Wiltshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/Top-tips-for-kitchen-design.jpg" alt="kitchen design tips guild anderson" class="wp-image-40066" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/Top-tips-for-kitchen-design.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/Top-tips-for-kitchen-design-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/Top-tips-for-kitchen-design-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/Top-tips-for-kitchen-design-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bespoke kitchen by Guild Anderson Scotland / Emma Lewis</figcaption></figure>



<p>If a kitchen redo is on the horizon, you’ll already know it’s one of the biggest (and priciest) decisions you can make in your home. Get it right and it becomes the heart of everything. Get it wrong and you’ll be cursing cupboard doors and sockets for the next decade. So, before you start ordering tiles at midnight, it’s worth talking to people who really know what they’re doing. </p>



<p>Enter <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/guild-anderson-bespoke-kitchens-tisbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guild Anderson</a>, the Tisbury-based bespoke kitchen makers. They’ve spent the past 21 years creating beautiful, made-to-measure kitchens across Wiltshire and beyond, from rural cottages to Rivals-style mansions and even castles. They also happen to have designed a kitchen for none other than Mary Berry. Yes, none other than the Queen of Cakes. &nbsp;</p>



<p>So, if you’re keen to get it right first time, we asked<a href="https://www.guildandersonfurniture.co.uk/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22072721002&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAq2jPdRjymoGR6ttfVbIzybsQZctM&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA7LzLBhAgEiwAjMWzCB2LQeyaLe-L3G0u00mRLRDq8_a1I5wdppgKFDz118L6AIbHj9Tp2RoCwH4QAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Guild Anderson</a> to share their expert kitchen design tips and the details they always consider when planning a new kitchen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-start-with-the-basics"><strong>Start with the basics</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson3.jpg" alt="Guild Anderson bespoke kitchen design" class="wp-image-35625" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson3-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Kitchen design can be overwhelming, so begin with the basics. ‘The ideal is to have your fridge near your cooking zone and near your table,’ says Guild Anderson’s Andrew Petherick. ‘If your space is large and needs to be divided up, think about having a cooking zone, preparation area and storage area. We also try to keep the dishwasher, bin and sink in the same area. Our job at Guild Anderson is to challenge clients and really find out how they’ll use a space, so we meet every new client for two hours and ask a lot of questions.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-design-for-daily-life"><strong>Design for daily life</strong></h2>



<p>Don’t forget that a kitchen is for living in, not just for looking at. ‘It’s where family breakfasts happen, muddy boots get kicked off by children, and evening suppers are eaten,’ says Guild Anderson designer Nick Hodge. ‘Bespoke kitchens should be hardworking, beautiful, functional spaces that serve real life. Durable finishes, generous preparation areas, and well-considered storage make a good kitchen a pleasure to use every day.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-know-your-appliances"><strong>Know your appliances</strong></h2>



<p>If you want your kitchen to be in keeping with a period property, consider hiding modern appliances. ‘Unlike furniture, appliances can’t be reshaped,’ says designer Nick Hodge. ‘So, study the house,&nbsp;its bones, the proportions and what it’s made of before making a single design decision. Being able to sneak a fridge into a niche, or realising that a wall can be moved to accommodate a wider range oven, can make a huge difference.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decide-how-you-really-like-to-cook"><strong>Decide how you really like to cook</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-tips.jpg" alt="kitchen design tips" class="wp-image-40064" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-tips.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-tips-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-tips-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-tips-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bespoke London townhouse kitchen by Guild Anderson / Astrid Templier</figcaption></figure>



<p>One of the first things to think about is how you want to cook. ‘Do you prefer a built-in oven, a range cooker or an Everhot?’ says Andrew. ‘Having your oven and hob in the same appliance tends to look better, and it can make the kitchen easier to design. Factor in the style of your home too &#8211; contemporary built-in ovens can look quite modern in a period property.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-let-drawers-do-the-heavy-lifting"><strong>Let drawers do the heavy lifting</strong></h2>



