Undertaking a kitchen reno is no mean feat, but with some expert tips, the process can be made more manageable and the end result all the more impressive.
Whether you’re outsourcing the job or doing it yourself, there’s a lot to consider when planning a new kitchen.
From the initial plans to the finishing touches, every step involves important considerations and decisions.
Whether you’re gutting your entire kitchen, or just updating a few small things – these expert tips can help you nail it. Picture: Getty
How much should you spend? Should your kitchen be all-white or eclectic? And what material should you use for your all-important kitchen bench?
(Hot tip: not engineered stone, says WorkSafe Victoria, considering the myriad of health issues it can cause, including silicosis, and its recent nationwide ban.)
To help you navigate the process, Rebeka Morgan from BuildHer Collective provides some expert insight into mastering your kitchen renovation from start to finish.
Your first step is to decide how you want to carry out the project.
If you’re handy with a hammer or want to save money, you might opt to DIY.
But if you’re not keen on getting that hands-on, you may prefer to outsource to the professionals.
Knowing your approach won’t just help you plan out the project, but it will also help you establish your budget.
“If your values include a tight timeframe and minimal DIY, that will inform your budget and approach,” says Rebeka.
“Align your budget and values or reassess one of them if they don’t match.”
Rebeka says the next step is to determine exactly what you want to achieve: is it a light kitchen refresh or a total makeover?
Understanding the scope of work helps you allocate your resources effectively, plus it gives you a clear objective.
Before you even start your renovation, sit down and determine exactly where your money will go. Picture: Getty
But you also need to determine whether your budget can actually facilitate that objective.
“Once you’ve got a loose alignment between the budget and scope, you can go out and design and plan the kitchen. Align the scope and budget first, then plan accordingly,” she adds.
Rebeka stresses that trends will come and go and that designing a kitchen purely for resale value can compromise the end result.
Instead, she recommends going with what you love, because ultimately that will create a better living experience.
“Even white kitchens will date, so make it something you can embrace and enjoy,” she says.
“Your kitchen should reflect you, your values and your style. When someone visits, they should feel like it’s your kitchen. This will bring you joy and make the space purposeful for you and enjoyable for others.”
What kind of look are you hoping to achieve? If you’re unsure, a mood board with pictures of kitchens you love can help.
However, Rebeka advises there is such a thing as design overload.
“We recommend that people take three photos as their inspiration images, paring them down to three kitchens they would love to have – this provides a starting point that’s not overwhelming,” she says.
“From there, you can take design cues: do you want timber floorboards, light-coloured cabinets and stone benchtops? Or something bolder and more eclectic?”
The look is important, but given the kitchen is one of the most heavily utilised rooms in the house, Rebeka says functionality shouldn’t be underestimated.
Think about how you and your family operate, and use that as a guide for how you need your kitchen to function. Picture: Getty
In fact, this is one of the areas where she sees numerous problems once the kitchen is complete.
“Common issues include not allowing enough space between the back and the front (ideally 1 to 1.2 metres) and the flow: where is the fridge? Do double doors block movement? Can people move around you when the dishwasher is open?”
She says this is where understanding how you work in the kitchen is essential.
“Map out your movements and make everything as seamless as possible,” she says.
“Think about different spaces in the kitchen and map out what goes in each drawer and space.
“Planning where everything will go solves many issues and is often overlooked. It’s crucial for achieving a great end result.”
Selecting materials for your benches, cabinets, splashback and floors isn’t necessarily as simple as browsing your nearest home improvement store and picking the first option you like.
Different factors can determine which materials are best for your project, says Rebeka – including your cooking habits.
“When choosing materials, consider the look you want, your love for the material and affordability,” she says.
“And consider your cooking habits. If you cook with turmeric, for example, avoid porous stones and opt for porcelain or quartzite.”
One material that’s an absolute no-go is engineered stone, which contains high amounts of crystalline silica – a known cause of several health problems including silicosis, a serious lung disease.
While engineered stone isn’t a danger if already installed in your home, crystalline silica poses problems if the dust is inhaled during processing – which is the work done by a tradesperson during renovation or modifications.
There are many things to consider before choosing a bench top, so again, think about how you operate and use that as a guide. Picture: Getty
Engineered stone was once popular because it was durable and relatively affordable compared to expensive natural stones like marble and granite, but it was banned across Australia on 1 July to protect stonemason workers from the devastating effects of the deadly lung disease silicosis.
However, Rebeka says there are other alternatives that are just as impressive.
“There are silica-free options available, like natural stones and porcelains,” she says.
Once you’re actually ready to undertake the work, know that problems almost always crop up.
These can not only blow out your timeline, but your budget, too.
This is why it’s best to plan for setbacks ahead of time and allow for flexibility across your schedule and finances.
Rebeka says issues typically happen in the first stage of the installation process: getting rid of your existing fit-out.
“Unexpected costs often arise when removing the old kitchen – it will never be as simple as just putting a new one in,” she says.
“There will always be remediation work: walls might not be level, more time might be needed and services may need to be moved.”
There are also smaller details that can easily get overlooked.
“People often focus on benchtops and cabinets but forget about electricians, lights, switches and plasterwork,” Rebeka says.
“Understand the full scope of work and the trades involved. If you’re hiring a kitchen company, ensure they’ve included everything for a turnkey solution.”
Depending on whether you’re DIYing or hoping to completely outsource the job, your builder requirements will likely differ.
“If you’re heavily involved and purchasing all components, a one-man band might suit your budget,” says Rebeka.
“For a full-scale renovation with design and management, a higher-end kitchen company might be better.”
“Just ensure there’s a good fit between your expectations and the service provided.”
And it always pays to do your research into the builder you go for.
Consider your budget, timeframe and requirements before locking in a builder. Picture: Getty
Rebeka says that timeframes are a common hiccup with builders, but you can try and avoid the possibility of lengthy delays by looking into your builder’s track record.
“Being without a kitchen is taxing, so understand the builder’s timeframe and ask for references from recent clients,” she says.
“If they can’t provide that information, it might indicate issues.”
Not having a functional kitchen for several weeks or even months can be difficult, but Rebeka says keeping your end goal in mind will help you weather the challenges of undertaking a kitchen reno – as will a few cooking necessities.
“We actually don’t need a lot to cook,” she says.
“Get a barbecue – it’s pretty easy to set up if it’s summer outside.
“If it’s not, think of the end result. Appreciate the phase and how much better the kitchen will be once you’ve gone through it.”
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