Kitchen choices that actually matter: worktops, appliances and those little extras

You're scrolling through kitchen photos online. One has sleek handleless cabinets and a black quartz worktop. Another has traditional shaker doors in soft grey. A third shows a Quooker tap that dispenses boiling water instantly. They all look lovely, but which one would actually work for your way of living?

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by kitchen choices. Worktop materials, cabinet styles, integrated appliances, those clever taps everyone's talking about. Some upgrades genuinely change how your kitchen works. Others are nice to have but not essential. The trick is knowing which is which.

Here's where it gets interesting: you don't have to figure all this out by guesswork or endless scrolling through Pinterest. When you reserve a Vivly home, you can explore all your kitchen options through our online configurator before you've even picked up the keys.

How to make the kitchen choices that actually matter.

Your kitchen isn't just where you cook. It's where you make morning coffee before anyone else is awake, where children do homework while you're preparing dinner, where friends gather during parties. The choices you make about worktops, appliances and fixtures shape how all of that actually works.

Our online configurator lets you see your kitchen options clearly, compare choices side by side, and understand what each upgrade means for your daily routine. No pressure, no sales pitch, just the information you need to make decisions that suit how you actually live.

Let's walk through the key choices and what they mean in practice.

Laminate or quartz: which suits how you cook?

Worktops take up more visual space than almost anything else in your kitchen, but the choice isn't really about looks. It's about how you use your kitchen.

Laminate worktops are practical and hardwearing. They come in various finishes and colours, resist everyday wear well, and are straightforward to maintain. For many households, they're absolutely the right choice.

Quartz worktops offer something different. They're highly resistant to scratching, staining and heat. You can put a hot pan down without worry (though trivets are still sensible). They're non-porous, which means no bacteria lurking in tiny cracks. And they require virtually no maintenance beyond normal cleaning.

The configurator shows you both options for your specific kitchen layout. You can see how different colours look in your space, and make an informed choice based on what matters to your household.

Think about your cooking habits: do you bake frequently and need heat-resistant surfaces? Do you have young children who might spill juice or drop things? Are you the type who finds cleaning therapeutic or something to minimise? There's no wrong answer, just what works for you.

Integrated appliances: what's the actual benefit?

Integrated appliances sit behind cabinet doors, creating a seamless look where your dishwasher, fridge and oven blend into the cabinetry.

The practical benefits are straightforward. Visually, everything looks cohesive rather than a mix of different appliance brands and finishes. If you've chosen a particular style for your kitchen, integrated appliances maintain that look throughout. They also tend to be quieter because the cabinet doors provide extra sound insulation, which makes a real difference when you're running the dishwasher during dinner or the fridge is humming while you're working at the kitchen table.

3-in-1 hot water taps: are they worth it?

A 3-in-1 tap (like a Quooker) delivers normal cold water, normal hot water, and instant boiling water from the same tap. It sounds simple, but it changes your morning routine. No more waiting for the kettle. You're making tea, you turn the tap, boiling water comes out. You're cooking pasta, you need a pan of boiling water, it's ready immediately. You're sterilising baby bottles or blanching vegetables or making a hot water bottle, it's instant.

There's also a safety element. Many 3-in-1 taps have childproof mechanisms that require a specific push-and-turn action to dispense boiling water, making them safer than a kettle that small hands can reach.

The configurator shows this as an upgrade option with full specifications and finishing options. Some people consider it essential. Others prefer their traditional kettle. What matters is understanding what it offers and whether that suits your household.

Cabinet doors and hardware: modern or traditional?

This is where your kitchen's personality comes through. Handleless cabinets create a clean, contemporary look. Traditional shaker-style doors with visible handles feel more classic. Both work beautifully, it's about what resonates with you.

The configurator lets you see different door styles and colours. You can compare a modern handleless design in one finish against a traditional style in another, seeing exactly how each would look in your space. Hardware matters too. Sleek bar handles versus traditional knobs, chrome versus brushed brass. These small details add up to create the overall feel of your kitchen. The configurator shows these options so you can make choices that feel cohesive.

How does the configurator actually work?

Our configurator is designed to be straightforward, you don't need any technical knowledge, you can use it by visiting our website home page.

You'll see a classic kitchen layout where you can then explore the upgrade options available. Each choice shows clear images, specifications, and pricing. You can switch between options instantly to compare how they look and what they cost.

There's no time pressure. Save your favourite combinations, come back to them later, share them with family members to get their input. The configurator is there to help you explore possibilities at your own pace.

When you're ready, you can discuss your choices with the Customer Experience team. They're there to answer practical questions and help you finalise decisions. Making choices with care and respect

At Vivly, we understand that choosing how to design your kitchen involves real thought. This isn't just about aesthetics, it's about creating a space you'll use every single day for years to come.

That's why we've created our online configurator. There's no hard sell, no pressure to choose the most expensive options, no suggestion that there's only one "right" way to design your kitchen. Instead, we offer choice, clear information, and the time to make well-considered decisions. There are infinite numbers of combinations and styles available, but seeing them come to life on the configurator can help you experiment to find just the right combination for you.

Every upgrade option is presented honestly with what it offers and what it costs. You can experiment with combinations, see exactly what your kitchen could look like, and make choices based on how you actually cook and live. Not what looks good in magazines, not what your friends chose, but what genuinely works for your household.

Ready to explore your kitchen options? Visit our online configurator to see what's possible for your Vivly home.