Kitchen cabinets and how much a bespoke kitchen costs
If the kitchen is the heart of your home, a bespoke kitchen contains its soul, too. But how much does a bespoke kitchen actually cost?
It’s the question we get asked most at PAD. And unfortunately, the simple and unhelpful answer is “it depends”, as there are many items that factor into the cost overall. Pricing varies hugely from cabinetry and fittings to appliances and accessories.
As there are a large number of elements to consider to discern your wider costs, we’ve created PAD’s complete guide to bespoke kitchen costs. But first on today’s agenda: cabinets.
While cabinets seem like such a simple decision to make in the grand scheme of things, the options are endless. There are three key decisions to be made and hence three important questions to ask yourself when it comes to your new kitchen’s cabinetry.
1. Do you want a modern or traditional style kitchen?
It’s the starting point for all kitchen projects: what’s your vision? You might have a preference in mind already, but it’s important to think about the size of your space, your lifestyle, taste and budget before coming to a final decision about the overall style of your kitchen.
Modern kitchens typically cost less because the doors are made from MDF or melamine which are relatively inexpensive materials to engineer and work with. These cabinet doors are completely flat or have an integrated J-trim handle and can have a matt or gloss finish. They are often compared to the uncluttered and minimalist kitchens of northern Europe due to the many handleless options, though physical handles can be used on this type of door too, depending on client preference.
Traditional kitchens cost more in general due to the cabinet doors: usually solid ash or oak wood, the uplift in price speaks for itself. These doors are shaker-style, either in-frame (where the frame is fixed to the cabinet) or lay-on (where the entire door moves). There are also slim shakers to create a ‘mod-trad’ look and beading options to create a country look.
Solid wood lay-on doors, without frames.
In-frame kitchens are at the top end of the price scale due to their complex construction and there are a couple of in-between options, whereby the shaker door is made from MDF for a cost-effective but classic look.
PAD’s approach: Our cabinets, whether modern or traditional, are made from Egger MFC and can be made in 30 different matching and contrasting finishes. Find out more about our different kitchen styles here.
In-frame kitchen cabinetry
2. What’s your interior specification?
Next up is the interior spec and how your wants and needs factor into your kitchen’s design. A kitchen’s interior is key to its functionality and can also drastically impact the overall cost. At PAD we believe it’s all about balance and client preferences, so here’s a rundown of what we tend to cover in our client consultations.
Drawers are necessary when it comes to cutlery and utensils, and can also be useful for pots and pans. Wall cupboards, on the other hand, are great for mugs, glasses and other items you prefer to have at eye level. Then other crockery such as plates, bowls and serveware is down to personal preference – whether you choose to store these in drawers or cupboards.
Aesthetic island counter drawers
Drawer boxes will either come standard as per your provider or the material can be upgraded to solid oak or walnut. You can choose metal spice racks to keep the budget down, solid oak at a mid-price point or solid walnut for a top-end budget. Wirework for corners is useful for cookware, and can also be used to create a pull-out solution for spices, oils and condiments. The main point to remember here is that drawers and wirework cost more than cupboards.
Blum soft close, with optional butt hinge aesthetic
This is food for thought (no pun intended) on what you need to understand before planning your kitchen storage and the different ways in which you can access said above items. Like with anything kitchen-related, there are different price points for every type of interior spec.
PAD’s approach: While mechanical elements, such as hinges, bi-foldings and drawer runners can vary massively from provider to provider – along with their price points – we like to keep it simple. Our ‘standard’ is the smart and modern soft-close Blum Legrabox, as seen in our Oxshott collection.
3. What’s your exterior specification?
More is not always better. While it’s true that the more cabinets and panels you have, the more your kitchen will cost, this does not always equate to more storage. Purpose, functionality and flow as per the interior specification are far more important to consider than the number of boxes on the walls.
Panels are expensive, so it’s important to understand why they are required to ensure you are not paying for unnecessary materials in your bespoke kitchen. The purpose of panelling is to either cover an exposed structure, fill a gap or provide a division between appliances, but opting for good design will minimise the latter two points leaving only the first essential purpose to consider.
Further points to consider are the cornice, pelmet and shelving, as well as any chunky island post installations. These bespoke elements can have a silent impact on your budget, particularly when it comes to solid wood and your desired finishing. A good kitchen provider estimates the pricing of each bespoke item early on, meaning you have a clear idea of where your budget can take you when it comes to the final touches on your design.
Colour-wise, stock colours that are neutral or ‘in fashion’ are the easiest way to keep the cost down as these tend to be produced en masse due to their popularity. A provider’s personalised palette colours are where you will have a wider range, and this is the mid-price option for those looking for a personal touch on a budget. Finally, going bespoke will cost the most, but for clients looking for truly tailored kitchen colours and a finish built around them, this is the most suitable option.
PAD’s approach: We pride ourselves on being design-first specialists, enabling our clients to realise their kitchen dreams with minimal disruption to the ideation, creation and implementation process. Happy design equals happy clients, and that’s our ultimate goal.
As we’ve explored here, many different factors will affect the cost of your kitchen cabinetry, which in turn impact the cost of your bespoke kitchen overall. The key to controlling your costs is finding the right designer and installer for you. Every provider has their own unique approach, and with a little research, you will find the people who can bring the kitchen of your dreams to life.
At PAD our methodology includes a ‘budget sense check’ based on a client’s wish list before getting into the design process. We build beautiful kitchens around your budget: take a look at PAD’s cabinetry installation process in the video below or if you’d like to pick our brains about your own bespoke kitchen, do feel free to drop us a line today.