Top Things to Consider When Renovating a Kitchen
When people start thinking about a kitchen renovation, it can feel overwhelming. There are so many decisions to make, from layout to finishes, and every choice affects how you'll actually live in and use the space. At Modern Kitchens Northside, we guide clients through the process every day, so here are some of the key things we always get you to think about.
1. Layout and How You Use the Space
The first thing is how the kitchen works for you day to day. Do you want to open it up to the living area? Do you need more bench space? Where are your main entry and exit points?
Megan often explains it like this: a U-shape kitchen can feel closed in if there's only one way in and out, especially if the fridge is on that point. Changing to an island can completely change the flow and make it feel more open.
Case Study: In Mango Hill, Ricky and Alison replaced their dated U-shape with a modern island, instantly opening up the kitchen and creating two entry points instead of one. View More
2. Storage Drawers vs Cupboards
This is a big one. A lot of older kitchens are full of cupboards, but drawers are so much more practical. You can fit up to 30% more in a drawer than in a cupboard, and you don't have to bend down and reach to the back. With drawers, everything pulls out to you, it's easier on your body and makes the space more usable.
Clever storage solutions also make a huge difference: pantry drawers, pull-outs for oils and spices, blind corner pullouts, or soft-close bin systems.
Case Study: In Samford, Chris and Jerry transformed their tired old kitchen by swapping cupboards for drawers, gaining more storage and making the space much easier to use every day. View More
3. Cabinetry and Finishes
Your choice of door finish can impact both the look and the budget.
- Laminate doors are durable, come in lots of colours and textures, and are cost-effective.
- 2-pac doors cost more but give you routed profiles like Hamptons or shaker style, and they can be colour-matched to anything in your home.
It's worth knowing that swapping 2-pac for laminate can save $3,000–$6,000, depending on your kitchen size.
Case Study: In Clear Mountain, Anna and William opted for Laminate cabinetry paired with Calcutta Oro stone. The result was a bright, glamorous kitchen that set the tone for their open-plan living space. View More
4. Benchtops
Benchtops are the workhorse of your kitchen and also a big design feature. Laminates are affordable and practical, while engineered stones like YDL Calcutta Combo or Sintered stone like SmartStone Calacutta Bianco are very popular for their durability and style.
If you want to create a real statement, consider a waterfall end, where the veining continues down the side of the bench. It's a detail that clients always love seeing finished.
Case Study: In Warner, Tanya chose a UV-stable Smartstone benchtop with a book-matched waterfall end. It not only looked elegant but also meant no risk of yellowing around her splashback window. View More
5. Lighting and Power Points
It's easy to get caught up in cabinetry and stone, but lighting and power are just as important. Under-cabinet LED strip lighting makes a huge difference to both practicality and atmosphere. And don't forget to plan enough power points in the right places, it saves headaches later.
Case Study: Tanya's Warner kitchen included LED strip lighting under her overheads, which brightened up her workspace and gave the kitchen a more inviting feel in the evenings. View More
6. Splashbacks
Tiles, glass, mirror, or stone, your splashback ties the whole kitchen together. In some projects, we've colour-matched glass splashbacks to feature walls, even adding gold flecks to tie in with the veining of the benchtop. A mirrored splashback is another smart option to bounce light around, especially if your kitchen doesn't get much natural light.
Case Study: In Clear Mountain, the glass splashback was colour-matched to a feature wall with gold flecks added, a subtle touch that tied in perfectly with their stone benchtop. View More
7. Budget and Priorities
Finally, be clear about your budget and where you want to invest. We often tell clients: it's about knowing which levers to pull. If you love the look of a high-end kitchen but want to save, you can do laminate doors instead of 2-pac, choose entry-level engineered stone, and stick to your existing layout. That way, you still get a beautiful, functional kitchen without blowing the budget.
Case Study: In Samford, Chris and Jerry kept their existing footprint to save money (because of their tiled floors), but invested in drawers throughout. The result was a kitchen that's fresher, brighter, and far easier to use day-to-day. View More
Renovating your kitchen is one of the biggest changes you can make in your home, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right planning, and the right team, you can create a kitchen that works beautifully for your lifestyle and adds real value to your home.
Thinking about a new kitchen?
We'd love to meet you. Book your free showroom consultation today and let's bring your vision to life. Book an appointment online now or contact the team on 07 3889 9054.
