Think a handleless kitchen saves money? Think again! 🤯

In this episode of the Home Improvement Podcast by Lima Kitchens, Andreya and Elizabeth break down the REAL ways to save money on your kitchen renovation—and expose the costly misconceptions that could blow your budget.

🔥 What We Cover:

✅ The truth about handleless kitchens (spoiler: they're one of the MOST expensive options!)

✅ Why small kitchens often cost MORE than you'd expect

✅ Appliance features: what's worth it vs. what you'll never use

✅ The hidden costs of laminate vs. quartz worktops

✅ Drawers vs. cupboards: the surprising price difference

✅ Why WiFi-enabled appliances don't cost extra

✅ Smart ways to phase your kitchen project and save

💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Integrated bins, glass splashbacks, and handleless designs often INCREASE costs Bigger cabinets grouped together = serious savings You can retrofit pull-outs and internals later to spread costs Your designer knows cost-effective alternatives—be honest about your priorities!

🎯 BEST CLIPS: 7:30 - WiFi appliances myth debunked

11:00 - The real cost of drawers

19:00 - Worktop material breakdown

24:30 - Handleless kitchen reality check Whether you're planning a full renovation or just curious about kitchen design, this episode will save you money AND stress.

💬 What's your biggest kitchen budget question? Drop it in the comments!

👍 Like, comment, and share if you found this helpful!

Three critical areas covered:

STORAGE PLANNING

- Breakables must be 80cm+ high - the punch bowl story

- Why three-drawer stacks are safer than cupboards

- Second drawer up is the safety threshold

- Creating dedicated spaces for children's kitchen utensils

- Storage that evolves as children grow into teenagers

WORKFLOW & ZONING

- Keep hot cooking areas away from main traffic zones

- Why hob and oven should be on the same run

- Minimise turning and twisting with hot pans

- Peninsula barriers that keep children involved but protected

- Future-proofing for multiple people working in the kitchen

- Rounded worktop corners for toddler safety

APPLIANCES & SAFETY FEATURES

- Siemens Home Connect app for oven locking and remote monitoring

- Induction hobs with Frying Sensor Pro to prevent oil splatter

- Boiling water taps: complex safety mechanisms explained

- Why induction is safer than gas with children around

- Soft-close drawers and doors to prevent crushed fingers

- Dishwasher automatic opening concerns

- Flooring choices: LVT vs ceramic tiles for safety and slip rating

- Double-door sink cupboards for chemical storage

Real experiences from both a professional designer's perspective and a parent living with a toddler. Perfect for parents planning renovations, involved grandparents, or designers working with young families.

Products mentioned: Siemens Home Connect App, Frying Sensor Pro (induction hobs), Quooker boiling water taps.

In this episode we sit down to chat about industry awards – their value, what they represent and the bodies that govern them. As clients, you may have seen some colourful certificates with mysterious abbreviations in a design showroom and wondered what they mean for you and why you should care. We are here to hopefully shed some light on that, having proudly received a few swanky certificates ourselves, as well as been a part of the judging process on occasion. We will help decipher how these awards could guide you on journey to pick the best studio for you and why they shouldn’t be ignored. KEY POINTS: • Design awards are rarely only about looks and aesthetics – they could encompass an in depth assessment of problem solving, value for money, meeting the clients brief and much more! • How to use the accolades and awards a studio has collected as pointers to what they specialize in or are particularly good at • We give some insight into who judges these awards and why a win or even being shortlisted shows a company’s dedication to a higher level of service and better overall client experience. • To make out what an award means in the industry, AI or simply google can be a fantastic source of insight to the credentials of the governing body and judgement criteria for the winning project • Awards shouldn’t intimidate you as they are often showcasing a middle of the road reality and not necessarily a top luxury product or property – good design is achievable for everyone. • We take a moment to appreciate the hard work and foresight that goes into putting a project up for an award Keywords: Kitchen industry, design awards, kitchen design, KBSA, problem solving, aesthetic, integrity, accolade, recognition, industry leaders, judging criteria, award nominations

In this episode we have a sit-down with Matt to recap on the period leading up to Christmas. The chaos that ensues right before the holidays is a sure sign that all hands need to be on deck and no one was spared this year, most importantly our Operations Director who had to swap the shirt for a hoodie and fit a whole kitchen himself! Fear not, however, as this is not the first time and in this video we go over examples of what we do as a company to help everyone in the team understand the ins and outs of fitting a kitchen as well as aid understanding between the different teams. KEY POINTS: • Most fitting areas require more time than we anticipate, especially when aiming for a quality finish • Kitchen fitters vs. your builder vs. DIY – the variables of each answer • The knock-on effects of poor fitting and how every cabinet alignment can make a big difference down the line • The importance of getting everyone on the team involved on site and how that improves the clients experience – we know from the start what you will be getting into and try to set realistic expectations • The different specifications of properties and the lack of “one timescale fits all” solution. • The value of experienced kitchen fitters and their ability to assess situations and provide timely solutions. Key words: kitchen fitters, kitchen fitting, fitting solutions, alignment, levelling, kitchen expectations, business owners, small business owners, kitchen design, project management, expertise.

Home Improvement Podcast: Honest Advice from Kitchen & Interior Design Experts

Navigating a kitchen renovation or home improvement project? We're pulling back the curtain on the design and build process with honest, practical advice you won't hear anywhere else.

Hosted by Elizabeth Wanless (BIID-registered kitchen and interior designer) and Andrea Trifonova (award-winning kitchen designer) from Lima Kitchens, this podcast cuts through the sales tactics, unrealistic expectations, and industry jargon to help you make informed decisions about your home renovation.

What We Cover:

- Kitchen and interior design processes (the real timeline, not the fantasy)

- How to work with designers without the awkwardness

- Living through renovations (washing machines, dust, and survival strategies)

- Budget reality checks (sales tactics exposed, genuine value explained)

- Client stories and lessons learned

- Sustainability and future-proofing your home

- The questions designers wish you'd ask (and the ones that actually matter)

Why Listen:

We're not here to sell you anything—we're here to educate you. Whether you're planning a minor kitchen refresh or a complete ground-floor renovation, we'll help you understand what to expect, what to avoid, and how to get the results you'll love for 20+ years.

Expect candid conversations with industry experts, real client experiences, honest discussions about money, and the occasional laugh at our own mistakes. No glossy marketing speak—just genuine advice from designers who've seen it all.

Perfect for:

- Homeowners planning kitchen or interior renovations

- Empty nesters reassessing their space

- Anyone who's ever felt confused, pressured, or overwhelmed by the renovation process

- Design enthusiasts who want insider knowledge

- People who appreciate honesty over sales pitches

Hosted by: Elizabeth & Andrea , Lima Kitchens, Buckinghamshire, UK

Contact: [email protected] /website

Based in Milton Keynes, serving Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Northamptonshire—but our advice applies to home renovations anywhere.

Home Improvement Podcast - Season 4, Episode 4: Christmas Kitchen Hosting & Festive Tips 🎄

Welcome to a festive special episode where we dive into everything about hosting Christmas in your kitchen! Whether you're planning to host for the first time in your new kitchen or dreading another year of chaos, this episode is packed with practical tips and honest conversations about the joys (and challenges) of festive hosting.

What We Cover:

The excitement and pressure of hosting Christmas gatherings To decorate or not to decorate your kitchen for Christmas? The great debate! Smart space planning: managing food prep, guest flow, and cooking timelines Our personal hosting experiences and lessons learned (including a dress-on-fire story!) The difference a new kitchen makes: dishwashers, double ovens, and proper fridges Life hacks for stress-free hosting (or how to avoid hosting altogether!) Delegating tasks to guests and making it a communal celebration The great tinsel comeback of 2025.

We Want to Hear From You: Are you hosting this year?

Do you decorate your kitchen for Christmas?

What are your biggest hosting bug bears?

