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A functional and festive kitchen

Some call it the most wonderful time of the year - others call it the most stressful! Panic buying, fitting in visits to loved ones plus cooking in bulk for the whole family means Christmas can sometimes feel like an uphill struggle, rather than the season of goodwill.

Decorating our homes during this festive period is a ritual celebrated in many parts of the world with some of us starting the process in early December. Our living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and even our front gardens are spared no expense as we adorn every last square inch of our homes in shiny ornaments and twinkling lights - but what about the kitchen?

If you're entertaining this Christmas, your kitchen remains the hub of activity - whether that be preparation or the celebration itself. Follow these top tips for a functional - and festive! - kitchen, just in time for Advent.

Seasonal storage

The kitchen is, without a doubt, the busiest room in the home. Preparing meals, especially at Christmas time, involves every utensil, electrical appliance and, more often than not, a whole lot of washing up! Allocating the appropriate storage for your larger electrical appliances will save space, giving you all the room required for the lovely party food and decorations.

If the square footage of your kitchen allows, perhaps think about adding an island unit. A favourite with families, they add a focal point to the room, plus that all-important storage. Adding slimline larder units also add maximum storage solutions in a small space, without taking away from the layout of the room.

The big switch on

We're all guilty of prioritising the festive feel of the reception rooms in our homes but the kitchen deserves a touch of magic at this time of year too.

Adding light to the space is a wonderful way to freshen the room up in time for your guests' arrival. Start with candle light on worktops and as a centre piece to your dining table, then add fairy lights and lamps to bring some warmth in.

Under-cabinet lighting adds a great deal of light to a room without the sanitary feel of bright, strip lighting or overhead lamps. Not only will this create an inviting atmosphere, it will also increase visibility for food preparation - the perfect environment for icing that Christmas cake!

Complementary Christmas

Christmas doesn't have to mean red and green! Recent trends in kitchen design have called for cooler, neutral matte tones, marble effect worktops and monochrome accessories. If this describes your kitchen space then, chances are, candy canes and pine trees just won't work.

Add touches of soft white and grey accessories, hang warm white lights and a touch of sparkle. Fancy an elegant, stylish kitchen of your own? Timeless tones throughout the space are so versatile that any season can be celebrated.

Granite & TREND Transformations' exclusive range of replacement doors, worktops and splashbacks can be installed directly over existing surfaces, meaning your dream kitchen could be complete in a matter of days - just in time for Christmas. With so many finishes to choose from, and access to the in-house design team, a stunning and functional space is more achievable than you might think.

Feeling inspired to update your kitchen space in time for Christmas? Contact Granite & TREND Transformations to find your nearest showroom. With a multitude of products and accessories, experienced design consultants and installation specialists all over the country, Granite & TREND Transformations is the one-stop place for kitchen makeovers this Christmas.For further information on Granite & TREND Transformations, please call 0808 149 5914 or visit granitetransformations.co.uk.                                   

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Note to editors

Granite & TREND Transformations remodels kitchens and bathrooms without the disruption of completely removing the old ones. The secret is new worktops - on top of old ones, new doors, new tiles and splashbacks, and additional functionality in the current layout. The company has franchises all over the UK and all is detailed at trendtransformationsfranchise.co.uk.

With compliments:

Taylor Alden Ltd
Suite 103, Highland House
165 - 167 The Broadway
London SW19 1NE
Tel: 020 8543 3866
Email:media@tayloralden.co.uk