What style would you go for? New kitchen for a 1 bed, Zone 2 london flat

[culturemulcher]

MNers can you help?

I'm about to replace the kitchen of a flat that's rented out. It's in a modern-ish block, and the tenant at the moment is young and trendy (but that doesn't mean the next one will be). It's a one bedroomed flat, so suitable for young professional/s rather than families.

I've seen something I like/love (annalouiseh will know all about it) but before I take a final plunge I'm wondering what anyone else would go for in the same situation. Looking for reassurance, I guess!

Can you put yourself in my shoes and think what style you'd go for? Budget is very limited, btw.

As modern as possible. Clean lines, flat fronts etc.

that's what I was thinking, Rhubarb. Would you go for coloured or neutral?

Definitely neutral and pale if possible.

We got the a builder friend's carpenter to make painted units, flat fronts, plain, no whistles, bells or fiddly bits. Colour was a dove grey I think, pale anyway. Was a very cost effective way of doing it, looks great, and if they get a bit trashed they can be repainted.

Oh yes painted is good as can be freshened up very easily.

I'd say avoid anything with "foil" or plastic coated doors, the foil/plastic will start to peel away (especially anywhere with lots of heat/moisture) and is unfixable.

Modern and minimal maybe from a high st supplier like ikea so that you can replace doors easily in future

Are you intending to rent long term? Plain, modern but not too trendy - something likely to still look OK in ten years basically - with the option to easily replace the doors

Miniepie, that eliminates most of ikea b&q and other sheds
but totally agree

Ikea does have quite a few options which are painted or stained wood/mdf - though agree the majority are foil/plastic coated unfortunately.

Ikea don't do painted afaik I usually use them in refurbs and have never seen one.

noddy hmmm I think they do - I was thinking of eg this one or this one or this one which say they are painted particleboard.

Fibre board painted with polyester paint is not actually painted. I have used the stat in a utility it is a plasticky lacquer iirc so doesn't have that hand painted matt look.

Applad is my 'stock' for a quick refurb it is not painted defintiely

Oh I wasn't expecting it to have the hand painted matt look. The main thing is that it won't peel in the same way that foil/plastic coatings do. Also it could be painted over in future if you wanted (albeit with a fair bit of sanding/priming needed first) whereas that really won't work on foil/plastic wrappings.

You couldn't paint over the applad or the stat I have used them and they are more plasticky and when they chip it comes off in chunks To paint over it you would need to sand prime and prime again! Cheaper to buy a new door! I love the applad though if you use it with the right appliances and worktops it can look good and is quite robust.

Thanks noddy that's useful to know. my sister is likely to pick one of these for her new kitchen. I had thought she could paint over it in future but I guess not.