Redoing your kitchen is a project that can seem intimidating... Plumbing, electricity, ergonomics, aesthetics, budget: everything intersects in one room. However, by following a few simple steps and avoiding certain pitfalls, you can transform a stressful construction site into an almost enjoyable experience. Here are the key steps to know for successfully completing your equipped kitchen project, from the initial measurements to the final installation.
The kitchen is no longer just the room where meals are prepared. It has become the heart of the home: we eat there, entertain guests, sometimes work there, and spend a good part of the day there. According to industry data, a kitchen is typically replaced every 10 to 12 years, with an average budget ranging from €8,000 to €15,000 in 2026, including installation and appliances.
This is therefore a significant investment that deserves some methodical planning. The good news? With a trusted kitchen designer and a few good practices, most unpleasant surprises can be avoided.
*Note: depending on the size of the room and the chosen range, the budget can rise up to €25,000 for a fully customized high-end kitchen.*
Before flipping through home decor magazines or falling in love with a sage green color, it's important to ask the right questions first:
How many people use the kitchen on a daily basis?Do we cook often, and with what type of equipment?Does the space need to accommodate a dining area?Are there any specific constraints (pets, remote work, young children)?
This analysis work may seem obvious... and yet, it's often the one we rush through the most. It determines the layout, the number of storage options, and even the heights of the countertops.
Note: Taking the time to record your habits for a week - where you cook, where you store things, what you lack - is a simple little exercise that can make a big difference during the design process.
In the French market, there are currently four main price ranges:
entry-level: between €3,000 and €5,000mid-range: between €6,000 and €10,000accessible premium: between €10,000 and €15,000high-end and custom-made: €15,000 and above
These ranges generally include design, furniture, appliances, delivery, and installation. But be careful, the catalog price is almost never the final price. Removing the old kitchen, plumbing, electricity, finishes, and carpentry can easily add 10 to 30% to the initial budget.
As a guideline, expect to allocate between 20 and 30% of the total price for delivery and installation. This means between €2,000 and €3,000 for a fitted kitchen priced at €10,000.
This is the step that changes everything. The choice of kitchen designer will determine the quality of the design, materials, project management, and after-sales service. Several options are available to you: large DIY stores, specialized kitchen brands, or independent craftsmen.
For a custom kitchen project, it is better to turn to a specialized brand with expert designers trained in layout and interior architecture. Kitchen designers like Cuisine Plus, present in France since 1984 with a network of nearly 60 stores, offer a wide selection of fitted kitchen models with precision design, customization of heights, widths, and depths of furniture, and several thousand color options to choose from. The appointment with an expert designer can be made in-store, via video conference, or directly at home - a free visit that helps avoid many measurement errors.
Note: In 2026, Cuisine Plus was awarded Customer Service of the Year in the "Home Improvement" category for the sixth consecutive year, which speaks volumes about their post-installation support.
Once the needs are defined and the kitchen designer is chosen, it's time for the design phase. Most brands now offer a realistic 3D plan, where you can visualize the layout, colors, materials, and circulation around the island.
This step takes time. Expect an average of 2 to 4 weeks, with several back-and-forths to refine the details: height of the hood, depth of the countertop, position of the dishwasher, type of door openings... It's better to validate everything before manufacturing, as last-minute changes can be costly.
Note: remember to respect the activity triangle (cooking area, washing area, storage area), an ergonomic rule that helps limit unnecessary movements between the fridge, sink, and cooktop.
Next comes the most enjoyable moment: choosing colors and materials. For 2026, trends lean towards natural shades - sage green, terracotta, sand, light wood - and matte finishes, which are better at resisting fingerprints.
In terms of materials, several options coexist:
melamine: economical, wide choice of decors, very durable on the surfacelaminate: more resistant to heat and scratchesmatte or glossy lacquer: elegant but more sensitive to scratchessolid wood: timeless, vibrant, requiring regular maintenance
Note: at Cuisine Plus, this freedom of choice is supported by an extensive catalog of colors, consisting of over 2,000 shades, with access to RAL and NCS color charts. A great solution for those looking for a specific color or wanting to harmonize the kitchen with the rest of the living area.
Once manufacturing is underway (allow 6 to 10 weeks depending on the complexity of the project), installation follows. A standard kitchen is installed in 2 to 4 days. The removal of the old kitchen and any plumbing or electrical work may add a few extra days.
Before the final signature, make sure to check:
the duration of the warranty on the furniture (10 years is a good benchmark)the warranty on hinges and slideswhether labor is included in the warrantythe terms of after-sales service
Note: "Factory-assembled" furniture is significantly sturdier than those assembled on-site, as the fittings are installed under controlled conditions. Some drawers are even tested to support up to 70 kg of load. This robustness is directly related to the manufacturing method. Cuisine Plus furniture is factory-assembled in controlled conditions, ensuring better durability over time and limiting the assembly play often observed in kitchens assembled on-site.
From the first meeting with the kitchen designer to the first simmered dish, expect an average of 10 to 16 weeks for a complete project. This timeline may seem long, but it is due to custom manufacturing and any additional work that may be required.
When well-prepared, a fitted kitchen should be able to serve its owners for at least a decade. This is the whole point of investing a little more in design and materials: it helps avoid starting over after five years.
"Equipped kitchen" refers to a kitchen sold with its furniture AND its appliances, unlike "fitted kitchen," which only includes the furniture.
"Custom-made" means that the furniture is specifically manufactured to the dimensions of the room, as opposed to flat-pack kitchens that rely on standard modules.
Finally, "design experts" are kitchen advisors trained in layout, decoration, and interior architecture techniques, who oversee the project from start to finish, from the initial measurement to the final delivery.
Author Loïc on 02 April 2025
Home and Garden : Kitchen
Author Audrey on 23 November 2022
Home and Garden : Garden