Where is good for kitchens these days?
Discussion
Hi forum,
I'm planning on re-doing my utility room - so want some kitchen cabinets for ditty / self build. I'm ideally after tall wall cabinets, and a couple of base units (inc. one corner one).
Had a quick look at diykitchens (after reading a thread on here), but they seem to not do tall wall units, only the normal ones. IKEA have a weird "only 600 and 400 width" rule, but I need either a 500 or 300 to fit the wall properly.
Any clues? It's just a utility room, so I'm not after PH Royal directors box quality, just decent enough...
I'm planning on re-doing my utility room - so want some kitchen cabinets for ditty / self build. I'm ideally after tall wall cabinets, and a couple of base units (inc. one corner one).
Had a quick look at diykitchens (after reading a thread on here), but they seem to not do tall wall units, only the normal ones. IKEA have a weird "only 600 and 400 width" rule, but I need either a 500 or 300 to fit the wall properly.
Any clues? It's just a utility room, so I'm not after PH Royal directors box quality, just decent enough...
Most IKEA stuff is easy to cut down to width as needed, especially if the cut edge will be up against a wall or other cabinet so you can't see it.
I've just done this with with IKEA Besta units (needed less depth than the kitchen cabinets), the one on the right is an 11" wide version of the one on the left. Re-drilled holes in the top and bottom pieces for the fixings, cut down the back panel and widened the slot slightly on the right-hand piece and it fitted together really nicely. Just need to do a shorter shelf and cut down some doors for it.
I've just done this with with IKEA Besta units (needed less depth than the kitchen cabinets), the one on the right is an 11" wide version of the one on the left. Re-drilled holes in the top and bottom pieces for the fixings, cut down the back panel and widened the slot slightly on the right-hand piece and it fitted together really nicely. Just need to do a shorter shelf and cut down some doors for it.
Paul Drawmer said:
Yep - mine are 900 tall and now hung
My carpenter even had to bastardise one of the cabinets making it 30mm wider - now need to buy another (slightly wider) door :/
pdavison said:
Try Wren kitchens as they've come in cheaper than Howdens for a better quality cabinet.
Might be overkill for a utility room but might be worth pricing up as a comparison.
I would not touch them with a barge pole after the Co*k up they made with our kitchen and the bad customer service.Might be overkill for a utility room but might be worth pricing up as a comparison.
In a nutshell they measured incorrectly, ordered the wrong units. Re ordered the wrong units, got caught lying to my wife and ordering the correct units.
In the end we went to the furnature ombudsman and successfully got a £500 payment for all the stress and hassle.
we have a 4 page documents listing the problems
Must be missing something on the DIY kitchens site as they do just about every size and type of unit conceivable.
I used them last year and that was key - whilst supposed 'experts' could only bascialyl replace what was already there, I managed to redesign the layout completely using an odd mix of unusual sizes resulting in more space and an extra hole for the dishwasher.
You just have to do the legwork/measuring/design yourself, but given the frequency of cock-ups are per above, I'd say its worth the effort!
I used them last year and that was key - whilst supposed 'experts' could only bascialyl replace what was already there, I managed to redesign the layout completely using an odd mix of unusual sizes resulting in more space and an extra hole for the dishwasher.
You just have to do the legwork/measuring/design yourself, but given the frequency of cock-ups are per above, I'd say its worth the effort!
Craikeybaby said:
Wren always get poor feedback on here, so I'd avoid.
When we got our kitchen done, the local independent was actually cheaper than the sheds and all the units were bespoke.
All the research we've done has shown overall good feedback but the proof will be in the pudding as we've just ordered through them!When we got our kitchen done, the local independent was actually cheaper than the sheds and all the units were bespoke.
I'll be installing myself so I'll report back as to how it goes.
snotrag said:
Must be missing something on the DIY kitchens site as they do just about every size and type of unit conceivable.
I used them last year and that was key - whilst supposed 'experts' could only bascialyl replace what was already there, I managed to redesign the layout completely using an odd mix of unusual sizes resulting in more space and an extra hole for the dishwasher.
You just have to do the legwork/measuring/design yourself, but given the frequency of cock-ups are per above, I'd say its worth the effort!
+1 for DIY. They will also custom make for you if needed.I used them last year and that was key - whilst supposed 'experts' could only bascialyl replace what was already there, I managed to redesign the layout completely using an odd mix of unusual sizes resulting in more space and an extra hole for the dishwasher.
You just have to do the legwork/measuring/design yourself, but given the frequency of cock-ups are per above, I'd say its worth the effort!
sjg said:
Most IKEA stuff is easy to cut down to width as needed, especially if the cut edge will be up against a wall or other cabinet so you can't see it.
I've just done this with with IKEA Besta units (needed less depth than the kitchen cabinets), the one on the right is an 11" wide version of the one on the left. Re-drilled holes in the top and bottom pieces for the fixings, cut down the back panel and widened the slot slightly on the right-hand piece and it fitted together really nicely. Just need to do a shorter shelf and cut down some doors for it.
I've also cut down Ikea units fairly easily to fit an awkward space in our utility room. Ikea quality is ok, but the size options are a bit limited. What I do love about Ikea units is their wall hanging system - so simple and so much easier to hang compared to the standard fixings from all the other manufacturers.I've just done this with with IKEA Besta units (needed less depth than the kitchen cabinets), the one on the right is an 11" wide version of the one on the left. Re-drilled holes in the top and bottom pieces for the fixings, cut down the back panel and widened the slot slightly on the right-hand piece and it fitted together really nicely. Just need to do a shorter shelf and cut down some doors for it.
Overall I'd stick with my original recommendation for DIY Kitchens though. Both my kitchen and garage are fitted out with these and the quality is very good for the price.
pdavison said:
Craikeybaby said:
Wren always get poor feedback on here, so I'd avoid.
When we got our kitchen done, the local independent was actually cheaper than the sheds and all the units were bespoke.
All the research we've done has shown overall good feedback but the proof will be in the pudding as we've just ordered through them!When we got our kitchen done, the local independent was actually cheaper than the sheds and all the units were bespoke.
I'll be installing myself so I'll report back as to how it goes.
" Is your kitchen all sorted now?
Nope, neither Wren, Tesco or Barclays are pulling their fingers are out so the ombudsman is now involved."
blade runner said:
Another one for DIY Kitchens.
Wall units available in 575mm, 720mm or 900mm heights and all sorts of widths from 150mm up to 900mm.
Am I the only PHer who thinks these people are rubbish? OK doors, but the cabinets are crap quality chipboard, and theior delivery drivers were rude and messed up the delivery.Wall units available in 575mm, 720mm or 900mm heights and all sorts of widths from 150mm up to 900mm.
Spend a bit more and go with www.solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk. About 30% dearer, but a world better in product and service quality.
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