Kitchens: How to prioritise quality and where to save pennies

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A quality kitchen can be super expensive, that’s no secret. In fact, it could be the single biggest blow to your budget in the whole home renovation. But, if you’re conscious of not spending a fortune, it’s important to learn which parts of a kitchen you really don’t need to splash the cash on. By figuring this out, you can invest your hard-earned pounds into the items and areas that demand quality which in turn saves you from forking out multiple times due to breakage or failure. 

We’ve learned some hard lessons in our home reno careers and we want to help you avoid the same mistakes. So we’re here to tell you exactly what in your kitchen is worth an investment and which bits you can make big savings on without sacrificing an amazing look in the end. 

1. SAVE on cabinets

We’ll let you in on a secret, kitchen cabinets aren’t the most important part of a quality kitchen. Sure, you can’t have doors falling off hinges. But you can get good quality cabinets for cheaper these days.

And knowing how fast trends change and how hard it is to make a perfectly timeless kitchen, you’ll likely be changing your cabinets (or at least colour and style) long before more major things like appliances.

Plus, you can often make a huge saving on opting for a cheap but good quality product over a flashy expensive option with similar quality anyway. 

2. SPEND on layout & design

We can safely say that we think a good kitchen design is the single most important thing you can spend money on in your kitchen renovation. A poor design can be an absolute mess, meaning everyday annoyances over awkward placement of cabinets and appliances and even safety hazards. But quality kitchen designs just work and the difference really shows. Besides, the right kitchen design can often save unnecessary cabinets and therefore unnecessary extra costs.

If you choose to go with a professional kitchen designer, then sure it might cost a pretty penny but it’s worth it. If you want a make a saving here, then we can show you how to do this step yourself with our Home Design Lab.

3. SAVE on flooring

There’s a myriad of choices of material for kitchen flooring, but almost all of them can be done on a budget and you’ll barely notice the difference. Whether it’s tiles, stone, wood, or even something cool like concrete or terrazzo, you can find a cheaper alternative.

So many companies make fantastic laminate flooring these days or budget-friendly tiles that look exactly like pricy stone alternatives. If you’re after something unique, hop onto Pinterest and learn how to do it yourself.

Flooring prices can be mind-blowing but really that’s just an opportunity to make a massive saving. 

4. SPEND on appliances

Investing in major kitchen appliances is something you absolutely won’t regret. The cost of hobs, ovens, fridges, and other integrated appliances varies quite widely and you don’t need to go splash the big bucks to get a quality product.

Choosing quality over thriftiness in this department means you’re investing in something that you could have for decades to come, through style phases and even through kitchen refits. 

It’s important to remember that if you focus on quality major appliances then you’ll also do away with the need for smaller appliances that just gather dust over time so you make a saving there, too.

5. SAVE on lighting

So long as your light fittings are correctly placed in the overall kitchen design, the product you choose to decorate the bulb with really needn’t put a dent in your budget. After all, your style will change over time so the first thing you go for won’t be forever anyway.

Lighting can be one of the last things on your list of what to buy so have an idea of the style you’re after and shop around, even the most unlikely companies stock great lighting these days. Consider looking for something second-hand, too.

Need inspo? Check out these kitchen lighting ideas.

6. SPEND on worktops

This one is a win-win and totally worth the investment. Your worktop is likely the most used item in the whole kitchen and it has to endure force, heat, cold, wet, steam, the lot. So, it’s no wonder you’re going to need a quality worktop to see you through the lifetime of your kitchen. Practicality aside, we also think you can really tell a cheap worktop by looking at one.

The good thing is you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a quality product, plenty of kitchen retailers sell quality worktops at more affordable prices. Think quality over the price tag. If the quote that comes with your kitchen cabinets doesn’t work for you then shop around because it’s fine to get your worktop from somewhere else. 

7. SAVE on drawer & cupboard handles

Making a saving on drawer and cupboard handles definitely doesn’t translate into compromising on looks. Sometimes, the most eye-catching designs are ones with tiny price tags. So long as you can find enough of the design you’re after for every cabinet in your kitchen, you’re all set. Remember, opting for something a little more unique and special will attract more attention visually and make a bigger impression.

If you need a little help figuring out which style of kitchen handle is best for you and your kitchen, our guide has got you covered.

8. SPEND on wiring & plumbing

Our Fifi community knows we love a spot of DIY, but we’re big advocates of getting the professionals in when necessary. Unless you’re a secret electrician or plumber, we highly recommend getting the pros in to do the plumbing and electrical work. Correct placement of these elements goes hand in hand with a high-quality kitchen design but correct fitting can also make a huge difference.

If everything is in the best possible place and fitted well, you’ll save yourself endless stress and further costs down the line. When it comes to wiring and plumbing, scrimping in the beginning will in most cases mean spending way more trying to fix it later. Trust us, we’ve learned that the hard way!

9. SAVE on tap & basin

You guys know how much we love our Belfast basin and thankfully, the basin is another area in which you can make savings without compromising on quality. Whether you choose ceramic, stainless steel, or composite, you can definitely great design on a budget.

The same goes for a basin tap. Prioritise something that reaches far enough into the basin which doesn’t splash back and a product that works well with the water pressure at your property rather than something fancy. Decent taps can be found online for the price of a sandwich so this is a great item to save your pennies on. 

10. SAVE on splashback tiles

The tiles you choose for your splashback can make a big impact on how the finished kitchen will look overall but you can barely tell the difference between pricy and cheaper options.

Quality isn’t quite such a vital factor in tile choice either as they don’t tend to sustain too much wear and tear and lower price point options will do the trick perfectly in most cases.

If you can find a design that looks handmade or on-trend which fits into your style then all the better. 

We hope we’ve helped with some handy info on how to best spend your kitchen budget. Which investments have stood the test of time in your kitchen? Have you learned any lessons in renovation spending?

If you’re unsure of how to start your renovation then our house renovation course is definitely for you.

Our online course will lead you through all the steps of a renovation, from budgeting to difficult decisions, building a timeline, mood boards and project management.

It’s is a one-stop-shop to help you renovate right!