Help me choose a kitchen...please

[TeeBee]

So, I'm having a small extension done and opening up my kitchen/dining room so it goes from a galley kitchen to a square kitchen/diner with utility and large pantry. I don't even know where to start with choosing someone to do my kitchen! How the bloody hell do you choose?

I will have my architect drawings this week so I can start thinking about what units I will need and layout. Architect says its best to start choosing a kitchen company now so he can work with them to get the design spot on.

So how do you choose? Do I choose a local joiner who can make it bespoke? How expensive are they compared with a standard kitchen company? I want a high end finish. HELP!!!!

It will probably depend on what kind of aesthetic you’re looking for?

I found an independent kitchen designer unaffiliated with any chains but with good local connections to local trades. We are in the design phase, so we will see how it works out, but so far has been helpful planning the space in a practical and economical way. She’s recommended far lass custom cabinetry than I might have initially thought, which in itself pays back her design fees. I am looking to create something devol style, and favour a traditional, unfitted aesthetic though.

if you give a sense of what you mean by ‘high end’, as well as where you are, others might have suggestions.

Bespoke is definitely more expensive but can be worth it if you have an awkward shaped room that won’t fit the standard 30cm, 60cm, 120cm type units very neatly. Or if you want something like a feature larder with slide & hide doors (although more and more off the peg companies are offering these). Or if you want a particular look/style that isn’t on offer off the peg.

For bespoke, a joiner will be cheaper than a bespoke kitchen company but- unless you get lucky- will not give you the same design input, so if using a joiner you would generally need to design it yourself or architect design it for you.

If you have a standard rectangular room and you want a fairly common style ie shaker, handleless, slab, I am not sure bespoke is worth it. I would choose spending money on worktops, handles and extras like a boiling water tap, over bespoke cabinets.

Of the off the peg companies I believe DIY Kitchens are good value. You can get a high end look with DIY units and expensive worktops, handles, lighting etc.

I'm definitely after a more traditional aesthetic, similar to you Labraradabrador...I'd like the Devol look. I do want a fabulous pantry. I want a top quality kitchen that will last the best part of 15 years or more. Ideally wooden doors. I intend to buy my worktops locally since I want them very thick and I know somewhere locally that makes them.

I really don't want to be doing the designing myself...I don't trust myself to get all of the measurements correct. I also have a good builder who could do some of the work if necessary.

Also, I have around £30-40K budget for the kitchen (have a separate budget for the build) but happy to spend more if it looks fabulous.

Oh, and I'm on the south coast.

Our utility has floor to ceiling cupboards in it along one side. One of the cupboards has got water pipes in , and works well as an airing cupboard.
opposite side has a butler sink with a wooden worktop , washing machine under.
On the ceiling , a Molly maid ( pull up washing line ) and a larder freezer.

If you're spending that amount of money then definitely go with a bespoke handmade kitchen. We spent around that and the installation is nearly complete and I'm delighted with it. But I'm also really impressed with the quality of companies like Howdens which have a much smaller price tag, if you don't want to spend as much.

I followed a lot of local self builds on Instagram, loads of people building their own houses have an Instagram page documenting it. I saw which ones I liked the style of and then contacted the kitchen companies they had used.

The first company I contacted, although I loved their style, I just didn't get on with the designer. She never gave any advice, just kept saying well you could do that if you wanted when I asked questions. I really needed someone to guide me.

We then tried another company and they were so much better. The man advised us to make a change to the window which we could do at that point as it was early on in the build, and was really knowledgable about how much storage we'd realistically need and where to position things etc.

Definitely good advice to get a kitchen company on board early on.

I can recommend Stoneham kitchens. We got our kitchen from them 10 years ago and it is still in excellent condition. While most of our units are standard sizes, we had to request a slightly smaller cupboard once walls were up as we were a few cm short. The plans were adjusted and the smaller cupboard was made to fit the space. Overall we were impressed and the kitchen has lasted well.

I'm slightly further ahead of you in the process. We used Karen at Oneplan who is fantastic. She came up with some great ideas for smallish kitchen. Take advantage of free consultations too and visit showrooms. I didn't fully grasp the difference between good but cheaper brands like Howdens and bespoke places like Devol until I saw them in the flesh. I was also surprised at how different kitchen brands take up more space in the kitchen. This is very important when you don't have a lot of space to play with,

Go with a bespoke handmade kitchen for that sort of budget. It will last longer and look good for ever. My mother is on her second bespoke kitchen (different houses) and the current one is still looking fab after 15 years.
Im getting a new kitchen later this year but I only want to spend £3k on the cabinets etc so will be off to the local builders merchant for a symphony one.

Thanks all, really helpful input. Really liking the idea of getting an independent designer. Are they expensive?
Has anyone bought Alfie and George cupboards? I like the look of their cabinets. I like the idea of wooden cabinets as you can change the colour if you get bored of them.

Our independent designer offers packages between £300 - £1k, and the work she has done so far has probably saved more than that, even without looking at trade discounts, etc. I think if you have a very standard kitchen (think most terraced houses in London) most suppliers can effectively and efficiently design, but if you have a larger or non standard space then it is beneficial to have someone who is a) talented in design (which not all supplier ‘designers’ are), and b) incentivised to meet your brief rather than sell more cabinets.

Oooh, that sounds good. Think I'll go that route. Thanks!

Karen @ Oneplan is great and charged us around £300-400.

Look at Woodworks Brighton. They make gorgeous bespoke kitchens. Mainly contemporary but could definitely do something more traditional. If I had your budget I would definitely use them.

I bought an Alfie and George Kitchen last year and the experience was great. The designing was all free and the owner delivered it personally. I'm sure there are cheaper alternatives out there but I couldn't fault the service.