The kitchen, they say, is the heart of the home.
It’s where families come together, friends gather to spill the latest hot gossip, and culinary dreams rise and fall in the quest to make dinner. A lot happens in this room, which means how it looks is neck-and-neck with how it functions.
Ripping out a kitchen and starting from scratch is a notoriously expensive renovation, but one that’s worth doing, especially if you know you’ll move on someday. Industry experts, from estate agents to interior designers, agree that in the long run, the upgrade will boost your home’s equity - if it’s done right, that is.
While flat-pack kitchens offer a much cheaper way to give your tatty old space a spruce, fitted versions are the key to that professional finish.
What are the benefits of buying a fitted kitchen?
Countertops and cupboards are tailored to your space - useful if you’re working with awkward dimensions - and you can include clever mechanisms and storage that you probably won’t find in pre-made, cookie-cutter kitchen unit bundles.
Getting a fitted kitchen means you can have everything exactly as you dreamed it, from countertop materials to lighting and the little things, like hardware, handles and pulls. Always wanted a kitchen island, or a dedicated wine fridge to show off at parties? A fitted kitchen allows you to configure your home exactly to your needs, wants and desires with no compromise.
How much will a fitted kitchen cost?
According to Check A Trade, the price for a fitted kitchen can fluctuate from £2,200 for a small one up to £4,600 for one with a bigger floor space. These prices are very much for guidance only. Every kitchen, and kitchen-owner, is different which will likely be reflected in the final bill.
There are plenty of brands around specialising in fitted kitchens across a range of price points. Below we’ve gathered our favourite fitted kitchen companies in the UK to help you on your reno journey.
Scroll on to make your kitchen dreams come true.
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Homebase kitchens
There’s plenty of kitchen porn to be found over at Homebase; alongside its in-house line, there are also brands like HouseBeautiful, Country Living and Kuchenmobel to ogle. From cool cabinetry and stylish splashbacks to finding those fittings that add the cherry on top, these kitchens are a cut above.
Consultations, which can be in your local branch or online for convenience, are free and financing is available to make the final bill a bit easier to manage.
Buy now, Homebase
IKEA kitchens
IKEA may be the king of flat-pack, but it offers fitted kitchens under its distinctive blue roof too.
They come in a soothing palette of colours, and in loads of styles, so you should be able to find one that fits the bill. Consultations are free and there are online guides galore if you’re up for a bit of a DIY challenge. Guarantees are available depending on what kitchen you end up buying. There are policies to cover IKEA-bought appliances too.
Buy now, IKEA
John Lewis kitchens
With a kitchen-fitting CV that stretches back to 1953, you’re in safe hands at John Lewis. The process is refreshingly simple with four steps to kitchen decor victory. First, head in-store or have a virtual consultation to talk over your requirements, including the budget you’re working with. Once you’ve chosen your style and products, it’s time to design alongside the expert planners before your ideas jump off the page and into your kitchen as installation begins. John Lewis will even remove your old kitchen, leaving you with one less job.
Buying from John Lewis offers additional peace of mind in guarantee form. There are 25-year policies on cabinets, 10 on doors and two years for installation.
Buy now, John Lewis
Wren kitchens
With a history stretching back some 35 years, there’s not a lot Wren doesn’t know about fitting kitchens.
The company says its aim has always been to make fitted looks affordable, beautiful spaces with the durability and workmanship that’ll go the distance. The range comprises three options, from Infinity Plus, the highly customised luxury look, to Vogue, a line of flat-pack that comes with a 15-year guarantee.
Buy now, Wren
Magnet
Attractive kitchens with (property) pulling power are Magnet’s M.O.
All designs are made in the UK and built on the back of a century of design expertise. In terms of style, there are plenty of clean, streamlined looks to swoon over, and regular sales and promotions take the edge off the RRP - as do the financing options.
Buy now, Magnet
B&Q kitchens
Offering inspo for traditional, shaker and contemporary kitchens, B&Q underlines its status as a DIY destination with its fitted kitchen offering.
Whether you’re at the very beginning of your kitchen journey or already have a few ideas on a moodboard, the site is a font of design knowledge including guides on how to budget for your dream kitchen.
Buy now, B&Q
