Fitted Kitchen V Flat Pack – Which option is right for me?

The kitchen we know today is an indispensable component of contemporary life. 

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It has become the natural place to gather family and friends for entertaining as well as cooking. And as the hub of the home, homeowners expect their kitchens to provide all the space they need for hosting along with practicality for preparing food whilst also adding a touch of class and elegance.

So when it comes to designing your dream kitchen, is a custom-built fitted kitchen or flat-packed design right for you?

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Fitted kitchens:

Fitted kitchens incorporate all components - such as cupboards, kitchen units and utilities - to give you a final finish that is a perfect, seamless fit for your home - designed entirely to meet your needs.

However, depending on budget, available space and timeframe – a fitted kitchen may not always be the right choice.

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide if a fitted kitchen is for you:

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Pros

1.     They are great space savers

A fitted kitchen is designed to fit your space perfectly - which is particularly helpful if the size and space of your kitchen is unconventional. They are made to measure to ensure you are making the very best use of your space, and cleverly designed to incorporate and conceal all of the components that are important to you, so space for creating culinary creations is not compromised.

2. It can be designed to suit your tastes

Whether you want traditional shaker or high-gloss chic, choosing a fitted kitchen means you are in the driving seat when it comes to design. You get the chance to work closely with kitchen designers to form a vital part of the process, ensuring the finished product looks, feels and acts exactly as you want it to.

3. Stress-free

The process of transforming your home with a fitted kitchen is generally a straightforward and stress-free one - simply relay your needs, dream design ideas and demands and an expert team of designers, craftsmen and installers will make your ideas a reality.

4. It adds value to your home

One of the main benefits of a custom fitted kitchen is the added value it will bring to your home if you decide to sell. As a permanent, beautifully-designed feature, a well-made fitted kitchen that’s made to last isa key selling point for home buyers.

Cons

1.     Cost

Beauty, convenience and longevity can come with a hefty price tag.Having a fitted kitchen custom-designed for your home isn’t cheap. So, if you’re aiming to invest in one make sure you have saved up a sufficient amount of funds.

2. Fixtures are immovable

If you are the sort of person that likes to randomly play with design and layouts, a fitted kitchen may not be the choice for you. Since everything is pinned to the ground and walls, you will not be able to move the positions of your cabinets or appliances on a whim.

3. Timescale

Just as custom-built beauty comes at a cost, it can also increase the timescale of your home transformation. A famous saying goes that ‘perfection takes time’ - and ensuring your fitted kitchen is designed to best suit your style, needs and space, the process from initial consultation to installation could take weeks rather than days.

Flat pack kitchens:

Flat pack kitchens remain a popular choice in the mass market due to their affordability and ability to transform a space in a quick turnaround time. So what are the benefits and disadvantages?

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Pros

1.     Cheaper than a fitted kitchen

One of the biggest advantages of a flat packed kitchen is that it is substantially more affordable - potentially saving your thousands of pounds.  However unless you propose to fit it yourself – you will need to factor in installation costs separately.

2. Easy to dismantle

For those who love to play around with the look and feel of their homes, a pre packed kitchen may be a better choice than a fitted kitchen which is a permanent feature. It may not sound like a massive bonus that flat packed kitchens are easy to take apart and dismantle, but it can come in handy for redesigning certain spaces - or even to pack up and pick up to take to anew home.

3. Perfect for personalising

As flat packed kitchens are classically more simple and clean indesign, it provides the perfect opportunity for people to add a splash of their own style - whether that be with a lick of paint, stencilling or adding elaborate handles and accessories to create unique designs.

Cons

1.     May not be properly assembled

Once you’ve assembled your kitchen, you may find that drawers and doors may not open or shut properly. If this happens, you’ll have to disassemble and start again - or pay extra for someone to do it for you.

2. Easily damaged

Flat pack furniture can be easily damaged due to its generally low sturdiness and lower quality materials compared to bespoke, custom-built fitted kitchens which are built to last. If the furniture has been dismantled and put together several times already, its durability is decreased.

3. Simplistic designs

If you’re somebody who likes original pieces with various designs, flat pack furniture isn’t for you. While you have lots of styles and colours to choose from, this furniture is designed to be uncluttered and modern- and not designed especially for you and your home, with most components mass produced..

Choosing the right installer 

Whatever your dream kitchen, and whether you’re simply updating your tired old space or looking to install a top-of-the-range fitted kitchen, it’s vital you choose the right company for the job.

Here’s some things to consider:

·      Look out for experience as much as accreditations – Aristocraft have over 30 years’ experience in quality kitchen design and installation 

·      Make sure you are comfortable with the company and the people behind it.  Always make an effort to visit their showrooms and test their service

·      Ensure your quotes cover everything you need – from design through to installation – and what about the after sales service?

·      Establish a payment plan– most reputable companies will provide interest free options together with flexible finance arrangements

·      Check their familiarity with building regulations and if in doubt ask to see their credentials and similar experience of work carried out.

At Aristocraft Kitchens & Bedrooms, we have more than 100 years’ collective expertise designing, creating and installing kitchens. Find out more about how we can make your kitchen transformation dream come true at by getting in touch today.

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