Shaker kitchens timelessly deliver minimalism. Their clean lines and simple appeal are particularly well-suited to country kitchens.
Fitted Kitchens: A Quick Guide
The kitchen is the heart of the home – a place where meals are made, conversations flow, and memories are created. That’s why designing a space that’s both practical and stylish is essential. With our expert insights on fitted kitchen ideas, we’ll help you craft a space that perfectly suits your lifestyle.
What is a fitted kitchen?
A fitted kitchen is a type of kitchen design in which cabinets, appliances, and fixtures are built into the space. Fitted kitchens are made to measure, integrating snugly to maximise every inch of available room.
The opposite of this is a freestanding kitchen composed of separate units that can be freely moved. Freestanding kitchens are popular in bijou apartments and rental properties where flexibility and mobility are important.
Your kitchen is a space where everyone comes together, from preparing delicious meals to helping your children with homework. That’s why it’s so important to create a kitchen that works for you.
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, it’s not always easy to find the right balance between practical and stylish. To help you create something special, we’ve put together a selection of fitted kitchen ideas.
How much does a fitted kitchen cost?
Adding a new kitchen to your home is an exciting prospect. While many of us start to think about design and décor first, one of the most critical parts of the planning phase is setting a budget for your new kitchen. Your finances will determine what type of kitchen you can afford and dictate the choices you make throughout the process.
The cost of a fitted kitchen depends on the work you want completed. Minor adjustments, like new cabinets and worktops, are likely to be much cheaper than a full kitchen extension with updates to all your appliances.
To decide your budget, it’s a good idea to ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you going to strip out your kitchen and start from scratch?
- Do you want brand new kitchen cabinets and worktops?
- Are you planning a kitchen extension?
- Do you need to move the gas or water source?
- Do you want new appliances?
- What types of accessories (like taps, extractor fan and sink) do you want?
- What type of flooring, doors and lighting do you want?
- Will you fit your new kitchen yourself or hire professional help?
- What other trades (like electricians, plasterers or gas engineers) will you need?
- Do you want other furniture, like dining tables, islands or bar stools in your space?
All these things can quickly add up, so it is a good idea to plan your new kitchen in detail from the very beginning. By creating an itemised list of the work you want, you can make decisions on what you can and can’t afford.
It’s a good idea to set your budget before you start looking at fitted kitchens and appliances, so you don’t fall in love with something over budget.
Use our kitchen cost calculator for an estimated price. Once you’ve designed your dream kitchen, we’ll give you an approximate quote and put you in touch with one of our in-house kitchen designers.
What does a fully fitted kitchen include?
A standard-fitted kitchen includes kitchen cabinets and worktops, cut to size and built into the space. The number of cabinets you’ll need is largely determined by your room size and the kitchen layout you choose.
Most people buying a fitted kitchen also opt to include a sink and taps, as they are essential components of a functioning kitchen. You can also choose to add integrated appliances to your kitchen for a seamless, cohesive look.
Choose your oven, hob, extractor hood, fridge, and dishwasher when you place your order. Fitting your sink and hob at the same time as your kitchen worktop is the easiest installation option, as your joiner will need to cut around both for precise fitting.
There are endless customisation options to be excited about when you’re picking a new kitchen, from cabinet handles to lighting, flooring, storage, and smart gadgets. And all of them are available to add to your package when you buy a fitted kitchen from Magnet.
Installing your fitted kitchen
While planning your kitchen budget, it is essential to think about installation. If you choose a newly fitted kitchen, you’ll need to think about who’ll be doing the work when the time comes.
There are two fundamental options:
There are two fundamental options:
1. DIY installation
Flatpack fitted kitchens are ideal for those on a budget as they tend to be cheaper than custom options. If you choose to do it yourself, be sure you’re confident in your construction abilities and can put together your new kitchen safely.
It is also worth bearing in mind that flat-pack kitchens offer less flexibility for layouts and custom designs. To ensure that everything fits correctly, you’ll need to measure and plan your kitchen very carefully.
Read more about the pros and cons of fitting your own kitchen.
2. Professional fitter
The most convenient option is choosing a recommended fitter for your kitchen installation. Many kitchen manufacturers have a team of skilled fitters with experience installing your chosen kitchen, ensuring a guaranteed quality finish.
