Looking to buy a new kitchen? We break down what you need to know about high-street retailers and their latest offerings…

We could be typing thousands of words trying to summarise different types of kitchen retailers, but to help make it easier for you to navigate the available options, we’re breaking it down into bite-sized categories.

Here, we’re taking a look at high-street kitchen retailers, where KBB journo Charlotte Luxford will give you a flavour of what’s out there, so you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you and your space. Read on…

High-street kitchen retailers

Being one of the main places where homeowners start their search for a new kitchen, especially if on a budget, there’s a lot to be said for an off-the-peg solution – and even these are more customisable than ever before. Howdens, for example, now offers 24 paint-to-order cabinet options and they come with an impressive 25-year guarantee.

The bonus of working with a trade-only supplier such as this, is that if you have a quality fitter, they can be more creative with the design and tweak it to suit your needs – much like an Ikea hack.

Speaking of Ikea, of course you could buy an Ikea kitchen – the brand’s Metod is a great choice for customisation – but there are also independent companies that will produce cabinet fronts and offer more bespoke solutions based around Ikea and Howdens units, including the likes of Hølte and Husk.

Benefits

The bonus of working with independent companies like the ones we’ve just mentioned is that they offer a middle-ground solution of high-street affordability mixed with a more tailored feel and service. Plus, they are able to provide customised solutions as and when you need them. Hølte’s basic range, for example, starts from £2000 for fronts and handles, with prices for its mid-range offering starting from £7500.

In terms of the classic high-street kitchen retailer, the advantage is accessibility. Companies like Wren Kitchens are a one-stop-shop. With 100 showrooms across the UK, you can explore full-sized kitchen displays, materials, worktops and appliances, all under one roof – great for the time-poor. “Our design consultants also use state-of-the-art 3D VR software to walk customers through every step of the process,” explains Debra Hutt, head of PR at Wren Kitchens.

Speed is another key differentiator. Big-name brands like Wren, Magnet and Wickes will offer flexible delivery options, including flat-pack to fully built cabinets, often with shorter lead times than independent or bespoke kitchen makers.

Cost

Let’s not skirt around the issue, they can be more affordable, too – there are ranges to suit all budgets, and many offer interest-free credit options. The likes of Magnet and Wren’s typical starting price for a small eight-unit kitchen is around the £2000 to £5000 mark, depending on the kitchen range. The appliances are often price-matched, too, or on deals, when you buy them with the high-street retailer.

But you get what you pay for – of course, customisation is somewhat limited; you may be able to select a bespoke paint colour, but if you’ve got an awkward-shaped layout or specific needs, going totally off-the-peg could be more of a compromise than it’s worth. Instead, you may be better off opting for an independent retailer or a brand like Hølte, where you can mix and match standard units with bespoke elements.

The choice you make ultimately depends on your needs, so take your time to consider what you want your space to look, flow, and function like to settle on the right retailer for you.

Enjoyed this post? Click here for what to expect when visiting a kitchen or bathroom showroom

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