Share your festive kitchen hacks in the comments! Don't forget to share your festive kitchen photos with us using #festivekitchen

Neurodivergent Home Design & Organisation

Join us as we welcome back Kate from Ace Your Space to explore how neurodivergent brains can create homes that actually work WITH us, not against us.

WHAT WE COVER: - Why traditional home organisation systems fail neurodivergent people - Sensory-friendly design choices for kitchens and living spaces - Managing the overwhelm of home renovations with ADHD/Autism - Visual clutter vs. "out of sight, out of mind" - finding YOUR balance - Budget-friendly adaptations that make daily life easier - How to communicate your needs to designers and contractors

ABOUT KATE: Kate is a professional home organiser and interior designer specialising in neurodivergent-friendly spaces. She understands firsthand the challenges of creating functional homes when your brain works differently. Her company, Ace Your Space, has helped hundreds of neurodivergent individuals transform their living environments.

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 2 of the Home Improvement Podcast! In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Joanna, Design Director at Kitchens Geddes in Kilmarnock, Scotland, to discuss the intricacies of kitchen design and running a family business in the KBB industry.

What We Discuss:

🔹 The Budget Conversation - Why talking about money early is crucial and how to make clients feel comfortable discussing their budget

🔹 Asking the Right Questions - How personal consultations (including asking about pets!) save time and deliver better designs

🔹 The "One Design" Philosophy - Why offering three different layouts can confuse clients and undermine designer confidence

🔹 Industry Terminology - The importance of clear communication and avoiding jargon that excludes clients

🔹 Working in a Family Business - Joanna's journey to establish her own identity and win recognition through industry awards

🔹 Award Legitimacy - Which awards truly matter and how consumers can identify credible recognition

🔹 When Things Go Wrong - Why the best recommendations often come from challenging projects and the importance of caring deeply about client experience

🔹 The Unsung Heroes - Recognizing installers and support staff who make beautiful kitchens possible

About Joanna & Kitchens Geddes:

Kitchens Geddes has been serving Scotland for over 40 years, offering comprehensive kitchen design and installation services from luxury to budget-conscious projects. With their own design team, installers, and logistics support, they cover Scotland and beyond, including recent projects in London and the Scottish islands.

📍 Based in Kilmarnock, Scotland 🏆 Award-winning designs 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-owned and operated

Communication and Tools – the tips, the tricks and the real talk on how to make the most of the design service.

A good design is a matter of investment - time, sometimes money, and creative energy. Wondering how to get the best out of your kitchen design experience? In this episode we unpack where communication often breaks down between designers and clients and how to overcome the hurdles in your way to getting what you want. We discuss what is available to help on your way – from visiting suppliers to Test Driving your kitchen design, we have the tools!

What You’ll Learn:

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine what is missing to make your kitchen design sing. A good designer will look at your mood boards, your lifestyle and your wish list and find the pattern of what will work for you, but what if that is not what you had in mind? In design, there is rarely only one solution, so in this episode we will walk you through what happens on our side, the potential reasons we’ve made certain decisions and why they may not meet your expectations full on. The importance of communicating effectively will ensure you are offered different options and as your priorities change, your designer can offer alternatives too! Good design takes time, so prepare to invest some in getting what you want.

Key Questions Answered:

How do designers really feel about clients picking their designs apart?

What can you do to make decision making easier?

What can clients expect from the service in a bespoke kitchen retailer studio?

What really sits behind good design and good communication – investing time working with a single studio or hopping around to get as many ideas as possible?

How can we communicate more efficiently for better results?

Communicating with your kitchen/interior designer

Who Should Watch:

Homeowners amid picking the company to work with

People who struggle with expressing their true opinions for fear of hurt feelings

Clients who want to work with a specific company or designer, but their design wasn’t a 100% match

Clients overwhelmed with all the decision making

If you’re feeling like there is simultaneously too much and not enough information to make all the decisions

Bonus Episode! Get yourself and home 'Christmas' ready!

Join Elizabeth & Kate as the share tips on making the festive period more fun and less stressful.

From preparing for guests, getting the decorations out or even saying no, they cover many tips on how to create more time to enjoy the festive season, your way.