Having a luxury kitchen to cook and dine in is the dream of many homeowners. It can also add thousands onto the value of your home, making it a worthwhile investment. 

But no matter how much we dream about it, a luxury kitchen can only become a reality if we have the funds to pay for it. And if your budget is a bit tight, you might think that anything high-end is completely unattainable. Thankfully, that’s not true. By using a few clever tactics, you can get a luxury kitchen on a budget.

Take the sustainable route

The first thing you should do is consider buying second-hand. OK, a used kitchen might not something you associate with luxury but there’s a growing market for top-quality, second-hand kitchens. So, much so, that there are a number of specialist companies that now deal in them. 

The beauty of a good-quality, second-hand kitchen, is no one’s going to tell the difference once it’s in place. Plus, it can save you thousands compared to a new kitchen and it’s one of the most sustainable options for improving your home.

You may also find a decent kitchen for sale on sites like eBay. But a specialist second-hand kitchen seller can usually offer extras such as quality checks and delivery, meaning there’s less to worry about.

Ideally, you want to go for a kitchen that’s been looked after and is well-built. But to be sure of the luxury appearance you’re after, it’s a good idea to get it professionally fitted. Especially when it comes to solid wood kitchens, hiring a carpenter will help you achieve a good finish. A skilled carpenter should be able to adapt cupboards, so the units fit perfectly into your space. They should also be able to build custom features, such as cooker hoods and wine racks, to match.

Source from different suppliers

If you can’t find what you want on the second-hand market, your next best option is to shop around. Rather than buy everything from one kitchen company, it pays to source items from different suppliers. For instance, cupboards might be cheapest from one supplier while worktops and appliances might be cheaper from others. 

This also gives you the freedom to choose where to spend and where to save. For example, you might want to save money by buying cheaper carcasses and spend more on high-end doors to achieve a good finish. If you are thinking of doing this though, do check cupboard and door sizes match and inspect the standard of the carcasses first. They need to be strong and durable if they’re going to last.

Know where to spend and save

Knowing where to spend and where to save can be the best way to protect your budget. 

While it’s prudent to spend on appliances that are on show, such as ovens and hobs, you could easily save on integrated dishwashers and fridges as they’ll be hidden away behind doors.

But it’s not just about how much you spend on items, it’s whether you buy them at all. For instance, you can cut the cost of your kitchen cupboards by simply forgoing wall cupboards and fitting shelves instead.

Go with engineered alternatives

Another way to get a luxury kitchen for less, is to go with engineered alternatives to materials such as solid stone worktops and wood floors. Making use of composite stone, quartz, engineered wood and plywood can successfully cut the cost of a new kitchen without ruining the aesthetic.

And you might even get away with materials that simply look like the real thing. A good-quality laminate worktop can do the job just as well as stone or marble. But there are a few things to check first. Does the printed image look good or poor? Is it well made and chip, stain and heat resistant? With flooring, a luxury vinyl can be more cost effective than parquet or hardwood floorboards. But again, it needs to be suitable for the kitchen with moisture and scratch resistance.

Don’t move things around

Aside from the buying of materials, there is another way to bring costs down – keep the layout the same. This can cut down on extra plumbing and electrical costs. 

For example, the sink is usually fitted on the rear wall, so it’s near the outside drain. Moving it to an island can seem like a good idea but this can be costly. Keeping the layout the same should also avoid the need to move doorways, sockets and light fittings.

Finish it yourself

The final trick you can use to get a luxury kitchen on a budget is to do all the finishing touches yourself. Tiling the splashbacks, painting the walls and fitting handles are all jobs that can be DIYed if necessary.

If you’re ordering a new kitchen, you could save money by opting for unfinished doors. If you are painting them yourself though, it’s wise to choose a good quality paint and make sure you follow the correct processes as you don’t want patchy paint letting your kitchen down. This can be time consuming if you need to tape off areas, sand between coats and apply a topcoat, but it will be worth the effort.