Planning flat pack kitchens

Compared to the custom made variety, flat pack kitchens make for an economical choice - provided you get your planning right. Follow our tips for effective planning for your flatpack kitchen:

Visit kitchen showrooms - Depending on which supplier you choose, you'll be able to visit a showroom and see what various layouts, materials and appliances will look like in the flesh. So set aside a weekend and make a beeline for a number of different showrooms.

Make some material decisions - Kitchens mean making a lot of choices about materials, and opting for a flat pack kitchen is no different. Although they are not custom made, they still come in a variety of materials, so do your research and talk to salespeople to find exactly the right fit for your needs.

Take your measurements - Because flatpack kitchen units are pre-made to a certain extent, their success at your place will rely on you taking precise measurements, so that not only the cupboards fit the layout, but the benchtop you've ordered fits the cupboards. So measure it carefully - and then do it again.

Get a plan in place - With your kitchen ordered and on its way, the next step is putting a timeline together to make sure that when you're ready to start installing the cupboards, everything that needs to be done beforehand has been done. Think about things like plumbing, electricity and plastering and plan accordingly.

Put cabinets together yourself - If you've chosen a flatpack kitchen unit because you're trying to stick to a budget or save some money, then a sure-fire way to make that happen is by constructing the cabinets yourself. If you can, designate your garage as a workroom and get busy.

Employ a professional - While you can install flat pack kitchens yourself, if you're inexperienced with any type of DIY handy work, then it can be a good idea to employ a professional to actually install the cabinetry and benchtops. Sure, it'll cost you extra money, but the professional result will be worth it.

Interested in kitchen installation the DIY way? Find flatpack kitchens online: