If you would like to view all the information guides in a particular category, please use the following links:
- Buying Guides for Kitchens
A compendium of articles to help you choose accessories and appliances to suit your solid wood kitchen. Includes popular guides such as 'Buying Small Appliances for Oak Kitchens' and 'Buying Cooker Hobs for Solid Oak Kitchens'.
- Cabinetry
In the ‘Cabinetry’ category you will find guidance on anything and everything to do with kitchen cabinets; these articles will contain product knowledge, history, information on specific timbers and cabinet construction. This section will be updated regularly so do keep an eye out for new guides.
- Customer Questions
These questions were sent in directly by our customers, and have been answered with assistance from our in-house kitchen experts. We will be posting a new question every week, so do check back for the answers to further popular queries.
- General
Handy hints about our services, product ranges, and much more. Our 'General' guides cover a wide range of topics, from a 'Pre-Drilling Service' article to a helpful run-down of the online ordering process entitled 'How to Order Solid Wood Kitchens'.
- Installation and Maintenance Tips
A library of guides that will aid the upkeep of your kitchen. Includes informative articles such as 'How to Clean Solid Oak Kitchen Cabinets' and 'Installing End Panels in Solid Oak Kitchens'.
- Kitchen Design Tips
A selection of guides that will prove both inspirational and informative when planning your kitchen. Features useful articles such as 'How to Create a Shaker Kitchen' and 'How to Create a Farmhouse Kitchen with Solid Oak Kitchen Cabinets'.
For a full list of the Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets information guides, please click here.
“Is there a charge for your pre-drilling service?”
Our question this week comes from Daf in Aberystwyth, who would like more information about the option to have holes drilled for fitting cabinet doors.
QUESTION:
“I will be updating my kitchen cabinets soon and I am unsure whether I want to drill the holes for the doors myself. I have heard that you offer a pre-drilling service, so will I have to budget a bit extra for this or is it included?”
ANSWER:
Hi Daf,
Thank you for getting in touch with us – new cabinets will transform the look of your kitchen, just in time for the longer, lighter days of spring. Cabinet doors are usually quite easy to drill and put in place, but mistakes can be made so it is worth considering our pre-drilling service.
Our cabinet doors arrive undrilled to make sure they are suitable for your plans, but we can pre-drill them to ensure they are in the right place for a small charge. Pre-drilling is available from just £4 for each drawer frontal and from £6 for our cabinet doors.
If you are looking to replace your cabinets entirely, you will be pleased to know that ours are sold pre-assembled as standard. Our BLUM soft-close hinges are included when you buy cabinets complete with doors, but buy separately and the hinges will need to be ordered too.
For more information, read our guide to our pre-drilling service, or the answer to a previous and related Question of the Week.
If you have not yet chosen the finish of your new doors, you may be interested in ordering a cabinet door sample, which will provide an accurate representation of the finished product.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have further questions.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“Do you provide a kitchen fitting service?”
This week we are in Portsmouth, where Shari would like to know more about the services we provide.
QUESTION:
“Do you provide a kitchen fitting service? I am ready to buy my new kitchen, but I have been unable to find information regarding this on the website.”
ANSWER:
Hi Shari,
Thank you for getting in touch – installing a kitchen can be a daunting task, so we are pleased to hear that you are thinking about this before you have yours delivered.
Currently, we do not provide a kitchen fitting service, but we do everything to ensure that our solid oak cabinets can be installed as easily as possible. All our cabinets are supplied fully assembled as standard, which means they can simply be secured into the correct space upon arrival. If you choose to fit the cabinets yourself, this will save time and make things simpler, and if you prefer to get the professionals in, this time saving service will equate to a saving in money.
We have a number of information guides that provide advice on fitting your own kitchen, so should you wish to do this yourself there is plenty of guidance on the website. We have also written about choosing the best kitchen fitter if you prefer to explore this route.
If you have any further questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“How easy is removing kitchen worktops without damaging my cabinets?”
Our customer question for this week has been sent in by Janet in Perthshire, who would like to know how easily she can replace her worktop and leave her cupboards in place.
QUESTION:
“My current worktop has water damage so I would like to update it, but I do not really want to have a whole new kitchen as the cabinets are in good shape. How easy is removing kitchen worktops without damaging the cabinets below?”
ANSWER:
Hi Janet,
Thank you for contacting us – we are pleased you have found us and are looking at purchasing one of our worktops to replace the water damaged one you currently have. Removing kitchen worktops is a relatively simple task, but you will need to take your time to make sure that your cabinets are not damaged. If you have a tiled splashback, it can be easy to crack or scratch a few tiles so you will need to bear this in mind too.
The worktop will probably be screwed into the top of the cabinets and appliances, so we recommend removing drawers or items to give you easy access. At this point it is good to check that your cabinets are in good condition throughout. Once all the screws have been taken out, you will need to very carefully cut the sealant between the worktop and the wall or tiles. After this, the worktop should simply lift off. There are faster ways to do this, but this method should ensure that you do not damage any other part of your kitchen in the process.
