Not sure what's going on with kitchen threads so starting another!

[3littlebears]

Lots of zombie kitchen threads popping up...so can I start a new genuine one please. I would like to pay 5k for a lovely kitchen which looks like it costs 50k. Wouldn't we all?! Any suggestions?! I really like handleless, flat front units but am wondering whether gloss is a bit passé. Matt or painted units would probably be my preferred option. A beautiful roundhouse kitchen (urbo, see Henderson on their website) is my dream look but will be so out of my budget. Does anybody have a Matt or gloss kitchen like I've described that didn't cost the earth and can give me some info? Thanks very much!

I think you would be pushing your luck to get a £50k look for £5k. A good part of the 50k look is the detailing. Without the detailing, the 50k kitchen would be 35-40k. It is however possible to get a decent German handleless (I mean proper handless not the J-shaped recessed handle rubbish) in a matt finish from £7-8k. Please dont tell me however that this price also includes appliances and solid worktops.

That just isnt going to happen.

I've seen 50k kitchens for 2k on ebay. Usually in greater London and you have to rip them out, but they include the appliances and work tops. Never seen a bidding war on a listing :-)

This bit.ly/18K63ee one went for just over £700 and this one swoon, for &13,300. But the latter looks almost unused, has top appliances and I think there was a mixup in listing as many thought it would be dismantled by seller.

Save the seller, they often have luxury kitchen listings.

But these are used kitchens. Not quite the same thing.

Hi i think you can get what you want with a good eye for detail and be prepared to perhaps make do with another work top until funds allow for a more expensive one. Not sure what size your kitchen is but top end rely on symmetry which I have replicated in mine. I have just installed a big kitchen including 10 x 600mm island units and then 2xlarder and 6 mainly 600wide above and 6 same size below on the main unit run from the Arsta range at ikea housing hobs ovens etc which is Matt White and handle less with a Matt steel detail on the handle. Have hidden the fans in cupboards which is the trend in high end at the mo. Really happy with it units were just less than £4k. I got £400 back and 0% interest finance as well. If you go when it's quiet the experienced kitchen people are really helpful and have loads of ideas. You might spend less depending on size. Fitting by a local firm was £1800 (ikea wanted to charge £4k and the fitters they recommended another £3.5 on top of that!) Have paired with specially commissioned Carrara marble on all the surfaces and a new table to match which has a champhered edge all around which I copied from one of the very high end showrooms in Central London. Have large white floor tiles (inexpensive) and inexpensive splash back which looks lovely. I think you'll get your units fitted for the money and possibly if you buy now before end of jan you"ll get great deals on the appliances. I bought mine at grand designs at a good price months before I needed them. That saved £'sss on fancy names. Shop around, pay most money for appliances and worktops and plan the units carefully. Good luck!

hidden fans in the cupboards???

this sounds like what I need, do pray tell......

Hi I bought extractor fans from ikea which are sited in normal overhead cupboards but fit completely flush with the underside so you cannot see them even without a plinth. They are stainless steel not sure what make they are though ? Have two as treated myself to two induction hobs which are fitted flush in the marble and are stainless steel coloured so 'disappear' I I used freezer top boxes rather than standard overhead units so that the kitchen is flush on the sides with the tall cupboards if that makes sense. Also gave more room in cupboards for things less likely to use like waffle makers and other kitchen gadgets which see the light of day every three months......I was going for a non-kitchen kitchen look and v pleased with end result. Have other mumsnetters to thank for decision to have a fusion Quooker tap so does hot/cold/boiling and by far the best gadget we have bought since sky+ in my opinion.....! I also treated us to an inset deep fat fryer next to the hobs only 'cause they have one on Saturday kitchen :-)

My new kitchen was also £4k from ikea with the 0% finance and another couple of thousand for fitting. Induction range then £1600, fired earth marble tiles £400, taps £150, american black walnut worktops £1,000.

In order to get the non ikea look you need to spend a lot of time planning or use a kitchen designer. Oneplan@houzz is on here quite a bit and she is a freelance kitchen designer and is very good and charges very reasonable prices.

Things that will make it look top end are

good lighting
decent taps
cupboards going up to ceiling height
added cornicing (then needs to be paint matched)
moulded kickboards rather than flat recessed boards
fridge freezer flush with cupboards rather than sticking out a mile
extra depth worktops
good end panelling
inset doors (out of your price range IMO)
decent handles