My wish list for a new kitchen definitely outstripped my budget
When we were developing our home, we hit the point lots of renovators reach: the dream is big, but the budget isn’t. And with UK kitchen renovations often quoted anywhere from £7,000 to £55,000, depending on size and specification, it’s easy to see how costs spiral.
I wanted a kitchen that suited our Edwardian house, so we sourced a traditional Clive Christian kitchen at a bargain price and remodelled it to fit our space and how we actually live.
- Buying used can mean serious savings (often tens of per cent off new prices).
- The magic is in the styling: lighting, colour and one-off pieces.
- Don’t be scared of making it fit; layouts can be adapted more easily than people think.
My Vision
I’ve always loved a more traditional look. After sourcing our used designer kitchen and adjusting the layout to suit our room and family life, the next step was making it feel personal.
The Clive Christian kitchen was beautifully made, but quite grand. I wanted it to feel warm, welcoming and homely, a kitchen that works for family time, but also has drama and atmosphere for parties and cosy evenings in.
My solution was to soften the formality with:
- An eclectic mix of accessories
- A strong, confident colour palette
- Vintage and reclaimed pieces that bring instant character
Where to find unique pieces (without spending a fortune)
Some of my best finds have come from:
- Antique dealers and local auctions
- Charity shops and reuse/recycling centres
- Reclamation yards (brilliant for period homes)
- Online marketplaces (eBay, Preloved, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree)
The joy is in the hunt. You can find pieces with real presence for a fraction of the price, like the chandeliers I bought for £100 and vintage china for just a few pounds.
The budget buys that made the biggest difference
The china (vintage, mixed, and not-too-perfect)
Most of the pieces on my cooker mantle came from charity shops. I kept to a blue-and-white scheme (classic and timeless), but mixed in different shapes and ages to prevent it from feeling overly traditional.
My best tip: Focus on the silhouette first. If a piece is perfect but chipped, it often doesn't matter; you’re buying for the look, not the resale value.
The chandeliers (instant atmosphere)
These were sourced from eBay and listed as vintage. Lighting is one of the quickest ways to add authenticity (and romance), and vintage equivalents are often much cheaper than new.
Safety note: PAT testing is often talked about online, but the key point is safety. The HSE is clear that the law about electrical equipment being maintained to prevent danger, rather than a blanket "PAT is legally required" rule.
For any second-hand lighting, I’d always use a qualified electrician to check and fit.
Paint colour (the hardest decision)
This took the longest. The kitchen had been painted in a creamy tone, and I needed a colour that would complement it rather than fight it.
What helped: Going to a paint centre and spending time with proper colour charts under different lighting conditions. Ask for testers and live with them for a few days; morning light and evening light can completely change the feel.
The clock (my once-in-a-lifetime bargain)
This is still my pride and joy. I found it on eBay, didn’t know much about it, just loved the scale (perfect for high ceilings) and the George V crest.
When it arrived, I took it to a clock renovator who told me it was a rare GPO slave clock and worth around £3,000, and I’d paid £210. I was over the moon.
The stained-glass window (lean into what the house gives you)
When we started prepping the room, we discovered an old window that had been blocked off. We opened it back up and decided to turn it into a feature, especially because the morning light in that spot is gorgeous.
I found a piece of stained glass on eBay for £20. The abstract floral detail and colours add instant authenticity and make the room feel more Edwardian without trying too hard.
Top tip: Always maximise original features. And keep a note in your phone with measurements and a wishlist, you never know when the perfect piece will appear.
When buying used is brilliant
The budget side is obvious: used kitchens can come with huge savings. You can save a massive 45% to 80% off RRP, and Which? reports it can be up to 85% less compared with buying the same kitchen new (depending on what you buy and what’s included).
But there’s also the sustainability angle. UK household waste in 2023 was 25.9 million tonnes, so keeping good materials in use matters.
Which? also references that buying used can save around 5,000kg of carbon for a kitchen (depending on size and components).
And WRAP estimates current levels of household reuse save around £1bn per year and avoid around 1 million tonnes of CO₂e annually.
Used kitchen personalisation checklist
- Measure everything (and keep it on your phone)
- Choose 1–2 anchor colours, then repeat them in small ways
- Mix old and new: vintage lighting, modern practical storage
- Prioritise: handles, lighting, paint, styling shelves/mantel
- Get electrics checked and fitted by a qualified professional
My main advice
Have fun with accessories. Don’t stick to the norm or feel you have to follow current fashion.
Buy things you fall in love with, pieces that suit your home’s personality. Don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect; small imperfections can be part of the charm.
And occasionally, it’s worth stretching for one forever piece (my clock is proof). Most of the time, you only need to spend a few pounds to find something that becomes a standout feature.
Helen Lord
Founder/Director of Rehome
