If you’re redesigning your kitchen, you’ll have to make one major decision first. Should it be fitted or freestanding?
A freestanding or unfitted kitchen usually consists of base units, dressers, cupboards, and islands that aren’t permanently attached. While the upside of an unfitted kitchen is that you can take it with you when you move, fitted kitchens offer many advantages that make them a worthwhile investment.
Fitted kitchens—made of units that are attached to the wall or floor, often with integrated or built-in appliances—are the norm for many homeowners. This concept makes the most of the space you have, as units fit flush, worktops are routed in, and each piece of furniture can be tailored to fit the space. The overall look is streamlined, with the ability to incorporate storage solutions and hide unsightly elements.
Many retailers offer fitted kitchens, making it hard to choose the ideal one for your home. We’ve reviewed some of the most popular retailers below, assessing how many different styles of kitchen they offer, services available, finance options, installation options, homeowner feedback, and the length of guarantees to help you make the right choice.
The Top 7 Fitted Kitchen Companies
Wickes
Fast Facts:
- Number of Ranges: 45
- Installation Service: Yes
- Guarantee: 20 years for cabinets, 10 years for doors, two years for installation
What We Like: Wickes is the place to head to if you’re looking for a one-stop shop. It offers a wide range of kitchens to choose from, as well as tiling, lighting, and flooring to complete your dream room. You can opt for a virtual or in-person appointment with its experienced design consultants and see a 3D plan of your kitchen, and they’ll even handle all the installation.
Wickes makes an excellent choice for those on a budget by offering flexible payment options—including buy now/pay later and monthly payment plans ranging from 12 to 48 months. Plus, its warranties give real peace of mind. It offers a 20-year guarantee on cabinets, 10 years on doors and drawers, and, if you choose installation from one of its approved, trusted installers, their work is guaranteed for two years.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Based on the most recent 100 Trustpilot kitchen reviews, we noted that Wickes’s Design Consultant service is highly rated. However, reviews also mention missing parts, delayed deliveries, and that aftercare can be inconsistent.
Magnet
Fast Facts:
- Number of Ranges: 12
- Installation Service: Yes
- Guarantee: 15 years to lifetime for cabinets (depending on model), five years for trims and frontals, two years for installation
What We Like: From its humble beginnings as a joinery business in 1918 to full kitchens in the 1970s, Magnet has grown to become a kitchen retailer with more than 195 showrooms nationwide. However, you’ll still find everything that has made it the UK’s largest kitchen specialist: a good range of designs, TrustMark accreditation for installation, and a 3D plan of your kitchen.
The company makes it easy to plan and buy your kitchen, offering virtual appointments and in-store visits, as well as payment options that include interest-free credit, pay monthly, and buy now/pay later. You can even receive samples of cabinets, worktops, and accessories at home. Then you can view, approve, and pay for your design online.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Magnet is highly rated on Trustpilot with 4.6 stars. Based on the most recent 100 reviews, we note that the majority rate the company as excellent from start to finish. Sadly, some customers have had issues with product quality.
Wren
Fast Facts:
- Number of Ranges: 22
- Installation Service: Yes
- Guarantee: 25 years
What We Like: One of Wren’s primary selling points is that its kitchens are manufactured in the UK, with each one made to measure to fit your space. However, its wide choice of designs, 3D plans, 105 showrooms nationwide, a handy app, and transparent prices make it a favourite retailer for many. There’s even the option of virtual-reality tours of your kitchen in some showrooms.
Appointments can be in-person or virtual. The company also offers an installation service—although it’s worth noting that this is dry-fit only, which means it won’t include plumbing, electrics, tiling, and plastering. There are also finance options, including interest-free credit; buy now/pay later; and pay monthly so you can pay for your kitchen flexibly.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Most customers rate Wren kitchens as excellent or great on Trustpilot. Based on the most recent 100 reviews, we note that many mention good-quality products and helpful sales advisors. However, quality control and manufacturing defects appear to be issues.
Harvey Jones
Fast Facts:
- Number of Ranges: Five
- Installation Service: Yes
- Guarantee: 10 years
What We Like: There might only be five kitchens to choose from at Harvey Jones—ranging from classic Shaker style to modern flat-fronted designs—but each one is built to last. Its kitchens use traditional handmade techniques, such as in-frame construction and dovetailed drawers for longevity, and they are built in the UK. And while the company has only 31 showrooms across the country, it offers virtual home visits and showroom experiences for those who don’t live nearby.
One big plus is that Harvey Jones’s kitchen designers manage the project throughout the process until it’s installed by one of its skilled installers. The company also offers finance options, including paying monthly.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Harvey Jones has a consistently high rating on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6. Most reviews mention the quality of service and well-built furniture. Negative reviews are few but tend to revolve around delays.
