Shoestring Budget: Getting the Best Kitchen Cabinets for Less
It can be daunting choosing the right kitchen cabinets with limited funds, but these UK design experts' tips will help
It’s perfectly possible to update your kitchen cabinets when you’re on a strict budget. However, it’s also easy to waste money or lose out on false economies if you don’t plan carefully. For example, an incompetent installer could spoil the look of your new kitchen and even add costs. “Even if you’ve spent a fortune on your dream kitchen, the results can be frustrating if you get the wrong person to install it,” says Georgi Georgiev of The Kitchen Makeover Shop.
Think what you can keep
Before you start to think about getting new cabinets, the first step should be to review how you’re using your kitchen. Changing its layout may mean moving services such as plumbing and electrical connections, which will add to the overall costs. So, if your existing set-up works for you, keep it: there are plenty of ways you can update the space without a complete overhaul, and you’ll have more money for the right units.
It’s also worth thinking about whether your current layout could work harder for you. “There may be more efficient uses of space that you hadn’t considered, or modern ergonomic styles that better suit your way of life,” says Lawrence.
Before you start to think about getting new cabinets, the first step should be to review how you’re using your kitchen. Changing its layout may mean moving services such as plumbing and electrical connections, which will add to the overall costs. So, if your existing set-up works for you, keep it: there are plenty of ways you can update the space without a complete overhaul, and you’ll have more money for the right units.
It’s also worth thinking about whether your current layout could work harder for you. “There may be more efficient uses of space that you hadn’t considered, or modern ergonomic styles that better suit your way of life,” says Lawrence.
Decide on your cabinet style
If you don’t have the time or inclination to measure up your kitchen and find flat-pack designs, search for kitchen companies that offer design-and-installation services. A representative will visit you at home to discuss your options and take all the measurements needed. Typically, this comes at a small price.
Pre-assembled cabinets, which leave the warehouse with hinges fitted and doors attached, are the next step up from flat-pack designs. If you go down this route, remember it’s always best for an experienced professional to install your cabinets.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to measure up your kitchen and find flat-pack designs, search for kitchen companies that offer design-and-installation services. A representative will visit you at home to discuss your options and take all the measurements needed. Typically, this comes at a small price.
Pre-assembled cabinets, which leave the warehouse with hinges fitted and doors attached, are the next step up from flat-pack designs. If you go down this route, remember it’s always best for an experienced professional to install your cabinets.
Find a quality fitter
The quality of the fit can make or break your new kitchen, so finding a first-class installer is crucial. “It’s often wise to go with the retailer’s recommendation,” says Lawrence. “Their fitters have experience with their kitchens, so you know that the kitchen will be fitted with care.”
If you decide to source your own installer, take time to do your research and follow up on recommendations. “It may be a false economy to hire someone who only suggests cheaper options and fittings,” says Raberin. “A kitchen is an investment and it’s important you’re given confidence on where to spend and where to save. Poor fitting or bad design will only result in additional costs further into the kitchen’s lifespan.”
The quality of the fit can make or break your new kitchen, so finding a first-class installer is crucial. “It’s often wise to go with the retailer’s recommendation,” says Lawrence. “Their fitters have experience with their kitchens, so you know that the kitchen will be fitted with care.”
If you decide to source your own installer, take time to do your research and follow up on recommendations. “It may be a false economy to hire someone who only suggests cheaper options and fittings,” says Raberin. “A kitchen is an investment and it’s important you’re given confidence on where to spend and where to save. Poor fitting or bad design will only result in additional costs further into the kitchen’s lifespan.”
Examine the inside story
Look at samples of your chosen cabinets carefully. It’s easy to focus on the doors, but don’t forget to check inside: the quality of the carcass will be key to your cupboards’ durability.
Pay particular attention to the back panel: some companies use a three-millimetre board or MDF, which will bend easily. “Thin and flimsy backing doesn’t provide good protection from fluctuations in temperature, which quite often leads to mould inside the cabinet,” says Georgiev, who recommends a back board thickness of no less than eight millimetres.
