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As the CEO and Founder of The Used Kitchen Company (TUKC), my goal is to advise homeowners on how to revamp their homes affordably without compromising on quality or style. Over the years, I’ve been part of countless kitchens transformed into stunning spaces without the hefty price tag, proving that a designer kitchen is attainable with the right approach.
Here are my top tips to help you achieve your kitchen dreams for less:
Embrace ex-display bargains
A showroom display might not be your first thought when considering your new kitchen, but it’s possible now to get stunning gems with huge discounts. Ex-display kitchens can be found complete with high-end fixtures and finishes at a fraction of their original cost. Many top-of-the-range kitchens, worktops and appliances are out of reach for the average consumer, but these options and more often come with ex-display kitchens. You could get access to expensive materials whilst also making the environmentally-friendly choice. By keeping an eye out for ex-displays, you can elevate your kitchen to a whole new level without emptying your pockets.
Explore used items
Like ex-displays, don’t underestimate the value of second-hand kitchens. From gently-used appliances to pre-loved cabinetry, the used market offers many kitchen essentials at budget-friendly prices. You only have to look on social media to see where people often give away used kitchen goods for free or at a heavily reduced price. The Used Kitchen Company’s ‘Something Else for Sale’ has plenty of high-quality items, and it’s always worth searching local charity shops to find other used gems, such as crockery and accessories, to create your perfect kitchen. Through The Used Kitchen Company, you can get an entire pre-loved kitchen delivered straight to your home, making the more sustainable choice whilst also saving you a considerable sum of cash.
Renovate what you can
Before embarking on a costly overhaul, consider rejuvenating what you already have. Simple updates, such as a fresh coat of paint on cupboards, updating the hardware or a new DIY shelving unit, can breathe new life into tired kitchen spaces. Channel your creativity and explore DIY renovation projects to renew cabinets, countertops and flooring. Not only does this save you money, but it also creates a sense of pride in transforming your space yourself.
Refinishing or painting cabinets can be a particularly impactful and cost-effective way to refresh your kitchen. Muted colours, as well as shades of blue and green, are the most popular. Replacing old, worn-out hardware with sleek, contemporary handles and knobs can also dramatically change the overall appearance without requiring a large investment. Even small touches, like adding open shelves or creating a pantry or prep area in a countertop double cupboard, can make all the difference. By focusing on these strategic updates, you can transform your kitchen into a space that feels new and exciting, while maintaining a manageable budget.
The mix-and-match method
Revamping your kitchen doesn’t necessitate an entirely new setup. Instead, consider the art of blending new and ex-display items with your existing kitchen. By introducing fresh elements like worktops or backsplashes, you can instantly modernise your kitchen while seamlessly integrating with pre-existing features. Or you can focus on investing in higher-spec appliances while keeping the cabinetry as it is. Striking a balance between old and new allows you to craft a space that feels unique and authentic.
Prioritise the biggest impact
Prioritise updates that will have the biggest impact first. Consider setting a focal point for your kitchen, whether this be a new and colourful backsplash or new worktops. It can be helpful to start with a focused starting point and work out the smaller updates from there. Focusing on updating parts of your kitchen that will have the biggest visual impact, too. Starting with a focused element can provide a helpful anchor from which to build out smaller updates, whether this is updating your flooring with wood or tiles or enhancing the lighting with a feature chandelier or LED lighting.
Creating your dream kitchen on a budget is not just about cutting costs, it’s also about leveraging resourcefulness, creativity and smart decision making. By recognising the potential of ex-display bargains, DIY projects and used items along with mixing and matching, you can bring your kitchen to life, all while staying within your budget. Remember, at the heart of every kitchen lies the joy and inspiration it brings to your daily life. With a little creativity and strategic planning, you can enjoy a beautiful, functional and stylish space that reflects your personal style and meets your needs, proving that luxury and affordability can, indeed, coexist.
Looeeze Grossman
Looeeze founded The Used Kitchen Company (TUKC) in 2005 at a time when used and ex-display kitchens were all too often discarded into landfill. Recognising the alarming waste this created, Grossman embarked on a mission to change the narrative and prevent further misuse of the planet’s resources. Today, TUKC collaborates with over 1400 showrooms across the UK and facilitates the sale of thousands of used and ex-display kitchens from showrooms and private homes nationwide.
