New house redecoration advice

[BrieAndChilli]

Buying our first home (finally) lots of things we want to do (on a shoe string budget) so need to try and do as much as we can ourselves.

Kitchen - I’ve heard good things about DIY kitchens, are they cheaper and better than IKEA?
Want a cream kitchen with wood effect surfaces. What colour appliances?
Washing machine is in kitchen but in order to maximise kitchen space the consevatory is the other side of the wall where the washing machine is - how easy would it be to drill a hole through the wall and pop the water pipes through?

Lounge - carpet needs replacing. Thinking about laminate or vinyl? Which is cheapest and easier to fit ourselves? Or neither or stick with carpet? It’s a lounge diner hence thinking about a washable floor.

One of the bedrooms has wardrobes in. Mostly mirror fronted and a sort of Brecht laminate finish. DD wants them white. Is there a spray paint that doesn’t need load of priming etc first to apply?

Porch - currently a roof with one half a big cupboard and a pole holding the other side of the roof up. Tried looking for porches as really would just need some sort of side panel and a door with small panel for the front but can only really see whole porches including the 3 sides and roof etc.

Any advice/links/ recommendations welcome!!

Congratulations on your first home!

Kitchen - I don't know, but with luck @PigletJohn will be able to advise.

Lounge - Carpet or vinyl are cheapest, easier to fit options. But as it's your own home, laminate might be a better long-term option, with a large rug in the lounge area to make it cosy.

kitchens - no strong feelings, but Ikea kitchens are not made to the same dimensions as standard UK and European cabinets.

There are more varieties of colour and quality in the standard ones, and replacements are easy to get. you can buy standard replacement doors than can be swapped for new in a matter of minutes.

if you get white appliances, you will always be able to get matching ones from any manufacturer that takes your fancy. Other colours will be more limited, especially when they go out of fashion. like lightswitches and sockets.

My parents invested in a nice laminate about 13 years ago and it still looks the exact same as it did when it was fitted! It wasn't ridiculously expensive I think more mid-range

yes, laminate is very durable. I don't think I've ever seen one worn out. People just get bored with the colour; or the hinges pull out and they don't know how easy it is to repair.