The kitchen is the room you use most. It is where the morning starts, dinner is made, and homework is done. And when the kitchen does not work — too little worktop space, poor lighting, worn units, a layout that does not suit daily life — the whole family feels it.
But what does it actually cost to do something about it?
Three levels — from update to complete renovation
Update (20,000–60,000 DKK) New doors and handles on existing units, new worktop, fresh paint. The appliances stay, the installations stay. It is surprising how much this changes — especially if the existing units are solid.
New kitchen, same location (80,000–150,000 DKK) New units, worktop, appliances and taps, but the kitchen’s position in the room stays the same. Plumbing and electrical only need minor adjustment. This is the most common solution.
Complete renovation with new layout (150,000–300,000+ DKK) The kitchen moves, walls are removed, installations are relocated. Perhaps the kitchen is opened up towards the living room, or an island is created. Here you pay for a completely new experience — but also for plumbing rerouting, electrical changes and possibly load-bearing structure work.
What do the individual elements cost?
Kitchen units (carcasses + doors): 25,000–100,000 DKK From IKEA level to bespoke joinery. Quality lies in the unit construction (chipboard vs. solid), hinges and drawer systems. Expensive drawers do more for daily life than expensive doors.
Worktop: 5,000–40,000 DKK Laminate (cheapest, durable, many designs), solid timber (beautiful, requires maintenance), composite/Silestone (hard-wearing, waterproof), natural stone (most expensive, unique). The worktop is what you touch and see most — it is worth choosing carefully.
Appliances: 15,000–50,000 DKK Dishwasher, oven, hob, extractor hood, possibly refrigerator. Energy class A or better saves electricity for decades. The extractor hood is the most important — it removes moisture and cooking smells and protects the kitchen against moisture damage.
Plumbing: 10,000–30,000 DKK New tap, dishwasher connection, possibly relocation of the sink. Moving the drain costs significantly more than keeping the sink where it is.
Electrical: 8,000–25,000 DKK New sockets, lighting, appliance connections. An induction hob often requires an upgrade of the consumer unit (additional 5,000–10,000 DKK).
Floors and walls: 10,000–30,000 DKK New floor in the kitchen (tiles, vinyl, timber), painting walls, possibly a splashback behind the hob and sink.
Labour (fitting): 20,000–60,000 DKK Demolition, fitting, plumbing, electrical and finishing. Some kitchen companies include fitting in the price, others do not — always ask.
What affects the price most?
Moving installations. Every time you move the sink, drain or gas point, the price rises significantly. If you can keep the installations where they are, you save 20,000–50,000 DKK.
Removing load-bearing walls. If you want to open the kitchen up towards the living room, an engineer must assess the structure and a steel beam may need to be inserted. This costs 15,000–40,000 DKK extra — and may require a building permit.
Quality level. The difference between a basic and a premium kitchen is primarily in materials (solid vs. laminate), hinges (soft-close vs. standard) and worktop (laminate vs. composite). Choose based on what you use most.
Timeline
A new kitchen in the same location typically takes 2–3 weeks:
- Demolition and preparation: 2–3 days
- Plumbing and electrical: 2–3 days
- Fitting units: 2–3 days
- Worktop, taps, appliances: 2–3 days
- Finishing, grouting, cleaning: 1–2 days
A complete renovation with new layout takes 4–8 weeks.
Remember: during those weeks you have no kitchen. Plan alternative cooking arrangements — it surprises many people how long it feels.
DIY: What can you do yourself?
You can do yourself: Demolish the old kitchen, paint walls and ceiling, fit shelving and accessories, lay floors (vinyl, click flooring). Some people also fit IKEA kitchens themselves — this requires patience and precise measuring.
You cannot do yourself: Plumbing connections, electrical work (mains), fitting that requires a guarantee.
DIY saving potential: 15,000–40,000 DKK — but only if you have the tools, time and experience.
The kitchen as part of a larger renovation
If you are renovating the kitchen, it is worth considering whether other measures can be combined. Many choose to renovate the bathroom at the same time — this gives economies of scale on plumbing and electrical, and you only have one period of construction disruption instead of two.
If you live in a flat, you should be aware of the homeowners’ association’s rules. Some associations require approval for plumbing changes, and there may be shared soil stacks that limit the options. Read more in our guide to flat renovation.
When is the best time to renovate?
Tradespeople typically have the shortest waiting lists from November to February. If you order the kitchen well in advance and plan installation for the winter months, you can often get an earlier start and better prices. Avoid spring, when the waiting lists are longest.
Some kitchen companies run promotions in January and August — this can save 10–15% on the kitchen units themselves.
Mistakes that cost dearly
The most expensive mistakes in a kitchen renovation are rarely the material choices — they are in the planning:
- Incorrect measurements can mean units do not fit, the worktop needs adjustment, or appliances cannot stand where they should. Measure at least twice — or let the kitchen company do it.
- Insufficient ventilation leads to moisture and cooking smells that settle into materials and spread through the rest of the home. A good extractor hood with outside ducting is worth prioritising.
- Too few sockets is a classic. Plan for the coffee machine, toasters and kitchen appliances in daily life — not for the empty worktop in the catalogue.
Sources: V&S Prisdata, Bolius kitchen guide.