There are ways to make savings on the cost of a new kitchen or kitchen renovation. From updating the colour scheme to buying inexpensive cabinets, these budget-friendly ideas aim to reduce the hefty cost of your project.
1. Pick a colour
Revamp cabinets in good condition with a coat of paint. Choose a formula compatible with the surface material and use a primer if required.
Units in Woad Intelligent satinwood, tiles in Sunlight Intelligent eggshell, walls in Stock Intelligent matt emulsion, from Little Greene
2. Easy improvements
Upgrade old or low-cost new carcasses with quality replacement doors, drawer fronts, plinths, and sides from companies such as Husk, Naked Doors and Superfront.
Fenix fronts in Verde Comodoro, complete kitchen with Neolith Retrostone worksurface from Husk
3. Quality matters
When buying off the shelf, choose durable 18-20mm melamine-faced chipboard (MFC) carcasses with a 20-25-year guarantee for added value and longevity.
Goodhome Artemisia Shaker-style flat packed kitchen in matt green from B&Q
4. Talking timber
It is possible to find solid wood cabinets at a reasonable price, including modular oak from Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets and these bespoke pine units.
Fine-sanded pine cabinets from Pineland
5. Base material
Preassembled carcasses save on the time spent building flatpack options. Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) designs can offer a step up in quality from MFC.
Islington slab kitchen in Ice Blue, Porcelain and Wild Oak with brass trim from Homebase
6. One careful owner
Firms such as Rehome and this supplier specialise in pre-owned and ex-display kitchens vetted for quality.
Reinstalled and repainted preloved kitchen. This kitchen from Rehome
7. Help to buy
As contractors benefit from discounted trade accounts, it may be cheaper for your builder or joiner to buy on your behalf. Some trade suppliers don’t publish prices, so you’ll need to trust your fitter regarding the cost.
Hockley super matt slab kitchen in Fir Green, Howdens
8. Less costly all round
Buying sustainably need not be expensive – these units are made with recycled materials.
Eterna Form kitchen in Ossido Maronne, from Lochanna Kitchens
9. Self-build satisfaction
Do it yourself or ask a joiner to build a kitchen from scratch using found or reclaimed materials, fixtures and fittings.
Antique teak shuttered window frames and red double shutter and frame from Scaramanga. Photo: Douglas Gibb
10. Slot in place
Save on fitting costs by choosing freestanding pieces of furniture. Scumble Goosie sells primed or painted timber cupboards, including a sink unit.
Chester dresser painted in Dove with oak veneer tops, W1,390xD420xH1,930mm, from Cotswold Company
11. It’s a cover-up
Expect foil-, vinyl- or laminate-wrapped finishing on affordable cabinet fronts, sides and trims, or more durable – and pricier – cold-pressed vinyl, laminate, timber veneer or stainless steel.
Metod/Maximera base units with Varsta stainless-steel drawer fronts, side panel with legs and Skogstsa oak veneer worksurface from Ikea
12. Build project
When buying from an online-only retailer, establish whether the units come ready made or flatpacked. Flatpacks may represent good value but include the cost of the assembly time and installation when estimating your total spend.
Linje flatpacked kitchen with doors in Coal from Smile Kitchens
13. Diffusion lines
Some bespoke kitchen companies like British Standard Cupboards by Plain English offer modular, supply-only ranges made to the same standard as their main collections.
Ready-made melamine-faced birch ply cabinets with primed poplar and MDF fronts, from British Standard Cupboards. Painted in Citrine Green by Little Greene
