Custom-built kitchens are fairly self-explanatory: they refer to kitchens designed and built specifically for your home. Custom kitchens are a labour of love that can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to design and install.
Ex-display kitchens are another attractive option for renovators. While once displayed in a showroom, these complete kitchen sets can be dismantled and installed in homes fairly quickly. Ex-display kitchens often come with all the premium features of a high-end kitchen but at a significantly lower cost. Which you choose will depend on your budget, timeline and specific design preferences.
What is an ex-display kitchen?
An ex-display kitchen is a model setup that has previously been exhibited in a showroom. These kitchens have never been used in a residential capacity, meaning they remain in excellent condition as they haven’t experienced regular use.
Often, they feature high-quality cabinetry, premium worktops, and sometimes even integrated appliances, though the specific items included can vary by display and showroom.
What are the pros of ex-display kitchens?
Purchasing a kitchen from an ex-display or approved-used provider has several advantages, including:
Cost savings
Typically offered at discounts ranging from 50% to as much as 80% off retail prices, these kitchens allow homeowners to access high-quality features and premium brands without the full price tag of a custom-made design.
Their affordability opens doors to options that may otherwise be financially out of reach, especially as prices on new, custom-built kitchens can climb quickly with high-end finishes and modern appliances!
Immediate availability
An ex-display kitchen is often available for immediate purchase: ideal for those looking to avoid the long lead times common with custom-built kitchens!
Since these kitchens are pre-assembled and have already been installed in a showroom, buyers can expedite their renovation process.
Environmentally-friendly choice
Ex-display kitchens are pre-manufactured and, unless purchased by someone else, risk being disposed of in a landfill.
Buying them, however, helps minimise waste! It also decreases demand for resources and lowers the carbon footprint associated with energy-intensive production processes.
If you’re looking to make more eco-conscious renovation choices, ex-display kitchens are the only way to repurpose these high-quality materials.
What is a custom-built kitchen?
Unlike standard kitchen setups (which often come in pre-defined configurations), a custom-built kitchen is crafted from scratch with every element, from cabinetry and worktops to storage and lighting, chosen to fit your exact design preferences.
The process would usually begin with an in-depth consultation to understand your lifestyle and the unique characteristics of your kitchen. Then, skilled designers create your custom cabinetry.
What are the pros of custom-built kitchens?
If you’re willing to pace yourself and (potentially) spend more on custom-built cabinets, this type of kitchen renovation can also be wonderful:
Full customisation
A custom-built kitchen gives you control over every detail. No matter which design you choose, it will fit even the most awkward elements of your space. Custom kitchens allow for a level of individualisation that other options can’t provide.
Functionality
At their core, custom-built kitchens are designed to be usable.
When working with a designer, you can optimise every element according to your daily practices. Whether that means installing pull-out pantries or a kitchen island with a farmhouse sink, these kitchens should be organised to make your life easier.
Quality
Custom-built kitchens often have a higher price point because they are created by skilled carpenters and joiners using premium materials. Depending on your budget, you can incorporate materials like engineered wood, quartz, granite, and stone into your new kitchen.
What are the key factors to consider before choosing an ex-display or a custom-built kitchen?
Budget
There’s no doubt that ex-display kitchens are more budget-friendly than custom.
Homeowners can save tens of thousands of pounds compared to purchasing on the high street! With deals on brands like John Lewis, Martin Moore and Eggersman, you can get a full kitchen makeover for a fraction of the original cost.
Custom-built kitchens tend to be more costly, as they’re designed according to your exact specifications.
Timeline
Time is a critical factor, especially for those with tight schedules. Ex-display kitchens are usually ready for immediate installation, which can save weeks compared to the lead times associated with custom-built options.
Custom kitchens (due to the often lengthy design and construction process) can take months from planning to installation. If a faster renovation is your priority, ex-display may be the better choice.
Personalisation
Custom kitchens are, by their very nature, customisable! Every element can be tailored down to even the smallest detail. Their flexibility is great for homeowners with a specific vision of what they want their remodel to look like.
Ex-display kitchens offer limited alteration options, as they are pre-designed for showroom setups (though minor modifications are sometimes possible!)
Shop for ex-display kitchens with Rehome!
Take a leap of faith today and start your renovation with Rehome. We have ex-display kitchens from premium brands like Bulthaup, Charles Yorke and Eggersmann, all ready to be installed in your home.
