K is for Kitchens – What you need to Know

K is for Kitchens: Okay, so in truth, a big part of this article is just to show off some of the beautiful kitchens we have fitted and to tell you about some of the neat ideas you can put in them. A lot of them are things you can do yourself as well if you are going to DIY your own kitchen.

First off, while we do make fully custom kitchens, a lot of what we do is “off shelf”, with just a few tweaks. Standard carcasses fit well in boats. While a true bespoke kitchen is great, you can get a similar effect for a lot less.

Some interesting features to look out for in kitchens are various storage solutions like:

Kidney carousels and ¾ carousels for corner cupboards

Pull out worktops (great for boats!)

Plinth drawers, to really maximise space

“Wine Cellars” in the bilge, a bit of a Cluett Carpentry boat special

Wall cupboards and shelving normally need a bit more adaptation to fit the sloped walls of a narrowboat but can look very nice when done well. I like to utilise offcuts of the worktop to make shelving, tying it all together in a cohesive theme.

Speaking of worktops, have you considered stainless steel tops if you want a professional kitchen feel? Or how about elements of live edge timber or something more rural and warmer. Reclaimed wood is gorgeous for doors and panels if you want to go really rustic. 

I make all our carcasses with birch ply (incidentally, another interesting worktop option!) though rigid MFC carcasses from the big-name suppliers will probably last long enough, all things considered. 

Whatever your style and budget, there is so much you can do with your kitchen, and in a smaller space like a boat it really is key to make this heart of the home pull its weight.