If you couldnt touch a kitchen what "things" make it look expensive

[furryfriends57]

I have seen the threads re expensive worktops versus expensive units but can I take it a step further please.....I am trying to save as much in my new kitchen and am wondering what can be pared back on without making it look cheap and unfinished. Just wondering do any of you kitchen officianados have any tips on things such as cornice on top of units, designs under the cornice, using different worktop on an island. Hope this makes sense, any opinions appreciated. TIA

im not sure quite what you mean, do you mean what things can you spend less on? or what things should you spend more on?

we spent less on the cabinets, but more on worktops, tiles and paint. we spent a lot on the sink and tap as that is quite a feature and sets the 'tone' of the kitchen.

our cornicing came with the kitchen units so i can't comment on whether there is money to be saved there.

some people choose granite for island and then wood for side counters.

good luck!

Hi Livingthegoodlife I was afraid it wasnt clear what I was asking, probably a reflection on the confused state my brain is in at the moment . I was asking because the guy who I wanted to make my kitchen has told me that he changed the cornicing, took away decorative pillars, priced for a cheaper tap and plastic instead of ceramic handles to give me a cheaper price (he didnt touch his profit margin of course (fucker)). So anyway as these are all decorative features I wonder will they make the kitchen look cheaper. This probbaly still doesnt make sense but at least I got to bitch some more about him

I helped a family in Greece plan their kitchen and it was all plastered alcoves rather than units - all the way around the room including a cooker alcove and a fridge alcove - with a massive work table with a sink in one end in the middle of the room ! very inexpensive - probably the best value kitchen I've done in my 29 years in the industry !!

not sure it would be appreciated quite as much in UK though - but if you are somewhere exotic - it's worth considering !!!

Difficult to say. I have dropped cornicing and the plinth underneath the units in every kitchen we have had. Looks cleaner. Not a fan of the fake pillars. Look on the internet for taps. You would be amazed at price differences. I would imagine best to have nice handles. I didn't think they had big variations on price? If you are unhappy at joiners margin, is it too late to get more quotes?

oh - cross posts ! shop around ! you might get everything you'd like elsewhere !!

Thanks Ghost and OnePlan. Its a country kitchen so I'd like the look the cornice adds, not too worried about the pillars but if the quality of the handles, tap etc are poor then I think it will become just a pile of expensive wood that will last but wont look as good as a cheaper kitchen from one of the chains.

Handles you can change - taps you can change - so spend what you can on the furniture part and you can always improve over time with new handles and posh taps !

Source your taps/sink/handles yourself it will be cheaper than getting it through him.
Look on ebay for all the above.
And why not get more quotes if he wont budge?

I have a very expensive bespoke kitchen at home and a ikea cheapest one in a house abroad.

Tbh, if I'd seen the ikea one first I would just have got one for here too. I would have it professionally installed and would possibly source some more expensive slate/wood work tops, but I think if it was really nicely done it would look great, and make the other a waste of money.

You can design them yourself on the website too, just to get an idea of what you can do. Well worth a look, my kitchen snobbery was misplaced.

Why do you want your kitchen to "look expensive"?

I think kitchens need to be functional, comfortable and attractive.

Get a bespoke company to design your kitchen then buy it from somewhere cheaper. They often make sure designs are symmetrical which does help.

Better than it looking cheap, Bonsoir.

To be honest if I was having a completely new kitchen I wouldn't want to compromise on the things he's cut back on, I'd be looking to source the best quality I could afford at the right price and changing the installer/

Personally I wouldn't go with a cheap tap, but I would look on the internet, which is actually what I did for a replacement tap here.

I bet Bonsoirs kitchen doesn't look cheap!

My kitchen is very ordinary functional. Kitchen porn is not widespread in Paris as if you are rich you don't go in the kitchen as it is where you keep your slave who obviously doesn't require luxury.

tee hee ! no slaves for me ! lucky to have a 'happy to cook' hubby though ! (although he does ruin my pans ! uurrgghh !!)
have you looked online for kitchens, there's so many places doing them now - its really worth shopping around ! you can save a heap of cash, and still get a good looking kitchen ! have you got a plan to work with ? so you know what you need ?

Thanks everyone No slave here either, DH has good intentions but rarely makes them reality so hence kitchen is my domain and I want to get it right. Bonsoir I dont want it to look cheap so wanted to know what trimmings makes it look expensive iyswim so I could judge the effect of what he was taking out. When I am spending so much I want to look at it and enjoy it, I really couldnt care what anyone else will think (hmm well I'm not a total martyr so maybe want some nice comments too). After a day spent revisiting my other 2 kitchen guys I'm changing to another joiner who doesnt have the solid wood frame at the front but does have the other finishes and will also do my wardrobes reasonably. It was a pleasure to deal with someone who wanted my business. So thanks again and here's hoping this is the end of the sage, time for some and