IKEA vs independent kitchen company

[Squirrelfruitandnutkin]

Is it always better to go to an independent place?

We've seen a kitchen we like in Ikea, like the cupboards, worktop, plan etc. All well within budget.

I've also been to an independent place who build everything bespoke. The kitchen cupboards and worktop are the same colours etc. Layout is slightly different, but not necessarily ££ better (or even better full stop, just slightly different)

So do I go to Ikea get what I want for less
Or go elsewhere and spend more for what looks like the same thing on the surface?

How do you decide?

[EpoxyResin]

I can't see any reason why you wouldn't go to Ikea and get what you want for less.

It's not like they're poorly reviewed so you wouldn't be taking a gamble with the quality; they're well reviewed and everything I've seen praises their quality, and they sell the product you want at a price that's more than acceptable. What could an independent give you that is better than that?

[YorkshireTea86]

If I'd seen a kitchen in Ikea I really liked I would get it from there. We did consider Ikea but the thought of building all the units put me off tbh because dh wouldn't want to pay someone to do it. The other thing was because the restriction on unit sizes, were getting one from DIY Kitchens instead.

[Squirrelfruitandnutkin]

Do DIY kitchens have a wider variety of unit sizes?

I've not really looked at them yet... guess we'd need to find a kitchen fitter for them

[Stickaforkinimdone]

My experience with kitchens is that fitters really don't like them, apparently there isn't much space left at the back for pipe work etc

The last kitchen we had the fitter advised going for a Howdens or Benchmarx-there was little difference in price compared to something almost identical in Ikea and there's a huge range of unit sizes available. Same as Ikea in that sense

Obviously if you go truly 'bespoke' then everything will be made to measure so you can have whatever unit size you like; you're talking mega money though!

[YorkshireTea86]

Yes DIY have a much larger range of units. Ikea units only come in 2, 4, 6 or 800mm. Ours is working out under £1000 more from DIY but the units come rigid assembled with doors etc attached, were having one unit adjusted so it isn't as deep as it would be.

[user1490615646]

This is a tough one, I'm having the same dilemma.