At Magnet, we offer a range of installation options. Whether you’re already working with a trade professional, need help choosing a trusted local tradesperson, or want to use our fitting service, you’re sure to find something to suit your needs and budget.
Fitted kitchen ideas – finding your style
Choosing the style of your kitchen is a personal process. It can be a lot of fun too. Whether you love the sleek style of contemporary minimalism or the classic elegance of traditional décor, there are plenty of kitchen cabinet ideas to explore.
Size and kitchen layout
The advantage of a fitted kitchen is that you can choose a layout to maximise the shape and size of your room. If you’re working with a compact space, a U-shaped or one-wall kitchen is likely the best configuration. For larger spaces and open-plan rooms, a kitchen with an island or a G-shaped kitchen with a peninsula offers a great way to section off the kitchen.
The key to creating an efficient kitchen layout is to divide the space into zones. Consider including these elements in your design:
The key to creating an efficient kitchen layout is to divide the space into zones. Consider including these elements in your design:
The cooking zone
This is likely to include your hob, oven, extractor, and storage for pots and pans.
The prep zone
This may include your fridge, prep worktop with chopping board, larder cupboard, and crockery storage.
The washing-up zone
You may want to include your sink, draining area, dishwasher and cleaning product storage here.
The dining zone
If you are planning a kitchen-diner, you may want to include a breakfast bar or space for a dining table – maybe even a bar.
It’s usually best to have the cooking, preparation, and washing up zone within easy reach of each other. Many subscribe to the ‘kitchen triangle’ school of thought when planning their layout, which suggests that you situate these three zones in a triangle shape to ensure you have unobstructed movement between the three.
Planning the colours for your fitted kitchen
Picking your kitchen colour palette is one of the most exciting moments in the renovation process. Whether you’ve been browsing online for fitted kitchen images or collecting paint swatches, there are plenty of options to explore.
The good news is that the sky’s the limit when choosing your fitted kitchen colour. From bold hues to classic shades, your kitchen manufacturer will have plenty of options to present.
Consider also the finish of your kitchen cabinets, too. Pick from matt, gloss, or wood. We also stock a range of accent cabinet finishes, including a fluted design and glass cabinet doors, to create a striking focal point in your bank of units.
Explore more fitted kitchen ideas in our range of cabinet finishes.
Wardley, Harvest
Soho, Morello
Brunswick, Sumi Black
Ascoli, Mineral Blue & Portobello, Umbra
Ambleside, Meadow
Picking your worktops
Worktops are just as important as cabinets when it comes to the look and feel of your kitchen. Whether you prefer natural textures or a glossy granite, there are a variety of worktops to discover. These fall into two categories:
Accessorising your fitted kitchen
Last but not least are your kitchen accessories, the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle that ties everything together. These can make a real difference to the look and feel of your kitchen and add some serious style to your décor. Whether you’re looking for something classic or quirky, it’s a good idea to take time planning your accessories.
Pick your appliances
Of course, no kitchen is complete without the right appliances. It’s a good idea to begin thinking about what you want right at the start of your planning phase. The size, depth and functionality of your chosen appliances might affect the design of your fitted kitchen.
You may also want to think about how to arrange your kitchen appliances early on, as this may impact the layout you eventually choose. When it comes to must-have appliances, we suggest thinking about your:
You may also want to think about how to arrange your kitchen appliances early on, as this may impact the layout you eventually choose. When it comes to must-have appliances, we suggest thinking about your:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Installation time depends on the complexity of your design and any additional work required, such as plumbing or electrics. A straightforward kitchen can take a few days, while a larger, more complex design may take longer. Learn more about our kitchen installation and fitting services to ensure a smooth process.
Many homeowners choose to extend their fitted kitchen layout with a utility room for extra storage and laundry appliances, or a boot room for a practical entryway. Explore our utility rooms and boot rooms to see how these spaces can enhance your home.
A fitted kitchen is fixed in place and installed against a wall. It’s configured in a layout that suits the room's shape, running between walls so it appears built into the space. An unfitted kitchen comprises freestanding kitchen units that can be moved independently and flexibly arranged.
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