Our extensive work surface collection contains both laminate worktop and solid wood worktop options, so we are sure to have something to suit your kitchen. If you are replacing like-for-like, the measurements of your old worktop can be used for your replacement. Should you need any cut-outs or alterations, our sister company, Worktop Express has a cost-effective bespoke cutting service to help you get the right size for your kitchen.
Fitting the new surface should be a simple reversal of the removal process – you will need to reseal between the worktop and wall, splashback or tiles and fasten it to the cabinetry. We would recommend using slotted angle brackets for this.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, you are not too far from our Glasgow showroom should you wish to see a range of different worktops or speak to our team.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“Do you sell kitchen island cabinets?”
Our customer question for this week has been sent in from Swindon where Priya would like to know more about the different types of cabinet we have available.
QUESTION:
“I am planning my new kitchen and would like to know if you sell kitchen island cabinets? I have been unable to find them on the website.”
ANSWER:
Hi Priya,
Thank you for getting in touch – we are pleased to hear that you are purchasing your new kitchen from us. We do not sell cabinets that are solely for the use of creating kitchen islands but you can purchase everything you need to make an island from us.
Any of our solid oak cabinets can be used to create an island. Using plinths and end panels to ensure the cabinet legs and service gap at the back of the cabinet or cabinets are concealed, giving your island a neat finish.
Alternatively, we do have a kitchen island trolley if you are looking for something smaller. It is created in the same place as all of our kitchen cabinets, using the same high quality materials so you can be sure of a superior finish.
If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate in contacting us. Alternatively, you are not too far from our Gloucestershire showroom should you wish to visit us and speak with somebody in person.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“What is an RTA cabinet?”
Our customer question of the week has been sent in by Katrina in Rochdale, who is looking for some clarification of industry terms she has heard her kitchen fitter using.
QUESTION:
“I’ve heard my kitchen fitter talking about RTA cabinets but I’m not sure what they are. Are you able to shed some light and advise whether I should get them?”
ANSWER:
Hi Katrina,
Thank you for getting in touch – having a new kitchen fitted is a big decision to make so you need to make sure you pick the right cabinets and style for you.
RTA simply means ready-to-assemble, so it is essentially an industry term for flatpack. We offer all our kitchen units pre-built as standard to make it easier for our customers – we know that building furniture can be tricky and time consuming, so having pre-built units is often easier and more convenient. If you are having your kitchen fitted, it can also save you money as it removes the need to assemble cabinets, reducing the amount of time your fitter will need to spend.
That said, ready-to-assemble cabinets are a convenient option if you need to store them before fitting your new kitchen, especially when space is tight. If you require flat-packed units instead of assembled ones, we can arrange that for you – our sales team and showroom staff are on hand to help you get the perfect kitchen.
RTA cabinets cost the same as pre-assembled units and can be ordered across our whole range. You are close to our Derbyshire Showroom if you would like to visit us to make your purchase, and view our wide selection of cabinets and worktops before placing your order.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“Do you have any examples of country kitchen designs?”
Our customer question for this week has been sent in by Andy in Maidstone, who would like to know if we can build a kitchen that’s hard-wearing with a rustic style.
QUESTION:
“I am in the market for a new kitchen and both my partner and I love a traditional farmhouse style. We are not 100% sure what we are looking for, so do you have any examples of country kitchen designs we could use?”
ANSWER:
Hello Andy,
Thanks for getting in touch – a lovely rustic look can make the kitchen the heart of a home, and the style is currently enjoying a huge resurgence because it works in both modern and period homes. We love the simple, traditional appeal of these kitchens and worktops because it’ll be suitable for family life while continuing to look great.
We do not currently offer a kitchen planning service, but we do have everything you need to create a country design in the heart of your home. Our Shaker or Traditional cabinet doors both look equally as good in country kitchen designs and lacquered or painted in any of the shades in the Farrow & Ball collection. Creams and off-whites have long been the go-to choice for a country kitchen, but lighter blues and greens offer a more contemporary option.
A cooking space needs to be as practical as it is attractive, so we would recommend our solid oak worktops for a country look. These hard-wearing surfaces are a traditional selection for a country look, and they will suit any colour you decide to have the cabinets, walls and crockery. For something a little different, a cherry work surface with an auburn-red tinge will add warmth, or a sophisticated honey-coloured maple countertop – either will add the perfect finishing touch to a gorgeous country kitchen.
Our blogs and guides are a great place to look for inspiration – we have written a detailed guide on how to design a country kitchen and you may also find our country kitchen ideas and guide to vintage kitchen style useful. You are close to our Redhill showroom, so if you would like to visit us we have a selection of styles showcased, including traditional country looks.
If you have any more questions that we can help with, please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“Which handles would you recommend with white kitchen units?”
Our customer question for this week has been sent in by June in Salford, who is looking for a little advice on which handles to select for her new kitchen.
