{"id":1688,"date":"2026-07-06T13:12:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T12:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1688"},"modified":"2026-07-06T13:13:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T12:13:38","slug":"door-considerations-when-designing-a-new-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/door-considerations-when-designing-a-new-kitchen","title":{"rendered":"Essential Door Considerations When Designing a New Kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Designing a new kitchen is exciting, especially if it\u2019s your first time doing it. It\u2019s also the kind of project that can send you down approximately 47 decision-making rabbit holes before you\u2019ve even chosen a tap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cabinet colours. Worktops. Flooring. Appliances. Handles. Lighting. Tiles. That one very specific shade of off-white that looks completely different in every sample.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there\u2019s one thing people often leave until far too late\u2026 the doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And no, we\u2019re not just talking about cupboard doors. We mean the doors into and out of the kitchen. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\">internal door<\/a> from the hallway. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/glazed-internal-doors\">glazed doors<\/a> into the dining room. The patio doors out to the garden. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/external-doors\/back-doors\">back door<\/a> everyone uses more than the lovely <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/external-doors\/front-doors\">new front door<\/a> you&#8217;ve spent a small fortune on. The door that always seems to open into exactly the wrong place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A kitchen isn\u2019t just a place to cook anymore. It\u2019s where people eat, work, chat, unload shopping, feed the dog, supervise homework and somehow end up gathering during every party, even when you\u2019ve made the living room look lovely on purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So the doors around that space need to do more than simply open and close. They need to help the kitchen work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>What type of internal door is best for a kitchen?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s a really loaded question\u2026 the best internal door for a kitchen depends on the size and layout of the room. Glazed internal doors are ideal if you want to bring in more natural light, while solid core doors are better for privacy, noise reduction and helping to contain cooking smells. For smaller kitchens, sliding, pocket or bifold doors can help save space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, here\u2019s what to think about before choosing doors for your new kitchen\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Walnut-double-doors-leading-from-a-contemporary-pink-kitchen-to-a-dining-room-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Walnut-double-doors-leading-from-a-contemporary-pink-kitchen-to-a-dining-room-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Walnut-double-doors-leading-from-a-contemporary-pink-kitchen-to-a-dining-room-Vivid-Doors-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Walnut-double-doors-leading-from-a-contemporary-pink-kitchen-to-a-dining-room-Vivid-Doors-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Walnut-double-doors-leading-from-a-contemporary-pink-kitchen-to-a-dining-room-Vivid-Doors-1536x838.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Walnut-double-doors-leading-from-a-contemporary-pink-kitchen-to-a-dining-room-Vivid-Doors-2048x1117.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Walnut-double-doors-leading-from-a-contemporary-pink-kitchen-to-a-dining-room-Vivid-Doors-110x60.png 110w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#01455a\">Start With How People Actually Move Through the Kitchen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before choosing any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/kitchen\">kitchen door<\/a>, stand in the space and think about how people naturally move through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where do you come in with the shopping? Where\u2019s the route to the dining table? Does someone need to get to the garden while someone else is cooking? Is there a door that always seems to be in the way? Does the dog have a favourite route that somehow involves everyone tripping over them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good kitchen layout is not just about where the sink, oven and fridge go. It\u2019s about flow. The best kitchens feel easy to move through, even when real life is happening. By real life, we mean someone is trying to empty the dishwasher while someone else is making toast, one person is looking for their keys and there\u2019s a laundry basket lurking near the back door for reasons nobody can explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In smaller kitchens, the way a door opens can be the difference between a room that feels comfortable and one that feels like a game of human Tetris. A standard hinged door needs space to swing, so in a narrow galley kitchen, utility room or compact kitchen diner, it can clash with cupboards, appliances or people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s where alternatives such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/internal-sliding-doors\">internal sliding doors<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/pocket-doors\">pocket doors<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/bifold-doors\/internal-bifold-doors\/single-bifold-doors\">slimline bifold doors<\/a> can be really useful. They still give you the option to close the kitchen off when needed, but they steal significantly less floor space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re planning a kitchen renovation, don\u2019t just think about the door when it\u2019s closed. Think about where it sits when it\u2019s open, what it blocks and whether it makes the room easier or more annoying to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A door should not be the household obstacle everyone learns to dodge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Are pocket doors good for kitchens?