Homebase fitted kitchens review (2023)

Do Homebase fitted kitchens rank among the best kitchen companies in the UK? This Homebase kitchens review examines what they offer to help you decide.

By Katharine Allison

Oct 18, 2023
Homebase fitted kitchen in duck egg blue

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Jump to: Fast facts | Key features | Upsides and downsides | How do Homebase kitchens work? | Competitor comparison | Cost | Maintenance | Expert opinions | Customer reviews | Our recommendation | Methodology

A Homebase fitted kitchen from the Bermondsey range in ash beige colour with a breakfast bar and two wall ovens.
A fitted kitchen from Homebase’s Bermondsey range in ash beige gives a clean-lined, contemporary look to the work area. (Image credit: Homebase)

Marketing itself as the homes and garden experts, Homebase have been helping buyers achieve stylish homes since 1979. From a new fitted kitchen, replacement bathroom or a garden makeover, with over 150 stores nationwide it’s a popular choice with homeowners looking to upgrade.

The Homebase kitchen catalogue contains a broad range of styles, colours and finishes, allowing complete customisation of the most important room in your home. Its own kitchens are self-assembled, and include a 15-year quality guarantee. Specialist planning and design consultants can help you make the best use of your available space, free of charge, and Homebase sells market-leading appliances and accessories, making it a one-stop-shop for fitted kitchens. 

By providing tailored quotes and flexible payment options, Homebase fitted kitchens are designed to suit a range of budgets. A price match guarantee is also offered. 

Fast facts about Homebase fitted kitchens

Homebase offers eight flat-pack kitchens in the Homebase-branded range. These include modern, traditional, shaker, and handleless kitchens. All cabinets feature 18-mm carcass frames and 6-mm solid High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) backs for increased durability and strength. Homebase kitchens come with soft-close doors and drawers as standard, and you can customise every unit from size and accessories to colours and finishes. To take care of your pipework and flush fitting, each cabinet features a 65-mm service void.

Key features

Upsides and downsides of Homebase fitted kitchens

When looking for a new kitchen, it’s crucial to ensure you buy from a reputable UK kitchen company that has everything you need to bring your dream kitchen to reality. The cost of a new kitchen can be high, so you should consider the pros and cons of a kitchen supplier to ensure they’re a good match for your home and budget.

This Homebase kitchens review found the following pros and cons that can help you decide whether to buy your new kitchen from Homebase:

UpsidesDownsides

Wide range of kitchens: The Homebase range has eight kitchen styles to choose from, making it easy to pick a kitchen that suits your dream design or aesthetic. Homebase also features brands like House Beautiful, Country Living, and Kuechenmoebel that come ready to install.

No in-house installers: One drawback of Homebase kitchens is that the company doesn’t have installers. However, it has partnered with Homeprojects to recommend fitters. You can install the kitchen yourself, hire your own fitter, or pay Homeprojects to do it for you.

Expert input: Homebase has partnered with City and Guilds to provide you with a free accredited design and planning consultation. Whether you already know what you want or are only just starting your search, the company can help you through an in-person or virtual consultation.

Little opportunity to report errors: Some customer reviews on Trustpilot point out that Homebase only allows seven days from the date of delivery to report missing or faulty kitchen components, after which point customers must pay for replacements. This can lead to extra costs and delays if the installation takes place after that period.

Best price guarantee: Homebase kitchens have a price match guarantee. The products must be comparable in style, quality, structure, and specification. Simply bring in your competitor quote within 14 days of receiving it or 14 days after purchase to match your Homebase quote.

Poor communication: Several customer reviews on Trustpilot mention poor communication from Homebase around the delivery process. Some said they received incomplete orders due to items being out of stock without prior warning, leading to delays in fitting their kitchens.

How do Homebase fitted kitchens work?

A Homebase fitted kitchen from the Whitstable shaker range in duck egg blue with white walls and a large central island.
A Homebase fitted kitchen from the Whitstable shaker range in duck egg blue, featuring a large central island ideal for socialising. (Image credit: Homebase)

Whether you already know what your new kitchen should look like or need ideas for a new kitchen, Homebase can help you through every step.

It features a four-step guide to help customers through the process of choosing a new kitchen. The first step is gathering your inspiration, and Homebase offers brochures with practical ideas, diverse styles, and luxury extras to help you discover your perfect look. The next step is to measure your space, noting any unique features in your home that the installer may need to work around.

Once you have an idea of what you’d like and know your measurements, book a free in-store or virtual consultation. Experts will guide you through the latest trends, available ranges, and the hottest tech for your new kitchen. Design consultants will take your ideas and measurements and turn them into a bespoke 3D plan with a tailored quote. Once satisfied, you can choose a preferred payment or financing option.

