Kitchen Renovation

Is $10,000 Enough to Renovate a Kitchen in NZ? (What About $20,000?)

Quick answer: $10,000 won’t cover a full kitchen renovation in New Zealand — but it can fund a surprisingly effective cosmetic refresh. For a proper renovation with new cabinets, benchtops, and appliances, you’ll need at least $15,000–$25,000. In Auckland, most mid-range kitchen renovations land between $30,000 and $50,000.

It’s one of the most Googled renovation questions in New Zealand, and the answer isn’t what most people want to hear.

Ten grand sounds like real money. And it is. But in the world of kitchen renovations — where cabinets alone can eat $5,000–$15,000 and a plumber charges $120–$150 an hour in Auckland — it doesn’t stretch as far as you’d think. A cosmetic kitchen refresh (new paint, handles, tap, and maybe a splashback) can come in under $10,000. A full renovation? That’s a different story.

We’ve had this conversation with hundreds of Auckland homeowners at our Wairau Valley showroom. Someone walks in with a $10,000 budget, expecting new cabinets and stone benchtops. We’d rather be upfront about what’s realistic than let you burn through your savings on half a job.

This guide breaks down three budget tiers — $10,000, $20,000, and $30,000+ — so you can see exactly what each one delivers. No fluff. Just real numbers from real Auckland projects.

What $10,000 Actually Gets You in a Kitchen Renovation

Let’s be direct. $10,000 is not enough for a full kitchen renovation in New Zealand. New cabinets, benchtop, appliances, flooring, a plumber, an electrician, and a builder? That runs $15,000 minimum for a small kitchen on basic materials with zero layout changes. In Auckland, $20,000 is more realistic.

But $10,000 can do a lot if you know where to spend it.

The $10,000 Cosmetic Refresh — Item by Item

A cosmetic refresh keeps the existing layout, keeps the existing cabinets (or most of them), and focuses on the surfaces and finishes that make the biggest visual impact. Here’s a realistic Auckland breakdown:

On the lean end — painting cabinets yourself, fitting your own handles, and keeping the splashback simple — you can land under $6,000. Get a professional spray-coat and a decent laminate benchtop from Laminex, and you’re closer to $8,000–$10,000.

Designer Kitchen By Superior Renovations

💡 Quick tip: The single biggest visual change you can make under $10,000 is professionally painting or spray-coating your existing cabinets. A dated pine or melamine kitchen from the 1990s can look genuinely modern with a matte charcoal or white spray finish — and it costs a fraction of new cabinetry.

What a $10,000 Budget Cannot Do

There are hard limits at this price point. $10,000 won’t cover new cabinetry, new appliances, or any layout changes. Specifically:

You won’t be replacing cabinets. Even flat-pack cabinets from Mitre 10 for a standard kitchen run $3,000–$7,000 — and that’s before installation, benchtop, and trades. Add a plumber, electrician, and builder, and you’ve already blown past $10,000 before buying a single appliance.

You won’t be moving the sink, the oven, or the dishwasher. Relocating plumbing in an Auckland home adds $2,000–$10,000 to the job. Moving electrical adds more. At this budget, everything stays where it is.

You also won’t be replacing appliances — not as part of the renovation, anyway. If your oven is on its last legs, that’s a separate purchase. A decent oven and cooktop package runs $2,000–$5,000 from brands like Fisher & Paykel, Bosch, or Westinghouse.

“A $10,000 refresh works best when the bones of the kitchen are still solid — structurally sound cabinets, decent layout, no plumbing issues. We’re changing the skin, not the skeleton. That’s where the value sits at this price.”
— Alison Yu, Designer, Superior Renovations

When a $10,000 Refresh Makes Sense

This budget suits a few specific scenarios. If you’re preparing a house for sale and the kitchen is dated but functional, a cosmetic refresh offers the best return without overcapitalising. A $10,000 refresh on a $700,000 home in Hillsborough or Henderson is smart money — a $40,000 renovation on the same property probably isn’t.

It also works if you’re renovating a rental property, doing a quick pre-tenancy spruce-up, or staging a phase-one upgrade before a larger renovation down the line.

Where it doesn’t make sense: if the cabinets are water-damaged, the layout is genuinely broken, or you’re dealing with an older Auckland home where the plumbing needs replacing anyway. In that case, spending $10,000 on cosmetics is putting lipstick on a problem.

What $20,000 Gets You — The Entry Point for a Real Kitchen Renovation

$20,000 is the realistic starting point for a genuine kitchen renovation in New Zealand — new cabinets, new benchtop, and basic new appliances, provided you keep the existing layout. In Auckland, you’ll need to be disciplined about materials and smart about where you save.

At this budget, you’re no longer just refreshing surfaces. You’re stripping out the old kitchen and installing something new. But the rules are strict: no layout changes, no structural work, no premium materials.

The $20,000 Kitchen — What’s Included

Notice the range. At the lean end — a small galley kitchen in a Papakura townhouse, flat-pack cabinets, basic appliances — you might squeeze in under $15,000. A standard kitchen in a three-bedroom Massey home with better materials? Closer to $22,000–$25,000. In Auckland specifically, $20,000 is the entry point for a basic full renovation — not a generous one.

We completed a small kitchen renovation in Greenlane for around $22,000 — smart storage, neutral tones, laminate benchtop, and a tight layout that didn’t need any plumbing changes. It came up well. But the homeowner was realistic about what that budget delivered: clean, modern, and functional — not magazine-feature material.

💡 Quick tip: The single biggest cost-saver at this budget level is keeping the existing layout. The moment you move a sink or oven, you’re adding $2,000–$10,000 in plumbing and electrical work — and that’s budget you can’t afford to lose when you’re working with $20,000.

Where to Save (and Where Not To)

Save on cabinets. Flat-pack from Mitre 10 or Bunnings is genuinely good now — melamine or acrylic panel doors in white or neutral tones look sharp and hold up well. The difference between a $5,000 flat-pack kitchen and a $15,000 custom job is quality and longevity, but at this budget, flat-pack is the right call.

Save on benchtops. Laminate has come a long way. The Laminex range includes stone-look and timber-look finishes that are genuinely convincing. At $170–$300 per square metre, it’s a fraction of engineered stone ($500–$800/m²).

Don’t save on trades. In New Zealand, all plumbing and electrical work must be done by licensed professionals — that’s the law, per building.govt.nz. Cutting corners here to save $1,000 can cost you $5,000+ in rework, plus your insurance may not cover unlicensed work. Auckland Council is strict on this.

Don’t save on the rangehood. It sounds minor, but a cheap recirculating rangehood in an Auckland kitchen — where humidity is already an issue — leads to moisture damage, peeling paint, and mould behind cabinets. Spend the extra $200–$400 on a ducted model if at all possible.

“I always tell clients at the $20,000 mark — pick two things to do really well and accept basic everywhere else. If the benchtop and handles are beautiful, the whole kitchen lifts. If you try to upgrade everything, you end up with a kitchen where nothing quite feels right.”
— Cici Zou, Designer (NZ Dip. Interior Design), Superior Renovations

The $20,000 Trap: When It’s Not Enough

Here’s where homeowners get caught. They budget $20,000, start the renovation, and discover the framing behind the old cabinets is damp. Or the electrician finds wiring that doesn’t meet current standards. Or the floor underneath is uneven and needs levelling before new vinyl goes down.

Older Auckland homes — especially 1970s–80s brick-and-tile in suburbs like Mt Roskill, Mangere, and Manurewa — are particularly prone to hidden surprises. Pre-1940s villas in Grey Lynn or Ponsonby can throw up issues too: outdated plumbing, single-skin walls, asbestos in textured ceilings.

The standard advice is to add a 10–15% contingency to your budget. On $20,000, that’s $2,000–$3,000 set aside for the unexpected. If nothing goes wrong, you keep it. If something does, you’re not scrambling for a personal loan mid-build.

Important note: If your Auckland home was built before 2000, consider budgeting for a pre-renovation inspection ($500–$1,000). It can flag asbestos, outdated wiring, or hidden moisture before you commit to a build — and potentially save you thousands.

Want to see how your specific kitchen stacks up? Try our free kitchen renovation cost calculator — it gives you a tailored estimate based on your kitchen size, materials, and scope.

The Real Cost of a Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation in Auckland

So if $10,000 gets you a refresh and $20,000 gets you a basic renovation, what does a proper mid-range kitchen renovation actually cost?

In Auckland in 2026, a mid-range kitchen renovation — custom cabinets, stone or engineered benchtops, good appliances, minor layout tweaks — runs between $30,000 and $50,000 + GST. The national average sits lower, around $28,000–$35,000, but Auckland’s labour rates ($120–$150/hour) and material demand push costs 10–20% higher than the rest of the country.

That figure comes from completed projects, not guesswork. We’ve renovated kitchens across Auckland from Avondale ($95,000 for a large modern build) to Greenlane ($22,000 for a compact refresh) — and the most common spend for a standard three-bedroom home lands between $30,000 and $45,000.

