Your Kitchen: Where to Spend & Where to Save
copyright fifi mcgee
If you're planning a kitchen renovation, knowing where to spend your kitchen budget can make the difference between a kitchen you love for 20 years and one you regret after 2!
In fact, I recently asked our YouTube community where they struggled most during kitchen planning, and this question from Zoe came up...
fi duffy, interior designer
This is going to be really easy for me to advise you on because when I’m designing kitchens for clients, it’s champagne taste, lemonade budget I’m constantly thinking about. But great quality too. After designing kitchens for homeowners across the UK, I've noticed the same expensive mistakes coming up again and again.
There are 5 areas you should definitely invest more money in every time, and several where you can confidently save without compromising the finished result.
But first…
❌ Avoid these in your kitchen budget completely
Trend-led splashbacks that date quickly
Unlacquered brass handles if you want an even finish (they tarnish unevenly)
Premium worktops that are difficult for you to maintain
Decorative upgrades before solving layout problems
What I know from experience is how heartbreaking it is when you spend money on something that you’ve given a lot of thought to but it doesn’t end up lasting or was just a poor but expensive decision. We’ve all had those regrets, me included.
So where should you actually SPEND a bit more money if you want your kitchen to be future-proof, practical and designed beautifully, looking twice the price you paid for it?
The 5 things to SPEND money on in a kitchen renovation
Here’s where I focus my client’s budgets.
1. Spend on your Kitchen Extraction Design
Why extraction is worth the investment
Kitchen extraction simply means how cooking smells, steam and grease are removed from your kitchen. It includes your extractor fan, ducting and where your hob is positioned.
I know it’s probably the least glamorous part of designing your dream kitchen, but there’s a reason why I make extraction plans one of the first decisions, before I’ve even figured out the cabinet plan.
Your cooker set up - how your hob or your cooker and extractor is configured, where it’s positioned, how it’s constructed and integrated seamlessly - is likely going to be a focal point in your kitchen. Depending on your preference, it’ll either be really on display OR completely disguised for a modern and integrated look. In both scenarios, weighing up your extraction methods and investing into the right solution early on is key. It’s going to be worth every penny you spend.
kitchen with hidden extraction / copyright fifi mcgee
kitchen with visible extraction / copyright fifi mcgee
Why invest in your kitchen extraction?
It affects the look of your kitchen
It's difficult to change later
It improves air quality
It protects cabinets from grease
I really encourage you to take your extraction design to the next level rather than choosing a generic cheap, bulky extractor that looks like a bit of an afterthought sometimes, which can break up the flow and balance in your wall cabinets. The good thing is you have so many options nowadays to get this right, from integrated, plastered in solutions, to tile finished solutions to downdraft or ceiling extraction that is completely seamless you can’t even see it in the room.
If you’re not sure where to position your hob, extractor or any of your cabinets and appliances for that matter, I’ve actually created a free Kitchen Layout Cheat Sheet. It explains recommended spacing around appliances, cabinet positioning, island clearances and common layout mistakes.that walks you through exactly how to get your cabinet and appliance spacing right. It’s usually a paid resource in our online courses but we’ve made it free just for a short time.
2. Spend on worktops & upstands that you’ll find easy to maintain
Why better worktops will save you money long term
Quartz, porcelain and solid surface worktops all require very different levels of maintenance. But before you choose, let me tell you about the one decision I regret the most when we designed our kitchen back in 2017.
bespoke kitchens by fifi mcgee
If I redesigned our kitchen tomorrow, this is the one decision I'd change."I chose solid oak worktops because they were lower cost than solid surface and quartz, but I wish I’d invested the extra.
Oak worktops really aren’t a low maintenance choice. They require occasional sanding and oiling - especially where water marks or staining has occurred.
I’d still choose a solid oak or wooden worktop for the right space, I just wouldn’t apply it to areas that need to work harder for you like around a sink or wherever there’s food prep and hot pans. Instead, keep it to islands for a two-tone look, or in a utility room that isn’t exposed to hot pans or food prep. *Sighs* I'll never make that mistake again.
Since your worktops and upstands will get battered with spills, knives, & hot pans… they need to be easy to maintain for your lifestyle so invest once, invest well and select the right material and that way your kitchen will stay beautiful for many many years.
There isn't one "best" worktop material. Quartz, porcelain, timber, laminate and solid surface all have strengths. The right choice depends on how you cook, how much maintenance you're happy with and the look you're trying to achieve.
I've put together a video explaining the pros, cons and maintenance requirements of each material, along with the mistakes I'd avoid. Watch it below before making your decision.
By the way, if you'd rather skip hundreds of individual product decisions - that’s exactly why I created the Done-For-You Kitchen Design Pack.
3. Spend on your Kitchen Layout & Structural changes
Structural changes that are worth paying for
Any update that will enhance how your home flows will always be money well spent. That goes for wall removal, changing the position of your kitchen, and extensions and more. But I’m also talking about the details like:
Old boxed-in pipework
Very narrow, awkward alcoves
A really off-centre chimney breast
Or a big boiler that’s taking up too much cabinet space in a small kitchen
These irregularities can decrease your storage space or have you relying on reduced depth cabinets. And positioning cabinets around them sometimes throws the balance off. So they’re well worth changing.
If you’re going for a big-name kitchen supplier not a bespoke built kitchen, you’ll be somewhat restricted by their unit measurements as well.
So if this is your situation and you’re trying to workaround some quirks in your layout, I would first try to work WITH them, see whether you can integrate that chimney breast into your layout by opening it up to add a cooker for example. Or position appliance walls covering awkward alcoves if they measure right. Open shelving can be a great way to regain some balance too.
