New kitchen - advice?

cofi_arian

Hi

I'm trying to source a new kitchen. What we want is high-gloss, really good/smooth finish. What we need is CHEAP! The cheapest I've seen seems to be Wickes' Miami, but I suspect it would look as cheap as it is?

So we've visited B&Q & had a 'design consultation' at Homebase - I was surprised how limited their options were, and the samples we saw (Monza and Como) were of disappointing quality/finish. Magnet seems not much more than Homebase (same supplier so could I suppose get a few of the fancier cabinets there). B&Q hasn't excited us hugely.

My Aunt is currently replacing her kitchen with a Wren one, apparently a good deal via the ebuyer website, but Wren is now on its own website and has showrooms, and seems to have a no-prices-without-design-consultation rule (we live a long way from the nearest showroom). Ikea is even further.

So I've been looking online. I've found Icon kitchens via eBay (feedback is reassuring), then a couple of what I'm pretty sure are dodgy ones. There is a site called 'Really Cheap Kitchens' (the-kitchenfactory.co.uk), which feels possibly suspect but I haven't found anything negative about them on searching.

There are sites selling Second Nature kitchens direct (eg. diy kitchens), which read well, and seem genuine.

We'll check what a relative in the building trade can get from Howdens as a comparison on our plans, but that's not our 1st stop.

So - does anyone know relative prices/quality of all these suppliers? Or can you suggest an alternative? We're thinking high-gloss (or gloss), ideally not to orange-peely, white (or at least pale). Base & wall units plus an island. I'm happy to source elements separately if that works (eg. worktops, handles, even cabinets & doors). Fitting not required (we replaced a kitchen a few years ago in last house, including levelling concrete floor & fitting Kutchenhaus units - they were on sale then! - all DIY).

Sorry for long post.

Thank you!

McKneff

I have a Howdens kitchen, in effect its no different to say Wickes, do you realise that a high gloss kitchen is approx. 1/3rd more than a matt one.

Wherever you go, there is no such thing as a good quality high gloss cheap kitchen.
I found with things like this you get what you pay for.

Canucklehead

Hi..Ikea...see recent thread.

Canucklehead

cddc

Work for Wickes and would not recommend Miami to my own worst enemy. Doors are matt not gloss white and terrible quality. Houston in the kitchens2go range has a much better quality gloss white door but is more money.
The cheap takeaway range from Wickes has improved over the years (soft close, decent drawers etc.) but the Miami fascia should be avoided. Very cheap but but cheap for a reason.

However, as Canucklehead says, at a low price point Ikea are the best in the business. Would certainly choose over Homebase every time. Widest range of units and accessories at the price point. Would come in more expensive than a Wickes takeaway but without a doubt a better product.

cofi_arian

Thanks for your replies.

Yes, I do realise that the best shiny doors are expensive - I'm trying to find the best compromise between cost and a finish we can live with. Ideally low-end but not grotty!

I was wondering about Miami, maybe even to replace the doors as the whole unit seems cheaper than carcass only elsewhere. But thanks for confirming my suspicion (I hadn't expected them to be gloss tbh).

We're hoping to get to our 'local' Ikea (about 70+ miles), after finally working out how to see some kitchens on their website. Thanks for the link - I spent ages scrolling through to look for existing threads but couldn't get more than a day back.

But does anyone know Second Nature kitchens (or diy kitchens website)?

Thanks again!

pinkmami

I've been to B&Q for a quote & I was pleasantly surprised. I got the quote in an oak coloured shaker style after having a fiddle myself on their website & it came up a little bit over. Still great though as the appliances were included. But I will probably use Boots Electrical for those to get some points on my advantage card. So in all the kitchen itself won't be bad. But I've changed my mind & gonna go for white gloss!

I do also plan on going to Howdens for a look.

sophie80

I would also like to hear about anyone's experiences with DIY-Kitchens.com as I am considering buying my new kitchen from them shortly. Thank you in advance!