Best value quality kitchen?

[Holidayinginmymind]

So, I really am asking the impossible question! I would like a hand-made designer kitchen that looks utterly amazing, is practical and easy to keep clean, all for an affordable price 😂

I would ideally like wooden cabinets, and would probably go for a slate work surface because it is relatively cheap for what it is (although if anyone has similar suggestions, please share!)

My budget is not unlimited and really I want to do it for the best value possible. I want something that will ideally still look immaculate after 10 years.

I’m hoping some of you will have some great suggestions. I am wondering about the wooden range in DIY kitchens, I also wondered about John Lewis (not of Hungerford), but my guess is that it is possible to get something of similar quality for less from somewhere less well known, or something of better quality for the same price.

Any thoughts on any kitchen hacks that are high quality are (relatively) low price would be great. Also if anyone has a wooden kitchen from DIY kitchens (or elsewhere), are they worth the extra cost? Any other suggestions for great kitchen suppliers?

(image of what I am hoping the new kitchen side extension will look like)

thanks!!!

Neptune. They aren’t a cheap brand but if you make the right choices the price shouldn’t be too bad.

I had a real wood kitchen from howdens, looked amazing- can't confirm longevity as I sold after 8 years but it was as good as new then. I had composite worktops, easy to care for. The kitchen fitter is just as important, luckily mine is my dad. In the process of planning another now, lucky him

I always say this but I bought an amazing solid oak kitchen from the used kitchen company. It was actually ex-display and I had it repainted. It was inframe so didn't really need much fitting and was a fraction of the cost it would have been brand new.

I have a wooden painted kitchen from DIY Kitchens. Excellent quality. Units are sturdy and very well constructed. Also delivered fully assembled. My fitter was very impressed.

If you like shaker kitchens (it's hard to tell from the picture as I can't see any units) I can recommend Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch (another mumsnet favourite) that are solid wood but reasonably priced and totally flexible in the unit sizes and configurations down to the cm.

Another vote for Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch.

We previously had two solid wood kitchens (which we painted ourselves) from an independent joinery company that were surprisingly very realistically priced, but we bought our current cabinets from HMKOC. With one exception* we've found the quality and design to be excellent and all at a great price. Living in an old, quirky, not-square house, we particularly liked the ability to be flexible on the cabinet sizes.

*The exception being the under sink cupboard for our double belfast sink. Back in 2008 when we first ordered from our previous joinery co, they had an ingenious pull-out drawer that had the appearance of a double cupboard for beneath the belfast sink. HMKOC don't (or at least didn't when we ordered from them in 2015) have this option so - in a kitchen that is virtually all drawers - we have s double cupboard under the sink that, imho, is far less user friendly.....

Agree HMKofC is as cheap as you will get for bespoke - not totally as there are a few limits on measurements but not much (max 2.4m high for example). They are proper inframe with butt hinges visible if that is important to you (unlike DIY). However they come unpainted and the oak insides need oiling so you need to cost for this or be prepared for lots of work.

Stainless steel worktops can look cool and are bullet proof

We’re currently looking at the White Kitchen Co - seems reasonably priced for in-frame solid timber units though we’ll probably source our countertops elsewhere. Haven’t bought it yet though!

HMKOC are good solid kitchens and cost effective but they are NOT solid wood.

Most of it is veneered. Once installed and painted however you would never know.

And actually that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Solid wood is less stable than MDF/chipboard.

The drawers are solid oak with dovetail joints and all units are unbelievably heavy. They use moisture resistant MDF in places to prevent warping etc so it is even heavier but no MDF or tulipwood is visible once painted. All interiors are oak or oak veneer. The outsides of the top brands are made the same or lower quality spec but you receive them painted so may not realize. The drawers are beautiful with made to measure solid oak dividers as pictured

The drawer boxes are oak. The drawer fronts are tulipwood unless you pay extra and upgrade.

Look I'm not knocking them, one of my kitchens is from them. But a pp said they are solid wood kitchens and that isn't correct.

Their name is also slightly misleading - although I suspect "handmade kitchens of run down Nottinghamshire ex mining village" might not sell as many kitchens

Hi @Dannexe that's really strange and maybe it's changed since I bought mine a couple of years ago but I was offered the option of either solid wood or mdf/tulip wood fronts for the same price. Maybe they've actually moved to Christchurch and needed the extra cash!

head office and show room are in Christchurch, factory is in Nottingham which makes sense as it is more central for deliveries all over the UK.

I thought there was an option for all solid wood (if to be left unpainted) but that cost more.

They offer fantastic after sales customer service/visits etc - policy seems to be ensure every customer is totally happy whatever it takes.

I have been very happy with our kitchen, by Sheraton, which cost about 5% more than its Howdens equivalent. Solid carcases and wooden fronts, but other options are available... and no praise is too much for my kitchen fitter.

I have been really happy with my kitchen from Classic Kitchens Direct - similar but came finished inside and primed outside which saved a lot of time and expense.
oak dovetailed drawers, oak plywood carcasses, wooden shaker doors.

We went for the White Kitchen Company (they do come in other colours!). Am really pleased with it - its look and feel is high quality, with solid wood interiors. I don't think they have a showroom (which keeps the prices down), but our kitchen designer arranged for me to visit some previous clients. It was just over half of the cost of a Neptune quote.

What you need to do is post your budget.

I am looking to revamp my existing kitchen atm. New doors, worktops, floor, sink. All new appliances. I think it will come in at around 6K.