What kitchen to buy?

neverwakeasleepingbaby · 09/02/2025 06:17

I really rate DIY kitchens but you need to be prepared to do some work yourself measuring and figuring out what bits and pieces you need like plinths etc. But that's why it's cheaper. You'll also need a decent fitter and they can help you with the order. The quality of the units is pretty good. I've recently upgraded mine from 2018 (kitchen extension) but there was really nothing wrong with the units themselves in that time!

Userxyd · 09/02/2025 06:32

MotherOfRatios · 08/02/2025 21:15

Hi, some of you may know me from the buying threads well I also need a new kitchen as well as also other things that have gone on.

The current kitchen is wren and it has not lasted. It was only fitted in 2019. I have looked at smile kitchens, magnet and DIY. I am looking at purchasing a shaker kitchen. In borrowing a pink or burgundy. This isn't my forever home so I don't want to spend thousands, but I also don't want to scrimp. It's 8 units

so can anyone recommend a shaker kitchen on a budget?

What has happened to it in 5 years for it to need replacing?! Ours was cheap as we could find 10 years ago and still looks virtually new!

Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 09/02/2025 06:33

Userxyd · 09/02/2025 06:32

What has happened to it in 5 years for it to need replacing?! Ours was cheap as we could find 10 years ago and still looks virtually new!

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The seller hasn't looked after it and has had dodgy plumbing repairs

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Userxyd · 09/02/2025 10:01

Oh I get you - I thought you'd installed it and it fell apart by itself. Plumbing/water damage is a nightmare too.

Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 09/02/2025 10:36

Userxyd · 09/02/2025 10:01

Oh I get you - I thought you'd installed it and it fell apart by itself. Plumbing/water damage is a nightmare too.

Yeah, no, the seller had all the pipes hidden behind the kitchen, which meant that she probably also didn't see how about the leak was. But the kitchen is falling apart. But I don't intend for this to be my forever home. I just want to add some to it without spending crazy amounts

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bouncydog · 09/02/2025 11:58

As it’s not going to be your forever home, I would suggest fitting a basic type of kitchen as unless you go high end the carcasses are very similar - the cost is in the door types. As long as you look after it and keep it clean, when you come to sell any prospective buyer will not feel guilt at ripping out and replacing! Our original kitchen was self assembly from long closed MFI. We had 240 boxes of bits to put together but that kitchen lasted over 20 years. We did replace worktops when we made the kitchen bigger and bought some extra units but the point is it was really cheap for its time.

Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 09/02/2025 15:00

bouncydog · 09/02/2025 11:58

As it’s not going to be your forever home, I would suggest fitting a basic type of kitchen as unless you go high end the carcasses are very similar - the cost is in the door types. As long as you look after it and keep it clean, when you come to sell any prospective buyer will not feel guilt at ripping out and replacing! Our original kitchen was self assembly from long closed MFI. We had 240 boxes of bits to put together but that kitchen lasted over 20 years. We did replace worktops when we made the kitchen bigger and bought some extra units but the point is it was really cheap for its time.

I don't want a cheap carcass just because I think they go easily and I do want something good quality. I'm struggling to find something that will last. I will be in here for about 5 to 7 years and if I really love it 10 but I do hope to buy a house at some point.

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Time4changeagain · 09/02/2025 15:51

I second DIY kitchens, Really good quality and arrive pre-assembled.

Jones1968 · 15/09/2025 19:52

Try element kitchens in Handforth!! Really good quality they did ours in prestbury!!

REDB99 · 15/09/2025 19:55

I got a DIY kitchen in white shaker installed 3 years ago, it still looks brand new. Units come fully assembled, just use the planning tool to work out what you need to order. The fitters commented on the quality of it when they installed it.

CamiFTB · 19/09/2025 10:40

I used Howdens a few years back and really love my kitchen! I then bought my handles off of Etsy and it makes the kitchen look a lot more "custom" even though it isn't.

Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 19/09/2025 12:20

REDB99 · 15/09/2025 19:55

I got a DIY kitchen in white shaker installed 3 years ago, it still looks brand new. Units come fully assembled, just use the planning tool to work out what you need to order. The fitters commented on the quality of it when they installed it.

I chose not to go for DIY as they wouldn't deliver to my flat and I couldn't get a whole kitchen into my flat by myself.

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Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 19/09/2025 12:20

CamiFTB · 19/09/2025 10:40

I used Howdens a few years back and really love my kitchen! I then bought my handles off of Etsy and it makes the kitchen look a lot more "custom" even though it isn't.

I really didn't like the quality so didn't choose them in the end

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HowdensAreShite · 23/09/2025 18:43

I definitely wouldn't bother with Howdens. We got one recently and we love the kitchen but the service has been appalling. Wouldn't touch them with a bargepole in future.

Outlookqueen · 23/09/2025 18:46

Is it a large kitchen? I would recommend searching oak kitchen maker companies. You’re right re the carcasses with the likes of Wren, Howdens etc, they all use cheap MDF (despite charging £20k for their kitchens 🙄) you ideally want solid oak kitchen units or ply. Have a google, or get in touch with local carpenters to see how much they’d charge to make you one in ply or oak.

NotMeNoNo · 23/09/2025 19:22

I would look for a local kitchen company, they will probably buy in decent units similar spec to DIY kitchens but likely to be more flexible with the fitting, delivery etc. you can keep costs down by not getting carried away with extras.

BreezyPeachGoose · 23/09/2025 19:25

DIY Kitchens 👌🏻

Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 23/09/2025 21:49

HowdensAreShite · 23/09/2025 18:43

I definitely wouldn't bother with Howdens. We got one recently and we love the kitchen but the service has been appalling. Wouldn't touch them with a bargepole in future.

I never went for them as said upthread

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Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 23/09/2025 21:50

Outlookqueen · 23/09/2025 18:46

Is it a large kitchen? I would recommend searching oak kitchen maker companies. You’re right re the carcasses with the likes of Wren, Howdens etc, they all use cheap MDF (despite charging £20k for their kitchens 🙄) you ideally want solid oak kitchen units or ply. Have a google, or get in touch with local carpenters to see how much they’d charge to make you one in ply or oak.

I have a very small kitchen and I went with an independent company in the end (this is an older thread)

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Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 23/09/2025 21:51

NotMeNoNo · 23/09/2025 19:22

I would look for a local kitchen company, they will probably buy in decent units similar spec to DIY kitchens but likely to be more flexible with the fitting, delivery etc. you can keep costs down by not getting carried away with extras.

This is an older thread and I went for an independent company.

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Original poster

MotherOfRatios · 23/09/2025 21:51

BreezyPeachGoose · 23/09/2025 19:25

DIY Kitchens 👌🏻

I never went with them because of their terrible delivery service they're not good if you live in a flat

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NotMeNoNo · 23/09/2025 22:12

MotherOfRatios · 23/09/2025 21:50

I have a very small kitchen and I went with an independent company in the end (this is an older thread)

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