QUESTION:
“I will shortly be buying some white kitchen units from you but I would like to know which handles you would recommend using with them? I want a modern look and I am unsure how best to achieve this.”
ANSWER:
Hello June,
Thank you for getting in touch – we are pleased to hear that you will be purchasing a solid wood kitchen from us soon. Creating a modern kitchen featuring white cabinet doors will provide you with a bright, fresh space at the heart of your home.
There are a variety of options available for a modern kitchen and you may be best deciding on the material or finish you would like for your handles. Gold or copper tones have been particularly popular recently, but brushed or polished chrome options are often used in contemporary settings. White kitchen units or cabinet doors provide a great blank canvas which means they will work well with most different handle finishes.
Shape is another point to consider – door knobs are typically a more traditional choice but bow, bar or ‘D’ shaped handles are used frequently in contemporary designs. Inset handles are often used in modern settings as they create a sleek profile, and cup handles are popular in industrial kitchen settings.
Your choice will depend largely on which option you prefer, and which fits in best with the rest of your décor. We very recently wrote a guide to kitchen handle designs which may help you in making your choice.
Our kitchen showrooms have a variety of kitchen sets available to view, along with a full range of handles which may help you pick the perfect option for your home. If you have any further questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“Do you have kitchen cabinets for sale in your showrooms?”
Our first customer question for December has been sent in from Dunstable, where Lawrence would like to know more about our kitchen showrooms.
QUESTION:
“Do you have kitchen cabinets for sale in your showrooms that I would be able to take with me the day I purchase? I would like to visit your Harlow showroom and pick some cabinets up.”
ANSWER:
Hello Lawrence,
Thank you for getting in touch with us – we are pleased to hear you are so keen to get your hands on our solid oak kitchen cabinets! The kitchen cabinets for sale in our showrooms are unfortunately not available on the day of your purchase as we make everything to order and the majority of our showrooms do not have any storage facilities.
Whilst we are unable to accommodate your request, we are proud to be able to offer delivery of kitchen items within 15 working days of your order confirmation. We use our own transport fleet to accommodate deliveries, so we can be competitive on pricing whilst also ensuring that our cabinets are handled with the care we would expect, to prevent damage in transit.
The experienced team at our Harlow showroom will be able to place your order and arrange a convenient delivery date for you. Appointments are not necessary, but we would advise calling prior to your visit to ensure there is a member of staff available to discuss your requirements – you can give them a ring on 0345 22 22 990.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“Do you sell complete kitchens or just cabinets?”
This week, our customer question has been sent in by Judy in Stoke Newington. Judy would like to know more about the range of products we offer, as she is planning a new kitchen.
QUESTION:
“I am currently in the early planning stages and would like to know if you sell complete kitchens, or if you just have the cabinets available.”
ANSWER:
Hello Judy,
Thank you for getting in touch with us – it is good to have detailed plans in place when purchasing a new kitchen, so it is great that you are gathering as much information as possible now! Whilst our name, Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets, potentially suggests otherwise, we do sell all the items that you would need to create a complete kitchen.
One of the main benefits of purchasing from us is that all our cabinets come fully assembled as standard, making it much easier if you are looking to fit your kitchen yourself. If you are paying a fitter to do this for you, this will reduce the amount of time it will take them to fit your kitchen, which should also reduce the cost. It also makes it much easier to create a kitchen to suit your requirements, as we offer a huge selection of sizes and shapes to fit almost any space. Our worktops can be cut to size requirements if needed, and we also have a range of accessories along with taps, sinks and splashbacks. Currently, we do not have appliances available online but they can be purchased through any of our showrooms.
If there is anything specific you require that you are unable to find on our website, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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“Examples of ‘u’ shaped kitchen designs?”
This week, we have been sent a question by Lorraine in Wrexham. Lorraine would like to know how she can see examples of our kitchens, so she can better envision how our cabinets and worktops may look in her own home.
QUESTION:
“I am planning a remodel of my kitchen and wonder if you have any examples of ‘u’ shaped kitchen designs I would be able to see?”
ANSWER:
Hello Lorraine,
Thank you for getting in touch – a kitchen remodel can seem like a daunting task, but gathering inspiration to get a good idea of exactly what you want before you start planning is a great idea.
We have previously talked about the kitchen triangle and how important it is to consider when planning a new kitchen – this shape lends itself particularly well to being able to incorporate this principle easily, which is fantastic for you if this is the shape you are working with. Our kitchen gallery is a fantastic place to start if you are looking for ‘u’ shaped kitchen designs, as we feature a number of different styles and layouts here. You have not mentioned the size of your kitchen – it may be useful to look at some of our guides on kitchen island ideas or creating kitchen islands as this may be something you wish to incorporate.
If you would prefer, our Cheshire showroom is just over an hour away from Wrexham and has a number of styles and layouts on display – this could help you visualise your dream ‘u’ shaped kitchen design with ease!
We hope this has given you some suitable options to explore – if you have any further questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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