What You Get at $30,000–$50,000

This is the budget where a kitchen starts to feel designed, not just assembled. At this level, you’re typically getting:

This is the sweet spot for most Auckland homeowners. You’re getting a kitchen that looks and functions well, uses materials that’ll last 15–20 years, and is built by professionals who handle everything from design to handover. It’s also the tier where renovation companies like us add the most value — managing the build, coordinating trades, and catching problems before they become expensive.

For inspiration on what this budget delivers in practice, have a look at our kitchen design gallery — it includes projects at various price points from across Auckland.

Why the Jump from $20,000 to $30,000 Is Worth It

The gap between a $20,000 kitchen and a $30,000 kitchen is bigger than the numbers suggest.

At $20,000, you’re typically assembling flat-pack cabinets, accepting laminate surfaces, and coordinating trades yourself. At $30,000+, you’re getting custom cabinetry built to your exact dimensions, professional design input, a project manager keeping everything on track, and materials that genuinely last.

A well-renovated kitchen can recoup 50–80% of its cost in added property value — and mid-range renovations tend to deliver the best return without overcapitalising. For a $1 million home in a suburb like Meadowbank or Westmere, a $35,000–$45,000 kitchen renovation is well within the 5–10% of property value guideline that most property experts recommend.

We work with our in-house design team to make sure every dollar in a mid-range budget pulls its weight. Dorothy Li, our Design Manager, will tell you that 80% of the impact in a kitchen comes from the cabinets and benchtop — get those right, and the rest follows.

💡 Quick tip: If you’re torn between a $20,000 DIY-managed renovation and a $30,000 professionally managed one, consider the time cost. Managing trades, ordering materials, and troubleshooting problems yourself can take 40–80 hours of your time. If you value your time at even $50/hour, the “saving” disappears fast.

How to Decide Which Budget Is Right for You

Here’s a simple framework we use with our clients:

The honest answer? Most Auckland homeowners who come to us end up in the $30,000–$45,000 range. That’s where the balance between cost, quality, and longevity sits. If you’ve only got $10,000–$20,000 right now, a cosmetic refresh or phased approach might make more sense than trying to stretch a tight budget across a full renovation.

Smart Strategies for Stretching a Tight Kitchen Budget

If you’re working with $10,000 or $20,000 and determined to make the most of it, here are the strategies that actually work — not the generic “shop around” advice you’ll find everywhere else.

Phase Your Renovation

The smartest move for a tight budget is staging the work over two phases. Phase one (now): cosmetic refresh for $8,000–$10,000 — spray-coat the cabinets, new benchtop, new handles, fresh splashback. Phase two (12–18 months later): replace appliances, upgrade lighting, add better storage solutions.

This way, you get an immediate visual transformation and spread the cost over time. We’ve seen homeowners in Takapuna and Albany do this effectively — phase one makes the kitchen liveable and attractive, phase two finishes the job when the budget allows.

Do the Right Things Yourself (and Nothing Else)

DIY saves money only on the tasks where your mistakes won’t cost more to fix than the professional would have charged. Safe DIY territory: painting walls, installing handles, removing old splashback tiles (carefully), and laying vinyl plank flooring if you’ve done it before.

Leave the plumbing, electrical, and cabinet installation to licensed professionals. In New Zealand, unlicensed plumbing and electrical work is illegal — and in Auckland, the council takes compliance seriously. A botched plumbing job can void your insurance and create moisture problems that cost far more than the $800 you saved.

Buy Smart, Not Cheap

There’s a difference. Cheap is a $1,200 rangehood that breaks in 18 months. Smart is buying a mid-range Fisher & Paykel model during a seasonal sale at Bunnings or Noel Leeming and saving 20–30% without sacrificing quality.

Watch for end-of-line appliance sales, ex-display kitchen packages from Mitre 10, and clearance benchtop offcuts from suppliers. The Tile Depot often has run-out stock at significant discounts — perfect for a splashback when you’re not fussy about having this season’s trend tile.

Consider Finance to Bridge the Gap

If you’ve got $20,000 saved but the kitchen really needs a $30,000 renovation, stretching the budget with finance can make sense — provided the terms work for you. We’ve partnered with Q Mastercard to offer 18 months interest-free on renovation projects. That means the difference between a $20,000 basic job and a $30,000 mid-range result could be as little as $550 a month interest-free.

Not everyone wants to take on debt for a kitchen, and that’s fair. But if the alternative is spending $20,000 on a kitchen you’re not happy with — and then spending another $20,000 to redo it in five years — the maths works out better doing it once, properly.

💡 Quick tip: Before committing to any budget, get a free quote from a renovation company. The number in your head and the number on the quote are often different — sometimes higher, sometimes lower. We offer free in-home consultations specifically so you can make decisions based on real figures, not guesswork.

The Bottom Line on Budget Kitchen Renovations in New Zealand

$10,000 is not enough for a kitchen renovation. It is enough for a kitchen transformation — if you focus on the right things and accept the limits of a cosmetic refresh.

$20,000 gets you into genuine renovation territory: new cabinets, benchtop, and appliances in a small-to-medium kitchen with no layout changes. It’s tight in Auckland, but doable.

$30,000–$50,000 is where most Auckland homeowners end up — and where the value proposition is strongest. You get professional design, quality materials, managed trades, and a result that lasts 15–20 years.

The worst thing you can do is start a renovation you can’t finish. If $10,000 is your budget right now, do a smart cosmetic refresh and plan phase two for later. If $20,000 is your ceiling, be disciplined about keeping the layout and choosing materials wisely. And if you can stretch to $30,000+, you’ll get a kitchen that genuinely changes how you live in your home.

Whatever your budget, we’re happy to talk it through. No pressure, no obligation — just straight answers about what your money will deliver.

➡ Book your free in-home consultation with Superior Renovations
➡ Get an instant kitchen renovation cost estimate with our free calculator
➡ Request a free feasibility report for your project

Further Resources for your kitchen renovation

1. Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
2. Real client stories from Auckland

Need more information?

Take advantage of our FREE Complete Home Renovation Guide (48 pages), whether you’re already renovating or in the process of deciding to renovate, it’s not an easy process, this guide which includes a free 100+ point check list – will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Download Free Renovation Guide (PDF)

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How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in NZ in 2026?

Quick answer: A mid-range kitchen renovation in New Zealand costs between $26,000 and $35,000 + GST in 2026. In Auckland, that figure runs 10–20% higher — expect $30,000–$50,000 for a 10–12m² kitchen with custom cabinets, stone benchtops, and quality appliances. Basic refreshes start from $15,000; luxury custom builds reach $138,000+.

Construction costs across New Zealand are climbing again. The Cotality Cordell Construction Cost Index for Q1 2026 recorded a 1.0% quarterly increase — the strongest in two and a half years — with annual growth hitting 3.0%. Structural timber is up 5.2%, cladding 5.0%, and concrete 4.5%. For Auckland homeowners thinking about a kitchen renovation, the message is straightforward: prices aren’t dropping, and the sector is getting busier.

That doesn’t mean you need to rush. But it does mean the numbers in this guide are real, current, and based on completed Auckland projects — not estimates pulled from a national average that doesn’t reflect what happens on the ground in Grey Lynn, Henderson, or Remuera.

We’ve renovated kitchens across Auckland since 2017. A compact Greenlane kitchen for $22,000. A rustic Stanmore Bay build at $85,000. A full modern overhaul in Avondale for $95,000. The range is wide because every kitchen is different — size, layout, materials, and whether you’re touching the plumbing all shift the final number significantly.

This guide breaks down every cost component: cabinets, benchtops, flooring, splashbacks, appliances, labour, consents, and design fees. We’ve included real per-square-metre figures, Auckland-specific pricing, and actual project examples so you can see what your budget will deliver — not what a brochure promises.

If you want a quick ballpark before reading further, try our Kitchen Renovation Cost Calculator — takes under 60 seconds.

1. Average Kitchen Renovation Cost in NZ in 2026

The average cost of a kitchen renovation in New Zealand sits at approximately $28,908 + GST — but that figure hides more than it reveals. It blends basic cabinet refreshes with full custom rebuilds, small galley kitchens with open-plan entertainer’s spaces. What matters is where your project sits on the spectrum.

Kitchen Renovation Cost Snapshot: 2026

Why is Auckland more expensive? Two reasons. Labour rates run $120–$150/hour here versus $80–$120 elsewhere in NZ. And Auckland Council consent processing, when required, adds both cost ($2,500–$6,500) and time (1–5 months) that homeowners in smaller centres often avoid.

💡 Quick tip: Your reason for renovating shapes the right budget. Renovating to sell? Stick to mid-range materials with broad appeal. Renovating to stay? Spend on quality products that will hold up and remain enjoyable for years — not just look good in listing photos.

Auckland vs Regional NZ: What the Same Kitchen Costs

The same 10m² kitchen with custom cabinets and a stone benchtop:

Setting a budget without accounting for your location is one of the most common planning mistakes Auckland homeowners make. A quote from a Christchurch-based website won’t reflect what you’ll pay in Ponsonby or Albany.