Homebase fitted kitchens versus competitors

Homebase kitchens offer style, quality, and value with various designs, finishes, and colours to help you find suitable new kitchens at better prices than most competitors. Unlike other kitchen companies in the UK, such as Wren Kitchens, which only offers its own fitted kitchens with appliances, Homebase features exclusive partnerships with brands like House Beautiful and Country Living, which arrive ready to install but cost more. Some kitchen companies in the UK,  B&Q, for example, don’t provide custom design options, limiting you to what they offer. With Homebase, you can design your new kitchen from scratch. Designers will create a bespoke plan that makes the best use of your space using a 3D planning tool that accounts for style, tech, positioning, and materials.

Homebase kitchens also cover all your new kitchen needs under one roof, from floor tiles to ceiling lights and paint. With other kitchen companies like Magnet, you’ll only get particular items and then source the rest from other retailers. Compared to some high-end kitchen suppliers, such as  Howdens, which only sells to tradespeople, usually builders or carpenters, Homebase is more inclusive. Anyone can buy new kitchens from Homebase, whether you want to do it yourself (DIY) or are looking for something ready to install.

How much do Homebase fitted kitchens cost?

The new kitchen cost will depend on your style, ideas, and payment options. The most accurate way to know the cost of a new kitchen is through a free consultation quote. The cheapest kitchen units start at £1,134 based on an eight-unit shaker example in cream. 

The design consultant will create a tailored quote that provides a clear breakdown of materials and style to help you understand where the figures are coming from.

BrandAverage price

Homebase

£1,134 to £6,000+

B&Q

£700 to £2,800+

Magnet

£1,879 to £6,919+

How to maintain your Homebase fitted kitchen

A Homebase fitted kitchen from the Classic Shaker range in soft cream colour with a range cooker.
Homebase fitted kitchens come with a two-year craftsmanship guarantee if you use its preferred installer. (Image credit: Homebase)

You’ll get a comprehensive two-year craft guarantee if you use Homebase’s partner, Homeprojects, for your installation. It covers any installation defect within the two years, but it doesn’t cover defects caused by maltreatment, accidents, neglect, or improper handling.

You can maintain your new kitchen by ensuring you wipe off any spillage on wood products with soft cotton cloths and gentle soap. Seal exposed edges with waterproof sealants to avoid moisture penetration and avoid using bleach or harsh chemicals. And ensure you never lean on open doors or drawers, as they can only support small weights.

What the experts say

“There’s a free design service in many Homebase stores, for which you’ll need to book an appointment. … Virtual design appointments are available if you prefer or if your local store isn’t offering in-store appointments. Homebase’s kitchen designers will create a 3D plan of your kitchen and discuss your preferences and styles. There’s also a kitchen visualiser tool on its website to get a feel for different styles and combinations of cupboards and worktops.”Which.co.uk

Customer reviews

I used the kitchen planning service and had a great experience from start to finish. Faith was so helpful even visiting my home to check measurements. The protect my install process worked well and the works carried out on target with a team of skilled , friendly and helpful staff.”—Joy Kingsbury via Trustpilot

“Absolutely fantastic service from Darren in the kitchens section Cannock. Planned our kitchen to accommodate our needs. So pleased with it. Would highly recommend him to anyone who wants a newly redesigned kitchen. Thank you!” —Mark via Trustpilot

Our recommendation

If you’re looking for a new kitchen that promises choice, quality, and value, Homebase kitchens are a good place to start. You can choose from a wide range of styles, including classic and sophisticated shakers, handleless units, ultra-practical high-gloss slabs, and luxurious timber shakers. Homebase kitchens are an excellent choice if you want to install the kitchen yourself or incorporate expert installers to do it for you. You can book a free consultation with designers, who will create bespoke 3D designs for your new kitchen in two hours.

You’ll get everything you need for a new kitchen at Homebase, including cabinetry, appliances, worktops, splashbacks, the latest accessories, lighting, flooring, taps, and sinks. Homebase kitchens come self-assembled and feature a 15-year quality guarantee for your peace of mind. Tailored quotes and flexible payment options can help you make your dream kitchen a reality regardless of your budget or lifestyle. You also get the best deals thanks to the price match guarantee, making Homebase a top recommendation among fitted kitchen companies in the UK.

How we chose the top fitted kitchen companies

Each of the fitted kitchen companies we’ve reviewed has been scored using our Reviews Standards matrix across multiple categories. The categories 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, complementary services, how many showrooms nationwide, and customer support available.