Are you looking to update your kitchen without breaking the bank? Installing a new fitted kitchen is often a fairly expensive endeavour, and with most of us looking to stick to a budget, any opportunity to save money is gladly welcomed. If you are looking to make your budget stretch as far as possible, there are a number of things you can consider to keep costs down whilst still achieving a fantastic finished look. From the materials you choose, to the suppliers you purchase your appliances from, there are lots of ways you can save money on your new fitted kitchen.

We believe that stunning, high quality kitchens should be available at reasonable costs, which as a local fitted kitchen supplier, we are able to help you achieve. Our costs are highly competitive as we don’t have the significant overheads of large showrooms or a fleet of sales staff to cover. We are also genuinely committed to helping you stick to your identified budget, which is why we are sharing some of our top tips for transforming your kitchen as cost effectively as possible.

1. Consider your design carefully

As kitchen designers we’re often looking to re-work existing layouts to find ways of improving a kitchen’s usability, however it has to be said that significantly reconfiguring the layout of the room will increase costs. Moving the sink by a metre or so may not seem like a big deal, but it will add to the amount of money you need to spend on plumbing. Even changes like altering the position of your downlighters will require an electrician and maybe even a plasterer to carry out and make good the works. By keeping these sorts of layout changes to a minimum, costs can be saved.

2. Select one of our MDF kitchen ranges

We stock a wide range of kitchens in a variety of styles and materials, but if you’re looking to keep costs down we would recommend selecting a kitchen with doors made of MDF. MDF kitchens are available in modern and traditional styles and are of very high quality. They are painted and come in a number of colours and are highly durable – they have a very smooth, clean look which many of our customers love. None of our kitchens are wrapped, which is important to many of our customers. Our MDF kitchens are built to a high standard and come with a seven year warranty, so there is no need to fear that a lower cost means inferior levels of durability.

Click here to view our full range of kitchens and indicative pricing.

3. Think about replacing the doors only

A great way to get a new look kitchen on a budget is by just replacing the doors, rather than the cabinets themselves. These Kitchen Makeovers are becoming incredibly popular as they give the look of a brand new fitted kitchen at a fraction of the price.

Find out more about how our Kitchen Makeovers work.

4. Install laminate worktops

Worktops can be one of the most expensive elements of a new fitted kitchen, but if you’re looking to renovate on a budget you really can’t go wrong with laminate. Laminate worktops are available in so many different designs these days and are super stylish but cost effective. The other major advantage to laminate worktops is that they are cheaper to fit too, which is often overlooked when researching worktop costs. With so many styles and designs available, you’re bound to find something you love at a price that works for your budget.

5. Consider fitting it yourself

No, we haven’t gone mad – it really is possible to fit your kitchen yourself and it can save you thousands. If you’re competent at DIY this may not be as daunting as it first sounds and there are plenty of videos available online to guide you through it. Of course we would always recommend bringing in a professional for anything involving plumbing, gas and electrical work.

If this really isn’t for you we are able to arrange fitting on your behalf with one of our experienced and reasonably priced kitchen fitters.

6. Incorporate vintage or reclaimed pieces

if you’ve got your heart set on a Belfast sink, or some stylish bar stools get scouring local reclamation yards, charity shops and online auction sites. There are some amazing finds to be had at bargain prices, saving you a small fortune compared to buying new. What’s more, reclaimed pieces can add real character to your kitchen, which works especially well if you’re looking to achieve an industrial look.

7. Upcycle your flooring

The cost of a new floor is something many people overlook when planning a new fitted kitchen, often only presenting as needing updating when the kitchen installation is nearing completion. Many kitchens have tiled floors, still in great condition but perhaps not quite your style or taste. There is a big trend at the moment for upcycling tiled floors with absolutely amazing results. Take a look at Frenchic Paint and Dizzy Duck Designs for some inspiration of what you can achieve with your old floor with some clever stencils and the right paint.

This is such a simple and cheap way of completely transforming your kitchen and can make your flooring a real statement. We think you’ll be amazed by what can be achieved with juts a small amount of money.

Make the most of your storage space

One of the main things we all want from our kitchens is storage space and there are lots of cool features which can be built into kitchen designs to provides this. For example pantries, le mans corner storage, wine racks… the list goes on. BUT as much as we love this storage options they come at a not-insignificant cost. If you’re in need of storage without the hefty price tag, there are lots of clever storage hacks you can employ to transform not just the look of a kitchen, but its usability too, making it a more pleasant space to cook and entertain in.

Adding wall shelving is a great and stylish way of adding storage space at low cost. Shelving can be purchased cheaply, or even made for free from repurposed items like scaffolding planks or old pallets, should you fancy getting to grips with a bit of DIY. There is also much to be said for organising the cupboards you do have really effectively to maximise space. Online influencers like Mrs Hinch and Stacey Solomon have shared a wealth of tips and tricks for getting the most out of your kitchen space, such as decanting food into space-saving storage tubs and adjusting shelves to better house all your homeware. You can also never underestimate the power of a good declutter, which can even make you money by selling any unwanted or no longer used items.

All of this helps to keep worktops clear which gives the impression of more space, which is always a good thing!

8. Consider refurbished or ex-display appliances

Appliances are one of the most expensive elements to consider when renovating your kitchen, with massive variation in costs depending on the make and features you’re looking at. If you’ve got your heart set on new appliances, or some particular statement or high-end goods but are worried about the cost, why not look at refurbished or ex-display models?

Purchasing your appliances in this way can save you hundreds of pounds, and most goods are still protected with a one year warranty giving you peace of mind. Some manufacturers have showrooms you can visit to assess the appliances for yourself, for example the Miele Outlet based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire is very popular with customers looking to get a top quality product at a reduced cost. There are also a number of online outlet stores selling everything from taps to range cookers at discounted rates, so they are definitely worth considering if you are looking to grab yourself a bargain.

9. Talk to us about your budget

The most important thing you can do to help stick within your budget is to talk to us about it at your Free Kitchen Home Design Visit. It goes without saying that we spend a big proportion of our time pricing up kitchens and so we know which elements are likely to significantly add to your costs and can help to advise you. Kitchen design is a balancing act and sometimes it is worth spending more money in one area to be able to save it elsewhere.

By working with you to understand your needs and priorities for your new fitted kitchen we can help you to identify where to direct funds, and where to pull back. We want all of our clients to come away from their experience with Kitchenroom feeling completely satisfied, and that includes feeling comfortable with your level of investment.

Why not get in touch today to book your FREE home design visit? We cover the Oxfordshire and Berkshire areas, including, but not limited to Didcot, Abingdon, Radley, Oxford City, Wantage, Wallingford, Benson, Berinsfield, Goring, Pangbourne.

With Kitchenroom you can always be assured of:

1. First class personal service from start to finish

2. 18 mm Rigid (assembled) wall and base units with doors already fitted

3. 10 cabinet colour options (so not just white / ivory or oak) to match the colour of the kitchen

4. 2 mm ABS edged cabinets

5. Soft close Blum doors & drawers that come with a lifetime guarantee

6. 25 year guarantee on our units / 10 years on Solid wood kitchens / 7 years on MDF kitchens

7. A typical lead time of 3-4 weeks

8. We can supply only or supply and arrange to fit your new kitchen where we will take care of the whole project from start to finish

Want to know more?

Why not take a look at some of our recently completed kitchen installations?

Click here to see our range of fitted kitchens.