Side panels are generally either 15, 16 or 18 millimetres thick. While the difference between the thickest and thinnest panel may not seem sizeable, an 18-millimetre cabinet will ultimately be sturdier than a 15-millimetre one.
Look at samples of your chosen cabinets carefully. It’s easy to focus on the doors, but don’t forget to check inside: the quality of the carcass will be key to your cupboards’ durability.
Pay particular attention to the back panel: some companies use a three-millimetre board or MDF, which will bend easily. “Thin and flimsy backing doesn’t provide good protection from fluctuations in temperature, which quite often leads to mould inside the cabinet,” says Georgiev, who recommends a back board thickness of no less than eight millimetres.
Side panels are generally either 15, 16 or 18 millimetres thick. While the difference between the thickest and thinnest panel may not seem sizeable, an 18-millimetre cabinet will ultimately be sturdier than a 15-millimetre one.
Know your materials
The majority of DIY and ready-assembled carcasses on the market are made out of melamine-covered particleboard. “Some people consider this to be a low-quality board,” says Georgiev. “It isn’t, as long as the density of the boards used is high enough.”
If you’re concerned about the quality of the materials in your chosen cabinets, ask your chosen kitchen designer or retailer for more information about the products they source.
The majority of DIY and ready-assembled carcasses on the market are made out of melamine-covered particleboard. “Some people consider this to be a low-quality board,” says Georgiev. “It isn’t, as long as the density of the boards used is high enough.”
If you’re concerned about the quality of the materials in your chosen cabinets, ask your chosen kitchen designer or retailer for more information about the products they source.
Get the lowdown on melamine-covered particleboard cabinet doors…
Particleboard cabinet doors are the most budget friendly. They’re only available in a basic ‘slab’ style because particleboard can’t be shaped or moulded, but you’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to design. “Thousands of colours and textured effects are now available, such as woodgrains, concrete and slate,” says Lawrence.
Always check the edging of melamine-covered doors to make sure it’ll stand up to moisture and everyday knocks. “I would recommend PVC or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) edgings with a thickness of between 1.3 and 2 millimetres,” says Georgiev.
If moisture gets through the joins in your doors’ edging, you may need to pay for repairs later on. Avoid the costs by looking for doors made with laser or infrared edgebanding machines: these provide a better contact between the two surfaces.
Browse more beautiful contemporary kitchens
Particleboard cabinet doors are the most budget friendly. They’re only available in a basic ‘slab’ style because particleboard can’t be shaped or moulded, but you’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to design. “Thousands of colours and textured effects are now available, such as woodgrains, concrete and slate,” says Lawrence.
Always check the edging of melamine-covered doors to make sure it’ll stand up to moisture and everyday knocks. “I would recommend PVC or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) edgings with a thickness of between 1.3 and 2 millimetres,” says Georgiev.
If moisture gets through the joins in your doors’ edging, you may need to pay for repairs later on. Avoid the costs by looking for doors made with laser or infrared edgebanding machines: these provide a better contact between the two surfaces.
Browse more beautiful contemporary kitchens
…And MDF
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is a composite wood product made from wood-waste fibres connected by resin, heat and pressure. “MDF has a higher density than particleboard, which is a plus when it comes to fixing the hinges to cabinet doors as the screws hold much better,” says Georgiev.
What’s more, MDF doors offer more design flexibility than particleboard: for example, they can be produced with patterns and detail on the front.
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is a composite wood product made from wood-waste fibres connected by resin, heat and pressure. “MDF has a higher density than particleboard, which is a plus when it comes to fixing the hinges to cabinet doors as the screws hold much better,” says Georgiev.
What’s more, MDF doors offer more design flexibility than particleboard: for example, they can be produced with patterns and detail on the front.
Choose vinyl or foil wrap finishes…
The most affordable finishes for MDF doors are vinyl or foil wrap. Both are made by wrapping the front and sides of the door in what’s best described as an industrial-style clingfilm, which offers protection against moisture. Virtually any finish can be replicated onto the wrap, including wood.
Be aware that there are not only variations in the quality of vinyl or foil used, but also the care taken to apply it to the MDF base. A typical sign of a badly made vinyl-wrap door is what’s known as an ‘orange peel’ effect – small ripples or bumps on the surface of the door.