<p>If storage is a constant frustration, drawers are worth serious consideration, ideally deep ones. ‘Drawers tend to be more practical because when you open them, everything is right there in front of you,’ says Andrew. There is a caveat though. ‘They do cost more to make, because a drawer involves more cabinetry than a simple carcass with a shelf. As with everything, it’s a balance between looks, budget and practicality.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-think-beyond-the-island"><strong>Think beyond the island</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-guild-anderson.jpg" alt="kitchen design tips and advice guild anderson" class="wp-image-40068" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-guild-anderson.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-guild-anderson-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-guild-anderson-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2026/01/kitchen-design-guild-anderson-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bespoke kitchen and cooks table West Sussex by Guild Anderson / Mark Bolton</figcaption></figure>



<p>Dreaming of an island? Consider a cook’s table instead. These freestanding tables feel lighter, less bulky and work particularly beautifully in period homes. ‘Our cook’s tables are incredibly popular,’ says Andrew. ‘They’re often made from oak, elm or pine and have drawers all the way around, which makes them great for cutlery, plates and everyday storage. We can even install a warming drawer.’</p>



<p>Alternatively, you could create your own from an antique. ‘I encourage clients to seek them out,’ says Andrew. ‘They’re often more cost effective, you just need to be sure they fit the space and have the internal capacity you need. If they’re robust enough, we can even add a countertop.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-set-a-realistic-budget"><strong>Set a realistic budget</strong></h2>



<p>Budget might not be the glamorous part, but it’s a necessary starting point. As well as cabinetry, installation, painting and appliances, remember to factor in plumbing and electrics. Being realistic early on makes the entire design process smoother and avoids uncomfortable surprises later.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-careful-with-colour-trends"><strong>Be careful with colour trends</strong></h2>



<p>Jewel tones and bold shades may be having a moment, but Andrew advises against anything overly trend-led. ‘We’re seeing more people going brighter and bolder, but the most important thing is choosing something you genuinely love,’ he says. ‘Trends can be dangerous, because they inevitably move on.’</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plan-the-supporting-spaces"><strong>Plan the supporting spaces</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson-5-use-me.jpg" alt="Guild Anderson bespoke kitchens" class="wp-image-35656" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson-5-use-me.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson-5-use-me-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson-5-use-me-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2025/01/Guild-Anderson-5-use-me-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t forget what sits around your kitchen. ‘Many period homes originally had kitchens on the north side of the house,’ explains Andrew. ‘We’re often asked to move them to a sunnier part of the building, maybe with garden access. That can work brilliantly, but the best kitchens usually have supporting spaces nearby, such as a pantry, larder, utility or boot room. They make everyday life much easier and keep the main kitchen feeling calm and uncluttered.’ </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-glazed-screens-to-define-space"><strong>Use glazed screens to define space</strong></h2>



<p>‘We’re installing a lot of glazed screens at the moment,’ says Andrew. ‘They’re beautiful, practical and a great way to introduce structure.’ They’re often used between pantries and sculleries, dividing space while allowing light to flow through. Shelving can even be added across the glazing bars, making them functional as well as decorative.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-don-t-assume-bigger-is-better"><strong>Don’t assume bigger is better</strong></h2>



<p>If you’re relocating your kitchen or starting from scratch, it can be tempting to go large. But size brings its own challenges. ‘People forget that massive kitchens can actually be harder to design,’ says Andrew. ‘If they become too big, they can feel impractical. They’re also much more expensive because of the amount of wall space that needs filling with cabinetry.’</p>



<p>Address:&nbsp;Guild Anderson, 22 Grosvenor Drive, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6GS</p>



<p>Website:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.guildandersonfurniture.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.guildandersonfurniture.co.uk</a></p>



<p>Email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:design@guildanderson.co.uk">design@guildanderson.co.uk</a></p>



<p>Telephone:&nbsp;01747 820449</p>


11 kitchen design tips that will save you money, stress and regret

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