2. What Drives Kitchen Renovation Costs in NZ

Understanding where the money actually goes is the first step to controlling it. On a typical kitchen renovation budget of $28,908 + GST, here’s how the spend breaks down:

Budget Breakdown by Category

Costs are approximate and exclude GST. Prices run higher in Auckland.

The Five Biggest Cost Levers

Cabinetry takes 28% of the budget — it’s the single biggest line item and the one with the widest price range. Pre-made cabinets from a supplier like Mitre 10 or Bunnings run $3,000–$7,000. Custom joinery in solid timber or matte lacquer finishes from a manufacturer like Little Giant Interiors starts from $10,000 and can reach $20,000+ for a full kitchen.

Layout changes are the second biggest variable. Keeping the existing plumbing and electrical positions saves $2,000–$10,000. That’s not a small number. In older Auckland homes — the 1920s villas in Mt Eden, the 1960s brick-and-tile in Papatoetoe — opening up walls or relocating a sink often means dealing with outdated wiring, galvanised pipes, or framing that needs attention once exposed. The plumber doesn’t just move a pipe; they fix what they find behind the wall.

Benchtop material creates a dramatic cost difference on a relatively small surface area. Laminate runs $200–$500 per square metre. Engineered stone or granite runs $500–$1,200/m². On a 3m² benchtop, that’s the difference between $600 and $3,600. Both look good. One lasts longer.

Appliances swing from $2,000 for a basic oven, hob, and rangehood package to $20,000+ for integrated smart appliances. Most Auckland homeowners land somewhere in the $5,000–$10,000 range for a quality mid-range set.

Labour rates in Auckland sit at $120–$150/hour. A full renovation typically requires 50–100 hours across multiple trades — that’s $4,000–$15,000 in labour before materials are factored in.

“The biggest budget blowouts we see aren’t from expensive taste — they’re from homeowners who didn’t plan their layout decisions properly upfront. Moving a sink two metres in a Remuera villa can cost more than the benchtop itself.”
— Alison Yu, Designer, Superior Renovations

💡 Quick tip: If your budget is tight, keep the existing layout and spend the savings on better materials. A kitchen with quality benchtops and smart storage in the same footprint will outperform a cheap kitchen in a new layout every time.

3. Kitchen Renovation Cost per Square Metre in NZ

Per-square-metre pricing gives you the quickest way to ballpark your renovation cost against your kitchen’s actual size. Auckland homeowners spend an average of $2,300 per square metre on kitchen renovations in 2026, but that figure shifts with scope — from $1,533/m² for a basic refresh to $4,167/m² for a high-end custom build.

Cost per Square Metre by Tier

Costs exclude GST and vary by region — Auckland runs higher due to labour rates.

What Pushes the Per-Square-Metre Cost Up

Minor updates — a new splashback, fresh paint, retained layout — sit around $1,500/m². Full demolition and custom rebuild pushes toward $3,000–$4,000/m². The biggest variable within the per-metre figure is materials: laminate benchtops at $200/m² versus engineered stone at $800–$1,200/m², vinyl flooring at $50/m² versus hardwood at $200/m², pre-made cabinetry at $300/m² of kitchen space versus custom at $800/m²+.

Keeping the existing layout saves $200–$500/m² on plumbing and electrical alone. Adding an island or relocating a sink adds $300–$1,000/m².

Location matters too. Auckland runs $2,500–$4,000/m² due to higher labour and material transport. Regional Canterbury sits at $1,800–$3,000/m².

💡 Quick tip: Industry guidance suggests spending 5–15% of your property’s value on the kitchen. For a $1,000,000 Auckland home, that’s $50,000–$150,000. For a $500,000 home, $25,000–$75,000. Stay within this range and you’re unlikely to overcapitalise.

4. Basic, Mid-Range, and Luxury Kitchen Renovation Costs

Most Auckland homeowners don’t fit neatly into one tier. The more common approach is mixing — mid-range cabinetry with a luxury benchtop, or basic flooring with a properly specified appliance package. That flexibility is how you get the most out of a kitchen renovation budget without locking yourself into a formula that doesn’t fit.

Here’s what each level actually delivers.

Basic Kitchen Renovation: $16,560–$28,980 + GST

For small upgrades or budget-conscious homeowners who need a functional improvement without a full overhaul. No layout changes — keeps plumbing and electrical costs minimal. Restoring or repainting existing cabinet doors ($500–$1,500), new pre-made cabinets for small kitchens ($3,000–$7,000), laminate benchtops ($200–$500/m²), laminate or vinyl flooring ($50–$100/m²), and basic lighting repairs ($200–$500). DIY-friendly — managing trades directly saves 10–15%.

Best for: Rentals, quick updates before selling, first-time renovators on a tight budget.

Basic kitchen renovation in Hillsborough, Auckland

Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation: $32,000–$88,320 + GST

The most common outcome for NZ homeowners — balances style, functionality, and value without overcapitalising. Layout changes possible (adding an island: $5,000–$10,000). Custom-made cabinetry with painted finishes ($8,000–$15,000), built-in bins, pull-out drawers, custom pantry ($2,000–$5,000), engineered stone benchtops ($500–$1,200/m²), tiled flooring ($100–$200/m²), designer splashback ($500–$2,000), quality appliances ($5,000–$10,000), smart features like app-controlled lighting ($1,000–$3,000). All trades and project management included.

Best for: Growing families, homeowners upgrading for comfort and long-term resale value.

Mid-range kitchen renovation in West Harbour, Auckland

Luxury Kitchen Renovation: Up to $173,880 + GST

Premium finishes, high-end technology, and fully custom design. Extensive layout changes — open-plan designs, relocated plumbing ($10,000–$20,000). High-end custom cabinetry with magic corners and built-in bins ($15,000–$30,000+). Marble, timber, or designer tiled flooring ($200–$400/m²). Premium benchtops — marble, high-grade quartz ($1,000–$2,000/m²). Premium appliances — double ovens, smart fridges ($15,000–$30,000). LED strips, statement pendants ($2,000–$5,000). Smart kitchen technology ($2,000–$5,000). Custom pantry with pull-out drawers ($5,000–$10,000). Full project management and all trades included.

Best for: High-value properties in suburbs like Remuera, Herne Bay, or Epsom — or homeowners planning a long-term stay.

Mixing Tiers for the Right Result

In practice, this might look like repainting existing cabinets ($500–$1,500) and upgrading to engineered stone benchtops ($3,000–$6,000). Or a mid-range overall renovation with smart appliances added ($5,000–$10,000) as the one premium element. Or a basic refresh that splurges specifically on a custom pantry ($2,000–$5,000) — the most-used storage area in most kitchens.

This kind of targeted spending is how you get a result that works for your family without blowing the budget in ways that won’t deliver obvious value.

“Matte finishes and smart lighting are the two trends dominating Auckland kitchens right now, but always pair them with durable, easy-clean surfaces — particularly in Auckland’s humidity. It’s what keeps a renovation practical and good-looking five years down the track.”
— Dorothy Li, Design Manager, Superior Renovations

5. How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Small Kitchen in NZ?

For a small kitchen — typically under 10m² — renovation costs range from $10,520 to $27,600 + GST in 2026. Don’t assume small means cheap. A compact kitchen with limited storage that needs smart reconfiguration can end up costing as much as a straightforward larger room. Small kitchens need smarter decisions, not just smaller budgets.

Small Kitchen Costs by Size

Up to 7m² (75 sq ft)

Basic upgrade (repainting cabinets, new laminate benchtops, basic appliances): $10,520–$15,000. Mid-range refresh (custom storage, stone benchtops, tiled flooring, modern sink): $15,000–$27,600.

9–10m² (10’x10′)

Cost range: $20,700–$47,400 + GST. Custom cabinets ($5,000–$10,000), quartz benchtops ($2,000–$4,000), new appliances ($3,000–$7,000).

12–13m² (12’x12′)

Cost range: $27,600–$62,100 + GST. Room for a small island ($5,000–$10,000), premium flooring ($2,000–$4,000), smart features ($1,000–$3,000).

Making the Most of a Small Kitchen

Prioritise storage over space. Pull-out baskets ($200–$500), spice drawers ($100–$300), and corner cabinets ($500–$1,000) recover usable space without requiring new cabinetry. Retrofitting drawers inside existing cabinets ($300–$800) frees up bench space — valuable in a tight layout. A single modern sink instead of a double ($500–$1,000) gains prep space.

If existing benchtops are in reasonable condition, polishing rather than replacing ($300–$1,000) keeps costs under $15,000.

💡 Quick tip: Small kitchens leave less margin for error. Working with a designer ensures storage solutions are thought through for how you actually use the kitchen — and visualisation through 3D models shows materials and fixtures before any work starts. Changes at the design stage are free. Changes during construction are not.

Case Study: Greenlane Small Kitchen — $22,000

Joanna and Steve’s kitchen in Greenlane was cramped, dated, and had a closed floor plan. We demolished a wall for open-plan flow, used neutral tones to brighten the space, and installed custom storage throughout. The finished kitchen sits at around 9m² — and the total came to $22,000.

