Can I refresh my kitchen cheaply?

[Sinittasdancers]

I had a new kitchen put in 7 years ago. The style isn't dated but it was cheap and has therefore started to fall apart a bit. I'd like to replace the fridge and hob (I'd love to get a new, pyrolytic oven but I know that's a fantasy...), replace some of the work surfaces with Corian/composite (not laminate), replace the wall cabinets with taller ones as we don't have enough storage and replace all the cabinet doors (top and bottom, only 6 in total). Possibly replace the sink too.

Is it possible to do all those things or is my only option to just get a new kitchen?? (And if so, what's the rock-bottom price of doing this? It's a small kitchen)

Thanks!!

It is possible. If your cabinets are in a good, solid condition changing the doors is relatively easy. Ditto with wall cabs, if you have the ceiling height. There is a minimum height off worktop.

Worktop, I would steer clear of Corian or similar. I work for the family kitchen business and although all our boys are Corian certificated we never ever sell it. It’s such a faff to fabricate that with the labour charge usually comes out more costly than quartz. I’d use laminate or wood if you’re sticking with low budget. If you want a cheap replacement Ikea is alright, not top quality but cheap.

My honest advice would be to shop around local kitchen studios, we will always come in more expensive than the low budget places, but you get a kitchen fitted to the room, soft close drawers etc etc that will last twice as long and be so much more functional. Oh, and treat yourself to pyrolitic, it’s SO worth it to never clean an oven again 😂

Thank you! That's great advice! I'm guessing you would say the same about mirostone as Corian? I'd thought that would be a cost effective alternative but maybe not. (And thanks for justifying my need for a pyrolytic oven!!)

Ricksonway are good , they come as made carcasses so solid and cut down on kitchen fitters time , they are mid range and good and solid , I've used them several times , all online but will visit you with samples and help you plan

Yes, the materials for composite worktops are indeed fairly cheap, but the sheer time it takes the fabricators for cut it and do sink cutouts etc sends the labour cost sky high! It’s worth getting a quote if you have a fabricator locally but I’d expect it to be higher than you’d think! Good luck!