First world problem - new kitchen

[WestwardHo1]

I have decided to finally seize the bull by the horns and getting myself a new kitchen, after a decade of an unspeakably ugly ice box since I moved in in 2014. Budget is pretty limited compared to what people spend - am aiming for a max of £6000 including fitting, flooring and an electric radiator (there's no heating in there currently). I'm told this is doable. Am in the process of trying out ideas at Howdens and Wickes with their design service. The fitter has already given me an idea of fit cost.

My issue is my indecisiveness and total lack of trust in my own taste! There's only me so I have no one to bounce ideas off and I lurch from one idea to the next. I want fairly traditional, as it's an old house, and I want something which won't scream "mid 2020s" in a few years, but I also want to incorporate some colour and quirks.

What do you think will date really quickly, and what do you think will stand the test of time? What is worth spending on, and what can you make do with. Splashbacks or tiles? Etc? I think I am decided on navy units, but can't decide on a marble or wood worktop. I have decided on a white composite sink - I think! I like "warm" rather than cool and clinical. It's a small galley kitchen with no room for an island or breakfast bar or anything - it honestly should be the simplest of kitchens to choose and design.

Sorry for sounding rather pathetic. I have been through a torrid time lately and it seems to have affected my decision making ability and confidence.

Have a look at DIY Kitchens, they are cheaper than Howdens. They have just launched a £29.99 initial design service, which may be worth paying to get you started. I think you’re allowed one change to their design as part of the service. Have a look at the Facebook DIY groups as well, lovely people on there with great advice!

Navy units scream mid 2020s, sorry. How about a neutral shaker style door? You jazz it up with nice tiles and handles. Wood is a pain to maintain and doesn't wear well, I would go for something else.

Sounds lovely, and however much it dates (and navy cupboards will date, as will the sage green that’s really in at the moment) you are buying for you and you will love it!

spend the £ on internal storage contraptions if you’re able to.

We are one on our 4th kitchen.. Things I have learned.
Go for completely plain doors. Shakers and the like trap dirt and wear quickly.
i like the metal door trims as they are easy to clean.
As it only you there won’t be much wear and tear so I would go for wood effect tops as they are ageless.

Another massive vote for DIY. I went to Howdens , wicks ,homebase ,IKEA and more pricey places.

DIY was excellent ! The cabinets also arrive fully assembled and have better details than other places.

Also check pinterest

Thanks for the suggestion. Have been on Pinterest and keep exclaiming "That's nice", going off and googling ideas then being scared by the cost. Honestly, I used to be so much more confident in making my own decisions. Peri and relationship breakdown have totally messed with my head.

Re the DIY, I live at the arse end of nowhere and I'm not sure if I could buy a kitchen remotely. Have had a look at their website.

I am quite keen to keep a traditional look rather than going for high gloss etc. It's an old cottage fairly near the sea.

I have no idea why I started the thread tbh 😂. I wish I could hire someone (for free obvs) to decide everything for me.

Yikes,do you think so

I had decided that about the sage green trend, even though I like it. Howdens woman assured me navy was more timeless (though she would I guess)

A paler bluey grey maybe?

Can you get to an IKEA? that can be good to walk round and see the different set ups, and not too pricey.

I ordered sample doors which were refundable against purchase...
It gave me a good sense of how they would look...
I'm very very happy with our kitchen

If you are anywhere near north london / herts i really reccommend
Marble group
(Welham House, Travellers Ln, Hatfield AL9 7HF)
You can pick the specific sheet and the team (sales and fitters) were superb

Put it this way, if I were to draw a circle with a 100 mile radius, the westerly 100 mile radius would be mostly the Atlantic. I think my nearest IKEA is in Brest!

Have the Wickes appt next week. What do people think of B&Q. I'm not mad on the idea but at least there's one near ish

I was glad i spent extra money on nice branded double oven and hob. My fitter was keen for me to go with Howdens, because there stuff is always in stock and equally keen that under no circumstances should I buy their appliances (Lamona).

