Visiting the showroom
What happens when you come in, and what you can see and try.
What happens when you visit a kitchen showroom?
At our showroom you come in, we put the kettle on and you wander. Open the drawers, sit at the island and...
Where can I find a bespoke kitchen company in Essex?
CEK is a family kitchen company in Layer Marney, just outside Colchester, Essex. We design it, build it and...
Is there a better way than searching kitchens near me?
Searching kitchens near me tends to give the same showrooms, the same pitch and a quote before anyone has...
What can I see at the CEK kitchen showroom?
Our showroom is in Layer Marney, just outside Colchester, and it has three full kitchens to wander around...
How we design your kitchen
From the first conversation to the final design, and why we never rush it.
How does a kitchen design come together?
We finalise a kitchen design in one room of our showroom, where we take the most detailed brief and present...
Why does kitchen design take so long?
We take our time over kitchen design on purpose. Most clients have never bought a kitchen before, so they do...
Can I see my kitchen in 3D before it is built?
Yes. In our showroom we put your layout, doors and worktops on a screen and walk through the design together...
Do I have to decide anything on my first visit?
No, you do not have to decide anything on your first visit. Many people come to us after being rushed into a...
Will one team handle my kitchen from start to finish?
We do not give you a quote on day one. We sit down and find out how you actually live, such as where the kids...
How does a kitchen brief become a 3D design?
Once we have understood your space, our designer builds your kitchen in SketchUp. It is a full 3D render in...
What are the most common kitchen design mistakes?
Our advice on avoiding kitchen design mistakes: put the oven at eye level, always, so nobody crouches to pull...
What happens at a first kitchen consultation?
At your first consultation we show you around the showroom, you tell us about your space and how you use it...
What does bespoke actually mean in a kitchen?
A bespoke kitchen is one tailored to how you live, and it does not automatically cost more. You bring your...
What a kitchen costs
How to get the bespoke look without the big price tag.
Storage ideas
Pantries, corners, drawers and the clever bits people ask about.
What is an oak pull-out block in a kitchen?
The oak pull-out block is one of those features that everyone does a double take at. It adds a bit of...
Can I get kitchen drawer inserts made to fit?
Yes. We use a custom-made cutlery insert fitted exactly where we want it, at the right depth and spacing. If...
Is there a corner kitchen unit that actually works?
Yes. Corner units are often accepted as a bit rubbish, with things going in and never being seen again. The...
What can you put in a kitchen pantry?
A pantry does not have to be just shelves. We have done pantries as full coffee stations, drinks units with...
Where should the bins go in a new kitchen?
Plan the bins from day one. Work out how many you need for rubbish, recycling and food waste, then build them...
Colour and lighting
Choosing colours that work in your home, and the right light to see them in.
Why does the CEK showroom have a pink kitchen?
We chose pink for one of our showroom kitchens to be a little different, so people remember us, and we have...
Is the grey kitchen trend over?
Grey has had a good run, but we are coming out the other side of it. We are seeing more greens, deep blues...
Warm white or cool white kitchen lighting?
We use warm white lighting as standard now. Ten years ago everyone wanted cool white because it is closer to...
Why does my kitchen colour look different at home?
A colour looks different depending on what sits next to it, because of how our eyes process colour. A sample...
Appliances worth seeing
Ovens, hobs and gadgets to try in the showroom before you choose.
Is a pasta arm in a kitchen actually sturdy?
A lot of people worry that a pasta arm might be flimsy, so the best way to judge is to try one. We have a...
What is a Slide and Hide oven and who is it for?
Slide and Hide is an oven we use and get asked for all the time, partly because of the Great British Bake...
What is the difference between flex and standard induction?
The difference is power. A standard induction hob at 7.4 kilowatts is good, but at 11 kilowatts you are...
Is a warming drawer worth it?
Yes, if you'll use it for more than plates. A warming drawer keeps food like a lasagne warm until everyone...
Timber and styles
Grains, in-frame, shaker and handles.
Which wood is best for a timber kitchen, ash or oak?
It depends on the look you want. Ash gives a strong, prominent, consistent grain, oak is more subtle, and...
Is an in-frame kitchen worth paying extra for?
An in-frame kitchen is a style choice. Many people also want an integrated fridge, an integrated dishwasher...
Do kitchen handles change the whole look?
Yes, and it is not an exaggeration. With the same door and colour, a completely different handle gives you...
Quality and construction
What's inside the cabinets, and how long we back our kitchens.
Why does the inside of a kitchen cabinet matter?
A lovely door with a stark white inside can make a kitchen look cheap. We do a timber effect on the inside...
Why do you back kitchens for two years, not 25?
We back our kitchens for two years after installation. Plenty of companies advertise a 25-year guarantee, but...
What should I check inside a kitchen carcass?
Most people spend their time choosing the door, but what is behind it changes how a kitchen feels. A...
What should you ask a kitchen company before you buy?
Ask every company the same 5 things. Is the price based on the finished design, or is it a guess? Who...
Showroom walk-rounds
Short videos with music rather than talking, to give you a feel for the showroom before you visit.
Inside the Pink Kitchen
A short walk round, on YouTube.
A Dark Wood Kitchen Near Colchester
A short walk round, on YouTube.
A Kitchen Built for Busy Mornings
A short walk round, on YouTube.
The Details in a Bespoke Dark Kitchen
A short walk round, on YouTube.
Made to Order Kitchens in Essex
A short walk round, on YouTube.
A kitchen designed around how you live
A short walk round, on YouTube.
Bespoke Kitchens Made in Essex
A short walk round, on YouTube.
A Look Around CEK Kitchens, Layer Marney
A short walk round, on YouTube.
Inside Our Bespoke Kitchen Showroom in Essex
A short walk round, on YouTube.
The kitchen you actually want to come home to.
A short walk round, on YouTube.