Before & After
When Jean-Marc and his wife Sandra bought their family home in 2023, they knew they were taking on a project. “From the start it was clear it would be a work in progress,” Sandra explained. Renovating an entire house while living in it, working full time, and raising children is no small task, especially when you’re tackling some of the DIY yourself…
“We began with the upstairs, and now that the kitchen is finished, the house is nearly complete”- Unlike many homeowners, the kitchen wasn’t the first thing they tackled; however, it remained a key part of their plan which required patience, planning and making smarter choices.
A Kitchen That Didn’t Work
The existing kitchen simply didn’t suit their needs or their style- “It lacked storage and worktop space, and the colour scheme wasn’t to our taste- red metro tiles, black granite worktops, and yellow-toned cabinets just didn’t come together in a way we liked.”
Sound familiar? Whether it’s an impractical layout, lack of storage, or just a style that doesn’t feel like you, homeowners often live with a kitchen that never quite works until they decide it’s time for change.
Discovering a Smarter Way
Jean-Marc and Sandra began their journey the way many do… Researching online and visiting showrooms, but as we hear so often, they quickly realised that often shopping with a budget means having to compromise on style or quality- “We knew we wanted something high quality and durable, which naturally came with a higher price tag”.
After converting their garage into a playroom and utility room, they already had the knowledge of what a premium kitchen brand could offer- The utility room was designed by Neptune, and they also had kitchen drawings done… However, as they expected, a brand-new Neptune kitchen was very expensive.
That’s when Jean-Marc and Sandra started exploring alternatives. “I began looking into more budget-friendly options such as ex-display kitchens, outlets, and eBay, and that’s how I came across Rehome.”
They had already been thinking ahead, purchasing a couple of Neptune larders and a fridge cabinet privately, but then everything clicked. “I came across what is now our kitchen on eBay and realised it included not only the cabinets we had been quoted for, but even more” …
This opened up new possibilities for them, giving them the flexibility to pick and choose what worked best for their space and get even more storage than they had originally planned, all for less money. We often recommend for people to look for kitchens 10-20% bigger than what they need, in order to account for reconfiguration, and it allows you the freedom that it did Jean-Marc and Sandra, choosing where to put elements and maximise on storage.
Taking the Leap
Like many first-time buyers, they were initially cautious. “We were a bit cautious as we hadn’t heard of Rehome before,” Sandra admitted. But after doing their research and getting their questions answered, they felt confident moving forward.
“The whole process was incredibly smooth from start to finish. Delivery went exactly as planned, and the delivery team were great-friendly, polite, and professional.” Rehome offer a complete end-to-end and hassle-free service, removing all the risk that is often associated with other marketplaces that are unsupported.
Bringing the Kitchen to Life
Once the kitchen arrived, the real transformation began!
“We cleaned, dismantled, and repaired the cabinets where needed, then spray-painted the first coats using the same colour as our utility room- Neptune Shell in an eggshell finish.” The soft off-white tone, with a hint of grey, helped create a brighter and more cohesive space.
“The marble worktops were supplied by Tom Bliss from Cheltenham Worktops, and he delivered an outstanding result. The tiling was completed by Chris Adam of C.A. Tiling, who we’ve worked with before and have always been extremely happy with. Cove Plumbing and Heating Cheltenham, led by Luke and his young, helpful team, have been working with us for several years and, as always, did a great job. The electrical work was carried out by P. Wheeler Electrical Ltd; Pete is someone we’ve worked with before and is genuinely one of the nicest people to work with.”.
From marble worktops to tiling, plumbing, and electrics, every detail was carefully considered and executed by professionals they trusted. Most tradespeople are more than happy to work with pre-loved and ex-display kitchens and help you bring your vision to life.
The Finishing Touches
With the main elements in place, Jean-Marc and Sandra focused on the details that would truly elevate the space.
“Once the cabinets and worktops were in place, we hand-painted and lacquered the kitchen to achieve a beautiful, natural finish.” They also made a simple but impactful change: “We decided to swap the wooden knobs for polished chrome knobs and cup pull handles, which really elevated the final look.”
It’s a perfect example of how even small design choices can make a big difference, and even with these changes they still saved thousands of pounds compared to shopping high street.
A Kitchen Worth It
“We are extremely happy with the finished kitchen,” Jean-Marc and Sandra said. “Although it took time to complete, it was absolutely worth it.”
By choosing a pre-loved kitchen, they achieved a high-end look without the high-end price tag. “We saved a significant amount of money, and the end result looks and feels like a brand-new kitchen.”
Advice for Future Buyers
Jean-Marc and Sandra’s advice is simple but valuable: “We would recommend doing some research before investing in a brand-new kitchen, as it could save you a lot of money.”
Their experience shows that with a bit of patience, flexibility, and the right approach, it’s entirely possible to create a beautiful, bespoke kitchen for a fraction of the cost.
“Our experience with Rehome was excellent from start to finish.”
A space that works for family life, reflects their style, and feels brand new- Jean-Marc and Sandra’s kitchen is proof that great design doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag…
