'Kitchens in Germany: Where to Buy, How Much They Cost, and How to Avoid

Buying a kitchen in Germany often becomes an unexpected expense for those who have just moved or are switching apartments. In German housing, the kitchen isn’t always included in the rent: sometimes the unit is rented out empty, sometimes you have to buy the built-in kitchen from the previous tenant, and sometimes the cabinets are there, but the appliances or the condition are no longer suitable.

The main risk is starting to choose a kitchen without a budget, measurements, or an understanding of what’s included in the price. Two projects that look similar on the surface can differ significantly in cost due to appliances, cabinet fronts, countertops, hardware, delivery, assembly, and installation.

What to Check Before Going to the Store

It’s best to gather basic information before your first conversation with a consultant. This saves time and reduces the likelihood of costly mistakes.

• Exact room dimensions: wall lengths, ceiling height, and distances to windows, doors, and radiators.
• The location of water supply, drain, electrical outlets, the range hood, and a potential connection for the stove.
• Landlord restrictions: Can you drill into the walls, change the connections, or remove the old kitchen?
• Do you need appliances: a refrigerator, oven, cooktop, dishwasher, and range hood?
• Who is responsible for delivery, carrying the items upstairs, assembly, and connecting the water and electrical systems?
• Set a separate maximum budget for furniture, appliances, and installation.

If a kitchen is already installed in the apartment and the previous tenant offers to sell it to you, compare the price not to the original cost, but to its actual condition: age, quality of the cabinet fronts, how well the appliances work, signs of moisture damage, the condition of the countertop, and whether the modules can be disassembled or modified.

Where to Buy a Kitchen in Germany

Discount retailers and budget furniture chains

Roller and similar stores are a good option when you need to furnish a rental apartment quickly and as affordably as possible. There, you can find simple modular solutions without the need for complex custom planning.

Pros:

• a low price barrier to entry;
• simple ready-made sets;
• Basic delivery or pickup is often included;
• This solution is suitable as a temporary option.

Cons:

• The materials and hardware are usually simpler than those in mid-range and high-end kitchens;
• Less flexibility in terms of dimensions and interior layout;
• If you assemble the kitchen yourself, you may easily run into a shortage of small parts or find that the pieces don’t fit together properly;
• Service life depends heavily on usage and how carefully the appliances are maintained.

This option makes sense if the apartment is temporary, the budget is limited, and the main goal is to start cooking at home without a long wait.

IKEA: Modular Kitchens for DIY Planning

IKEA remains a popular option for renters and families who need a straightforward modular system. You can design a kitchen using the online planner, then review the design with a consultant and order delivery, assembly, or individual services.

An induction cooktop is practically invisible—an interesting solution

IKEA’s strengths:

• It’s convenient to plan a kitchen online;
• a wide variety of standard modules, cabinet fronts, and internal storage systems;
• It’s easier to buy additional items or replace individual elements;
• There are separate warranties for kitchen products, but the duration and terms depend on the specific product line;
• Clear instructions for those who are ready to do some of the work themselves.

Important things to keep in mind:

• Standard sizes don’t always fit perfectly in older German apartments;
• It’s worth comparing appliances at MediaMarkt, Saturn, home improvement stores, and online retailers;
• It’s sometimes more cost-effective to order the countertop separately, but in that case, precise measurements are especially important;
• It’s best to leave the installation of water lines, dishwashers, and electrical systems to professionals if you lack experience;
• The availability of parts in stock affects the timeline: a missing cabinet door or cabinet body can delay the entire project.

Buying a kitchen at IKEA is the best option for an immigrant

Large furniture stores

Höffner, XXXLutz, Segmüller, and other large chains are a good fit for those who want a custom design, more options for cabinet fronts and materials, and are willing to discuss delivery, installation, and finishing touches with a single contractor.

At these stores, a consultant typically designs a layout based on the room’s dimensions and selects cabinets, countertops, appliances, and hardware. This is convenient, but it makes it harder to compare offers: the final price depends on dozens of items that aren’t always obvious in an advertisement.

Pros:

• a wide selection of materials, colors, and storage systems;
• The design can be tailored more precisely to the space;
• Delivery and installation are often included in a package deal or arranged at the same time;
• More options for a kitchen designed to last.

Cons:

• Waiting for the order can take weeks or months;
• An advertised discount doesn’t always mean an actual reduction in the final price;
• Measurement, delivery, or installation errors are possible even with expensive projects;
• It’s best to document support and defect repairs in writing.

When there’s limited space for a kitchen, you have to combine the dining table with the cooking area

Kitchen Design Studios

A custom kitchen design studio is an option for your own apartment or house, where the kitchen is planned to last for many years. Here, there is a greater focus on custom design, non-standard dimensions, high-end materials, built-in appliances, and complex installation.

This approach is justified if a precise fit, durability, appearance, and convenience for everyday use are important. For a temporary rental, it’s usually too expensive and impractical.