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pocket doors can be a great choice for kitchens, especially where space is tight. Because the door slides into the wall cavity, it doesn\u2019t need swing space, making it useful for compact kitchens, utility rooms, pantries or kitchen-diners where every centimetre matters. They do need the right wall structure and installation system, so they\u2019re easiest to plan during a renovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pocket-door-leading-from-a-contemporary-kitchen-to-a-living-room-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pocket-door-leading-from-a-contemporary-kitchen-to-a-living-room-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pocket-door-leading-from-a-contemporary-kitchen-to-a-living-room-Vivid-Doors-300x164.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pocket-door-leading-from-a-contemporary-kitchen-to-a-living-room-Vivid-Doors-768x419.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pocket-door-leading-from-a-contemporary-kitchen-to-a-living-room-Vivid-Doors-1536x838.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pocket-door-leading-from-a-contemporary-kitchen-to-a-living-room-Vivid-Doors-2048x1117.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Pocket-door-leading-from-a-contemporary-kitchen-to-a-living-room-Vivid-Doors-110x60.jpeg 110w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#01455a\">Use Doors to Bring in More Natural Light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Light is one of the biggest things to think about when designing a kitchen. You can have beautiful units, dreamy worktops and a splashback worthy of a small round of applause, but if the room feels dark, it can still feel smaller and less welcoming than it should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A darker kitchen can also mean relying more heavily on artificial lighting during the day, which is not exactly ideal when energy bills are already doing their own dramatic performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Internal doors can definitely help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your kitchen leads off a hallway, dining room or living room, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/glazed-internal-doors\">glazed internal door<\/a> can allow natural light to pass between spaces. This is especially useful in older homes, terraced houses and more linear layouts, where the kitchen often sits at the back and the middle of the house can feel a bit gloomy without sharing the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A solid door can make sense in many parts of the home, but if it\u2019s blocking precious daylight from moving through the kitchen or hallway, a glazed alternative may make the space feel instantly brighter and more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And no, a glazed door doesn\u2019t have to mean giving up privacy or putting your entire kitchen situation on display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Frosted, obscure and reeded glass doors have become popular because they offer a stylish compromise. They can still make the room feel brighter while giving you a bit more separation. Reeded glass in particular has that lovely \u201cquietly stylish but not trying too hard\u201d feel and it works beautifully in both modern and period homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want the kitchen to feel connected but not completely on show, a partially glazed or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/frosted-glass\">frosted glass door<\/a> can often be the sweet spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#01455a\">Match the Door to the Size of Your Kitchen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The size of your kitchen should absolutely influence the type of door you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a small kitchen, it\u2019s usually best to avoid anything that feels too heavy, dark or visually bulky, especially if the room is already short on natural light. Lighter finishes, larger glazed panels and space-saving door styles can all help the room feel more open and deceptively larger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/white-internal-doors\">white glazed internal door<\/a> can keep things feeling bright and clean, which works particularly well in compact kitchens, flats, terraces and darker hallways. A light <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/oak-internal-doors\">oak glazed door<\/a> can add warmth without making the space feel too closed in. It\u2019s a good option if you want the kitchen to feel welcoming, but not crowded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your kitchen is narrow, think carefully about door swing. A hinged door may work perfectly well, but if it clashes with base units, appliances or the route to the garden, it could become a daily irritation. Sliding, pocket or bifold options may make better use of the available space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a larger kitchen diner, you\u2019ve got more room to make the doorway a feature. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/french-doors\/internal-french-doors\">Internal French doors<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/bifold-doors\/internal-bifold-doors\/heritage-internal-bifold-doors\">glazed industrial-style room divider doors<\/a> can work beautifully between a kitchen and living room, especially when you want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doorsonlineuk.co.uk\/blog\/zoning-and-layout\/how-to-zone-your-home-without-building-walls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">zone your living space<\/a> without carving up the house completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Darker-framed glazed doors can also give a kitchen diner a more design-led feel. They create structure, add contrast and help define different areas without losing that sense of openness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s something people often overlook. Open-plan living is great, but fully open-plan spaces aren\u2019t always the easiest to live with. Sometimes you want to hear what\u2019s going on in the next room. Sometimes you want to shut the door on the dishwasher, extractor fan or the general theatre of dinner being made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doors give you choice. You can open things up when you\u2019re entertaining, then close them when you want to contain noise, cooking smells or the kind of kitchen chaos that appears 12 minutes after you cleaned the worktops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>How can doors make a kitchen feel bigger?