In Spain, the average price of a designer kitchen typically falls into three clear tiers: budget projects around €8,000, mid-range solutions usually between €12,000–€16,000, and designer/premium kitchens starting at about €20,000 and rising with extras. As a rule of thumb, budgets tend to split into cabinetry (~50%), appliances (~25%), and worktop/countertop (~25%). Timelines I usually see on projects are design 1–2 weeks, manufacturing 4–6 weeks, and installation 1 week; if there’s a full renovation (electrics, plumbing, flooring, partitions), add 3–4 more weeks. In my experience, the very same kitchen can cost €10,000 or €20,000 depending on hardware quality, door thickness, appliance integration, and worktop choice—these are the price multipliers that matter most.
What “designer kitchen” really means (and why it costs more)
A “designer” kitchen isn’t just looks: it often implies true made-to-measure (up to the ceiling), clean lines (handleless/gola or integrated pulls), panelled/integrated appliances, a high-performance worktop, well-planned lighting (LED strips, interior lighting), and quality finishes.
- Custom fit: pricier due to precision and full space usage, but you gain storage.
- To the ceiling: more units, doors, and hardware → higher cost (and a sleeker look).
- Integration: panelling the fridge/dishwasher increases the ticket noticeably.
- Lighting/electrics: tracks, profiles, extra sockets, and rerouting all add up.
In my case, I’ve seen door thickness and soft-close hardware impact budgets more than people expect: moving from basic 16 mm to 22–28 mm with premium hinges shows in feel, durability… and price.
Price ranges by size and layout
Size and layout set the floor for your budget:
- Single run, 10–12 m²: from €8,000–€12,000 with sensible finishes and no full integration.
- L-shape (10–12 m²): €10,000–€14,000; you add corners, more worktop and cabinetry.
- U-shape (12–14 m²): €12,000–€18,000 due to longer worktop runs and more units.
- With island (12–15 m²): €15,000–€22,000; the island adds worktop, double-sided storage, electrics and, if it has hob/sink, extra works.
Practical differences
- Islands are budget magnets; great for function and presence, but require services and clear walkways.
- Full height: +15–25% vs. standard height because of extra fronts and sides.
- Appliance paneling: budget +30–40% for that line if you integrate everything.
When I’ve built a 12 m² kitchen with an island, the final figure has hovered around €20,000 with a robust worktop and integrated appliances—mainly due to double-sided cabinetry and floor services.
Cost breakdown: cabinetry, appliances, and worktop
Cabinetry (~50%)
- Laminate/melamine: €6,000–€7,000 in 10–12 m² with standard solutions.
- Lacquered: around €10,000 for cabinetry alone in that footprint.
- Solid wood/veneer: can add +30–50% depending on species and door type.
I’ve handled kitchens where the same design jumped from €10,000 to €20,000 just by upgrading to automatic hardware, high-capacity drawers, and premium fronts.
Appliances (~25%)
- Sensible set (hob, oven, hood, fridge, dishwasher): €3,000–€5,000.
- High-end with paneling: €5,000–€9,000 (more if you add specialty ovens, wine coolers, etc.).
Straight talk: paneling and “smart” features push costs up—only get them if you’ll actually use them.
Worktop / Countertop (~25%)
- Laminate: economical, stylish options, sensitive to heat/cuts → €300–€600 per lm.
- Quartz: balanced value/performance → €400–€800 per lm depending on thickness and edge.
- Granite/Marble: natural, needs sealing → €500–€1,000 per lm depending on the slab.
- Porcelain/Sintered stone: very robust, precision cutting → €700–€1,200 per lm.
If you have room in the budget, invest in the worktop: in my experience, it’s the daily-use component you’ll appreciate most.
Compared examples: €8,000 vs €15,000 vs €20,000+
€8,000 (budget, 10 m² single run)
- Laminate/melamine cabinetry, standard hardware, no paneling, laminate or entry-level quartz worktop, functional appliances (A–B), minimal building work.
€15,000 (mid-range, 10–12 m² L-shape)
- Next-gen laminate or partial lacquer, high-capacity drawers, mid-tier quartz or granite, balanced appliances (A–C), integrated lighting, some works (extra sockets, painting).
€20,000+ (designer/premium, 12–15 m² with island)
- Made-to-measure to the ceiling, premium soft-close hardware with organisers, porcelain or high-end natural stone worktop, full appliance paneling and/or smart features, coordinated renovation (flooring, plumbing, electrics).
Materials and finishes that move the price
Laminate/melamine vs lacquer vs wood
- Laminate/melamine: great value for money, huge catalogues.
- Lacquer: superior look and colour continuity; more delicate to knocks.
- Natural wood: unique feel and presence; higher maintenance and cost.
In my projects, next-gen laminate around €7,000 versus lacquer around €10,000 for cabinetry in 10–12 m² is a realistic difference I often see.
Worktops: quick pros and cons
- Laminate: affordable, lots of looks; mind cuts/heat.
- Quartz (e.g., Silestone): uniform, easy to clean; dislikes direct heat.
- Granite/Marble: natural and unique; needs sealing and care.
- Porcelain/Sintered: tough against cuts/heat; precision machining adds cost.
If you cook a lot, porcelain or granite perform brilliantly; for a seamless, uniform aesthetic, quartz is still a safe bet.
Appliances: integration, paneling and “smart” (when it pays off)
- Paneling unifies the look, but costs more (extra fronts, hinges, adjustments).
- Smart features (app control, guided-recipe ovens, sensor hobs) are great if you’ll truly use them.
- Prioritise energy efficiency on fridge/dishwasher (clear impact on bills).
I usually propose two layers: a functional base (must-haves) and “nice-to-haves”. If the budget’s tight, skip full paneling before downgrading hardware.
Labour and real-world timelines
- Design: 1–2 weeks if you arrive with a clear brief.
- Manufacturing: 4–6 weeks typical for made-to-measure cabinetry.
- Installation: 1 week (fine adjustments dictate pace).
- Full renovation: +3–4 weeks (electrics, plumbing, flooring, partitions).
Plan meticulously: when I reuse cabinetry or flooring, installation is cleaner, and click vinyl over existing floors has given me notable savings without demolition.
Modular or fully custom? Pros, limits, and price
- Modular: fast, budget-friendly, easy spares; less millimetre-perfect.
- Custom: maximises storage, “architectural” look; higher cost and lead time.
- Hybrid: standard modules with custom fillers to close up to the ceiling or around columns → solid cost/outcome balance.
How to save without losing design (high-impact choices)
- Reuse what’s sound: fronts or cabinet boxes in good condition can be repainted; put that money into the worktop or hardware.
- Smart splash zone: skim and use washable enamel paint; cover only the working splash with the worktop material or glass.
- Flooring: if it’s fine, keep it; if not, click vinyl over the existing floor for a clean, budget-friendly job.
- Standardise: avoid odd sizes; every special part triggers costs.
- Appliances: buy for real usage; panelling everything looks great, but it’s pricey.
From real jobs I’ve managed, up-front planning and a detailed budget are the most important levers to save without sacrificing design.
Quick mini-calculator
Base formula:
Price ≈ (Base cost per m²) × (kitchen m²) + Extras
- Base cost per m² (guide):
- Budget: €700–€900/m²
- Mid-range: €1,000–€1,300/m²
- Designer/Premium: €1,400–€1,800/m²
Common extras
- Operational island (with hob/sink): +€2,000–€3,500
- Full appliance paneling: +€1,200–€2,500
- Interior lighting/LED profiles: +€300–€800
- Full height to ceiling: +15–25% on cabinetry
- Premium hardware/organisers: +€600–€1,500
Quick table: base price per m² (clear reference)
| Profile | Indicative €/m² | Included (base) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 700–900 | Laminated cabinets, laminate countertop or basic quartz, standard appliances (not paneled), basic installation. |
| Mid-range | 1,000–1,300 | NG laminate or partial lacquer cabinetry, high-load drawers, mid-grade quartz/granite countertop, basic lighting. |
| Design/Premium | 1,400–1,800 | Custom cabinetry up to the ceiling, premium hardware, interior organizers, porcelain/natural stone countertop. |
Note: Add extras where relevant: operational island, full appliance paneling, going full height if not included, interior lighting/LED profiles, automatic hardware, layout changes, etc.
Worktop table (pros/cons and guide price)
| Material | Pros & cautions | €/linear m approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | Affordable, wide variety (note: sensitive to heat and cuts). | 300–600 |
| Quartz | Easy to clean, uniform look (note: avoid direct heat). | 400–800 |
| Granite/Marble | Natural stone, unique piece (note: needs sealing/maintenance). | 500–1,000 |
| Porcelain/Sintered | Very hard; withstands heat and cuts (note: costly machining). | 700–1,200 |
FAQs
What’s the average price of a 10–12 m² designer kitchen?
Typically €12,000–€16,000, though it can dip toward €8,000 with lean choices or climb to €20,000+ with an island, full paneling, and top worktops.
Which line eats the most budget?
Cabinetry (~50%), then appliances (~25%) and worktop (~25%). Premium hardware and high-end worktops can shift this balance.
How can I influence price without losing design?
Reuse cabinetry/floors, paint the splash zone, standardise module sizes, and prioritise hardware/worktop before panelling everything.
Does a good kitchen renovation increase property value?
In my experience, I’ve seen notable value uplifts when the kitchen integrates well with the living area; not a universal figure, but it can be decisive for buyers.
Conclusion + budget checklist
If you’re chasing the average price of a designer kitchen, think in three tiers (€8k / €12–16k / €20k+) and focus on the multipliers that matter: cabinet finishes, worktop, and the degree of appliance integration. Define usage, keep dimensions standard where possible, and decide where to invest (worktop and hardware) vs where to save (full paneling, “smart” frills). With a detailed budget and careful planning, you can get a very polished result without blowing the range.
Detailed checklist (what each point means)
- Measurements & layout: confirm wall lengths/heights/depths and choose single run, L, U, or island; this sets the cost frame.
- Split by line (50/25/25): cap cabinetry, appliances, and worktop so one line doesn’t swallow the rest.
- Worktop by usage: pick material by how you cook and the care it needs; e.g., porcelain for heavy use, quartz for easy uniform looks.
- Hardware & door thickness: choose level (standard vs premium soft-close) and front thickness; both affect price, feel, and durability.
- Appliance paneling: decide what to integrate (fridge, dishwasher, microwave/oven); it’s aesthetic but increases costs and lead times.
- Works & timing plan: note electrics, plumbing, flooring; set design/manufacture/install dates to coordinate trades.
- Planned savings: list what you’ll reuse (cabinetry, flooring), where you’ll paint instead of tile, and which nice-to-haves you’ll drop if the total creeps up.
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