Bespoke vs DIY kitchens

[Dreambow]

Hi,

Are bespoke kitchens such as Devol and Herringbone worth the hefty price tag? Compared to a wooden kitchen (not mdf) from DIY Kitchens for example.

If for a standard kitchen layout with an island (no unusual features).

My DH wants to go bespoke. I want the wow factor but think we can do it with DIY kitchens and spend less.

WWYD? Bespoke or DIY kitchens?

It depends entirely on how long you want to keep it before updating. Interiors and appliance technology ages very quickly. If you would like to update the look in the next 10 years, go for DIY kitchens. If you would keep it for the next 25, then go bespoke.

A clever carpenter can make your DIY kitchen bespoke-ish.

Buy extra units, doors, end panels and so on and cut them to fit the space available.

As @Mosaic123 has said. Our builder, who’s an excellent carpenter, was able to make our DIY kitchen bespoke and it’s been brilliant, and so much cheaper than the Wickes’, Magnet etc kitchens.

Ok so, my partner and I did a massive amount of research on this recently.

www.diy-kitchens.com/about-diy-kitchens/showroom/ this is a UK made brand and they have parts of the range which is thicker than anything else we found on the market. 21mm instead of the usual 17. When you order door samples you can really tell the difference.

It's this thickness that gives it the quality feel I think and if you get a decent joiner you'll have a cheaper and better kitchen for sure.

They also have a good choice of interior colours.

There are some YouTube stuff on this too and it comes out rated as one of the best.

One piece of advice, do your research on kitchen tops. We really liked the thin profile ones, there is a relatively new product on the market which we have but for the love of god I can't remember the name of it. I'll come back when I do.

It's come back to me OP. Fenix is the worktop. Thin profile, really durable. Better than anything else within that price range.

Are bespoke kitchens such as Devol and Herringbone worth the hefty price tag? Compared to a wooden kitchen (not mdf) from DIY Kitchens for example.

I think a lot of people would be surprised if they knew what their bespoke designer kitchen was made from. The carcass will be MDF. Admittedly it'll probably be thicker and sturdier MDF than the cheaper kitchen, and it might be oak-faced MDF in case anyone scratches the paint. But it will be MDF. I've seen them being made, and there's not really another option for kitchen construction that's as strong, stable and consistent.

It's the doors, fitting and worktops that make the difference. Most people wouldn't notice if what's behind the surface appearance is top-end bespoke or mid-range modular.

I have a white Fenix dining table and it is very hardwearing as well as being exceptionally beautiful!

We wanted both so studied devol and other high end options. Then got handmade kitchens of christchurch to make it. All wood handmade cabinets. Excellent quality. The painting and finishing will be a pain!

To elevate it to devol level I am spending more on handles, taps, worktops etc. Although still trying to get them for a bargain but higher end stuff on discount. Ie. Ex display ranges, superficially carcass damaged integrated appliances. Offcut/ clearance slabs. Ikea preloved / end of line tag for sink (will be recess fit and just stainless steel so you won’t realise). Quokker off eBay. The hoods the only thing I have struggled to find a good deal for yet.

Our kitchen would be atleast 40k+. Currently it’s sitting at just over 10k with worktops, handles and hood still to go.

I have spent 2 years though organising and bargaining on all this. That part is a pain and you can buy that problem away.

YABU @Dreambow

We have a DIY kitchen installed about 5 years ago. The quality is amazing, you can visit the showroom in Pontefract, and it arrived on time, all present and correct, and was a dream to fit. I’m still thrilled with it and it earns a WOW from visitors. Mechanisms are robust ( we have mainly drawers for storage, and a pull out larder). We sourced quartz worktops locally and bought fabulous taps and sink online.

Hi DreamBow,
I have a better knowledge of this topic than most as I work for a high-end bespoke kitchen company. www.modern-british.com

Not all bespoke kitchens are created equally, and many reduce the quality of their product to compete on price. The quality of some that carry household names are really poor quality cabinets, supported by great marketing campaigns.

Design is the most important aspect when creating a bespoke kitchen. It takes our team of expert designers around 3-5 days of deep consideration to design a kitchen to meet a family's needs, and a further week or more to draw the technical details, to make sure it performs to the highest standard. That's definitely not a service that would be included by a big shed or a DIY supplier.

The materials used in the build, and how they are jointed is the next consideration.
Modern British cabinets are made of the best quality materials available, and are built to last a lifetime:
Birch ply carcases with hardwood veneer.
Solid-wood (usually oak, ash and walnut) to all leading edges of cabinets and wearing surfaces.

You get what you pay for, and many cabinetmakers use chipboard and MDF for their cabinets. That will be fine for a few years, but if you're after a kitchen that will last, insist on the best materials.

I won't comment on any individual suppliers, but I'm happy to chat in DM.

We had a marvellous DIY kitchen installed in my rental property. Although the rest of the house needs some refurbishment after 5 years of 5 adult renters, the kitchen looks amazing. No chips or dings. Such high quality

Love my diy kitchen.