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Doors can make a kitchen feel bigger by allowing more light into the space, improving flow and reducing visual barriers. Glazed internal doors, lighter finishes and space-saving styles such as pocket or sliding doors can all help a compact kitchen feel more open.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Slim-galley-kitchen-with-large-panel-glazed-doors-at-each-end-Vivid-Doorsat-1024x559.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Slim-galley-kitchen-with-large-panel-glazed-doors-at-each-end-Vivid-Doorsat-1024x559.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Slim-galley-kitchen-with-large-panel-glazed-doors-at-each-end-Vivid-Doorsat-300x164.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Slim-galley-kitchen-with-large-panel-glazed-doors-at-each-end-Vivid-Doorsat-768x419.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Slim-galley-kitchen-with-large-panel-glazed-doors-at-each-end-Vivid-Doorsat-1536x838.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Slim-galley-kitchen-with-large-panel-glazed-doors-at-each-end-Vivid-Doorsat-2048x1117.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Slim-galley-kitchen-with-large-panel-glazed-doors-at-each-end-Vivid-Doorsat-110x60.jpeg 110w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#01455a\">Think Carefully About the Doors to the Garden<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your kitchen opens onto a garden, patio, balcony or outdoor dining area, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/external-doors\">external doors<\/a> become a really important part of the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They can completely change how the kitchen feels. They can affect how much light comes in, how easily you move between inside and outside, how connected the room feels to the garden and even how often you use that outdoor space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/patio-doors\/bifold-patio-doors\">Bifold patio doors<\/a> remain a popular choice because they can open up a wide section of wall and make the kitchen feel much bigger in warmer months. They\u2019re great for entertaining, family barbecues, garden parties and creating that indoor-outdoor feel when the weather decides to behave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But bifolds do need space. The panels fold back, so you\u2019ll need to think about where they stack when open and whether that affects your furniture layout, patio space or kitchen design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/patio-doors\/sliding-patio-doors\">Sliding patio doors<\/a> are another strong option, especially if you want large panes of uninterrupted glass and a clearer view of the outdoors. That wide view can make the kitchen feel more open even when the doors are closed, which can be a real bonus in homes with a nice garden, courtyard or balcony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sliding doors can look very clean and modern, and they don\u2019t need the same folding space as bifolds or swing space as regular doors. That makes them especially useful for kitchens opening onto balconies, compact patios or smaller yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/patio-doors\/french-patio-doors\">French patio doors<\/a> are still a lovely choice too, particularly for smaller galley kitchens, cottages, terraces or more traditional homes. You might not get the huge opening you\u2019d have with bifolds, but you still get easy garden access, extra light and a classic look that suits a lot of properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The right choice comes down to the space. A huge glazed opening can look fantastic, but it has to suit the kitchen, the garden, the budget and the way the household actually lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no point designing your whole kitchen around massive doors if it means losing essential storage, squeezing the dining area or creating a layout that only works in a showroom where nobody owns a bin.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-2048x1360.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-90x60.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-800x530.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wide-bifold-Patio-Doors-leading-from-an-open-plan-kitchen-diner-Vivid-Doors-420x280.jpg 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#01455a\">Don\u2019t Forget Noise, Privacy and Cooking Smells<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kitchens are busy rooms. Gloriously busy, sometimes. Mildly feral, at other times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s the extractor fan, the kettle, the dishwasher, the washing machine, people talking, pets wandering through and someone inevitably opening every cupboard looking for snacks despite being told exactly where the snacks are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doors can help manage all of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your kitchen sits close to a living room, home office or even a bedroom, it may be worth choosing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/wooden-doors\">solid timber internal door<\/a> rather than a hollow core or fully glazed one. A solid door can offer more privacy and naturally help reduce everyday sound transfer when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That has become even more important since so many people started working from home. Being able to close the kitchen off while someone is on a call, or while dinner is being cooked, can make the whole home work more practically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also