kitchens and storage options available

cerastes

Looking at the kitchen for a while and know it really needs to be redone, Its what was fitted when arrived. Id say it was mass done and Im know the whole estate had this format. Im think a lot of it isnt even from flat pack but cut on machines from larger sections of that laminated chip and its just the doors and some other bits that are pre moulded mdf. I know this is how flat packs are made too, but when its coming from a place that does that and ships it out wrapped, its usually flawless. At this point, that is the least of its concerns, its worn from use and only a replacement will do and at nearly 20 years its no harm.

I saw a few ads on tv for british places that do kitchens, advertised for their market (freeview). Wickes and another which I have being seeing lately which I must take note of the name.
Some of the finish and options for storage look very interesting, to be able to choose to do certain fold out work bench or certain storage options means it opens up different possibilities for function and looks.

Here in Ireland it seems more limited to what you can do for doors and cupboard shapes based on whats available and the kind of hinges that are made. My kitchen is reasonably sized for a 3 bed semi but with the current poor and limited storage it looks cluttered as a lot of things are on the worktops.

I havent seen much of what wickes or others do here when I looked before, I also got some hefty quotes from a place on the longmile rd and homebase and then they were open ended based on if any other work needed doing, but worst of all, the choices available were pretty standard for cupboards, openings and drawer sizes. While I wont rule out getting it done, Im even considering fitting it myself so I get what I want as I dont want compromises as it will be there for a long time. I may even end up having to go up North tyo get a style and price that suits.

Any recommendations? links would be good to see whats available.

December2012

Are you in Dublin? I used a great place a few years ago and got a much better, more useful kitchen. I can pm you a link if it's not ok to post names?

cerastes

Yes, in Dublin, PM away.
Im really trying to get an idea of whats available as Im not ready to go with it for a while. The layout may change marginally to an L shape.

Im interested in getting different bits done by different services/trades myself.
Id also ruled out getting a granite work top due to the price and intended to get it fit at a later date separately as I think it may require more specific tools to make cuts, be more difficult to work with, the weight and cost if I made a balls of it myself.
I know people might say get it done at the same time, but Id intended to get a cheaper worktop and then when funds were available replace it.

tabby aspreme

Have you looked at the Ikea kitchens, they brought out a new range last year , you might get some ideas there, also take a look at the Hafele website, great selection of hinges and all kinds of kitchen hardware

cerastes

tabby aspreme wrote: »

Have you looked at the Ikea kitchens, they brought out a new range last year , you might get some ideas there, also take a look at the Hafele website, great selection of hinges and all kinds of kitchen hardware

Hadn't heard of that website,thanks

Ectoplasm

Virtually everything you see in a Wickes advert is available here in Ireland. For the best choice of storage solutions look at kitchen fittings suppliers such as Flanagan Fittings, Hafele and KAL. These guys supply to kitchen fitters all over Ireland so they have a pretty extensive range.

Things like curved fronts and doors are not standard and as such you will tend to pay more for them. Also, certain manufacturers tend to stick with standard cabinet sizes and fittings as they are cheaper to mass produce. That said there are a huge number of small kitchen makers who do custom work at quite reasonable rates...The downside being that they don't operate large showrooms which is what allows them to keep costs down. They will usually have extensive photo portfolios and will often direct you to their suppliers showrooms to see the products 'in action'.

Finally, taking a bit of time to work out just what you, individually, need from your kitchen is worthwhile. For example do you have large bulky items that need storage? Do you need a built in bin or have you space or a preference for a freestanding one? Do you need heavy gauge drawer runners to store crockery? Will you have a toaster? Will it live on the worktop or need a space in a cabinet? Etc. etc. The Dynamic Space website can be helpful with that - as far as I know it has a checklist of commonly stored kitchen items which can be overlooked.

Best of luck with your new kitchen, I hope you find what you're looking for.

Handsandtools

cerastes wrote: »

Yes, in Dublin, PM away.
Im really trying to get an idea of whats available as Im not ready to go with it for a while. The layout may change marginally to an L shape.

Im interested in getting different bits done by different services/trades myself.
Id also ruled out getting a granite work top due to the price and intended to get it fit at a later date separately as I think it may require more specific tools to make cuts, be more difficult to work with, the weight and cost if I made a balls of it myself.
I know people might say get it done at the same time, but Id intended to get a cheaper worktop and then when funds were available replace it.

You can't cut granite worktop and polish it diy if You don't have a equipment and tools.

cerastes

Handsandtools wrote: »

You can't cut granite worktop and polish it diy if You don't have a equipment and tools.

I didn't think so really, even if it was possible, it would be unmaneagable,I was thinking something in lieu of it as it would work out cheaper then get someone in to do something like that at a later date, is that kind of upgrade catered to on its own? ie changing worktops on their own?

Handsandtools

cerastes wrote: »

I didn't think so really, even if it was possible, it would be unmaneagable,I was thinking something in lieu of it as it would work out cheaper then get someone in to do something like that at a later date, is that kind of upgrade catered to on its own? ie changing worktops on their own?

There's a lot of people who just buy new worktops and put on old kitchen, nothing unusual.
At least you have all the measurements and you can get price on granite top to be fitted later on.