DIY Kitchens - Independent Review
What the Expert Thinks
DIY-Kitchens is one of the bigger names of online kitchens. They offer a wide variety of kitchens for a whole range of budgets. Although it is clearly Do It Yourself, they have an attentive and friendly team who can help guide you in the right direction. but are DIY-Kitchens worth it?
DIY Kitchen Sizes ★★☆
DIY Kitchens don't offer the biggest range of cabinetry but they certainly have enough for 90% of kitchen designs. With a choice of two heights for those different ceilings, and doors ranging in 50mm increments from 150-450mm and 100mm from 500-1000mm, you can nearly always work around them to get the kitchen of your dreams.
DIY Kitchen Cabinet Specification ★★★
Their cabinets are made to an excellent standard using 18mm carcasses, Blum hinges and runners and 22mm thick doors, they tick all my boxes. You can read more about cabinet specifications on this blog here
With a selection of price points within most door styles, from entry level wrapped doors to quality painted wood, everyone can find a kitchen that suits their style and budget - I'm all for that! (Can I give bonus stars, three seems stingy?!)
They have a great sample postal service and I love that you can order bespoke colours too.
DIY Kitchen Customer Service ★★☆
The type of service is definitely in the name - Do It Yourself - but they have made things as clear as they can for something which is usually a complete unknown. There is so much information, it is hard to lay it all out so everyone can find it so there can be a bit of searching around only to discover that the thing you were looking for is only available in a different door style or you've heard of a different term for something they're calling something else, but with a huge archive of blogs which explain so many aspects of their cabinetry you can definitely work it out if you have the time to read through.
Their team is really helpful and quick to get back to you. If you ask nicely, they can add bits like additional doors and special hinges that you can't necessarily add to the basket yourself. For example for a secret Narnia door to look like the pantry but actually opens into the utility room.
DIY Kitchen Planner ★★☆
Their new planner tool can be quite frustrating and basic but it's only new and I think is a great first start and is better than any other free versions I've played with. It has some useful things like adding side panels for you which you might not have thought of. However, I don't think it has the whole range of cabinetry from the website loaded, or I can't find it, and the units are called different things so it can get a bit confusing. I think it's a great place to start but I wouldn't have full confidence in it.
The Price ★★★
The price is amazing. Due to their low overheads from no showroom and additional staff, plus their limited door selection making manufacture very cost effective, they are able to beat any quote I've managed to find elsewhere.
Is DIY-kitchens for me?
YES!
If you love a challenge and learning something new, all the information is there on DIY Kitchens to throw yourself in and enjoy creating. I strongly recommend DIY Kitchens for those with budgets under £15-20K as they are the best value for money and will suit 90% of kitchens - I'm using them myself for a boot-room, I'll put some pictures up when I'm finished. You might find my online course helpful to walk you through the design process so you know that you have designed the best kitchen for you and your family.
NO!
Buying a kitchen online isn't for everyone. Some people like to open a real cupboard and wiggle a drawer. You might not even know where to start designing your kitchen or have the time to learn the difference between cornice and pelmet. The extra cost from showrooms is there for all the reasons people LIKE to visit a showroom; to see the kitchens, to talk 1:1 with someone and just to be told how many lengths of plinth you need. Whether you're short on time, you have decision fatigue (it's a real thing, don't beat yourself up about it), or it's just not something that interests you, that's absolutely fine.
Go in with your eyes open and know that they will likely be working on commission so just know that if something doesn't feel right, or you're being pushed, you're allowed to say no because you hold all the cards. Read the blog How to Buy Your Kitchen for the Best Price before you start so you can shop savvy.
IS THERE A THIRD OPTION?
Of course there is! If you want the value of DIY Kitchens but still want the support of a showroom, that's where I fit in. Rather than paying a little more for every unit that you use, I charge a clear and transparent fixed design fee. As a professional designer, completely independent, I will tell you if you have too many cabinets or if you could change a dresser for an antique unit instead of more kitchen units. We can look at the house as a whole too, unlocking tricky spaces, looking at lighting or even using extra time to redesign your office or bathroom too. Oh and my drawings will show you every panel and plinth you'll need to order to turn pictures into reality. Read my blog on Why Pay for Kitchen Design to see how it pays for itself and more.