worth thinking about cooking smells. Open-plan kitchen diners can be brilliant, but not everyone wants the living room to smell like last night\u2019s curry, fried onions or the fish that seemed like a good idea at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A door between the kitchen and living space gives you options. You can keep the sociable feel when you want it, then close the kitchen off when things get noisy, steamy or snack-searching levels of chaotic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you still want light, you don\u2019t necessarily have to choose between a fully solid door and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/pattern-10-doors\">fully glazed door<\/a>, either. A well-made glazed door with a solid frame and good-quality glazing can be a good compromise. If you prefer a solid panel door, a transom window above the door may help bring borrowed light into the space while keeping more privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best kitchen door choices usually balance three things: light, privacy and real-life noise.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/small-kitchen-with-a-colour-drenched-crittell-style-door-with-reeded-privacy-glazing-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/small-kitchen-with-a-colour-drenched-crittell-style-door-with-reeded-privacy-glazing-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/small-kitchen-with-a-colour-drenched-crittell-style-door-with-reeded-privacy-glazing-Vivid-Doors-300x164.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/small-kitchen-with-a-colour-drenched-crittell-style-door-with-reeded-privacy-glazing-Vivid-Doors-768x419.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/small-kitchen-with-a-colour-drenched-crittell-style-door-with-reeded-privacy-glazing-Vivid-Doors-1536x838.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/small-kitchen-with-a-colour-drenched-crittell-style-door-with-reeded-privacy-glazing-Vivid-Doors-2048x1117.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/small-kitchen-with-a-colour-drenched-crittell-style-door-with-reeded-privacy-glazing-Vivid-Doors-110x60.jpeg 110w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#01455a\">Check the Practical Bits Early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the slightly less glamorous part of kitchen planning, but it really does save headaches later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you get too attached to a particular door style, check the practical requirements. Some doors need to meet specific performance needs depending on where they\u2019re being used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some homes, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/fire-doors\">fire doors<\/a> may be needed in certain places, such as between the house and an integral garage. Needs can vary depending on the property and layout, so it\u2019s always worth checking out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/collections\/approved-documents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UK Building Regulations<\/a> or getting professional advice before making a final choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re changing external doors, widening openings or creating a new connection to the garden, you\u2019ll also need to think about supporting structures, insulation, security and weather performance. Moving from a small back door to a large glazed opening may involve structural work, lintels, building control and proper installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not glamorous. Very important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also need to think about thresholds. If the kitchen leads to a garden or patio, a low threshold can make the transition easier, but drainage and weatherproofing need to be considered. If there are children, pets, older relatives or anyone with mobility needs using the space, access should be part of the plan from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The advice here is simple: check the sensible stuff before you fall in love with the look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing worse than choosing the perfect door, imagining your future kitchen around it and then finding out it isn\u2019t suitable for where you want to use it. That is not a plot twist in the horror movie of life that anyone needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Should kitchen doors open in or out?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It depends on the layout. Ideally, a kitchen door should open in a way that doesn\u2019t block cupboards, appliances, walkways or access to the garden. In smaller kitchens, an inward-opening door can sometimes get in the way, while an outward-opening door may affect a hallway. If both options feel awkward, a sliding, pocket or bifold door may be worth considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Can I widen a kitchen doorway without Building Regulation approval?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not always. If the wall is non-load-bearing and not part of a protected escape route, widening a kitchen doorway may be straightforward, but it\u2019s still worth checking before work begins. If the wall is load-bearing, approval will usually be needed and a structural engineer may need to specify the correct lintel or support.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also check fire safety requirements, especially if the doorway affects the route between a kitchen, hallway, stairs or integral garage. Getting this confirmed early can save a lot of expensive faff later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#01455a\">Make the Doors Part of the Same Design Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The best kitchen designs feel joined up and considered. The doors, cabinets, flooring, handles, worktops, glazing and lighting should all feel like they\u2019re talking to each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They don\u2019t need to match exactly. In fact, a bit of contrast can work beautifully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/black-internal-doors\">Black internal doors<\/a> can look brilliant with pale kitchen units, especially if you repeat the black in handles, lighting or window frames. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/walnut-doors\">Walnut doors<\/a> can warm up a very modern kitchen and stop it feeling too clinical. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/internal-doors\/white-internal-doors\">White internal doors<\/a> can help keep a busy scheme feeling calm and clean. Oak doors can add softness and texture. Glazed doors can tie in nicely with external glazing, cabinet detailing or metal accents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about the whole palette before choosing the door. If your kitchen has lots of strong finishes, such as patterned tiles, bold cabinets or dramatic worktops, a simpler door might be the better supporting act. If the kitchen is quite minimal, a more distinctive door can add character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The key is not to leave doors as an afterthought. They\u2019re too visible for that and they do too much work to be a last-minute decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good door choice can make a kitchen brighter, easier to use and better connected to the rest of your home. A bad one can quietly annoy you every single day, which is honestly the most powerful kind of annoying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Should kitchen doors match kitchen cabinets?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They don\u2019t have to match exactly, but they should feel considered. Matching can create a calm, coordinated look, while contrast can add character. The trick is to repeat tones, finishes or hardware so the room feels intentional rather than random.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1950s-inspired-kitchen-diner-with-sympathetic-internal-doors-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.jpeg\" alt=\"1950's inspired kitchen with sympathetic kitchen doors leading to a living room - Vivid Doors\n\" class=\"wp-image-1700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1950s-inspired-kitchen-diner-with-sympathetic-internal-doors-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1950s-inspired-kitchen-diner-with-sympathetic-internal-doors-Vivid-Doors-300x164.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1950s-inspired-kitchen-diner-with-sympathetic-internal-doors-Vivid-Doors-768x419.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1950s-inspired-kitchen-diner-with-sympathetic-internal-doors-Vivid-Doors-1536x838.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1950s-inspired-kitchen-diner-with-sympathetic-internal-doors-Vivid-Doors-2048x1117.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1950s-inspired-kitchen-diner-with-sympathetic-internal-doors-Vivid-Doors-110x60.jpeg 110w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#01455a\">Design the Kitchen From the Doorway In<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best things you can do when planning a kitchen is design it from the doorway in, not just from the units out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stand in every entrance to the room and look at what you see. What is the first impression? Do you see a beautiful run of cabinets, a dining table, a garden view, a blank wall, a fridge side panel or a pile of shoes by the back door?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then think about where the light comes from, where the door opens, what it blocks and how people will move through the space on a normal day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because real kitchens are not showroom kitchens. They have washing baskets, muddy shoes, half-empty mugs, dogs underfoot and someone trying to get to the fridge while someone else is loading the dishwasher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your doors need to support that real-life use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the kitchen is the main route to the garden, make that route easy. If the room is short on light, consider glazed doors. If the space is small, look at door swing and space-saving styles. If the kitchen is noisy, think about solid core doors. If the kitchen opens onto a lovely garden, choose external doors that make the most of the view without stealing too much useful kitchen space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you get the doors right early, you give the rest of the design a much stronger foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Quick Kitchen Door Planning Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you choose internal or external doors for a kitchen, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Will the door block cupboards, appliances or walkways when open?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does the room need more natural light?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Would a glazed, frosted or reeded glass door help the space feel brighter?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Would a solid door be better for privacy, noise or cooking smells?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is the kitchen small enough to benefit from sliding, pocket or bifold doors?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does the external door suit the size of the kitchen and garden?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will the door style work with the cabinets, flooring, handles and glazing?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are there any fire, structural, insulation or security requirements to check first?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can answer those questions before ordering, you\u2019ll avoid a lot of the \u201cwhy didn\u2019t we think of that earlier?