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Planning A Kitchen Makeover in 2026? Here’s What to Do Now

DATE:

01/01/2026

AUTHOR:

If you’re thinking about a new kitchen next in 2026, now is the time to start planning.

Kitchen renovations have a way of taking longer than people expect, and the earlier you begin, the more options you’ll have and the less stressful the whole process becomes.

Stone worktops in particular benefit from forward planning. Read on to learn how to prepare for your kitchen project.

Kick things off early

Kitchen projects involve many moving parts. Designers, cabinet makers, plumbers, electricians, and worktop fabricators all need coordinating. Each has their own lead times, and delays with one can hold up everyone else.

Choosing your stone worktops, particularly, isn’t something you can rush. If you’re choosing a specific slab for its veining or colour, you’ll want to select it in person rather than hoping something suitable is available when you need it.

Compare materials side by side, and think through what actually works for your kitchen rather than grabbing whatever’s available.

What to do in the coming months

First, begin with research. Understanding your options takes a while. Natural granite behaves differently from marble, which behaves differently from engineered quartz. Each has advantages depending on how you use your kitchen and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.

Visiting a stone yard lets you see full slabs rather than small samples. Colours and patterns look quite different at scale, and natural stone varies from slab to slab. If you fall in love with a particular piece of granite or marble, you can reserve it for your project.

Arrange a private appointment with us at Landford Stone.

Finalise Your Layout

Worktop templating can only happen once your cabinets are in place. But the overall layout – where your sink goes, whether you’re having an island, how much worktop space you need – should be decided well before that stage.

Working through layout decisions now, when there’s no pressure, is by far the best path forward.

Book Your Suppliers

Good fabricators get busy. Popular times of year fill up quickly, and if you’re hoping for installation in spring or summer 2026, booking early secures your slot.

This applies to other trades too. Kitchen fitters, electricians, and plumbers all have lead times that you’ll need to factor in. The earlier you’re in their diaries, the more flexibility you have with scheduling.

Creating a timeline

Work backwards from your target completion date. For a kitchen ready by summer 2026, you’ll want cabinets installed around April or May, which means ordering them in February or March, and having your design locked down by January.

Now – January 2026: Visit showrooms, choose your stone, finalise your kitchen layout

February – March 2026: Order cabinets, book tradespeople

April – May 2026: Cabinets fitted, stone templated

June 2026: Worktops installed, kitchen complete

Give yourself more time than you think you need. Something always takes longer than expected!

Getting started with landford stone

Let’s get started on your kitchen project!

Our team can talk you through the options, help you understand which materials suit your kitchen and lifestyle, and give you realistic timescales and costs. We handle everything from material selection through to fabrication and installation, so you’ll have one point of contact throughout.

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation for 2026, get in touch now. Contact us to start the conversation.