See Joanna and Steve’s full project details and before-and-after photos

6. Large Kitchen Renovation Costs in NZ (18m²+)

For kitchens 18 square metres or larger, renovation costs range from $62,000 to $138,000 + GST. At this scale, you’re typically looking at double appliances, islands, butler’s pantries, and significant layout changes — all of which add up quickly in Auckland.

What Drives Large Kitchen Costs

At 18m²+, expect $3,444–$7,667/m² depending on specification. Removing walls or relocating plumbing adds $5,000–$20,000 including consent costs. Double ovens, extra fridges, and smart technology run $10,000–$30,000 in appliances alone. A dual island adds $10,000–$20,000; a butler’s pantry $5,000–$15,000. Marble benchtops ($1,000–$2,000/m²) or hardwood floors ($200–$400/m²) push budgets significantly higher.

A 20m² luxury kitchen with a butler’s pantry and marble finishes in Auckland can reach $120,000.

Case Study: Stanmore Bay — $85,000

Mary Stuart’s kitchen in Stanmore Bay was old and closed off. We demolished a wall for open-plan layout, added timber accents for warmth, and installed custom cabinetry throughout. Size: 19m². Total: $85,000.

Before renovation

After renovation in Stanmore Bay

See Mary Stuart’s full project details

Case Study: Avondale Modern Kitchen — $95,000

From a deteriorating, outdated kitchen to a modern open layout with a sleek island, stone benchtops, and smart lighting. Size: 18m². Total: $95,000.

This kitchen was renovated in Avondale from an old kitchen that was falling apart to a modern spacious kitchen.

7. Kitchen Cabinets: Costs, Options, and Refinishing

Cabinetry is typically the largest single cost in a kitchen renovation — 20–40% of the total budget. It’s also the element that most defines how the finished kitchen looks and functions.

New Cabinet Costs

Total range for a standard kitchen: $4,140–$11,040. Per linear foot, costs break down by level:

A 10-foot run of mid-range Auckland cabinetry might cost $6,000. The same run in luxury specification — $20,700. Top and bottom cabinets roughly double the price compared to bottom-only setups. Internal features like pull-out drawers ($200–$500) and magic corners ($500–$1,000) add functionality and cost.

Melteca distressed custom cabinets (Epsom)

Melteca oak wood-look cabinets (Stanmore Bay)

See full project specs for the Epsom kitchen renovation

Refinishing vs Refacing: When Full Replacement Isn’t Necessary

A full cabinet replacement isn’t always the right call. If the cabinet structure and layout are sound, refinishing or refacing delivers a near-new result at a fraction of the cost.

Refinishing (stripping, sanding, fresh paint or varnish): $2,070–$4,140 + GST. Professional application at $80–$150/hour, most jobs taking 15–25 hours. Refinishing 10 linear feet in Auckland including labour and premium paint: approximately $3,000.

Refacing (keeping frames, replacing doors and drawer fronts): $4,830–$12,420 + GST. More customisation — choose materials, colours, and designs. Mid-range materials like Melteca deliver good durability at a sensible price. Refacing a 12-foot run with custom doors in Christchurch: approximately $8,000. Luxury finishes in Auckland: up to $12,000.

Hardware (swapping handles or knobs): $2.76–$27.60 per piece. One of the highest-ratio updates available — relatively small cost, disproportionate visual impact. A full set of matte black handles adds $200–$500 and changes the feel of the whole kitchen.

💡 Quick tip: While updating the cabinet exterior, consider adding internal functionality. Pull-out baskets ($200–$500) are particularly useful for deep lower cabinets. Spice drawers ($100–$300), sectioned drawers ($150–$400), and corner solutions like magic corners ($500–$1,000) recover otherwise difficult-to-access space.

8. Kitchen Benchtops: Materials and Costs

Benchtop selection is one of the most consequential decisions in a kitchen renovation. It needs to be functional, hard-wearing, and water-resistant — and it needs to look the part for years. For an affordable option, laminate or engineered stone works well for basic and mid-range kitchens at $2,760–$6,210 total. Natural stone starts from around $4,000 and can reach $7,000. Concrete benchtops run $9,000–$20,000.

Custom built stone engineered benchtop — Autumn Leaf pattern with yellow and mustard undertones complementing dark cabinetry.

Benchtop Material Costs per Square Metre

If your existing benchtop is structurally sound, professional restoration costs $110–$2,208 — a fraction of replacement.

Kitchen Splashbacks: Materials and Costs

A splashback protects walls from cooking splatter while doing a significant portion of the kitchen’s visual work. Costs range from $153/m² for ceramic tiles to $600/m² for engineered stone.

Ceramic tiles ($153/m²): Affordable, available in subway or mosaic formats. More grout lines mean more cleaning unless you specify larger tiles. A 2m² splashback in Christchurch: approximately $307.

Stainless steel ($383/m²): Heat-resistant, no grout, easy to clean — particularly practical behind a stove. Shows fingerprints and can scratch. A 3m² stainless steel splashback in Auckland: approximately $1,150.

Glass ($200–$400/m²): Seamless, reflective, available in custom colours. No grout. Makes a small kitchen feel more open. A 2.5m² glass splashback: approximately $750.

Engineered stone ($300–$600/m²): Creates a cohesive look when matched to the benchtop. Durable and stain-resistant. A 3m² splashback: approximately $1,500.

Kitchen renovation in Parnell

Kitchen renovation in Bucklands Beach

Kitchen renovation in Parnell — full project details | Kitchen renovation in Bucklands Beach — full project details

9. Kitchen Flooring Costs in NZ

Kitchen flooring takes more daily punishment than almost any other surface in the house. The right choice needs to handle constant foot traffic, cooking spills, and the occasional dropped pan — while remaining easy to clean and comfortable underfoot. In 2026, costs range from $690 to $9,522+ for a typical NZ kitchen.

Flooring Options and Costs

Costs are for a typical 10–15m² kitchen. Auckland may add 10–20% for higher labour rates.

Laminate is the most popular and cost-effective flooring option across Auckland — it’s practical, looks good, and holds up reasonably well in normal kitchen conditions. Modern production technology also allows ceramic tiles to convincingly replicate timber or oak — the look you want without the sealing requirements.

For a more premium finish, stone-based flooring from suppliers like The Tile Depot is worth considering — 100% waterproof, compatible with underfloor heating, and carrying a lifetime warranty.

Kitchen renovation in Bucklands Beach: ceramic tiles mimicking hardwood — easy maintenance and cost-effective.

See full project specs for this kitchen

💡 Quick tip: Want the timber look without the upkeep? Ceramic or laminate wood-look options deliver it reliably. High moisture risk? Stone or vinyl are the safe specifications. Standing for long periods? Cork or linoleum cushion impact — relevant for anyone who cooks seriously.

10. Kitchen Appliances: What to Budget

Quality appliances add measurable value to a kitchen and the property overall. Budget $138–$414 per appliance as a rough indicator, but specification varies significantly. Many homeowners retain existing appliances if they’re still working well — it’s a legitimate way to reduce the overall budget.

Basic appliances — microwave, garbage disposal, and oven — last well when maintained. Keeping functional existing appliances saves $276–$1,380.

Energy Star-rated appliances reduce running costs and add to your home’s energy efficiency credentials. More expensive upfront, but running cost savings accumulate over time. Energy Star appliances start at $414 for microwaves, $1,200 for dishwashers, $1,150 for ovens, and $1,500 for fridges.

High-end appliances add smart features — Bluetooth, sensors, integration with other home systems. Longer lifespan and stronger warranties. Cost: $1,380–$6,900+ per appliance.

Fully integrated/custom appliances are built into the cabinetry for a seamless look. The most expensive option at $2,070–$13,800, but the visual outcome is distinct.

11. Labour Costs for Kitchen Renovations in NZ

Hiring the full trade complement — plumbers, electricians, tilers, painters, plasterers, installers, builders, and project managers — typically runs $2,760–$10,280 in total labour cost.

Labour Costs by Trade

Retaining the existing layout saves $500–$1,000 on plumbing labour alone. Adding power points that weren’t scoped upfront adds $200–$500 each — plan these early. Professional painting produces a finish that holds up significantly longer than DIY in Auckland’s humid conditions.

Renovation Company Service Costs

When working with a full-service renovation company, here’s what individual components typically cost (all + GST):

Auckland rates run 10–20% higher than these figures in most categories.

12. Building Consents for Kitchen Renovations in Auckland

In New Zealand, significant kitchen renovations — any work involving structural changes, plumbing relocation, or substantial electrical modification — require building consent. Auckland Council manages this process under the Building Act 2004 and the NZ Building Code.

When Do You Need Consent?

Consent is required if you’re removing or altering a load-bearing wall, relocating plumbing to a new position, or making changes that affect the structural envelope. Most standard kitchen renovations — replacing cabinetry, benchtop, appliances, and finishes in the same layout — do not require consent.