\u201d moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>The Right Kitchen Doors Make the Whole Room Work Harder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kitchen design is full of exciting choices and doors definitely deserve a seat at the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They affect light, layout, noise, privacy, garden access, storage, style and how easy the space is to live in every day. They can make a small kitchen feel brighter, a large kitchen diner feel better zoned, or a busy family kitchen feel more under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So before you get completely swept away by cabinet colours and worktop samples, take a moment to think about the doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where do they open? What do they block? What light do they let in? What noise do they keep out? How do they connect your kitchen to the rest of your home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The right doors won\u2019t just finish the room, they\u2019ll help it function beautifully &#8211; from the first morning coffee to the final \u201cwho left this dirty plate here?\u201d of the day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Designing a new kitchen is exciting, especially if it\u2019s your first time doing it. It\u2019s also the kind of project that can send you down &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[65,28,60,62,61],"tags":[46,48,73,23,44,74],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-scaled.jpeg",2560,1396,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-300x164.jpeg",300,164,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-768x419.jpeg",768,419,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.jpeg",840,459,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-1536x838.jpeg",1536,838,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-2048x1117.jpeg",2048,1117,true],"vilva-schema":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-110x60.jpeg",110,60,true],"vilva-slider-one":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-1220x600.jpeg",1220,600,true],"vilva-featured-four":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-800x530.jpeg",800,530,true],"vilva-blog":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-420x280.jpeg",420,280,true],"vilva-blog-one":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-900x500.jpeg",900,500,true],"vilva-sidebar":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-840x473.jpeg",840,473,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable":"<p>Designing a new kitchen is exciting, especially if it\u2019s your first time doing it. It\u2019s also the kind of project that can send you down approximately 47 decision-making rabbit holes before you\u2019ve even chosen a tap. Cabinet colours. Worktops. Flooring. Appliances. Handles. Lighting. Tiles. That one very specific shade of off-white that looks completely different in every sample. But there\u2019s one thing people often leave until far too late\u2026 the doors. And no, we\u2019re not just talking about cupboard doors. We mean the doors into and out of the kitchen. The internal door from the hallway. The glazed doors into&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/light-space-layout-ideas\" rel=\"category tag\">Light, Space &amp; Layout Ideas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/featured\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/first-home-renovation-basics\" rel=\"category tag\">First Home &amp; Renovation Basics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/interior-style-trends\" rel=\"category tag\">Interior Style &amp; Trends<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/room-by-room-ideas-guides\" rel=\"category tag\">Room-by-Room Ideas &amp; Guides<\/a>","author_info":{"name":"Amy Hunt","url":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/author\/amy"},"comments_num":"0 comments","featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-scaled.jpeg",2560,1396,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-300x164.jpeg",300,164,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-768x419.jpeg",768,419,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-1024x559.jpeg",840,459,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-1536x838.jpeg",1536,838,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-2048x1117.jpeg",2048,1117,true],"vilva-schema":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-110x60.jpeg",110,60,true],"vilva-slider-one":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-1220x600.jpeg",1220,600,true],"vilva-featured-four":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-800x530.jpeg",800,530,true],"vilva-blog":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-420x280.jpeg",420,280,true],"vilva-blog-one":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-900x500.jpeg",900,500,true],"vilva-sidebar":["https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Essential-door-considerations-when-desiging-a-kitchen-Vivid-Doors-840x473.jpeg",840,473,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>Designing a new kitchen is exciting, especially if it\u2019s your first time doing it. It\u2019s also the kind of project that can send you down approximately 47 decision-making rabbit holes before you\u2019ve even chosen a tap. Cabinet colours. Worktops. Flooring. Appliances. Handles. Lighting. Tiles. That one very specific shade of off-white that looks completely different in every sample. But there\u2019s one thing people often leave until far too late\u2026 the doors. And no, we\u2019re not just talking about cupboard doors. We mean the doors into and out of the kitchen. The internal door from the hallway. The glazed doors into&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/light-space-layout-ideas\" rel=\"category tag\">Light, Space &amp; Layout Ideas<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/featured\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/first-home-renovation-basics\" rel=\"category tag\">First Home &amp; Renovation Basics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/interior-style-trends\" rel=\"category tag\">Interior Style &amp; Trends<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/category\/room-by-room-ideas-guides\" rel=\"category tag\">Room-by-Room Ideas &amp; Guides<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Amy Hunt","url":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/author\/amy"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1688"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1688"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1701,"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1688\/revisions\/1701"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vividdoors.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}