If you’ve bent over backwards and you just can’t fit the cabinets and appliances you want, it’s well worth spending that extra money to rework your walls. That might look like moving your boiler so your new layout will flow, light reaches every corner and storage won't be compromised either.
Another area that you might be tempted to save on would be integrated appliances as they can be bought very cheaply these days.
integrated diswasher (right of sink) copyright fifi mcgee
4. Spend on your Integrated Kitchen Appliances
Why quality integrated appliances are worth it
You might even for ease just go with appliances that your kitchen supplier has available.
But I really recommend choosing an oven, induction hob, dishwasher and fridge freezer that you'll genuinely be happy using for years, rather than simply accepting the cheapest appliance package your kitchen supplier offers.
Not only is this planet friendly, but there’s something a lot more permanent about integrated appliances - I guess it’s in the name right?
Swapping them out later isn’t without it’s risks to your kitchen. “Carefree” installers can scrape up your kitchen floors and the insides of cabinets during installation.
And life is way too short to have a weekly rage fit with a just working dishwasher - please spend a bit more for your life to feel easy.
The next area to definitely spend your pennies on if you can afford to, is… buying a better quality kitchen tap and if you can go even further, look at boiler taps and filtration methods.
5. Spend on your Kitchen Tap
Why a good kitchen tap is worth every penny
I’ve lived with a cheap tap. 3 in fact. They are an absolute constant headache.
The first kitchen tap we spent about a hundred pounds on and it lasted about 5 years.
The next we spent even less, I think it was £40. And it failed big time. A few weeks ago it just decided to fall off when I was using it, spraying water all over me! So yeah I’ve well and truly learned my lesson now.
I swear we've spent more money trying to fix breaks & leaks on our kitchen taps, calling the plumber out to fix things, that it would have been cheaper just to buy the best from the start!
Cheap taps often become expensive taps once you've paid for replacement parts and plumbers.
And if you’re considering filtration & boiler taps they are 1000% worth it. In our next property we’re definitely going to invest in this because I’m fed up with using water filters.
OK those are areas to splash some of your budget, but what about where to save.
✅ Where to save in your kitchen
Here’s the part most people don’t realise: everything else can be sourced affordably.
These are the areas where I think you can often achieve a beautiful, high-end look without spending a fortune.
1. Save on your kitchen carcasses
The cabinets themselves don't always need to come from the most expensive supplier. Many manufacturers use very similar construction methods, so I'd focus more on choosing a layout that works brilliantly than paying a premium for a brand name.
2. Save on your kitchen tiles
Tiles are a great place to save because there are so many affordable options that look fantastic. Rather than spending your entire budget on handmade statement tiles, think about where they'll have the biggest impact. Sometimes a simple tile with beautiful grout and thoughtful lighting looks far more expensive than it really is.
3. Save on your kitchen handles & hardware
There are hundreds of lovely handles available at sensible prices. Just make sure you understand the finish you're buying, especially if you're choosing brass.
4. Save on your kitchen sink
Unless you have very specific requirements, there are plenty of mid-range sinks that perform brilliantly. I'd prioritise durability, bowl size and practicality over paying extra simply because it's a designer brand.
5. Save on your kitchen splashback
A splashback doesn't have to be an expensive slab of stone. Depending on your style, tiles, painted glass or matching worktop upstands can all look beautiful without adding thousands to your budget.
6. Save on your kitchen light fittings
You don't need designer pendants everywhere. Save those for the hallway and dining area. I'd rather spend time getting the lighting plan right under your cabinets and around your prep space than spend hundreds on the fittings themselves. Well-positioned lighting almost always has a bigger impact than expensive light fixtures.
What should you spend the most money on in a kitchen renovation?
Prioritise your layout, extraction design, worktops, integrated appliances and tap. These are difficult to change later and have the biggest impact on how your kitchen looks and functions.
Where can you save money in a kitchen?
Tiles, handles, sinks and standard kitchen units can often be sourced more affordably without compromising the finished look.
Are expensive kitchen worktops worth it?
Only if the material suits your lifestyle. A beautiful worktop that stains easily or requires constant maintenance can become an expensive regret.
Should you choose lacquered or unlacquered brass handles?
And a little tip if you love brass handles like I do… When you’re making your choice, pay attention to whether they’re lacquered or unlacquered brass.
Lacquered brass has a protective clear coating that prevents tarnishing, so it maintains a consistent, shiny finish and it will look exactly the same through the years.
Unlacquered brass is left unfinished, allowing it to naturally oxidize and develop a patina over time as you use the handles - so it will age and richen.
But the thing to really keep in mind… is if your handles are made from solid brass, but don’t typically look like brass – like these Bronze handles. If they aren’t lacquered they’ll patina and age the same way brass does, which can mean a dark handle like this, doesn’t stay dark. It will start showing shiny brass in the areas frequently used.
Personally having handles that are all different would annoy me, I like my handles matching or at least a brass finish with patina happening around brass. But you may love the lived in look?
How should you start designing your kitchen layout & design?
An easy way to start your kitchen layout design is by downloading the free Kitchen Layout Cheat Sheet to help you make decisions. Then, if you'd like every finish, colour palette and supplier already chosen for you, the Kitchen Design Pack will support you through the rest.
I hope this post has given you some considerations for your kitchen design and thanks again to my Youtube subscriber Zoe for inspiring this one. If you want me to tackle bathrooms next, let me know! I’d love to hear your ideas for the next post.
I’ll see you in the next one! Bye guys!
Fi