I think you should please yourself and not be swayed by fashion, or what everyone else says is great. Go for convenience and functionality rather than looks. A real wood worktop isn't going to be any different to actually work on than a wood-effect laminate, whereas a self-cleaning oven, for example, might actually be useful to you.

Interesting you say that about Lamona. Thanks.

I have basically been given them free, as an account holder. She assured me about their warranty etc. Hmmm.

I agree that navy will date, I’m a bit over it already, and exactly the same for sage but I think green is more timeless. Maybe neutral cupboards and navy walls (easy to change) would be a shout if you don’t want it screaming 2020s?

Who actually cares about what trends will date as long as it’s your taste and you love it.

If you love navy then go for navy. Our homes are a reflection of our personalities and the things we love. Don’t decorate for trends or for resale value.

Do what makes you happy now.

I don't like Howdens . There was an excellent u tube man who showed up the cons as in con artist tricks from .any different kixyhen places the whole Howdens set up is fishy .you think your getting a good deal but I'm not so sure.

Id definitely check DIY first

You need to buy what you like regardless of trend, we have a reed green kitchen with oak worktops, and stone tiles is the kitchen I wanted for more than a decade before i could afford it. It's a bit annoying that shortly after green kitchens became fashionable but I love my kitchen and the style suits my house. Unless you're planning to move in a couple of years choose for you.

Another vote for DIY kitchens. And they have a fabulous show room if you are close enough to visit. Can easily spend couple of hours in there. There are so many show kitchens in different styles and colours.

If you live near the sea, having navy blue units has a different meaning than in a non-maritime location! I agree with PP, choose the colour and style you like.

Ikea sell kitchens at 0% apr which is useful if you’re on a limited budget. On the other hand, builders often don’t like fitting their kitchens.

I’d be concerned Howdens will end up too expensive.

DIY kitchens are great looking and quality- and value.

Lots to think about. Thanks for your contributions. I've been looking at reviews of Lamona online - looks like a resounding DON'T DO IT

I'll have a look at what Wickes comes up with tomorrow. I'm not in a position to get to a DIY showroom unfortunately.

The Wickes lead times seem like a potential issue maybe.

I have a completely quirky kitchen layout plus my choice of tiles (which wouldn't suit everyone) basically its two kitchens and a laundry area.

I decided to try the tiles in two sections of the kitchens and then if I was feeling brave enough I'd be able to add more sections in later, which I did.

Really, my advice is go with what makes you happy. I spend so much time in my kitchen I just wanted something that made me feel at home, was easy to keep clean, as much working surface as I could get in and had a flow that suits how I work.

Think about how you move around/use the space. Notice how much you move to unload the dishwasher, make cup of coffee, cooking triangle etc. We lived with our original kitchen for longer than planned due to covid but it gave me time to work out how to get maximise use out of the space for how I used it.

We inherited with the house a dark blue aga so my whole kitchen colour is to fit in with that, I went for quite a dark grey with blue undertone for the units, the work surfaces are a white quartz with grey veining, walls are painted egyptian cotton, my kitchen faces west, has 9ft high ceilings, has no windows other than a floor to ceiling patio door, plus its the main route to get to the garden via the back door, so a lot of things to work around.

My absolute musts were pan drawers (less bending for stuff at back of cupboards) I have three sets. There are two corner cupboards where I should have had pull out contraptions but they are spendy so instead I bought narrow plastic bins on wheels to pull out stuff I rarely need. My money went on a very good floor tile, pan drawers, the quartz and two very nice taps.

The cost for both kitchens and the laundry area which was housing for wm and tumbler was £12,000 three years ago. The quality that I have is better than Howdens as I've just put in a new kitchen from them in another property, their doors are thinner compared to my three year old kitchen

Do you not think they have kitchens in the ‘third world’?

We used B&Q and while I am sure its branch dependent our designer was amazing, he was a Medical student working PT and he came up with a brilliant design that hadn't occurred to us. The fitters were independent (paid by B&Q) were the best workmen I have ever had in my house. A couple of things didn't go to plan but B&Q and the fitters solved any issues quickly and with no extra cost.