mats, and corner caddies can transform your "wet zone" into a safe, organised, and hygienic workspace.
5. Ninka Qanto Shelving System: A vertical, motorised shelving unit that rises out of your worktop. It’s the ultimate solution for utilising dead corner space or creating a standout bar feature on an island.

Key Takeaways & Designer Tips

Be sure to plan your storage & socket positions! If you use a lift mechanism like the Chef’s Table, ensure you have a socket installed inside the cabinet to keep appliances plugged in and ready to go.

If you are feeling unsure about the safety of a boiling water tap, pan holders as seen during this episode reduces splashing by bringing the pot closer to the spout.

Why not give your kitchen cabinets the WOW factor they deserve! Products like the FernSpin allow your kitchen to evolve with your needs, switching from hidden storage to open display in seconds.

About Your Host: Faye Newman

Faye Newman is an independent Kitchen Designer & advisor with over 9 years of industry experience. She specialises in helping homeowners navigate the endless choices of a renovation to create functional, beautiful hearts for their homes.

Free Kitchen Design Resources:

Free Kitchen Guide: Download "Where to Start & Ways to Save"

Book a Call: Get expert advice with a Free Kitchen Discovery Call

Follow for Daily Tips: TikTok | Instagram

#KitchenDesign #KitchenRenovation #KitchenStorage #SmartKitchen #KitchenOrganisation #KitchenAppliances #HomeImprovement #Kitchentips #kitchenrenovation #LoveYourKitchenPodcast

Proudly sponsored by Blum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Choosing the right Shaker door can feel like a minefield with so many variations on the market. From traditional beaded doors available to the ultra-modern "skinny" Shaker, their are so many amazing choices out there but how do you choose?

In this episode of the Love Your Kitchen podcast, host Faye Newman is at the Burbidge Kitchens showroom to break down seven distinct Shaker styles. Whether you’re dreaming of a luxury in-frame country look or a minimalist Scandi-inspired space, this guide will help you compare profiles, understand technical terms like lay-on vs. in-frame and pick the perfect door for your renovation.

What We Cover This Week

1. Understanding the most common Shaker construction and how it maximises cabinet space.
2. A comparison between chunky frames with ornate beading (like the Finsbury) and seamless, slimline designs (like the Fenton).
3. Why this an in-frame kitchen style is the hallmark of bespoke joinery and how it elevates a design.
4. How to get the high-end look of an in-frame kitchen without the inflated cost or loss of internal storage.
5. How to use reeded glass, T&G (Tongue and Groove) panels, and vertical grooves to add personality to a neutral palette.

Best Moments

"Shaker style has been around for 300+ years. It’s a timeless classic, but it’s the size of the framework and your hardware choices that really change the look."

"If you’ve got a galley kitchen or a smaller space, go for the smallest Shaker rail possible. It creates the illusion of more width and height in the door recess."

"The beauty of a skinny Shaker is leaning into the materials. You don’t need fancy cornices when you have beautiful natural textures like oak or reeded finishes."

About the Showroom: Burbidge Kitchens

This episode was filmed at the Burbidge Kitchens showroom. Burbidge is a premium UK door and furniture manufacturer known for their unique stock colours and innovative takes on traditional Joinery.

About Your Host: Faye Newman

Faye Newman is a freelance Kitchen Designer with over 9 years of industry experience. She specialises in helping homeowners navigate the endless choices of a renovation to create functional, beautiful hearts for their homes.

Extra Resources

Free Kitchen Guide: Download "Where to Start & Ways to Save"

Book a Call: Get expert advice with a free kitchen discovery call at fayenewmandesign.com

Follow for Daily Tips: TikTok @LoveYourKitchen & Instagram @fayenewmandesign

#KitchenDesign #ShakerKitchen #KitchenRenovation #InteriorDesignTips #InFrameKitchen #ModernShaker #KitchenInspiration #BurbageKitchens #LoveYourKitchenPodcast

Proudly sponsored by Blum.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.