Consent costs for Auckland kitchen renovations typically run $2,500–$6,500 depending on complexity. Processing takes 1–5 months — submit well ahead of your target start date.

Auckland Council Building Consent Fees (2026)

From Auckland Council’s published fee schedule: minor plumbing (value under $5,000, with producer statement) carries a fixed fee of $343 (non-refundable). Minor plumbing by a non-approved installer adds an inspection deposit of $195. Technical processing is charged at $195/hour for residential work.

Repair or replacement of existing sanitary fixtures — such as swapping a sink in the same position — often qualifies for exemption under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004 if carried out by an authorised person. Adding new fixtures, structural changes affecting plumbing, or drainage impacts require consent.

💡 Quick tip: Building Code Clause G3 requires hygienic food preparation surfaces — impervious finishes and adequate ventilation. This is particularly relevant in Auckland’s humidity where non-compliant kitchens can develop mould. Non-compliance risks fines or rework at the point of sale. We manage all consent applications on behalf of our clients.

For full detail on the consent process, visit building.govt.nz.

13. Cost of Hiring a Kitchen Designer in NZ

A designer isn’t essential for a basic kitchen refresh — but for mid-range to luxury renovations, the return is real. They bring specific expertise in materials, spatial layout, and what actually works in Auckland kitchens. In 2026, design costs typically run $552 to $4,830+.

Basic consultation ($552–$1,500): Colour and material advice for smaller kitchens or homeowners doing much of the coordination themselves.

Mid-range design ($1,500–$3,000): Full design plan with 3D modelling for a 10–15m² kitchen — appropriate when custom cabinetry or layout changes are involved.

Full-service luxury ($3,000–$4,830+): End-to-end design for larger or high-specification kitchens covering premium finishes and smart technology integration.

What the Design Process Looks Like

1. Initial consultation — understanding your brief, style preferences, and how you use the kitchen. Alignment before any design work begins.

2. Showroom visit — seeing and touching materials in person. It’s difficult to make confident decisions from samples alone. Visit our Auckland showroom at 16B Link Drive, Wairau Valley to see the full range.

3. Design session — access to sample boards, colour charts, and full kitchen displays.

4. Detailed design plan — fitting lists, colour codes, rendered 3D drawings, and precise measurements. This is what gets priced and built.

A good designer prevents the expensive mistakes that happen when decisions are made in sequence on-site rather than systematically upfront. For mid-range to luxury renovations, the design fee pays for itself.

“The clients who get the best outcomes are the ones who invest in the design phase properly. We show them the kitchen in 3D with exact paint colours, benchtop materials, and handle finishes before anything gets ordered. Changes at this stage cost nothing. Changes during construction cost thousands.”
— Cici Zou, Designer (NZ Dip. Interior Design, Certified Designer), Superior Renovations

14. How to Renovate a Kitchen Affordably in NZ

Budget clarity before you start is non-negotiable. Know your number, get a fixed quote before committing, and build in contingency. A renovation that starts without a clear budget almost always ends with a number the homeowner wasn’t expecting.

Set aside additional funds for unforeseen circumstances — water damage or rotten timber behind walls is not unusual in Auckland’s older housing stock. Budget an additional $1,000–$2,000 for this possibility. For older homes (pre-1980s brick-and-tile in Manurewa, character villas in Devonport), a 10–15% contingency is more realistic.

What Each Budget Level Actually Covers

Four Practical Tips for Renovating on a Tight Budget

1. DIY where it’s appropriate. Painting, basic preparation, and material sourcing are manageable without trade qualifications. Plumbing and electrical are not. Know the difference — and don’t cross the line that requires an LBP (Licensed Building Practitioner).

2. Reface or repaint cabinets rather than replace them. If the cabinet structure is sound, this is one of the highest-ratio updates available. New doors or a fresh paint colour transforms the look at a fraction of full replacement cost.

3. Upgrade essentials first. Handles, a new splashback, and quality tapware can significantly change how a kitchen feels without touching the major cost items.

4. Stage the renovation if needed. There’s no rule that says everything has to happen at once. Spreading work across two or three phases — cabinetry now, flooring later — keeps individual commitments manageable.

Common Mistakes That Inflate Costs

Underestimating cabinetry — custom joinery can double your cabinet budget. Get this nailed down before committing to anything else. Cheap materials upfront — low-quality benchtops or appliances that need replacing in five years cost more than spending right the first time. Skipping the planning stage — not working with a designer or underestimating storage needs leads to expensive fixes once construction is underway. Missing hidden costs — plumbing, electrical, or permits that weren’t scoped add $2,000–$5,000 mid-project.

Set aside a 10–15% contingency. For older Auckland homes especially, it will almost certainly be needed.

15. Return on Investment for Kitchen Renovations in NZ

Design and material selection shape how much value a kitchen renovation adds to a property. A well-considered layout that functions for daily use and entertains well creates the perception of quality that buyers respond to. The design decisions made upfront are what separate a renovation that adds meaningful value from one that simply looks new.

ROI by Renovation Level

ROI varies with location and neighbourhood demand. A premium kitchen in an entry-level suburb won’t return the same as the same kitchen in Remuera or Herne Bay. As a rule, keep renovation spend under 10–15% of your property’s total value. Mid-range renovations tend to perform best without overcapitalising.

💡 Quick tip: Hardware and fittings matter more than their cost suggests. Quality cabinet handles, well-specified tapware, and durable benchtops signal attention to detail and longevity — and buyers notice these things at open homes.

16. Renovation Companies vs Managing Trades Yourself

Why Use a Renovation Company?

A full-service company handles all trades — electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters — coordinated and managed. Design with 3D models and layout plans ($552–$4,830). Trade pricing on appliances and cabinetry — savings of 10–20% that partially offset management fees. One point of accountability, warranties, and quality oversight — worth $5,000–$10,000 in avoided risk for most homeowners.

Companies reduce the likelihood of mid-project surprises because they’ve seen what older Auckland homes contain behind the walls. We don’t recommend self-managing unless you have prior renovation experience and trades you trust. The surprises in Auckland’s older villas are consistent in their unpredictability.

Managing Your Own Trades

If you have trusted tradespeople and project management experience, sourcing directly reduces cost. Contact a cabinetry manufacturer for design and installation ($4,000–$10,000), removing the middleman. Coordinate flooring, plumbing, electrical, and painting yourself — saving 10–15% on management costs.

The real risk: without experience, structural surprises, trade conflicts, and sequencing issues inflate costs and timelines. Most renovations uncover unexpected issues once the walls are opened. Experience is the difference between managing these efficiently and paying premium rates to fix them urgently.

If you’re managing trades yourself, try the Little Giant Interiors kitchen cabinetry cost calculator to see what you can expect to pay for the cabinetry component.

17. How to Choose the Right Renovation Company in Auckland

Your reason for renovating — resale, rental yield, long-term family comfort — shapes the right approach and the right budget. Understanding that clearly before engaging a company means you get advice that’s relevant to your situation.

Nine Things to Check Before Committing

1. Research. Find at least three renovation companies. Check testimonials, current projects, and Google reviews. Ask friends and family who’ve renovated recently in Auckland.

2. Meet the people. Talk to the project manager. Ask about similar projects they’ve completed. Your relationship with this person over the duration of the build matters more than any other single factor.

3. Get multiple quotes. Don’t accept the first quote. Compare at least three. Make sure you’re getting a fixed price with variations clearly stated upfront. The cheapest option isn’t always the best value.

4. Check suppliers. Ask who they source materials from. A company working with reputable suppliers who provide warranties for their products is a good sign.

5. Verify the company is legitimate. All companies should hold a current operating licence. Check via: companies-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz

6. Testimonials. Ask specifically about past kitchen renovations. Client experience during the build is as important as the finished result.

7. Talk to past clients. Ask the company for a reference list. What materials did they use? Were there issues? Were problems resolved? Would they use them again?

8. Insurance. Confirm the company carries insurance for mishaps during construction. A company that can commit to a completion date is demonstrating that it has the systems and resources to deliver.

9. The contract. Have your accountant or lawyer review the contract before signing. It should include the full scope, quote, insurance details, and a timeline.

Superior Renovations provides full-service renovation including design, custom cabinetry and benchtops, all trades — electricians, plumbers, tilers, painters, builders — council permits, appliances, fixtures, and project management. One point of contact from start to finish.

18. Featured Auckland Kitchen Projects

Papatoetoe — Full Kitchen Renovation

Renovated for a young family with young children — the brief required a practical, easy-to-clean design. Tiled flooring, stone engineered benchtop, and Melteca cabinetry throughout. We also built a custom pantry with pull-out drawers for daily convenience. See before and after pictures and full project specs.

Hillsborough — Full Kitchen After Water Damage

This kitchen was renovated after an external wall leak caused significant damage. A practical renovation using low-maintenance materials. See full kitchen transformation and before-and-after pictures.

Before renovation

After renovation

Bucklands Beach — Lynette and Henry’s Kitchen

Dark stone engineered benchtop against white soft-close cabinets for a strong contrast. Grey hexagonal tiles on the splashback created a focal point. Large grey tiles on the floor continued through to the dining room for a cohesive open-plan result. See full project details.

