Kitchen on a budget

AlexMac

chib wrote: »

Thanks for your response.

I've taken a couple of weeks off work ...and IKEA about 4 miles which may be handy.

My partner isn't so keen on IKEA....though my guilty pleasure these days is visiting IKEA and building the stuff ...
My only drawback with IKEA is some complaints about pipework and space for piping - have you found this a challenge at all?

Sorry- just seen this;
I can't help with your marital incompatibility problem (beyond the 'Mars-Venus' observation that while B&Q is more blokey, cos once a chap has their 'Tradepoint' card he can hitch his pants down his cleft and strut thru' the separate trade door and till like a real man... But having installed both, IKEA stuff is far better built)...

But while builders don't like the fact that IKEA cabinets go right back to the wall, with no concealed gap to hide their botched pipe and cable runs, if its a DIY job, you can simply cut huge chunks out of the carcasses to accommodate the plumbing, without risk to their structural integrity. No one ever looks inside base units anyway.

Tell him that you'll act more Swedish and do interesting things with birch twigs if he indulges your Scandiwegian tastes

jennifernil

We have Ikea units in our Guide Hall kitchen, we ran the pipework under the units behind the plinth boards, no need to butcher the units in most cases. Easier to access pipework if necessary. Units have been in place 10 years now and have survived the demolition attempts of the kids!

We have also fitted a utility room, and all the storage in the building with Ikea units, and used some at home, so OH has assembled well over 100 of their units now.

Very easy to do once you have done a few, and sturdy in use. Would recommend.

We used the Glasgow store, some we took home ourselves, for the Guide Hall we had them delivered but went to the store to purchase. Delivery depends on where you live. Possibly around £30, but check the store website.

We used their sinks and taps for the Guide Hall, but ordered Bosch appliances. If it was for my own kitchen I would opt for a better sink as the stainless steel would be thicker. We have Franke sinks at home, been in place over 25 years and still look good. Worth the extra cost IMO, and good discounts online.

jennifernil

chib wrote: »

We'll be looking at ordering the kitchen the first week in March, fingers crossed there may be some FAKTUM stuff available at reduced rates failing that we'll try out the new range.

Scottishblondie, did you use IKEA in Glasgow? I'm in Renfrewshire so will likely be using the same store. How did you find getting the parts, did you use a delivery service?

The new range will be on sale mid February, info from early February, so you are probably better to get the new type units, unless one of the display kitchens will fit.

chib

Thanks again all for the responses.

I'll see if she is happy to wait for the new range to launch when we get the keys, I'd like to go down the IKEA route following the good feedback. I should have more say as I'll be the one fitting it!

cddc

Even though I work for a competitor (Wickes) I have always maintained that in terms of the range of units and quality (18mm carcasse, decent Blum drawers etc.) Ikea are the ones to beat when it comes to budget kitchens at that price point. The unit spec is certainly better overall than our Takeaway range, or the B&Q IT range, which are similarly priced.


Three caveats to that....


1) Appliances, sinks and worktops are far from being the best...


2) Lack of a service gap for cabling/pipework at rear of base units means they can be a pain to fit in some circumstances.


3) Some of the cheapest doors are really poor quality, but you can say that about everyone, not just Ikea.


But overall they are the best value for money at the price point. You might change your mind if you have really wonky walls though!

malc_b

chib wrote: »

My only drawback with IKEA is some complaints about pipework and space for piping - have you found this a challenge at all?

"British" kitchens have 2-3in of space at the rear of base units for hiding pipework. Ikea units are flush which means you get more storage space. You pays your money and takes your choice. Ikea units have a very long guarantee (25yr!) which none of the other cheap kitchens can match. Quality is excellent.

The other difference you will find is that Ikea base doors are 70cm high, same as wall cupboard doors so they are interchangeable (save Ikea money). "British" kitchens have 72cm high doors on the base units. Work surface height is the same, Ikea has higher kick boards.

I would suggest for work surface you shop around local work top suppliers. I have one that is very cheap (not as cheap as B&Q or Ikea, but better product than B&Q and far better range). They do a corner cutting service which works out cheaper that having some one in. As long as your wall are square and at right angles, and you are happy to trim the back. You can also get wider widths if you need them (my kitchen worktop runs into window). But it takes 2 to fit a worktop so maybe like me you'll need a man for a day (who can also cut the corner). Cost should £200 a day or less.

Nenen

chib wrote: »

I've seen some other options such as Stilhaus but the negative reviews have put me off a bit there.

I'd be grateful if you could give me any links to negative reviews for Stilhaus kitchens as I had a kitchen designer from Stil haus round today and have just given him £100 deposit. I did a google search for reviews before he came and could only find one website with a couple of negative reviews but lots of sites with positive reviews. However, the thing that is worrying me now is that the paperwork the designer left is all in the name of 'Kitchen Design Lancashire' NOT Stilhaus. Sorry if this is sidetracking your thread a little but, as you mentioned Stilhaus, I'd be grateful for any information you have about them.

chib

Hi Nenen,

If you do a search on this very forum, you'll find lots.

Thanks,
Chib.

cddc

patriick wrote: »

Ikea's new METOD kitchens are detailed on some of their foreign sites.

One in English is here:

http://www.ikea.com/eg/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/

I love the description on there of it being a "go anywhere, do anything kitchen".....

Does this mean you can take it for walks in the park and up mountains, and does it double up as a bathroom in its spare time?

trailingspouse

If money is really tight, a bit of lateral thinking is called for. Does it have to be a fitted kitchen? You can do a lot with free-standing furniture. When money was tight we bought an IKEA double cupboard to house the sink, we got a big pine dresser from the local auctions, a kitchen table from the local junk shop, and some cheap worktop to put either side of the sink. We also had free-standing appliances. The advantage is that, if you think you might be moving on in the near future, you can take it all with you when you go.

Or you could just give the whole thing a damn good clean, and change the doors.