Can we get a new kitchen for £1000?

lauracusack

I want a new kitchen as although our was new when we bought our house a year and a half ago it is obviously poor quality as it is already falling a part. It's also just not designed for someone (like me) who spends a great deal of time in there. We only have about £1000 for the units, worktops and plumbing/sink. We want a country style with an oak (oak effect? This is my first kitchen purchse so I have no idea!) countertop and white doors. I'm going to buy a range cooker too but I have money put away for that. Our whole downstairs is one room, so Im doing the flooring seperately from the kitchen budget. Thinking bout the Tundra laminate from ikea. I cant afford any extra miney to have it fitted but we know various people who have fitted kitchens in their own homes who can help. Our kitchen is literally about 4 sq m. Is it possible to do it on such a small budget?

ListysDad

You have answered your own question. Despite what the ads say, you cannot get quality cheaply.

McKneff

A cheap poor quality kitchen is what you have and its falling apart already.

You will get the same quality kitchen for £1000.

The old adage is 'buy cheap, buy twice'

All you are going to do is replace a cheap kitchen with another and it will start falling to bits again within a couple of years.

Brallaqueen

IKEA.

Refurbed mine for about £700 all in (new oven and hob, new worktops, all new carcasses for eye level units, one new 3 drawer carcass for low level, new doors and handles)

It was all the cheapest of the cheap but has lasted well two years in

evokit

2nd all above
youll just be replacing it with the level you already have so will be in the same position in the same time again.

lauracusack

I realise that spending £1000 on a kitchen is not going to get me beautiful handmade cabinets that I'll still love in 20 years, but I'm not really sure what else I can do when the current one does need replacing.

Brallaqueen wrote: »

IKEA.

Refurbed mine for about £700 all in (new oven and hob, new worktops, all new carcasses for eye level units, one new 3 drawer carcass for low level, new doors and handles)

It was all the cheapest of the cheap but has lasted well two years in

What sort of size was the kitchen you were fitting and how did you find the installation? I must admit I've had a lot of Ikea furniture (which I've painted or adapted to suit) and its held up great for a long time, so was wondering if the kitchens are the same.

Jaynne

The installation of the units is relatively easy its the plastering, tilling, worktops and all the other bits and bobs that adds to the difficulty.

You simply aren't going to get anything of quality for £1000 unless it's a very small kitchen and I'm not meaning hand made, it's going to be the cheapest of everything.

Is there anything existing you can reuse? Alternatively look on ebay and gumtree for seconds and ex display as you can get a deal on quality cabinets that way.

paddypaws101

My last Ikea kitchen lasted 12 years, 3 years ago I replaced it with another from them and I think it still looks good as new ( white hi-gloss doors )
I got solid oak wooden worktops from
http://www.woodworktops.com/
which I absolutely love. After 3 years they do need a quick sand down and re-wax as they have gathered a few marks and scratches.
So, yes, I think you can get what you want for £1000.
Will it last 20 years? No, but then fashions and tastes change so quickly you would not want it to anyway.

A.Penny.Saved

It sounds like it's not that small a kitchen.

Check what materials the base units and doors/draws are made from because that is likely to affect their longevity.

Chipboard and MDF are common materials that are used in low cost Kitchen production. Therefore investigate whether chipboard or MDF is best and which is likely to last longest. For example, which will hold screws better etc.

lauracusack

Jaynne wrote: »

The installation of the units is relatively easy its the plastering, tilling, worktops and all the other bits and bobs that adds to the difficulty.

You simply aren't going to get anything of quality for £1000 unless it's a very small kitchen and I'm not meaning hand made, it's going to be the cheapest of everything.

Is there anything existing you can reuse? Alternatively look on ebay and gumtree for seconds and ex display as you can get a deal on quality cabinets that way.

It is very small - about 2x3 meters at the most.

lauracusack

Just to add, we probably won't be in this house for more than 5 years more, as it won't be big enough once kids come along.

The kitchen is definitely small - it is probably about as small as aa kitchen can be