How much should you spend on a new kitchen? We asked 2000 people how much they spent on their new kitchen
Get help designing your dream space by booking a free design appointment for an accurate estimate of your new kitchen cost.
Online searches for ‘kitchen renovations’ peak in January, with the turn of the year prompting people to consider a new kitchen. However, with the squeeze on the cost of living, it’s hard to know how much to spend on a new kitchen or if it's just better to give it a facelift instead.
We asked 2,000 people how much they spent on their new kitchen (everyone involved had purchased a new kitchen in the last decade). We also delved into the areas they wished they’d spent more on, what they’d add to their kitchen if they could do it again, and the areas where they think they could have cut costs.
The average cost of a new kitchen varies widely depending on its size and whether you’re just remodelling some cabinets or having a complete renovation. A typical kitchen renovation should cost somewhere between 5% and 10% of your home’s value.
Use our survey findings to create a budget for your new kitchen, including everything from the cost of kitchen cabinets and countertops to appliances, lighting, and flooring. Kitchen islands topped the list for the biggest spend, followed closely by kitchen cabinets and worktops. Lighting received the least investment, with kitchen splashbacks just ahead.
|
Kitchen item |
Average spend |
|
1. Kitchen island |
£5,276 |
|
2. Kitchen cabinets |
£4,477 |
|
3. Kitchen worktops |
£2,985 |
|
4. Flooring |
£2,653 |
|
5. Appliances |
£1,553 |
|
6. Smart Gadgets |
£1,188 |
|
7. Dining table and chairs |
£1,111 |
|
8. Kitchen splashback |
£681 |
|
9. Lighting |
£569 |
With #kitchenstorage on TikTok receiving over 420 million views, it's no surprise that people's top kitchen regret is not including enough storage.
Despite underfloor heating being generally seen as a luxury, 20% of people said not getting it was one of their biggest regrets.
Our Head of Design, Jen Nash, warns against forgetting the importance of power sockets: “Although it might seem a minor detail, power sockets shouldn’t be forgotten about.
The majority of kitchen regrets are down to the design of the kitchen, with homeowners wishing they’d incorporated more storage and worktop space. Our designers are here to assist you with every element of your kitchen project.
By considering your lifestyle and how you use the space, our designers will create a bespoke and practical design for your kitchen, ensuring no design regrets.
The kitchen is one of the most high-traffic areas of the home, so the flooring you choose has to be able to cope with a significant amount of wear and tear. 15% of people wish they invested more in flooring, which makes sense considering the data shows over 40% spent under £1,000.
Whether you choose laminate flooring, solid wood flooring, engineered wood or vinyl, consider what's achievable within your budget, how you are going to use the space and how long you’d like the flooring to last.
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On average, people spend £4,477 on kitchen cabinets, but 10% of the people we surveyed wish they’d invested more in them. Kitchen cabinets are the first thing you see when you enter the space, so you want to make sure they work with your interior as well as being functional. Prioritising budget over material type can save money in the short term, but they won’t last long, leaving you wishing you’d invested in longevity over quick savings.
Jen Nash, explains why investing in kitchen cabinets is so important: “Investing in quality kitchen cabinets is key to ensuring a longer lifespan. Although you invest more upfront, you’ll save in the long run as they’ll be more durable in coping with everyday use, meaning you won't have to worry about constantly changing or fixing any issues with your cabinets.”
Not only did 21% of people wish they had more storage in their kitchen, 11% wished they’d invested more in it too. From our Value of a Kitchen study, we know that ample storage space can massively increase the value of your home as it is one of the most important features for buyers.
Jen Nash comments “If there's one thing I'd want people to take into consideration when designing a new kitchen, it's functional storage. Having storage that fits around your lifestyle means you’ll be able to effortlessly maintain a clean and clutter-free kitchen, hiding away items like appliances that you won’t always need to have out on the counter - and don't disregard open shelving!"
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More than half (53%) of the people we surveyed spent under £5,000 on kitchen cabinets. The cost of kitchen units varies depending on size, colour and materials, so having an idea of your budget beforehand can help make things easier when deciding which cabinets are best for your home.
