Kitchen refits are possibly one of the most popular upgrades for homeowners. The kitchen is, after all, one of the most important rooms of the home, so it makes sense that if you invest in your property, you start there.
But let’s be honest, replacing your kitchen can run into the thousands of pounds, and that’s just the kitchen itself without appliances or even factoring in an extension if you want to make the space bigger. And the cost on average can be anywhere between £11,00 to £35,000 according to new figures from Checkatrade.
However, just because this is how much it typically costs, it doesn’t mean there isn’t wiggle room to get things done a little bit cheaper without cutting corners or reducing the impact.
The trick is in what you do and how you approach it, and this post is going to look at a few ways you can make your kitchen feel high end without the high-end price tag.
Buy Preloved
The UK is having somewhat of a love affair with preloved items in recent years, so it makes sense to look around for a preloved kitchen that can save you some pounds. For example, Rehome’s preloved kitchens feature a range of kitchens that have been loved already in someone’s home but are in good condition to continue life with another family.
It’s a win-win. You save money on a new kitchen refit, and the seller gets to recoup some of the cost of their outlay. It won’t be as perfect as a brand-new kitchen. And you will need to be careful with measurements, but it’s worth a look to see if the kitchen of your dreams is available pre-loved.
Swap Doors Not Carcasses
Of course, you can replace the cabinetry to give it a fresh new look, but even replacing the doors, not the carcass, can save you a lot of money, up to 50% in some cases. Plus, these days you can buy made-to-measure doors that you can refit at home, and you can choose from a range of styles and colours that instantly give your kitchen a new vibe with much less hassle and, of course, cost.
Timing Matters
If you can be patient, this could pay off for you. When it comes to a big-ticket purchase, the timing of when you make your purchase can mean the difference between how far your money can stretch and exactly what is available in your budget.
Shop around ahead of time, get a feel for what you want and where you can buy it, then set up price drop alerts on your phone, sign up for emails, and keep your eye out for deals that can save you money. Buying on Boxing Day can be a good idea, or swooping in at the end of the season, or when manufacturers sell off display kitchens, can also work in your favour too.
DIY Finishing Touches
The thing with finishing touches is, you don’t need to be a master carpenter; you can and should do some of the small things yourself. Painting walls, adding open shelving, swapping light fittings, installing the washing machine (not the gas cooker, the pro absolutely needs to do this), or even trying your hand at adding a tiled backsplash could all be skills you didn’t know you had and can save you a lot of money you can put towards other areas of your kitchen.