Neptune
Fast Facts:
- Number of Ranges: Four
- Installation Service: Yes
- Guarantee: Lifetime if installed by an accredited installer
What We Like: Believe it or not, Neptune started its life selling hammocks before branching out into pieces for the garden, then furniture and kitchens. Founded in 1996, its first “design family” was Chichester, still one of the four timber kitchen ranges it offers today. While the company is based in Wiltshire, all kitchens are made at its own production house in China, yet are reassuringly sturdy, constructed from solid oak, tulipwood, and hardwood ply.
One plus of Neptune is that you can buy more than just the kitchen—the company also offers flooring, tiles, paint, window treatments, and lighting. Unlike many kitchen companies, though, while the design consultation is free, there’s a £350 fee for your design. However, it’s redeemable against a kitchen order. You’ll only have to put down a 20% deposit until it’s time for your kitchen to be delivered. But there aren’t any financing options.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Neptune has a 4.1 rating overall on Trustpilot, with the majority of reviews mentioning the quality of the kitchen furniture and good service. Recent reviews do mention issues with quality and installation, however.
Smallbone
Fast Facts:
- Number of Ranges: Seven
- Installation Service: Yes
- Guarantee: Length undisclosed
What We Like: For those with a generous budget, a bespoke kitchen by Smallbone makes a great investment in your home. Handmade in Wiltshire, its award-winning designs encompass contemporary and classic styles with an extensive choice of materials and finishes, from scalloped glass to striking wood veneers. And for those who like the personal touch, each finished piece bears the name of the person who made it.
The options for real-life viewing are limited to two showrooms, both in the London area. However, virtual consultations are available. While each kitchen comes with a “Smallbone guarantee”, the company isn’t specific about the length. There’s also no mention of finance options.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Surprisingly, Smallbone’s Trustpilot rating is average at 3.4, although most positive reviews within the most recent 100 refer to outstanding service and quality. As the company has changed hands in recent years, there’s been some service disruption.
John Lewis
Fast Facts:
- Number of Ranges: 19
- Installation Service: Yes
- Guarantee: 10 years for furniture, two years for workmanship
What We Like: John Lewis has been selling kitchens for nearly 90 years and has won best-buy awards for its units, so it’s no surprise that many head to the High Street for their kitchen. It offers a broad range of designs, from classic to contemporary, as well as flooring and lighting, and all John Lewis kitchens are hand-built in the UK.
There are kitchen showrooms in 25 of its stores, or you can book a virtual appointment that includes a showroom tour. The company also offers a flexible way to buy—with monthly payment plans from 12 to 60 months—and a transparent pricing structure, with estimated costs for different designs and worktop options.
What Homeowner Reviews Say
Based on the most recent 100 Trustpilot reviews that mention kitchens, we noted that positive feedback tends to be focused on service. However, negative reviews mention a lack of aftercare.
Our Recommendation
Your budget may dictate where you buy your kitchen, but knowing what different retailers offer can help you make that decision. Wickes is a good choice for many, thanks to its large collection of kitchens and ability to supply other items, such as tiling and flooring. A range of payment options, skilled design consultants, and long guarantees are big plus points.
Harvey Jones is a solid option if a timeless kitchen appeals to you. Good service was noted repeatedly in reviews, as were aftercare and furniture quality. While its kitchen offering is limited, Neptune also came out as a favourite place to buy a kitchen, with good service and transparent pricing appealing to its buyers. However, you’ll need to have the budget set aside as no financing options are advertised.
Comparing Ready-to-Fit and Showrooms Kitchens
In this guide, we’ve focused on showroom kitchens rather than ready-to-fit. Generally, the differences between them are these:
- You buy a ready-to-fit kitchen flatpack and install it yourself. On the other hand, showroom kitchen units may be assembled in a factory and arrive at your home “rigid”.
- With showroom kitchens, you usually have the option of paying for the installation, too, rather than finding your own installer or installing the kitchen yourself. You can also take advantage of a design service.
- Ready-to-fit kitchens tend to be affordable. However, there are limited choices for colours and cabinet styles.
Fitted Kitchens FAQ
How We Chose the Top Fitted Kitchen Providers
Each fitted kitchen company we’ve mentioned in this guide has been scored using our Reviews Standards matrix across multiple categories. These include how many showroom kitchens styles are offered, length of guarantees, payment options, reputation on TrustPilot, and any additional benefits offered, such as virtual appointments, complimentary services, how many showrooms nationwide, and customer support available.