DIY kitchens...any tips?

[IndecentFeminist]

I am looking at DIY kitchens for our new kitchen. I have put together a rough layout using the IKEA planner, and out the equivalent units in a basket so I can see the basics.

Obviously without sitting down with someone it is hard to know what extras are needed etc...do the units come with feet for example? Do we order plinth separately? Do they do plinth drawers? Do all the fittings needed come as standard?

Any tips/reviews would be great please, have never designed a kitchen from scratch so it is exciting but new!

The ordering is pretty self explanatory as you go through it and they're very good at helping you once you know what you want. I can't remember if they did plinth drawers or not, but they'll be easy enough to find if they do. It also walks you through plinth etc.

Which kitchen & colour gave you chosen?

Looking at either the Norton or Clayton...we are in debate between dove grey and cashmere. It's to go in an extension, so while I have the plans, I don't have the space in front of me which makes it feel more challenging

Google for the DIY Kitchens Planner rather than using the Ikea one. You can then create a full 3D design using their cabinet options, get a full shopping list and submit it to them for checks and recommendations before ordering. We bought our kitchen this way earlier this year and really couldn't recommend them more, although we did visit the showroom to see the designs in person and ask questions. They are still open, so if you fancy a road trip if would probably be worth it.

We picked the Linwood which has a subtle wood grain effect, and it's gorgeous in Dove Grey. The units arrive fully built with doors and feet already fitted and the plinths and cornicing are ordered and fitted separately. Make sure you have somewhere to put it all on delivery! And work very closely with your builder to make sure you know the exact dimensions once the room is plastered etc.. ours was a real tight squeeze and needed some creativity to jam it in! Amazing result though.

I've tried looking for their planner, apparently it was a trial and has now been taken offline while they tweak it before releasing it properly? I'll have another look just in case.

I'd struggle to do it without their planner tbh as it added end panels, plinths, pelmet, filler panels etc automatically. I would say check check and check again! My recently ordered kitchen with them arrived with the wrong size wall end panels as I'd changed the height after the basket had been created. No one picked it up at their end so that's costing me another £150 to rectify.

It does come with feet - very solid ones - and a gap at the back of units for wires etc. They come fully assembled with drawer runners etc. My fitter was very impressed at the quality. I've got altino petrol blue.

Watch out for under sink drawers as they've been a headache to fit around my crap plumbing. Cupboards would have been easier. I opted for the extra cost of solid pan drawer sides and would recommend this.

But I would have struggled without the designer... Maybe give them a call?

planner.diy-kitchens.com/

Don't use an IKEA planner if you're buying from somewhere else.

The DIY one is great, you add the units etc and it automatically adds in the end panels, plinths etc You then submit it and it is checked by an actual person. You can ask as many questions as you like (I was very annoying) before placing the order.

I'll try again, it said something about being a beta version and being released again later.

I did mine before DIY kitchens had a planner, using a generic online planner (possibly paid for access - can’t remember) and it was fine. Just take your time and use your existing kitchen to double check you’ve remembered everything like plinths, end boards etc.

The quality is excellent - probably better than the Wickes kitchen I installed in my last place, and we got more than double the kitchen for the same price. We installed both kitchens ourselves and it was straightforward - DIY was much easier because it came assembled.

Agree re under sink drawers - we had to cut a lot out of the back to fit the plumbing and it took forever to find the right sink - and even then I had to trim some of the metal out of the drawers. Perhaps consider buying one of their sinks for ease.

I found them really helpful and good for advice.

My friend paid for an independent kitchen designer to create her DIY kitchen order and said it was the best money she spent - made the most of the slightly awkward space. Her kitchen is incredible so definitely think it was worth the few hundred pounds.

@thatonehasalittlecar

Thats what we did. Cost us about £250 and he was great. Wasn't trying to sell us anything and we really felt he was working for us. We ended up with a well designed kitchen layout without any school-boy errors.

He is the chap we used:- www.independent-kitchen-designer.co.uk

The planner works now! I know what I'll be doing for the next little while 😂

Ooh I'm glad the planner is working again. I want diy kitchens but am put off by the process, am convinced I will get the measuring and ordering wrong. How are you getting on op?

Just remember when using your planner to think about other things in the room ie windows and doors, any pipes etc. Think about opening the drawers and doors, will there be issues, do you need to allow a gap at the end so cabinet door can open fully (I forgot to!)

If you are having a very popular door option then it is usually possible to rush order extra bits - I had to add on some extra plinth to use as a filler for the gap at the end but it came quickly (I had Luca matt white)

I've done a good plan, but just realised that as we are on a. Island delivery would be £600 plus vat if they did it, otherwise would need to arrange own shipping. Need to investigate that and the comparative overall costs.

an island

Can't recommend Diy enough, good quality product, ready assembled, the planner adds all extras on (just double check) when you are ready to place your order they will go over your basket and make any suggestions they may have.
We went for Linwood in tern white with solid oak worktops. Honestly love it
Have fun on the planner it's addictive

@cosmo30

Can't recommend Diy enough, good quality product, ready assembled, the planner adds all extras on (just double check) when you are ready to place your order they will go over your basket and make any suggestions they may have. We went for Linwood in tern white with solid oak worktops. Honestly love it Have fun on the planner it's addictive

They didn't go over my basket or make suggestions - it would have saved a headache if they had though! I was impressed overall but I fear they'll become a victim of their own success...