Pros:

• a design tailored to the specific space and the family’s habits;
• a wide selection of materials, countertops, hardware, and appliances;
• professional measurements and installation;
• You can tackle complex challenges: kitchen islands, non-standard corners, hidden storage, and built-in appliances.

Cons:

• high final cost;
• Long design and delivery lead times;
• It’s harder to compare quotes from different design studios;
• Any changes made after the design has been approved can be costly.

How Much Does a Kitchen Cost in Germany?

There is no one-size-fits-all price. In 2026, it makes more sense to base your decision not on a single “average kitchen,” but on your specific purchase scenario:

Scenario	What’s Usually Included	Comment
Temporary Solution	simple modules, minimal appliances, pickup or basic delivery	suitable for a rental apartment and a limited budget
Modular kitchen	cabinets, cabinet fronts, countertop, basic appliances, partial assembly	it’s important to calculate delivery, installation, and hookup costs separately
Custom Design	measurements, design, furniture, appliances, delivery, installation	the final cost depends on materials, hardware, and the complexity of the space
Premium Kitchen	expensive cabinet fronts, stone, an island, built-in appliances, custom solutions	the price is determined by the design, not the kitchen’s square footage

The following factors have the greatest impact on the cost:

• cabinet fronts: film, melamine, laminate, lacquer, veneer, solid wood;
• Countertops: particleboard, laminate, wood, composite, stone, ceramic;
• Appliances: brand, energy efficiency, built-in or freestanding;
• hardware: soft-close hinges, pull-out systems, corner mechanisms, carousels;
• Services: measurements, delivery, unloading, assembly, cutouts for the sink and stove, and hookup;
• Layout: A straight-line layout is usually cheaper than an L-shaped kitchen, an island, or non-standard corners.

You need to compare not only the total cost but also the specifications. If one quote includes assembly, installation, and appliances, while another includes only cabinets and cabinet fronts, these are not the same kitchens.

How to Interpret Discounts and Promotions

Kitchen stores often advertise big discounts, bonuses, coupons, and “end-of-the-week-only” promotions. It’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of such offers.

Check the following before signing the order:

• This is a direct discount or a voucher for your next purchase;
• Does the promotion apply to appliances, countertops, delivery, and installation?
• Can the discount be combined with other offers?
• When to use a coupon;
• What was the price before the sale, and is there a complete specification?
• What happens if part of the order is delayed or changes?

If the salesperson only shows you the final total without a breakdown, ask for a detailed itemized list. This is especially important for kitchens: an expensive corner unit, pull-out system, or appliance can significantly increase the budget without you realizing it.

Delivery and Assembly Times

Ready-made or off-the-shelf modular kitchens are the quickest to install. Custom designs and non-standard cabinet fronts take more time. At popular stores, wait times can vary depending on the season, availability of parts, installers’ schedules, and appliance deliveries.

Practical steps to take:

1. Take measurements and photos of the space.
2. Make a list of essential appliances and desired options.
3. Get at least two or three quotes with full specifications.
4. Compare what’s included in the price: delivery, carrying up, assembly, installation, and removal of packaging.
5. Clarify the timeline for each individual item, not just for the kitchen as a whole.
6. Put your agreements in writing.

Common Mistakes When Buying a Kitchen

• Ordering a design without precise measurements and a wiring diagram.
• Forgetting about the cost of delivery, hoisting, and assembly.
• Buying appliances separately without checking the installation dimensions.
• Planning the placement of a refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher without considering ventilation and door openings.
• Not checking the countertop height and the convenience of the upper cabinets.
• Leaving an inaccessible corner without a storage system.
• Signing a contract under pressure with a “last day of the sale” discount.
• Not clarifying who is responsible for connecting the water and electrical systems.

The Kitchen as Part of a German Home

In Germany, a kitchen is often viewed not simply as a set of cabinets, but as a key component of a home’s quality. Open floor plans are popular in new apartments, where the kitchen area is combined with the living room. Therefore, buyers often opt for sleek cabinet fronts, a quiet range hood, built-in appliances, and an island, if space allows.

The electric stove is positioned in the center of the room

But for a renter, the main criterion is different: the kitchen must fit the length of your stay. If you plan to move in a year or two, an expensive custom design will rarely pay for itself. If you own the home, the quality of materials, storage convenience, and the reliability of the installation are more important.

A Quick Checklist Before Ordering

• You have the exact room dimensions and photos of all the utility connections.
• It’s important to clarify whether the kitchen remains in the apartment when you move out and whether it can be sold to the next tenant.
• The quote lists furniture, appliances, countertops, delivery, assembly, and installation separately.
• Delivery dates have been confirmed for key items.
• The warranty and return policies are clear for every store and brand.
• Promotions and discounts are described in writing; there are no verbal promises.
• Make sure to include a budget buffer for minor adjustments, electrical outlets, drain traps, hoses, cutouts, and fasteners.