Respondents told us they spent an average of £4,477 on their kitchen cabinets, with the highest proportion (22%) spending between £1,000 and £2,999. As this is just the average cost of kitchen cabinets, it's important to note that the price is dependent on the size of your kitchen and the number of cabinets you purchase.
Seventeen per cent of people spent under £1,000 on kitchen cabinets, which could be due to a surge in TikTok-inspired DIY kitchen fitting, coupled with the cost of living crisis, which has resulted in material prices increasing.
When budgeting, it’s important to consider longevity, as well as aesthetics. Despite the often higher price point of good quality, sustainably-sourced materials, this is an area where investment pays off. Quality materials will last much longer and maintain their appearance as a result of considered craftsmanship. With this in mind, select cabinets that strike a balance between style, durability, and cost.
On average, the people surveyed spent £2,985 on kitchen worktops, which is just under £1,500 less than was spent on cabinets. Of those, 35-44 year olds spent £4,723 on kitchen worktops, double the amount spent by 55-64 year olds (£2,321) – although it’s important to note that a higher number of 55-64 year olds responded to the survey, which may lower their average spend.
Deciding which kitchen worktop will best complement your cabinets is one of the most important aspects when designing a new kitchen.
There are now more options for kitchen worktop materials than ever, and you can achieve your dream kitchen aesthetic while sticking to your budget – whether you’re set on sustainable timber or real granite, or want to get the same look for less with laminate, Corian or quartz. As the most-used area of the kitchen, this is an area worth the investment.
Incorporating a kitchen larder is one way to be economical with your space. A place to keep all your kitchen essentials, it provides maximum storage without taking up as much room as other cabinets. By combining multiple storage solutions into one, you’ll have more room to add your dream kitchen additions.
On average, people spent £569 on kitchen lighting, which was the smallest amount paid across the whole kitchen renovation. While statement-making pendant lighting has grown in popularity in line with design trends like Scandi and maximalism, a high-end feel can be equally achieved through the use of carefully placed spotlights.
If you’re looking for ways to cut costs on your new kitchen, smart gadgets are certainly more of a luxury than a need. On average, people spent £1,188 on them, but it’s important to note that over half decided not to invest in smart gadgets at all.
With 39% of over-65s getting a new kitchen between 2011 and 2020, they spent £13,436 on average, which is the smallest spend out of all the age groups.
From the data, we can see they prioritised investing in the cost of kitchen cabinets and countertops over items like smart gadgets, which have only started to become more popular in recent years.
Out of the 1% of 18-24-year-olds who got a new kitchen, the majority got theirs after 2020. This age group spent the most on average, with their overall new kitchen cost coming in at £51,506 (however, this average is skewed due to fewer 18-24s purchasing new kitchens). Interestingly, this age group spent the most overall on smart gadgets, totalling £2,485, demonstrating the increasing desire for ease and functionality in the kitchen.
Whether you're in the market for a new kitchen or would just like to update certain areas, our kitchen design specialists can advise you on where to spend and save depending on your budget, as well as help you ensure you don’t miss any important elements.
If you’re looking for your dream kitchen in 2025, book a free design appointment.
The cost of a fitted kitchen varies depending on the size of your kitchen and the features you choose. Good quality, durable materials are more expensive but worth the investment in the long run, while some other kitchen items can be downgraded in your list of priorities. Our designers will guide you through the process, navigating the pitfalls as you go. Use our cost calculator for an instant guide price.
As a rough guide, your new kitchen budget should be around five to ten per cent of your property’s overall value. Use the figures from our research on the average cost of kitchen items to gauge how much you think you’ll spend on each category, from cabinets to light fixtures.
Features included in the cost of your new kitchen are up to you. You can opt to refresh your kitchen with new units and doors, or you can go all-out and add cabinet lighting, storage solutions, doors and floors and more. You can also opt to include our kitchen installation service.
You can spread the cost of your new kitchen with our finance options, including buy now, pay later, interest-free credit or monthly payments.
As a rough guide, the bigger the kitchen, the more units you will require and therefore the higher the cost. Step one of our kitchen cost calculator provides a rough estimate of the number of units you will need based on the size of the available space. Get an instant online kitchen quote now.