Mangere Bridge — Cottage Style Kitchen

A real timber benchtop was restored and sealed for daily use. Custom shaker-style cabinetry complemented the original character of the property. See full project specifications.

Massey — Guru and Neeta’s Open-Plan Kitchen

Three separate rooms (dining, kitchen, living) were opened into a single flowing space — better for daily family life and significantly better for entertaining. See before and after pictures and full project specs.

What Your Kitchen Renovation Will Actually Cost

From basic refreshes at $20,000 to full custom renovations at $100,000+, what you pay for a kitchen in NZ depends primarily on your specification, your location, and whether you’re changing the layout. This guide has covered every cost component — cabinets, benchtops, appliances, flooring, splashbacks, labour, consents, and designer fees.

The most important decisions are made early: how much to spend, what to prioritise, and who to trust with the work. Get those right and the rest follows.

We’ve been renovating Auckland kitchens since 2017 — from compact Greenlane flats to large Stanmore Bay family homes. If you want to know what your specific project will cost, the best starting point is a conversation.

➡ Book your free in-home consultation with Superior Renovations
➡ Get an instant kitchen renovation cost estimate with our calculator
➡ Request a free feasibility report for your project

Further Resources for Your Kitchen Renovation

1. Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
2. Real client stories from Auckland

Need more information?

Take advantage of our FREE Complete Home Renovation Guide (48 pages), whether you’re already renovating or in the process of deciding to renovate, it’s not an easy process, this guide which includes a free 100+ point check list – will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Download Free Renovation Guide (PDF)

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厨房是全屋使用频率最高的空间之一，也是翻新时最值得投入的区域。一次专业的厨房翻新最多可为房屋增值约 10%——不过我们大多数客户翻新厨房的首要原因，并不是为了卖房，而是想让厨房更好用、更舒适，更贴合自家的生活方式。

在奥克兰，一次标准的整体厨房翻新（含材料、设计、项目管理、人工、水电）平均费用为 19,000 至 29,000 纽币，不含电器。实际花费取决于您的布局、橱柜与台面的材质选择，以及是否涉及结构改动。这篇指南会带您了解完整的装修流程、最容易被低估的几项费用，以及如何制定切合实际的预算。

👉 直接跳转至厨房装修费用计算器——输入您的具体需求，估算结果将在几秒钟内发送到您的电子邮箱。

整体厨房装修包括哪些步骤？

一个完整的厨房翻新项目通常按以下八个阶段推进，整体工期从几周到数月不等，具体取决于项目范围和施工中是否出现意外情况。

1. 规划与设计：装修的第一步是规划新厨房的布局。这一阶段需要平衡您的需求、使用习惯和现有空间的限制。在 Superior Renovations，我们的设计师会为您制作新厨房的 3D 效果图，让您在动工前就能直观看到最终效果。
2. 拆除：拆除旧橱柜、台面和电器。视情况可能涉及拆墙、起除地板，以及断开原有的水管和电路。
3. 结构改造：如果方案中包含结构性改动——比如拆除隔墙、打通开放式空间或新增窗户——通常在这一阶段完成。
4. 水管与电路改造：旧厨房拆除后，按新布局调整或移位水管和电路系统，包括安装新的给排水管件、重新布线，以及增加插座和开关。
5. 地板与墙面：水电工程完成后铺设新地板（瓷砖、实木或复合地板）并处理墙面——粉刷或铺贴新墙纸。
6. 橱柜与台面：安装按新布局定制的橱柜，以及您选定的台面材料——花岗岩、石英石或大理石等。橱柜往往是整个预算中占比最大的单项。
7. 电器安装：橱柜和台面就位后安装电器——冰箱、灶台、烤箱、洗碗机以及设计方案中的其他设备。
8. 收尾修饰：安装照明灯具、橱柜五金件和装饰元素，让整个厨房呈现完整、精致的最终效果。

选择一家信誉良好、流程透明的装修公司，是控制工期和预算最关键的一步。专业的项目管理可以在意外出现时及时调整方案，确保最终结果符合您的预期。您可以先浏览我们的厨房设计案例库，了解我们在奥克兰完成的真实项目。

厨房装修中最容易被低估的五项费用

翻新厨房让人兴奋，但在精美的样板图背后，往往藏着让预算失控的意外开支。以下五项费用是我们在奥克兰数百个厨房项目中，最常见到业主低估的地方。

1. 结构改动——沉默的预算杀手

很多业主梦想拥有开放式厨房，却没有意识到拆墙意味着结构改动。涉及承重墙的改建需要工程评估、建筑许可（Building Consent）和电路改线，费用会显著高于普通翻新。如果预算有限，沿用现有布局是控制成本最有效的方式。

2. 藏在表面之下的隐患

拆除开始后，老化的水管、不合规的电路或结构缺陷都可能浮出水面——这在奥克兰的老房子中尤其常见。根据我们的项目经验，这类意外问题平均会让翻新费用增加 1,000 至 3,000 纽币。动工前做一次全面检查，并预留应急预算，是避免预算飙升的最好办法。

3. 橱柜——质量与成本的平衡

橱柜决定了厨房的颜值和实用性，但优质橱柜的成本经常被低估。低价橱柜看似省钱，却往往经不起日常使用的考验。定制橱柜的价格通常在 5,000 至 25,000 纽币之间，材质和五金配置不同，差距可以非常大。

4. 电器升级的真实代价

一整套高端电器很容易让预算增加数千纽币。我们建议预留总预算的 10–15% 用于电器，并把配送和安装费用一并计入。

5. 专业费用与建筑许可

设计师、工程师的费用以及结构改动所需的建筑许可，是初期预算中最常被遗漏的项目——许可费用可能从数百到数千纽币不等。在做预算时务必把这部分计入，而不是等到中途才发现。更多常见问题可以查看我们的装修常见问题解答。

扫描二维码，在小红书上找到我们

体验家居改造的艺术，选择 Superior Renovations！我们是奥克兰首屈一指的浴室、厨房及全屋装修专家。从概念设计到完工，我们的团队确保每个细节都完美无缺。扫描二维码，在小红书上关注我们，获取最新项目、装修技巧和灵感。

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想开始您的装修之旅吗？通过微信与 Superior Renovations 联系，享受便捷、个性化的中文服务。立即扫描，提问、获取专家建议，踏出家居改造的第一步！

如何制定厨房装修预算？

陈旧的装饰、不顺手的布局、时好时坏的电器——这些往往是业主萌生翻新念头的起点。但很多人因为不知道从哪里开始，把项目一拖再拖。制定预算其实只需要三步：

第一步：评估您当前的厨房

退一步审视您的厨房：让日常使用变得不便的，究竟是空间不够、布局不顺，还是过时的台面和橱柜？接下来思考全家人的使用习惯——如果您经常招待客人，岛台可能是值得的投资；如果您不常下厨，也许只需升级部分设备即可。装修方案应该围绕家人实际使用厨房的方式来定，而不是单纯追求样板间效果。

第二步：确定预算范围

您的预算最终决定装修的范围。移动水管和电源插座的费用可能很高——如果预算有限，优先考虑沿用现有布局。下方的费用计算器可以帮您了解，在奥克兰，厨房翻新的各个部分大致需要多少钱。

第三步：研究并选对装修公司

每家公司的服务方式不同，并不是每一家都适合您的项目。建议在网上做足功课，并与多家公司当面沟通，感受他们的专业程度和沟通方式。会面时一定要询问：过往的完整案例、老客户的评价，以及他们提供的保修和质量保证。您也可以直接预约一次免费上门咨询，让我们的设计师到您家中实地评估。

关于厨房费用计算器（新西兰）

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常见问题

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Planning Your Kitchen Renovation in Auckland

If you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen in Auckland, the first question is almost always the same: what’s it going to cost? At Superior Renovations, we know that every home is different — and so is every budget. This guide breaks down kitchen renovation costs in NZ, with a specific focus on Auckland, so you can plan with a clear head rather than an optimistic guess.

We’ll cover the stages of a full renovation, the hidden costs that catch people out, and what the numbers actually look like at different price points. We’ve also included our Kitchen Cost Calculator NZ so you can run your own numbers.

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What Goes Into a Full Kitchen Renovation?

A full kitchen renovation isn’t just swapping out cabinets. It’s a multi-stage process — and each stage affects your budget. Whether you’re in Ponsonby or Papakura, here’s what a complete kitchen overhaul actually involves.

Think of it like a puzzle: every piece has to fit together properly or the whole thing suffers. Based on our experience at Superior Renovations and guidance from Auckland Council, here’s what you’re looking at — and how each stage affects your overall cost.

• • Planning and Design: This is where your vision becomes a workable plan. You’ll work with a designer — like our Senior Designer Dorothy Li — to map out the layout, workflow, and aesthetic. A 3D render helps you see the space before anything is ordered. Expect $2,000–$5,000 for professional design services in Auckland, depending on complexity. As Dorothy puts it: a well-planned kitchen saves time, money, and stress during the build.

