Custom kitchen – how much does it cost and what determines the price?
A kitchen's value isn't determined solely by what you see. Its design, technology, and commitment to the final result are just as important.
Custom-made kitchen – the price of such a project isn’t determined solely by the dimensions of the cabinetry or the material visible on the cabinet fronts. It results from many decisions that must come together to form a single, precise system: from the construction of the cabinet bodies and the surface finishes, through the hardware, the number of drawers, and the storage organization, to the countertop, lighting, installation, and appliance configuration. That is why two kitchens with similar dimensions can differ in price by tens of thousands—and in the high-end segment, even by hundreds of thousands—of zlotys.
The photo shows the design, color, and interplay of materials. It does not show the quality of the finish, the protection on the back of the cabinet front, the grade of the drawer slides, the precision of the drilling, or how the wiring is routed. It is precisely these elements that determine how the kitchen will perform after five, ten, or fifteen years. In custom projects, therefore, the price is the result of a comprehensive specification and the contractor’s commitment to quality—not simply a rate per meter.
What is the price of a custom kitchen?
The term “custom kitchen price” is often reduced to a price per linear meter. While this conversion rate can help structure very early discussions, it does not reflect the actual scope of the project. One meter may include a simple cabinet with a shelf, or it may include three drawers, storage compartments, a lift mechanism, and lighting integrated into the cabinet body. While the length remains the same, the number of components, manufacturing steps, and installation hours increases significantly.
Public market surveys from 2025–2026 indicate prices ranging from approximately 12,000 to 35,000 PLN for simpler 4–6 mb units and from 45,000 to 80,000 PLN or more for kitchens with an island and premium materials. These figures illustrate the breadth of the market but do not serve as a reliable benchmark for high-end projects, which incorporate custom details, stone or sintered materials, advanced mechanisms, and top-of-the-line appliances in addition to the cabinetry.
Why Do Similar Kitchens Cost Different Amounts?
The biggest difference is usually what you don’t see. With the DIVANI standard, the frames are made from 18-mm-thick panels; the components are pre-drilled, doweled, and machine-screwed together, and the edges are protected with ABS edging using waterproof adhesive. This craftsmanship also extends to parts that the user doesn’t see on a daily basis. This creates a stable, well-organized foundation for the cabinet fronts, countertops, and mechanisms.
Manufacturing tolerances are also important. Custom-built furniture crafted with precision allows for a design that responds to the actual interior architecture, rather than forcing the room to conform to off-the-shelf modules. However, this requires measurement, documentation, production oversight, and careful installation. The price of a custom kitchen therefore also includes the process that minimizes unforeseen issues at the end of the project.
Materials, Workmanship, and Functionality
Fronts: The material is just the beginning
Lacquered fronts may look similar, even though they are manufactured to completely different standards. What matters is the surface preparation, the primer system, the quality of the lacquer, the number of coats, and the curing conditions. At DIVANI, the lacquer covers the entire front: the exterior, the interior, and the edges. Veneered fronts are also finished on both sides. This more comprehensive protection enhances the durability of the piece and ensures a consistent finish even when the furniture is opened.
The difference can be compared to a manicure: an identical color says nothing about the base coat, top coat, or the durability of the entire system. In the automotive world, two black paints look similar in the showroom, but it’s only the primer, clear coat, and curing method that reveal their quality after many washes and winters. Furniture paint works the same way. The shade alone is not a measure of quality.
The design may also call for fronts made of steel, glass, sintered material, stone, wood, or a combination of several materials. Each of these options affects the weight, mounting method, edge finishing, and interaction with the hardware. This is an architectural detail, not simply a matter of replacing one finish with another.
Hardware, drawers, and storage systems
Hardware determines how smoothly a kitchen operates. At DIVANI, we use Blum systems—including TANDEMBOX antaro and LEGRABOX—as well as hinges selected based on the weight and shape of the cabinet front. We tailor the strength of the drawer slides individually to the drawer’s function and what will be stored inside. A drawer for lightweight accessories requires a different load capacity than a wide drawer for plates, pots, or pantry items. In such cases, we use sturdier solutions to ensure the cabinet operates smoothly, stably, and quietly even under daily, full load. It’s about the comfort the customer experiences for years to come, not just on the day of installation.
The number of drawers affects the cost much more than the number of shelves. Each drawer requires slides, side panels, a bottom, fasteners, adjustments, and precise assembly. The same applies to cargo units, tall pantries, corner systems, and interior organizers. A well-designed kitchen doesn’t pile on mechanisms just for show. It uses them where they streamline movement and align with the users’ lifestyle.
Countertop, lighting, and custom elements
Laminate countertops, quartz conglomerate, granite, mineral composite, and sintered stone require different measurement, transportation, and installation methods. The price also includes cutouts, joints, edge banding, drip edges, installation of an undermount sink, and edge finishing. Public market data from 2025 indicated prices of approximately 150–350 PLN/running meter for laminate countertops and 1,000–2,800 PLN/running meter for stone, quartz conglomerate, and composites, even before factoring in more complex fabrication.
