How to Choose and Buy a New Kitchen for Your Home

We continue a series where Pille-Riin (25) writes about important topics for Kaanon Real Estate related to her family's purchase and furnishing of their first home. This time, the focus is on the kitchen, its selection criteria (including appliances), cost, and recommendations.

What to keep in mind when choosing a kitchen?

First of all, you should think through what the function of the kitchen is for you. There's no single answer here, like "cooking" or "eating." For us, for example, it's a place to be with family, share daily impressions, and cook together. Since our apartment is also laid out so that the kitchen and living room are in one space (and we really like it that way!), we thought very carefully about what our kitchen should be like. Here there are countless options, especially regarding furniture colors and materials, not to mention appliances.

Once we had the function of the kitchen sorted out, it was time to visit a showroom. We don't like buying such large items purely through the internet, so going in person was the ideal option – we could see the materials with our own eyes, touch them, and our conversation with the consultant was quick and professional. We got answers to all our questions, and when additional questions came up later, we wrote or called. Nowadays, all stores have also become convenient online shops, so you don't even have to leave your desk and your new furniture is already at home, but our advice is still to always try to communicate with experts over the phone if possible, or even better – go there yourself if you have the opportunity.

What were your criteria for the kitchen?

There was quite a large selection of samples at the furniture showroom. Everything was touchable and could also be combined according to your wishes. For us, the quality of the worktop was important – it needs to withstand heat, cold, and other scratches and scrapes. Though a knife wouldn't pierce it, let's mention that here. Since the kitchen is a place where moisture inevitably accumulates, the materials should be as resistant as possible and have a protective layer. Our kitchen worktop, for example, withstands dry heat up to 180 degrees and has a moisture-resistant edge band.

We also decided to get a kitchen island in our kitchen-living room. Primarily because we like it that way, and on the other hand, the island has large drawers where we can store things. And who says you can't put things there that aren't directly related to the kitchen? The island does take up perhaps a bit more space from the living room than a regular kitchen table would, but in the end practicality was decisive. And we like it this way, that's the main thing!

As for the color of the furniture, Andrus and I were also of one mind: natural and earthy.

The final solution was:

• Kitchen furniture door: 382 Structura 402 Havana oak repro;
• Moisture and damage-resistant frame, rubber-sealed base from below and decorative panels around the island: 097 Havana oak repro;
• Worktops: 376 Limestone repro;
• Sink Schock Mono N100 Magma color;
• Brushed stainless steel faucet Carlo Nobili;
• Kitchen furniture with brushed stainless steel integrated handles.

Additionally, we have antibacterial rubber mats on the bottoms of the drawers that are easily removable and cleanable, and in two drawers, cutlery dividers. All kitchen drawers and cabinets close quietly, are adjustable, and the drawers are handleless – the drawer panels come off with two clicks.

About kitchen appliances: what preliminary work did you do when selecting appliances and what did you find out in the process?

When it comes to kitchen appliances, I let Andrus decide completely, since he knows these things better (and in the end, he's probably the one who will be spending more time in the kitchen than me). We of course also asked the family for advice and listened to the consultant and set our budget. We didn't want to buy any overly expensive and fancy equipment, but rather something affordable yet of good quality. Here we won't separately mention which brands weren't recommended to us at all (anyone interested can ask privately), but instead we highlight what we ultimately chose and what we're happy with.

Integrated induction cooktop (Whirlpool): when in use, the energy consumption is probably higher than with gas or electric cooktops, but overall you save a lot of time and because of that the energy consumption isn't so high. In our opinion, induction is very practical and makes cooking in the kitchen convenient and efficient. Safety-wise, induction is also the safest option – it won't start working until there's a pot or pan on it, and if you take them off the cooktop but forget to turn it off, it won't keep working but will cool down by itself.

Refrigerator (Whirlpool): we got a regular fridge. Nowadays, refrigerators with automatic defrost (so-called No Frost) are highly recommended so you don't have to worry about it and deal with it, but we chose a slightly cheaper option. But that way you have the motivation to do a big clean-up in the fridge from time to time when the need for defrosting arises.

Integrated electric oven (Whirlpool): the oven has more functions and possibilities than a person generally knows how to and wants to use, so even we haven't managed to try or use anything other than regular baking. But there's time and we promise that these possibilities won't go unused! For the oven, it was important to us that it still had a good old-fashioned mechanical button system where you can turn the degrees and programs with a knob. This option is generally more reliable, or at least it seems that way to us. We're probably not quite on a first-name basis with the smart age yet and this screen poking doesn't seem very appealing. The phone is enough for us.

Integrated range hood (AEG): there's not much to say about it. It's practical and does its job well.

How much does a decent kitchen cost?

Decent kitchen furniture can be obtained for around 3000 euros or, if you have golden hands, you can build it cheaper yourself. Or buy from IKEA. The more various add-ons and other gadgetry you have in the kitchen, the higher the price rises. As mentioned, for our family the kitchen is almost the heart of the home, so high quality and comfort matter. That's why our kitchen price was a bit steeper: about 7000 euros in total and that with a significant discount, since the company is a developer's partner.

As mentioned in the previous blog post, we wanted to include the cost of our kitchen in the apartment price so it would fall under the mortgage. Since this was a risk for the developer, they themselves suggested two cooperation partners we could approach with our wishes (we chose only one, the closest one to us). In addition to the quote, we had to account for a certain percentage for the developer, which actually wasn't that large a sum. On one hand, we felt a bit cornered by our wish, but at the same time we got such a beautiful and high-quality kitchen furniture that we don't really want to complain.

How is it smartest to get a kitchen when buying a home if resources are limited?

As mentioned, we felt we should try to negotiate the kitchen into the apartment price. First, because we got a big discount, and second, the interest on installment plans is quite high compared to the mortgage interest. If resources are truly limited, then think everything through very carefully when it comes to the kitchen: what do you NEED RIGHT NOW and what can wait a bit.

For us, for example, we didn't get a microwave or a dishwasher, although we left spaces for them. Food can still be heated on the stove or in the oven and dishes can be washed by hand (yes, I'm not talking about water consumption here for now, but you can live through it and everyone can turn off the water tap, it doesn't just run by itself). We'll buy a microwave this fall though, since the child has school starting and we can't trust them alone with the stove right at the beginning.

What to recommend to a home buyer regarding kitchen choices?

Most importantly: think carefully through what functions your future kitchen needs to fulfill!

Design and plan: make different drawings and visions so your own thoughts and wishes get on paper. This will definitely also help the future kitchen provider. Be sure to note where the sink space has been created and where exactly the power outlets are.

Then ask different providers for price quotes, watch for special offers and consult with experts. And no one will beat the questioner. If there's no special offer at the moment, then ask! Choose kitchen furniture of good quality and perhaps with a slightly higher price and you'll thank yourself five or ten years from now.

As also mentioned before, it's possible to buy everything separately and eventually combine it, but is that time worth it? Everyone has to think about that themselves. We got everything we needed from one provider and saved our nerves and time that way. Maybe financially we paid more, but time is money after all.

You can read about previous, current, and future young family posts about life in a new home from their blog > Tilaküla Leenud