Kitchen categories

Daria M

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Being new to the kitchen market I would love for someone to help me categories the brands.

So far my understanding is:

Lower tier - IKEA; Marget; Wren..
Mid-lower tier: Howdens..
Mid-higher tier: deVol; Harvey Jones; British Standard..
Top tier: Tom Howley; Plain English Design..

Am I am on the right track? What other brands I should look at?

I am most interested in mid-lowe to mid-higher tiers.

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Anthony (Beano)

4 years ago

Echo Jonathans comments re design, it will make or break a kitchen, a well designed cheap kitchen will look better than a badly designed expensive one!

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Comments (14)

PRO
Schmidt Bristol
4 years ago
We offer huge variety of kitchens. Have a look http://bit.ly/2GpBrrZ and feel free to drop us a message.
Jonathan
4 years ago
You might also look at English Revival and 1909 both of which are probably higher end.
However for me the thing that matters most is the design- this can make or break the cost or the look or the practicality or safety of your new kitchen.
Don’t forgot to also look for used kitchens which can be a bargain. The used kitchen websites also have ex display kitchen.... this might be a good way to buy in a higher tier- don’t forget that to help sell ex display kitchens some manufacturers have discounts for additional cabinets.
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I said 'other' because regardless of what I like the best, it's all down to the specific space you're dealing with. I love the galley kitchen in the first image because it's designed perfectly for the space - but I wouldn't want a galley kitchen myself, unless I have a property similar to the one in the photo. Same with islands - great if you have the space and sometimes they work with a single wall, L-Shape or U-Shape, but don't shoehorn one in if it just won't fit. The room, the space, the outlook and how you use it will best determine what's the best type of kitchen in that particular circumstance.
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If you work with upcyling what you have - sometimes - you may be disappointed - because it might not change that much ... but you will save on product costs . We have done designs for a couple of people who were splitting the cost by first buying Ikea carcase and worktops and then, later, buying superfront, Ikea or plykea doors at a later stage when their budget allowed . This is a good option as the Ikea drawers are complete without a door front. And you can use the kitchen while you save for the final touches . Might be worth considering too. I’d certainly echo the earlier comment that good design is a big part of the process too. Houzz shows lots of photos of kitchens - if you want to see actual real plans too - click on my name or icon to see some on my pro page - that might give you some ideas if you want to ‘do it yourself’ .
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Design trends may come and go, but one aesthetic that seems like it's here to stay is a light and bright room. That's because this broad category is similar to a design philosophy or mood rather than a design in itself. You can have a light and bright room with virtually any interior style. This aesthetic is so pleasing because it creates a feeling of openness indoors, according to Brana Designs. Rooms appear larger, and there is a connection with the outdoors. Visit here for more beautiful kitchen design. Many people focus on this style in their living room where they want a wide open space in order to entertain. But it doesn't have to stop there. You can allow the openness to flow right into the kitchen. And one of the best things about this style is that major renovations aren't necessary. Knocking down a wall isn't the first option to make the space appear larger. By using some savvy design tricks, you can give the appearance of a large, airy, and open space. Choosing light colors is the easiest way to bring an airy aesthetic into your home. One of the biggest surfaces in your kitchen is the countertops, so choosing one that's a light color will go far in making the room brighter. All-white kitchens are a very popular design, but if a monochrome look isn't your style, opt for white counters over anything else. The stone can still have some variation to add some depth to the surface. When it comes to choosing the exact color or material, keep the other colors in the room in mind, says Plank and Pillow. Even if you choose a simple white countertop, this detail should complement other design elements in the kitchen. Gray veining on a white countertop, for example, can pair well with cooler tones throughout the room. However, if the veining is brown or tan, warmer tones in the kitchen may pair better. Interior designers will stress how important lighting is for a design. It's often overlooked as a functional element rather than an aesthetic one. Lighting is both and should be considered as such when designing the space. But it's not as simple as placing a fixture and calling it a day. In order to get the most out of your lighting, you have to know how to layer it. There are three kinds of lighting every room should have: ambient, task, and accent, says Degnan Design Build Remodel. Using a combination of the three ensures you have a balanced lighting design. Ambient lighting illuminates the whole kitchen and can come from natural light or overhead lighting like chandeliers or flush mount fixtures. Task lighting provides illumination in specific areas where you may need more light to focus on an action. In the kitchen, this could be lighting under the cabinets or pendants over an island. Accent lighting highlights aesthetic or architectural details by using wall sconces or picture lights. Using a combination of these three lighting techniques won't only make your kitchen look professionally designed but will also help brighten it up. Similar to artificial light, your kitchen should be bathed in natural light if you want a light and bright aesthetic. One of the easiest ways to do this is by adding more or larger windows, says Eco Line Windows. Choose windows with minimal framework to allow the most light to come through. Floor-to-ceiling windows or picture windows will make your space appear larger. Bow and bay windows can bring in more light because they protrude from the side house. If possible, you can also add skylights for the sun to shine in. It's also essential not to block any of the natural light coming through, no matter how large your windows are. Consider sheer curtains for window treatments so light filters through, but you still have some privacy. Also, be thoughtful of items you place in front of or near windows. Large furniture can block the light from filling the space.
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sarh123
4 years ago
I’d have put Howdens with IKEA and Magnet. Personally I have found some builders oversell Howdens. I’d look at local kitchen retailers who have some lovely mid market ranges. Recently went to Classic Interiors in the midlands who seemed very good.
PRO
The Rigid Kitchen Company
4 years ago
We cover Staffordshire if you fancy having a look at our website: Click here
Lena
4 years ago
It’s not necessary about categories, but more about fitting your brief.
We will be getting our kitchen from DIYKITCHENS. We found an excellent kitchen designer here on Houzz, so the only problem now is to find a reasonably priced, reliable builder.
Sonia
4 years ago
Howdens are the same level as Wrens and Ikea. It’s the kitchen favoured by builders probably because they get a good mark up on it.
PRO
Artform London
4 years ago
It's interesting that you haven't mentioned one German or Italian brand. There are so many options you are missing with this list. Is there a reason for this?
Daria M
Original Author
4 years ago
Artform London, please share. This was only a very rough list.
PRO
Artform London
4 years ago
Your choice will depend very much on your budget. However, what you might like to consider is that pretty much all German & Italian kitchens use a standard quality carcase board which is a high density, water resistant chipboard. This differs from the bottom end of the UK market where cabinets utilise the cheapest possible board to keep prices low. Most German kitchens have 16mm thick cabinets, Italian kitchens are usually 18mm - but the board type, structure and quality are identical.

In respect of engineering, many German companies will tell you their fittings are superior to the Italian products. This is usually nonsense because good Italian companies use the same interior fittings as the Germans. Whoever you use, the drawer systems to look out for are Blum or Grass. Both, incidentally, are Austrian not German! For internal fittings such as larder units, the best brand is Kessebohmer. This is a German company but the same fittings are widely used by the Italians as well. You might also like to know that it is widely rumoured that some higher end German companies source their lacquered doors from Italian manufacturers - Italian lacquer is after all the best in the World!

I have provided below a list of both German and Italian brands for you to look at. However, this is by no means a comprehensive list. There are many independent companies, like Artform London, that market German and/or Italian kitchens from a vast range of manufacturers, some of whom the UK market has never, or hardly ever, even heard of. In our case, we source our cabinets from two Italian manufacturers, neither of which are included in this list because we market our cabinets under our own brand. By sourcing direct from less well known, but nevertheless excellent quality, cabinet manufacturers we, and other companies like us, are able to supply top quality cabinets that compete favourably on price with much lesser quality UK companies. If you would like a quotation, let us know!

Some of the manufacturers are:

GERMAN

Bulthaup

Poggenpohl

Siematic

Eggersman

Leicht

Hacker

Nolte

Schuller

Nobilia

ITALIAN

Minotti

Boffi

Binova

Valcucine

Varenna

Dada

Poliform

Arclinea

Strato

Mobalpa

Scavolini
PRO
Shahina Mulla
4 years ago
You seem to have listed some of the more commercial brands. I suggest you go and have a look at some local independent kitchen retailers, as some of them have better quality kitchens and pay more attention to craftsmanship.

It's not really about the brand, but more about the quality of the kitchen. The materials that are utilised for carcasses and doors is far more important. Especially if you're in the market for a kitchen that will last you a considerable amount of time.

Kitchens are a pricey investment, and I'd advice you to go with whichever kitchen brand/company fits and suits your needs the best.
PRO
Artform London
4 years ago
I think that's what we said above. We tried to make clear that independent companies such as ourselves market the same quality cabinets as available from some of the top German & Italian brands but because we source these cabinets from companies that may not be so well known, the user doesn't end up paying for the huge marketing budgets of the big brands.

The most important factors in any kitchen are cabinet quality and fitting. Cheap cabinets fitted well will still look great but if you want longevity, you need good cabinets as well. Make sure the carcasses are water resistant - not just cheap chipboard.
PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
(Waves to Lena ! That was me !! )
To some degree having a quality kitchen is just one part - if the fitter isn’t up to scratch, then even the best quality product will fall short ( obvs great design is essential too ).
Lena
4 years ago
Yes! I am very happy with the design, OnePlan:)))

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