1. Set a budget
‘Before diving into any purchases, create a detailed plan. Decide what you need, set a budget, and stick to it,’ advises Glen Peskett, DIY Expert and Owner of Saxton Blades. ‘Having a clear vision will prevent overspending on unnecessary items.’ ‘If your budget is limited, my advice would be to do it in stages, instead of purchasing an entire new kitchen in one go,’ says Ashleigh Hanwell, Senior Designer at Second Nature Collection. ‘Start by refreshing areas that can be seen and have the most impact.’
2. Wait for sales
As you may expect, waiting for a sale to start like the Boxing Day and January deals can significantly reduce the price, with some sales taking 30, 40 or even up to 50% off the original cost. It’s worth checking some of your favourite retailers websites or stores routinely to see if any sales are on and we always recommend signing up for their newsletters, as that way you will be one of the first to know when they do have a sale or discounts.
3. Shop reconditioned, secondhand or ex-display
If you can’t wait for the sales, or the style that you’re looking for hasn’t gone on sale, there are a few other options to save some serious money, compared to paying full price like buying a second-hand kitchen.
4. Explore different materials
While you may have your heart set on a specific material – who wouldn’t want to deck their kitchen out in real marble – it’s worth looking into different materials. One of our top tips is to take time to work out where you can spend and save on a kitchen, and materials can be an area where you can make savings.
5. Sell your current units
For many of us, there might not be anything wrong with our current kitchen. You may have simply outgrown the design or inherited it upon moving in. But don’t be too hasty about tearing out your current kitchen, if you can.
6. Consider ready to assemble cabinets
‘One of the most effective ways of saving money in your new kitchen is to purchase ready-to-assemble cabinets instead of pre-assembled ones,’ says Jamie Robinson, installation manager at Value Doors.
7. Opt for stock and standard sizes instead of custom
Rob also suggests choosing ‘standard-sized and stock cabinets instead of custom ones,’ where possible. There are some instances, such as if your kitchen layout has a number of quirks, or your ceilings are particularly high, where this might not work. But for most people, ‘stock cabinets are readily available and can be significantly more affordable,’ Rob affirms.
8. DIY what you can
‘If you have the skills and time, consider tackling some tasks yourself,’ Glen suggests. ‘Flat-pack furniture - like shelves, cabinets, and kitchen islands - are often available at a fraction of the cost and can be assembled easily with a little DIY effort.’ Glen also adds that ‘tiling a splashback is a task that can be done with a bit of patience and the right tools, and gives you the chance to personalise your kitchen. Even installing click-and-lock flooring, like laminate or vinyl planks, can be a manageable DIY project.’ ‘Tasks like assembling cabinets, installing hardware, or even laying down flooring,’ could also be DIY’d, agrees Rob Chadwick, Owner and Director of CGC Interiors.
9. Gather and compare a number of quotes
Whether you’re going down the DIY route or contemplating between a few different retailers, this is easily one of the most important tips when it comes to how to save on a new kitchen.
10. Mix high end and more cost-effective finishes
‘The cost of a brand-new kitchen can very quickly add up,’ explains MyJobQuote.co.uk’s kitchen design expert Penelope Jacobs. ‘However, if you strategically organise your budget, you can still get some of the key features that you want for your kitchen while saving money in other areas.’