DESIGN • MANUFACTURE • INSTALL
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DESIGN • MANUFACTURE • INSTALL
Start your Kitchen Design Journey today.
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Broadway Kitchens showroom
Why Visiting Our Broadway Kitchen Showroom is a Must in 2025
28th May 2025
Edwardian Kitchen with bunkered seating attached to island
Why You Deserve a Broadway Bespoke Kitchen
4th June 2025
Broadway Kitchens showroom
Why Visiting Our Broadway Kitchen Showroom is a Must in 2025
28th May 2025
Edwardian Kitchen with bunkered seating attached to island
Why You Deserve a Broadway Bespoke Kitchen
4th June 2025

With over four decades in the fitted kitchen industry, I’ve witnessed seismic shifts in how kitchens are made, sold, and valued by the public. One question I hear time and time again is: Is a German kitchen really worth the hype?

 

It’s a fair question, and one that deserves a fair answer. So, here’s my personal and, I’d like to think, experienced view on the matter.

German Kitchens: The Gold Standard… Once Upon a Time

Around 25 years ago, a German kitchen was widely regarded as the gold standard in kitchen design and manufacturing. Their reputation for precision engineering, flawless linear lines, and high-quality materials was well-earned. 

In contrast, British kitchens at the time left a lot to be desired. Many households will remember names like MFI and not always fondly. Cupboard doors sagged after only a few years, flimsy hardboard backs popped out of place, and chipboard plinths absorbed water like a sponge after a simple mop of the floor.

Meanwhile, German kitchen manufacturers were producing carcasses with superior materials, using innovative drawer systems that simply weren’t available in the UK. Their worktops mostly laminated at the time were consistent, robust, and produced to exacting standards. With better size flexibility and colour-matched end panels, German kitchens truly were in a class of their own.

The Rise of British Modern Bespoke Designer Kitchens

But here’s where things changed and where my own business, Broadway Kitchens, stepped in. Independent kitchen manufacturers like us started pushing back against the idea that only German or Italian kitchens could offer top-tier quality.

We made it our mission to source the same hinges, drawer systems, and high-grade materials that were once the exclusive domain of continental manufacturers. We invested in craftsmanship, personalised service, and above all – flexibility.

The biggest game-changer? Lead times. While German kitchens typically took 6 to 8 weeks to arrive in the UK, we could manufacture and install our bespoke kitchens in just 2 to 3 weeks. If there was ever a measuring error or a last-minute change, we could build a replacement cupboard the very same day and have it fitted by the next.

Try doing that with a German kitchen order – chances are, you’d be waiting another 4 to 6 weeks for the replacement unit to arrive.

Why British Bespoke Modern Kitchens Outshine the Rest

Fast forward to today, and I can say with confidence that British handmade kitchens – especially those made by reputable independent manufacturers – are now the superior choice.

Here’s why:

  • Personalised Design: Unlike the boxy, modular limitations of many German kitchens, British bespoke kitchens can be crafted with angular, curved and custom-shaped units to suit period homes, awkward layouts or statement designs.
  • More Options: We offer far more colour, style and size choices than many off-the-shelf German or Italian kitchen brands.
  • Local Flexibility: Mistakes happen. When they do, we’re here locally to fix them – not thousands of miles away.
  • Craftsmanship: Our kitchens are made by skilled British craftsmen, not mass-produced on an assembly line abroad.

Showroom Visits: A Must Before You Decide

No online photo, video, or catalogue can replace the value of a kitchen showroom visit. You need to see the workmanship, open the cupboards, feel the quality of the drawers, and speak to the designers face to face.

A showroom visit allows you to compare options, ask questions, and get a feel for how bespoke or limited a kitchen really is. Don’t just take a brochure’s word for it – test the kitchen in real life.

Final Thoughts – And Your Next Step

Yes, German kitchens once led the way. But today, British bespoke kitchens have not only caught up – they’ve often surpassed their European rivals in quality, personalisation and flexibility.

So, are German kitchens still worth the hype? That depends on what you value most. But in my experience, the best kitchen is the one made for you, not one made in a factory abroad.

Ready to Discover What a Truly Bespoke Kitchen Looks Like?

Visit our showroom and see the difference for yourself. Speak to our experienced designers, explore real handcrafted kitchens, and let us help you bring your vision to life.

 

Book your free showroom appointment today – because your dream kitchen deserves more than a catalogue.