Why it’s worth looking beyond the big kitchen retailers — and comparing more than just the cost.

There’s a common assumption that a kitchen designed specifically for your home will cost more than one from a national retailer.

It’s easy to see why. We’re surrounded by kitchen sales, half-price offers, free appliances, finance deals and discounts that seem too good to miss.

But those showrooms, promotions and finance offers all form part of a large retailer’s operating costs.

Here’s what might surprise you.

A kitchen from Palmer & Palmer can be comparable in price to one from a big retailer. Sometimes, we can be more competitive.

That’s before considering the design, product quality and personal service.

So before assuming a bespoke kitchen is outside your budget, it’s worth looking at what you’re getting for your money.

If there’s always a sale, what’s the real price?

Kitchen promotions are hard to miss, with discounts often tied to a deadline or limited-time offer. But how much attention should we pay to the headline saving?

Research from consumer organisation Which? helps put this into perspective. In May 2025, it mystery-shopped leading kitchen retailers, requesting prices for a comparable 12-unit kitchen. The discounts shown on selected quotations ranged from 25% to as much as 78%.

That doesn’t mean the offers weren’t genuine, or that every kitchen from those retailers carries the same discount. It does show how differently kitchens can be priced and promoted.

The comparison covered cabinetry and associated fittings — not a complete kitchen with appliances, worktops and installation. So when you see a large discount, ask yourself:

What’s the final price, and exactly what’s included?

Half price doesn’t automatically mean better value than a straightforward, competitive quotation elsewhere.

What are people actually spending on kitchens?

Kitchen renovations are a significant investment, so it’s understandable that people want to spend wisely.

The 2025 UK Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found that median spending on kitchen renovations had risen by 34%, from £13,000 to £17,500. For major renovations of larger kitchens, the median reached £20,000.

Houzz’s 2026 study also reported that 90% of renovating homeowners employed professionals, with 42% using a kitchen designer.

People aren’t just buying cupboards. They’re investing in a room they use every day, and many recognise the value of professional advice.

That doesn’t mean choosing the most expensive kitchen. It means making the design, specification and budget work together.

Two kitchens can look similar but be very different

Two kitchens may look almost identical in photographs, but what’s behind the doors?

Consider the construction, hinges, drawers, storage systems, worktops and finishing details. Are the appliances comparable? Is installation included? What about plumbing, electrical work and delivery?

All these details affect the finished kitchen and its cost. Just as importantly:

Will the kitchen actually work in the space?

I was recently asked to step in when a kitchen supplied by a national retailer couldn’t be fitted as planned. There had been errors in the measurements and the design, and the kitchen simply didn’t fit the space.

It’s a reminder of something I always emphasise: a kitchen needs to work in the actual room, not just look good on a computer screen.

Accurate measurements, checking the details and thinking through how everything fits together are fundamental. Walls aren’t always straight, corners aren’t always square, and there’s more to a good layout than fitting in as many units as possible.

Mistakes can happen on any project, but finding them before a kitchen is ordered is much easier than trying to put things right during installation.

An extra cupboard isn’t necessarily better storage. A larger island isn’t automatically a better layout. And the most expensive appliance may not be the right choice.

Good design can mean spending less in one area so you can invest more where it matters.

I’d rather get the kitchen right than simply put more into it.

What are you paying for when you use a designer?

A recent Ideal Home article by interior designer Natalie Jahangiry compared different ways to buy a kitchen, from high-street showrooms and online suppliers to more individual solutions.

It highlighted something I’ve long believed: there isn’t one route that’s right for everyone.

At Palmer & Palmer, I start by understanding how you use your kitchen, what isn’t working and what you’d like to change. We then consider the layout, storage, cabinetry, appliances, materials and finishes — and how to bring them together within your budget.

It’s not about showing you the most expensive options. It’s about understanding the products, exploring the possibilities and helping you make informed choices.

With access to an extensive range of cabinetry, finishes and worktops, there’s often more flexibility than people expect.

Bespoke should mean designed around you, not automatically more expensive.

Compare the finished kitchen, not the discount

I’m not suggesting that big retailers can’t supply good kitchens. But if you’re comparing quotations, make sure you’re comparing like with like.

Look at the cabinetry, worktops, appliances, fitting, guarantees and level of design and project support. Compare the final price, not just the amount you’ve apparently saved. And remember, the lowest quotation isn’t always the lowest final cost if important items have been left out.

The best value isn’t necessarily the biggest discount.

It’s getting the right kitchen, at the right quality, for the right price.

Already got a kitchen quote? Let’s take a look.

If you’ve already visited one of the big kitchen retailers and have a design or quotation, why not bring it along?

I’ll happily sit down with you, look through what’s been proposed and see how Palmer & Palmer compares.

We can look at the layout, cabinetry, worktops, appliances and fitting costs, as well as the quality of what’s being supplied. I’ll also give you my thoughts on the design itself — whether the space is being used well and whether anything could work better.

You might find we can offer a different approach, a better specification or even a more competitive price.

And if the quotation you’ve already got is a good one, I’ll tell you.

There won’t always be a cheaper answer, and I wouldn’t promise that. But we will look carefully at your space, requirements and budget, and give you an honest view of what’s possible.

You might be surprised at what we can offer — and what it costs.

So before you commit to a new kitchen, get in touch. Bring your plans, your quotation and your ideas, and let’s see what’s possible.

Before you decide what you can afford, find out what’s possible

Ewan Palmer
Qualified Interior Designer & Founder

Palmer & Palmer
Beautifully Designed. Perfectly Made. For You.

palmerandpalmer.co.uk