What's the best kitchen on a tight budget?

[TwentyOneGuns]

Ours desperately needs doing but can't afford to spend a lot. I like the look of Wren Kitchens and IKEA, are they any good? Or are there other better options?

[Quodlibet]

DIY kitchens are worth a look - better quality than either of those two and probably cheaper.

[WeAllHaveWings]

We got a B&Q kitchen from their Cooke & Lewis range. It was very reasonably priced (with dhs trade card), looked nice, stunning when done, but basically crap and a waste of money. 4 years on its very marked and falling to pieces.

[didireallysaythat]

If you have a standard shaped kitchen then eBay has ex display kitchens that might work for you too ? We bought one that we would never have considered in our budget this way.

[lookbeforeyouleap]

I've seen a few IKEA kitchens that are lovely for the money they cost.

[lookbeforeyouleap]

I've seen a few IKEA kitchens that are lovely for the money they cost.

[BasinHaircut]

I've just had a Wickes kitchen fitted and it's amazing. Really good quality.

Apparently the fitter used to work for B&Q and he said they were crap quality and getting worse all of the time as the buyers there just found more and more ways to cut costs. Even things such as using 2 screws in somethings that should need 4 etc

[Ramona75]

I agree with Quodlibet. B&Q flat packs and components don't bode well with me and I cannot comment on Wren as never had anything from them. Shop around then take it from there.

[dynevoran]

IKEA stand the test of time and in my opinion are more stylish than others in the same price range. I had one for 12 years that still looked new and have one now for 3 years that is no different from the day installed it. Plus if it needs fixing you can easily buy any individual part cheaply. The price structure is very transparent compared to lots of others.

[teaandcake789]

When you say yours needs doing, what exactly needs doing? I hate our kitchen. Cheap and basic one the builders put in. I'm desperate for a new one but realised the cupboards are actually ok, so I'm just going to paint the units with Annie Sloan chalk paint, replace the doors with IKEA ones, plus a new worktop and sink (eBay etc for those). My budget is £1000.

[mrsmortis]

Did you know John Lewis do fitted kitchens? My mum's had one and it wasn't cheap. But she had her utility room done in their 'budget' range and it's so nice that she says she'd have the whole kitchen done in it another time. I'm not sure how it compares price wise to B&Q etc. but it looks like it might be comparable to IKEA (just from looking at the prices of their standard kitchens)

[agnesrose86]

We're going with DIY kitchens. They are exactly the same units as you would get through the high street shops but much cheaper.

[Jojay]

We put an ikea kitchen in 12 years ago and it's only very recently starting to show signs of wear.

I think they're great and would fit another one tomorrow.

We inherited a 5 yo Wickes kitchen and it's not nearly as good.

[Hiddenaspie1973]

Someone else's

[Blueberry234]

Magnet strata gloss?

[TwentyOneGuns]

Thanks this is really useful. I am considering whether we can get away with a bit of making do and mending rather than a full refit teaandcake789 but it's really shabby and falling apart in places - I've already painted the tiles and cupboard doors, put on new handles etc and it did us for a few years but I don't think it can be resurrected again!

I'll have a look at the options suggested and see what might work within our budget.

[RaisingSteam]

How much DIY or detailed planning are you up for - or do you want a one stop service? There is a pay off between price and convenience/effort on your part.

Apart from IKEA, most UK kitchens are the same few ranges or closely similar versions. So you could get the same look from a lot of suppliers just depending on how it's designed. DIY kitchens (and a quite a few other online suppliers) sell these same ranges but directly from the factory rather than via a showroom. They also have a wider range of sizes/shapes so you can really make the most of your room.

[TwentyOneGuns]

We're pretty rubbish at DIY tbh so I would think we'd just stick to simple jobs like painting - if like to take on more but I've seen us bodge things too many times in the past

[GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]

Wickes are good IMO. We put one into a flat we had - it wasn't quite the cheapest but not far off - it looked really lovely and felt solid and good quality. Not only that, but every single bit was delivered on time and nothing was damaged or faulty.
This was a few yrs ago now, but I would certainly go to Wickes again, though one other great advantage is that there is a branch a 5 min drive away.
I have heard a lot of recommendations of IKEA but our nearest is a major trek and I confess to hating navigating their massive maze-like stores.

[dynevoran]

My IKEA is closer than my supermarket and aans distance as my corner shop which definitely helps!

[Elbekind]

Uh oh, this thread isn't making me feel great about the fact that we bought our B and Q kitchen...last night!
Only a worktop and sink mind, but still put us back about £300 :-(

[Stinkerbelle37]

Howdens sale in the autumn too ....

[ApocalypseSlough]

I'm about to do my third IKEA kitchen. Fantastic quality and you can add bits easily. I enjoy the process

[Redyoyo]

We went to a small local kitchen firm and ours was so much cheaper than b&q and the other big names it looks lovely and is great quality, our undersink unit was all made bespoke so I could get a dishwasher in, the big names said I wouldn't get a dishwasher in as it's all standard units they use. I'd have a wee shop about as most do free visits and quotes.

[flower76]

Interested to watch this as we too are looking at a new kitchen. I love the look and reviews of the idea ones but wondered if anyone knows if they will come and plan it at home with you?? I think not but if anyone knows different I'd love to know