Lighting can also serve as an accessory or an integral part of a piece of furniture’s design. In the DIVANI standard, LED strips are housed in an aluminum profile, the light is diffused, and the wires are routed through milled or drilled channels. Motion sensors, gesture control, and lighting scenes can be incorporated into the design. Curved elements, grooved surfaces, tall fronts, hidden passageways, or lift-up islands, however, require a custom structural design.
Kitchen Appliances as Part of Kitchen Design
In premium kitchen design, appliances are not simply a shopping list added after the project is finalized. Their dimensions, ventilation, opening mechanisms, connections, and design elements influence the cabinetry from the very first decisions. That is why premium appliances should be configured in parallel with the cabinetry. DIVANI integrates Gaggenau, Miele, Bora, Liebherr, Sub-Zero, and Wolf systems within the context of the entire interior and the users’ needs.
The price range of appliances explains why the total kitchen budget can rise so rapidly. In DIVANI’s current lineup, individual Miele steam ovens cost around 22,000–29,000 PLN. A comprehensive package including refrigeration, a vented cooktop, ovens, a coffee machine, a dishwasher, and a wine cooler can therefore exceed the cost of the cabinetry alone. This does not mean an excess of technology. It means a cohesive configuration of functions that must be accounted for in both the design and installation.
Realistic price range for high-end projects
For effective planning, it’s a good idea to separate cabinetry from the technology. A custom kitchen with clean, simple lines, built to a high standard, may require a budget of approximately 45,000–80,000 PLN for cabinetry, a basic or mid-range countertop, and installation. A spacious family kitchen with tall cabinets, wood veneer, a larger number of drawers, and a stone countertop often falls within the 80,000–150,000 PLN range. A large-scale project featuring an island, unique materials, and custom-made elements can exceed 150,000–300,000 PLN.
Home appliances should be added to these figures. A premium configuration can cost approximately 50,000–120,000 PLN, while a complete high-end system with advanced refrigeration, steam cooking, countertop ventilation, a coffee machine, and a wine cooler can cost 150,000–400,000 PLN or more. These are approximate planning ranges for the residential segment; they are not DIVANI’s official price list. Each quote is prepared following an analysis of the design, technology, and installation site.
DIVANI Projects: Value You Can't See in a Photo
The "Apartment in Wola " project clearly demonstrates why a similar visual effect does not necessarily mean a similar standard of workmanship. In the kitchen, we used matte, lacquered cabinet fronts with an additional coating that minimizes the visibility of fingerprints. The photo shows the color, proportions, and how they complement the copper-toned details. What isn’t visible, however, is the surface technology that makes everyday use easier and helps the cabinet fronts retain their clean, uniform appearance for longer.
It is precisely these decisions that affect the final cost: how the front is prepared and protected, the quality of the coating system used, and any additional protective layers. They remain discreet, yet the customer feels their importance every day. It’s also worth examining kitchen projects in terms of solutions that aren’t immediately visible in the photos. You can find out more about our approach to design and production on the custom kitchens page.
The kitchen as part of a larger project
A high-end kitchen is not the right choice for someone looking for the lowest price or who wants to limit their options to a few catalog choices. It’s ideal for clients who view the kitchen as an integral part of their home’s architecture and expect durability, a well-organized process, and accountability for the final result. These projects are typically carried out in tandem with the entire interior design, in collaboration with an architect, and require consistency in woodwork, stone, lighting, and technology.
For an architect, it is essential to be able to work with a partner who understands the documentation, can develop construction details, and identifies conflicts early enough. A good contractor does not replace the project designer. They safeguard the designer’s intent during production and installation, while also taking responsibility for technical feasibility. This model of collaboration allows for a smoother execution of a demanding project, since decisions regarding materials, the configuration of household appliances, and logistics do not operate as separate, random streams.
What to Watch Out for When Comparing Offers
A comparison makes sense only if both offers describe the same standard. You should check the material and finish on both sides of the cabinet fronts, the manufacturer and the thickness of the cabinet panels, the type of edge protection, the specific hardware models, the number of drawers and systems, the material and finish of the countertop, the lighting options, as well as delivery, unloading, assembly, and adjustment.
Equally important is accountability for the interfaces between trades. Who coordinates the appliances, ventilation, electrical systems, masonry, and carpentry? Who verifies the shop drawings and installation tolerances? In high-budget projects, the smooth running of the process doesn’t stem from the absence of difficult decisions. It stems from the fact that one party is able to organize them and see them through to completion.
the value hidden in the consequence
Custom-made kitchen—the premium price tag is the result of many interrelated decisions. The cabinet fronts must work in harmony with the hardware, the hardware with the cabinet body, the countertop with the plumbing and electrical systems, and the technology with the daily rhythm of the home. Cutting corners on a single element can affect the performance of the entire system, which is why the best designs prioritize not only aesthetics but also durability.
At DIVANI, the design marks the beginning of the process. The greatest value is created through production, the integration of technology, and seeing the project through to completion. For a private client, this means predictability. For an architect, it means a partner who understands the project’s intent and can translate it into materials, details, and installation. That is precisely why a similar design does not necessarily mean a similar price. The value of a kitchen is determined by how it was conceived, crafted, and integrated into the entire interior.
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