By, Looeeze Grossman, Founder and CEO of The Used Kitchen Company
Why Millennials Are Choosing Used and Ex-Display Kitchens Over Brand New
It used to be the norm that if your new home had an old or out-of-date kitchen, you would head to a showroom and replace it – often at considerable expense. However, this approach is falling out of favour with millennials, who are reshaping the market with their dual commitment, looking to not only be mindful of their budget but also to reduce their environmental impact. Opting for a used or ex-display kitchen enables them to achieve the aesthetic and functionality they desire without the price tag. This is a conscious rejection of the throwaway culture, proving that sustainability and style needn’t be mutually exclusive when creating their dream kitchen.
A Generation Rethinking the Heart of the Home
With house prices remaining high, renovation budgets are increasingly under pressure. Whilst a brand new kitchen might be out of budget for a lot of renovators, a used or ex-display option, which can be up to 70% off RRP, delivers the best of both worlds, offering an affordable designer kitchen that fits into a minimal budget.
One of the advantages of choosing an ex-display kitchen is that it can be added to. You might pick up a run of units with appliances, then choose to buy a matching island to complete the layout as finances allow. Used kitchens are equally attractive, especially if it is a designer brand or a timeless bespoke painted kitchen. proving that a beautiful kitchen needn’t demand a premium budget.
Sustainability: The Dealbreaker for Millennial Kitchens
Around 5 million tonnes of renovation waste from the UK construction industry end up in landfill every year. It’s no surprise that millennials are rethinking their approach to home improvement. Rather than discarding perfectly usable materials, this generation is embracing upcycling, repainting, and retrofitting as viable alternatives to wasteful replacement cycles. Choosing a used kitchen addresses both problems at once. They can sell their old kitchen, keeping it out of landfills, and bring in a kitchen that fits their style. It’s a simple swap that contributes to a growing circular economy where materials remain in productive use rather than being prematurely discarded. Homeowners are eager to reduce their carbon footprint and stretch their budgets, and used and ex-display kitchens are an ideal solution, offering both sustainability and affordability
The Rise of the Timeless Kitchen
Instead of the high-gloss, ultra-modern finishes that have dominated kitchen design for years, Millennials are gravitating towards traditional, characterful styles, in particular painted kitchens, which are having a surge in popularity. They offer a softer, more classic look and, crucially, they have a more practical advantage, as they can be repainted or completely transformed with new colours as personal tastes change or design trends shift. Their adaptability makes them far more sustainable and cost-effective than gloss or laminate finished kitchens, which offer little room for reinvention.
Purposely Chosen Kitchens: Mixing Old, New and Ex-Display
More homeowners are choosing kitchens in a way that feels genuinely tailored to how they live, and that often means combining elements rather than committing to a single style or finish.
This approach often involves mixing and matching furniture from different sources rather than purchasing a complete, coordinated kitchen from a single retailer. A homeowner might combine an ex-display run of units with open shelving they’ve already got, or combine vintage finds with modern appliances to achieve a more eclectic look. This method allows for greater flexibility in both budget and design, investing more heavily in areas that matter most to their lifestyle, such as a professional-grade cooker or expansive worktops, whilst economising elsewhere. The result is a kitchen that feels authentic and can be created over time rather than installed in a single expensive transaction, creating a space that truly works for them.
Looking Ahead: Kitchens with Personality, Longevity and a Lighter Footprint
As millennial homeowners continue to influence the market, it’s clear this shift isn’t a passing phase. The appetite for kitchens with personality, longevity and a lighter footprint is only getting stronger. Rather than creating a perfectly finished room from day one, they’re shaping spaces that develop with them and hold on to a bit of history along the way. For consumers, it’s permission to create homes that feel lived in rather than showroom safe. If anything, the future of the kitchen looks less factory-fresh and far more human.