• • Demolition and Removal: Old cabinets, benchtops, and appliances come out. In older Auckland homes, you’ll sometimes find surprises — outdated wiring being the most common. Demolition typically costs $1,500–$3,000 depending on kitchen size and condition.
  • Structural Changes: If you want open-plan, walls may need to come down. Load-bearing walls require engineering sign-off and a Building Consent — which adds $500–$2,000 in permit fees before any work starts. Check with Auckland Council early.
  • Plumbing and Electrical: Moving a sink or adding new lighting is standard in a kitchen reno — but it needs licensed professionals. Budget $2,000–$6,000. EECA guidelines apply for energy-efficient installations. Cut corners here and you’ll regret it.
  • Flooring and Wall Finishes: From tiles to timber, flooring sets the tone for the whole kitchen. In Auckland, quality materials like ceramic or hardwood run $50–$150 per m². Wall finishes and splashback tiles add another $1,000–$3,000. Our designer Alison Yu makes the point well: choosing durable flooring matters in a busy Auckland kitchen — you’ll thank yourself later.

• Cabinets and Benchtops: Cabinets are the backbone of the kitchen — $5,000–$25,000 depending on materials (laminate through to solid timber). Benchtops in granite or engineered stone range from $2,000 to $10,000.
• Appliances: A full suite — oven, fridge, dishwasher — runs $3,000–$15,000. Energy-efficient options cost more upfront but save money over time. Consumer NZ has useful guidance on reliability and value.
• Finishing Touches: Lighting, handles, and the details that pull it all together. Budget $1,000–$3,000. These are the things people notice — or notice are missing.

Timeline for a full renovation: typically 6–12 weeks for a standard Auckland project, longer if structural changes are involved.

Here’s a summary of the phases and their cost ranges:

Our Kitchen Cost Calculator lets you model these costs for your specific project in under a minute.

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Hidden Costs That Can Derail Your Kitchen Renovation Budget

You’re halfway through a kitchen renovation in your Mount Eden villa — the new island is taking shape — when the builder finds dodgy wiring behind the walls. Budget blown. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Unexpected costs catch Auckland homeowners out more often than you’d think. Here’s what to watch for.

Drawing from our experience at Superior Renovations and guidance from Consumer NZ:

• • Structural surprises: Knocking down a load-bearing wall can add $3,000–$10,000 for structural reinforcement, per Auckland Council. Our designer Kevin Yang’s advice: always get a structural engineer’s report before touching walls. Fixing a sagging ceiling costs more than the report.

• • What’s behind the walls: Older homes in Grey Lynn or Remuera regularly turn up asbestos, outdated plumbing, or old wiring. These add $1,000–$5,000 once discovered. A pre-renovation inspection ($500–$1,000) is worth it. Build a 10–15% contingency into your budget — not as an afterthought, but from the start.
  • Cabinet costs: Budget cabinets warp and wear. Quality options run $5,000–$25,000 depending on materials. Our designer Wendy Chen is direct about this: invest in cabinets that last. They’re the heart of the kitchen and you’ll interact with them every day.
  • Appliances: A full package — induction cooktop, integrated fridge, dishwasher — can hit $3,000–$15,000, not including installation. EECA recommends energy-efficient models to offset Auckland’s rising power costs over time.

• Professional fees and consents: Design fees, contractor costs, and architect fees add $2,000–$10,000. Building Consents for structural changes add $500–$2,000. Don’t try to avoid these — unpermitted work shows up on LIM reports and causes problems at sale time.

Start with a realistic plan. Our Kitchen Cost Calculator NZ factors in everything from demolition to permits, so the numbers you’re working with reflect what Auckland kitchens actually cost.

How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in Auckland?

For a standard kitchen renovation in Auckland — new cabinets, benchtops, flooring, and plumbing and electrical work — the typical range is $19,000 to $29,000, not including appliances. Custom kitchens with premium fittings can reach $40,000 or more. Here’s how it breaks down by tier:

• • Basic ($15,000–$20,000): New laminate benchtops, standard cabinets, basic appliances. Suitable for rental properties or straightforward refreshes on a tight budget.
  • Mid-range ($20,000–$29,000): Engineered stone benchtops, custom cabinets, energy-efficient appliances. This is where most Auckland homeowners land. Our designer Cici Zou puts it well: mid-range kitchens balance style and practicality — you get a good result without overcapitalising.

• High-end ($30,000–$50,000+): Marble benchtops, solid timber cabinets, top-tier appliances. Common in suburbs like Herne Bay and St Heliers.

What drives these costs? The choices you make. Vinyl flooring over hardwood saves thousands. Moving plumbing for an island adds $2,000–$5,000. Building.govt.nz notes that keeping your existing layout is one of the most effective ways to control costs.

Real-world example: Sarah, an Epsom homeowner, chose mid-range materials but put her budget into a quartz benchtop. Total cost: $26,000 including labour and permits.

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Auckland-specific factors: High tradie demand and the cost of living push prices above other NZ regions. Older homes — Devonport villas, Grey Lynn bungalows — often need additional work for outdated wiring or plumbing. EECA recommends energy-efficient fittings to offset long-term power costs, which matter in Auckland.

How to keep costs down: Think about how you actually use your kitchen. If you cook seriously, an island might be worth it. If the kitchen is mostly for quick meals, focus on functional storage upgrades rather than premium finishes. Our designer Alison Yu puts it simply: think about your kitchen daily — that’s what should guide your budget decisions.

Factors That Drive Kitchen Renovation Costs in NZ

Two kitchens in Auckland can have wildly different price tags. Here’s what actually drives the difference.

Think of your kitchen renovation like ordering coffee in Ponsonby — a flat white or a double oat milk latte with all the trimmings. Every choice adds up. Here’s what matters most:

• • Kitchen size and layout: A small 8m² kitchen in Papakura might cost $15,000. A 20m² open-plan kitchen in St Heliers could hit $35,000. Relocating a sink or adding an island adds $2,000–$5,000 in plumbing and electrical work. Dorothy Li’s advice: stick to your existing layout wherever possible. It’s the single most effective way to control cost.

• • Materials: Laminate benchtops cost $1,000–$3,000. Quartz or granite runs $5,000–$10,000. Vinyl flooring sits at $50–$80/m², hardwood or tiles at $100–$150. EECA recommends durable, energy-efficient materials — they cost more upfront and less over time.
  • Appliances: A basic package costs around $3,000. High-end smart appliances can push that to $15,000. Our designer Wendy Chen’s view: choose appliances that suit how you cook, not how you want to cook. Check Consumer NZ for reliability data before you commit.
  • Structural changes: Load-bearing wall removal costs $3,000–$10,000 plus permits at $500–$2,000, per Auckland Council. Skip the consents and you’ll face problems at sale time.
  • Labour and professional fees: Auckland tradies are busy and charge accordingly. Expect $2,000–$10,000 for skilled contractors, designers, and project management.
  • What’s behind the walls: Older Auckland homes regularly turn up plumbing or wiring that needs replacing. A pre-renovation inspection ($500) is cheap insurance against finding out mid-build.

How to prioritise: If you host regularly, invest in the island. If you’re a low-key cook, focus on durable basics and smart storage. Our Kitchen Cost Calculator NZ lets you adjust these variables and see how they affect the total in real time.

About Our Kitchen Cost Calculator

Planning a kitchen renovation in Auckland without a clear cost picture is genuinely difficult. How do you know if you’re budgeting enough for that new benchtop — or about to be caught out by plumbing costs? That’s what our Kitchen Cost Calculator NZ is for. Built specifically for Kiwi homeowners, it gives you a personalised estimate in under a minute.

We built it because renovation costs in Auckland are often opaque. You shouldn’t have to commit to a project without a realistic idea of what it’ll cost. The calculator factors in local labour rates, material costs, and your own preferences — kitchen size, benchtop material, whether you’re making structural changes. The result is a cost breakdown based on what Auckland kitchens actually cost, with a 10–15% variance to reflect the unexpected.

Why use it?

• Estimate total costs across all stages — labour, materials, design.
• See how specific choices (moving plumbing, premium appliances) affect the budget.
• Account for contingencies — particularly relevant in older Auckland homes.

As Kevin Yang, one of our designers, puts it: the calculator is like a roadmap — it shows you where your money’s going before you start.

How accurate is it? It uses average costs from our 10+ years of Auckland kitchen renovations, cross-referenced with data from Auckland Council. It assumes $5,000–$25,000 for cabinets and $2,000–$10,000 for benchtops, depending on materials. It won’t replace a detailed quote from our team — but it’s the right starting point.

What it doesn’t cover: Appliances (these vary too much) and partial renovations.

Real example: Tom, a homeowner in Mt Roskill, used the calculator for a 12m² kitchen with engineered stone benchtops and no structural changes. The result was a $24,000 estimate — which helped him prioritise custom cabinets over an island he didn’t really need.

