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The quality and functionality of your kitchen units will make a huge difference to their longevity – and the price of installation.
From granite or laminate worktops to chipboard or solid wood cabinets, we guide you through everything you need to know in terms of materials, durability and prices.
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The type of kitchen worktop you choose can make a big difference to the overall look and feel of your kitchen.
When picking a worktop, it is important to consider how much it will get used, the amount of maintenance you are willing to do, and your budget.
Prices per square metre of worktop can range from £30 up to £300, so depending on the material you choose.
Marble and granite are the most expensive; laminated chipboard or MDF are cheaper.
Most worktops are 20-40mm thick (most commonly 28mm or 38mm), and 600mm or 900mm wide. You can also get a bespoke worktop made to your specifications.
Laminate worktops are made from MDF or chipboard wrapped in a laminate surface (a type of plastic).
This makes them water resistant, hygienic and durable, although they can get scratched if you use knives to chop directly on them.
Pros
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Typical choices for a wood kitchen worktop include maple, oak and cherry.
Depending on the type of wood you choose, they are less durable than other types of worktop, but they can be sanded and resealed to remove imperfections.
Pros
Cons
Granite is a natural stone quarried from the earth. Granite worktops come in a range of colours including black, cream and pink.
They are very hard-wearing and resistant to heat and scratches.
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Solid surface worktops are fully synthetic. They are made of a blend of resins, minerals and pigments, which is why they’re available in a huge range of colours and patterns.
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Engineered quartz – a combination of quartz crystals, resins and pigments – makes for a highly durable kitchen worktop, although it’s not as tough as granite.
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Marble is an expensive kitchen worktop option. Not only is it beautiful, supplies are finite and extracting marble and converting it into slabs is an energy-intensive process.
It is softer and more porous than other types of stone, so it’s prone to scratches, dents and staining. It requires regular cleaning and sealing to maintain it.
Pros
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Take a look at our kitchen design ideas and plan your budget with our kitchen costs guide.
Together with your worktop, kitchen cupboards and drawers are key to the functionality of your space.
It is important to choose high-quality cabinets that will stand up to everyday use. There are several indicators of cabinet quality that you can consider when making your purchase.
Laminate-covered chipboard or MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is the most popular material for kitchen cabinets.
You can choose from plain matt or gloss laminate finishes, or those that replicate other materials, such as wood.
Chipboard carcasses are the cheapest units, and many of the kitchens from big-name brands are made partly of chipboard.
MDF is higher density and therefore stronger than chipboard. It tends to be more water resistant, so units that use it are likely to be slightly more expensive than chipboard.
Solid wood kitchen units are more expensive than chipboard or MDF cabinets. They are both beautiful and highly durable, but much more expensive than other options.
Most solid wood units arrive pre-assembled (and glued together), making them very strong and rigid.
A typical kitchen cabinet is between 15-19mm thick, with most being around 18mm.
Thicker cabinets will both feel more luxurious and are more durable. However, they are also more expensive.
The quality and sturdiness of your cabinets will also depend on the types of joints used.
Generally speaking, there are three types:
The latter option is the strongest. Factory-assembled options will typically use studs and cams to secure their units.
Our kitchen planning and layout ideas will help you make the most of your space.
In January and February 2023, we asked 4,378 Which? members who've bought a new kitchen in the past 10 years to tell us about their experience – from the level of customer service they received to how well the kitchen has lasted.
We also assessed kitchen units from the big-name brands in our lab.
Which? members can log in to find out which types of kitchen cabinets fared best in our lab tests, and how thick kitchen cabinets should be.
If you're not a Which? member, join Which? to access our kitchens reviews.
Discover the best and worst kitchen brands according to our surveys and lab tests.
Find a reliable kitchen fitter with Which? Trusted Traders. All our professionals are thoroughly vetted, so you can be confident in your choice.
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