The most affordable finishes for MDF doors are vinyl or foil wrap. Both are made by wrapping the front and sides of the door in what’s best described as an industrial-style clingfilm, which offers protection against moisture. Virtually any finish can be replicated onto the wrap, including wood.
Be aware that there are not only variations in the quality of vinyl or foil used, but also the care taken to apply it to the MDF base. A typical sign of a badly made vinyl-wrap door is what’s known as an ‘orange peel’ effect – small ripples or bumps on the surface of the door.
…Or melamine and veneer
“Lower-cost cabinet doors are often made from melamine, which is both resilient and easy to clean, making it a popular choice, particularly for busy households,” says Raberin. And because melamine is a synthetic material, it can be produced in a wealth of finishes.
If you’re after an expensive timber look without the associated cost, think about veneer. It’s made of thin sheets of real wood pressed onto MDF board, and can be stained and lacquered to produce a wide range of looks.
“Lower-cost cabinet doors are often made from melamine, which is both resilient and easy to clean, making it a popular choice, particularly for busy households,” says Raberin. And because melamine is a synthetic material, it can be produced in a wealth of finishes.
If you’re after an expensive timber look without the associated cost, think about veneer. It’s made of thin sheets of real wood pressed onto MDF board, and can be stained and lacquered to produce a wide range of looks.
…Or try a painted finish
Sprucing up your kitchen cabinets with a lick of paint can be time-consuming, but it’s a budget-savvy way to get a new look for less. “The price for painted MDF doors isn’t necessarily higher than vinyl-wrapped doors,” says Georgiev. “We have a standard-sized painted MDF door range in several different colours and finishes that’s priced really close to our vinyl-wrapped doors.”
The surface of MDF is super-smooth and perfect for painting – ideal if you want a custom colour or think you might want to update it in the future. Paint will also prevent moisture getting in through cabinet fronts and sides, so it’s a good choice around sinks.
It takes skill to paint kitchen cabinetry (think of all those moving parts and edges), so if you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, seek out an experienced painter for a quote.
Sprucing up your kitchen cabinets with a lick of paint can be time-consuming, but it’s a budget-savvy way to get a new look for less. “The price for painted MDF doors isn’t necessarily higher than vinyl-wrapped doors,” says Georgiev. “We have a standard-sized painted MDF door range in several different colours and finishes that’s priced really close to our vinyl-wrapped doors.”
The surface of MDF is super-smooth and perfect for painting – ideal if you want a custom colour or think you might want to update it in the future. Paint will also prevent moisture getting in through cabinet fronts and sides, so it’s a good choice around sinks.
It takes skill to paint kitchen cabinetry (think of all those moving parts and edges), so if you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, seek out an experienced painter for a quote.
Check for quality
Before you splash any cash, check the quality of your chosen kitchen cabinets. “Touch and feel the surfaces and edges of doors to check they’re straight and level,” says Lawrence. “Edge quality makes a real difference for both the appearance and life of your kitchen.”
You can also check the quality of doors by simply looking for chips around the corners and edges and any visible scratches. “Some panels tend to bend if they haven’t been stored or transported properly,” says Georgiev.
Your turn
Have you spruced up your kitchen cabinets on a budget? Tell us how you did it, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Do your benchtops need updating? Find out how to Get the Best Kitchen Benchtop for Your Budget
Before you splash any cash, check the quality of your chosen kitchen cabinets. “Touch and feel the surfaces and edges of doors to check they’re straight and level,” says Lawrence. “Edge quality makes a real difference for both the appearance and life of your kitchen.”
You can also check the quality of doors by simply looking for chips around the corners and edges and any visible scratches. “Some panels tend to bend if they haven’t been stored or transported properly,” says Georgiev.
Your turn
Have you spruced up your kitchen cabinets on a budget? Tell us how you did it, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the renovation conversation.
More
Do your benchtops need updating? Find out how to Get the Best Kitchen Benchtop for Your Budget
Does your kitchen need updating? Consult a kitchen designer to find out what’s possible in your home