Superior Renovations has been working on Auckland kitchens for over a decade. The calculator is a free tool that came directly from client feedback — people wanted to understand the numbers before committing to a conversation. It’s a good place to start.

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A kitchen renovation is one of the most impactful things you can do for your home — both in terms of daily liveability and long-term value. Whether you’re hosting in Botany or cooking quick weeknight meals in Mt Eden, the kitchen is where your household actually runs. This guide has given you the framework: what’s involved, what it costs, and what drives the variables. Now it’s time to run your numbers.

Our Kitchen Cost Calculator is the first step — a personalised estimate based on Auckland’s actual market, delivered to your inbox in under a minute. After that, our team is here to talk through the detail, from design through to finishing touches.

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Please note: Whilst all information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. The information may change without notice and Superior Renovations is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.

Hey Aucklanders, if you’re planning a kitchen reno in your Grey Lynn villa or a modern Albany hub and want it to look stunning while actually working for busy mornings and evening gatherings, nailing the lighting is an absolute game-changer. This guide shows how layered lighting—mixing ambient, task, accent, and decorative—boosts functionality, highlights your flash features like backsplashes or islands, and creates that warm, inviting vibe we Kiwis love, all while dodging common pitfalls in our variable 2025 climate.

Why’s Lighting So Crucial for a Beautiful and Practical Kitchen in NZ Homes?

It’s not just about seeing what you’re chopping, eh? Good lighting sets the mood, makes tasks safer (no more shadows on the bench during veg prep), and turns your kitchen into a proper heart-of-the-home spot for barbies prep or family dinners. Designers like Dorothy and Sachi from Superior Renovations reckon planning it early complements your layout perfectly—think highlighting a herringbone tile splashback from Tile Depot in a Wairau Valley setup, or using skylights in Herne Bay renos for natural boost. Poor lighting leaves it flat and sterile; layered approaches make it versatile, energy-efficient with LEDs, and even smart-controlled for our busy lives.

What’s the Deal with the Four Main Types of Kitchen Lighting?

Break it down like this:

• Ambient — Gives that overall soft glow from recessed ceiling lights or sconces—dimmable ones are gold for welcoming vibes in Remuera kitchens.
• Task — Focused beams where you need ’em, like under-cabinet strips for bench work or pendants over sinks and stovetops—cuts eye strain in humid Auckland evenings.
• Accent — Spotlights or uplighters to showcase features, such as inside glass cabinets or on 3D tiles in Henderson Valley bars—adds depth and elegance.
• Decorative — Statement pieces like chandeliers or big pendants that double as art, perfect focal points over islands in modern Parnell designs.

Layer ’em up—combine with natural light from windows or skylights, chuck in dimmers, and you’re sorted for everything from bright cooking to cosy dinners.

How Can You Avoid Common Lighting Stuff-Ups in Your Auckland Reno?

Don’t rely on one harsh overhead fluoro—creates shadows and that cold feel. Skip insufficient task lights (accidents waiting to happen), overly bright or coloured bulbs that overwhelm, mismatched fixtures clashing with your style, or forgetting dimmers/smart controls. We’ve seen heaps of transformations, like matte acrylic cabinets in Remuera glowing with accent lights, or showroom displays with everything dimmable—gets it right and your kitchen feels epic year-round.

Fancy lighting that makes your kitchen pop and work brilliantly for your whānau? Reach out to Superior Renovations for a free consult—what’s your current lighting gripe?

Lighting is one of the most crucial elements in kitchen design. It does more than just illuminate the space; it sets the tone, enhances functionality, and contributes significantly to the overall aesthetic of the kitchen. As kitchen designers and interior designers know, the right lighting can transform a kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why lighting is so essential in kitchen design and how it can be effectively used to achieve a beautiful and functional kitchen space.

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3 Main Role of Lighting in Kitchen Design used by designers

Enhancing Aesthetics

Lighting plays a significant role in defining the aesthetics of a kitchen. Whether your kitchen has a contemporary, traditional, or transitional style, the type of lighting you choose will enhance these design elements. For instance, pendant lights over a kitchen island can serve as both a focal point and a design statement, reflecting your kitchen’s style and character.

Moreover, lighting can highlight specific features in your kitchen, such as a backsplash, countertops, or cabinetry. By directing light toward these elements, you can draw attention to them, making them stand out and adding depth to the overall design.

Showcase: If you look at the lighting beneath the cabinets, in the picture below, you will see how our designer Dorothy installed these lights to showcase the beautiful splash back as a design feature. This also acts as a task light to make coffee or drinks. This classic kitchen design can be seen in our showroom at Wairau valley, Auckland.

The beautiful tile sheets from Tile depot were used to add a touch of luxury to this feature wall. They are installed in a Herringbone style and are a combination of stone engineered to look like marble as well as gold metal. This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland (Wairau Valley).

See more: Details on all our renovation displays in our Auckland showroom

Superior renovations showroom – Walk in today

Improving Functionality

While aesthetics are important, functionality is paramount in kitchen design. The kitchen is a space where various tasks are performed, from cooking to cleaning to socializing. Proper lighting ensures that each of these tasks can be carried out efficiently and safely.

For example, task lighting under cabinets can provide direct illumination on countertops, making food preparation easier and reducing the risk of accidents. Similarly, well-placed overhead lighting can ensure that the entire kitchen is adequately lit, eliminating shadows and making the space more comfortable to work in.

Creating Ambiance

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, where families gather and guests are entertained. The right lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making the kitchen a more pleasant space to spend time in. Dimmers and layered lighting schemes can allow you to adjust the lighting to suit different occasions, from a bright, well-lit environment for cooking to a softer, more relaxed ambiance for dining or entertaining.

4 Types of Lighting in Kitchen Design

To achieve a well-lit and beautifully designed kitchen, it’s essential to incorporate different types of lighting. Kitchen designers typically use a combination of ambient, task, accent, and decorative lighting to create a balanced and functional lighting scheme.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting sets the overall tone of your kitchen, transforming it from a purely functional space into a warm, welcoming environment. This type of lighting fills the room with a soft, even glow, making it comfortable for activities beyond cooking, such as dining and socializing. Options like recessed ceiling lights, track lighting, and strategically placed wall sconces create a well-lit space that feels open and inviting.

Showcase: This kitchen rendering designed by our Kitchen designer Sachi includes soft ambient lights at the ceiling, task lighting above the stove top and accent lighting in the cabinets to create a simple yet soft and warm kitchen. Below is a Kitchen rendering which our clients get after going through a comprehensive design process in our designer.

A soft kitchen design uses simple yet clever use of lighting for a warm kitchen design.

See more: Our Design Department Design Packages (Design Studio)

To enhance the versatility of ambient lighting, kitchen designers often recommend installing dimmer switches, allowing you to adjust the brightness according to the time of day or the mood you wish to create. By layering different light sources, such as over-cabinet lighting or toe kick lights, you can define various zones within your kitchen, making it a multifunctional space that caters to all your needs.

Task Lighting

ask lighting is crucial for creating a functional kitchen, as it provides focused illumination for essential work areas. Whether you’re chopping vegetables, reading recipes, or cleaning up, task lighting ensures you can perform these tasks safely and efficiently. Popular options include under-cabinet lighting, which eliminates shadows on countertops, and pendant lights over kitchen islands for direct, bright light.

Recessed lights can also be strategically placed above work zones like the sink, stove, and dishwasher, ensuring every area is well-lit. Integrating natural light sources, such as large windows or skylights, can further enhance task lighting by providing bright, even illumination throughout the day. By carefully planning and placing task lighting, kitchen designers ensure that every corner of your kitchen is practical and user-friendly.

Showcase: This Kitchen renovation that we designed for Henderson Valley boasts accent lights above below the cabinets in the bar area to enhance its aesthetic and showcase the beautiful 3D tiles. It also creates a beautiful ambience when paired with the recessed lights and pendant lighting. This simple use of different lighting creates a stunning design.

Kitchen renovation designed by our designers in Henderson Valley.

See more: Full Case study + Before and After pictures for the above project.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting plays a significant role in highlighting the design elements that make your kitchen unique. It draws attention to specific features, such as a stunning backsplash, open shelving, or an art piece, turning them into focal points within the room. Options like spotlights, uplighters, and directional sconces are ideal for showcasing these elements, adding depth and character to your kitchen. For example, if you have a feature wall with a beautiful tile design, accent lighting can emphasize its texture and color, making it a standout aspect of your kitchen.

Showcase: This Kitchen renovation in Remuera was designed by Dorothy. She used matte acrylic boards for the cabinets, contrasted by glossy benchtop and splash back with upper cabinets with glass door. She takes the kitchen design further by adding accent lights inside the glass cabinets and task lighting below it.

Clever use of lighting to elevate the over all design of this kitchen design

Additionally, accent lighting can be used inside glass-front cabinets to illuminate decorative glassware or collectibles, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the space. Kitchen designers often use accent lighting to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the kitchen, ensuring that every design choice is highlighted to its fullest potential.

A closer look at the accent lighting and task lighting in the drinks/Coffee corner.

Showcase: This Kitchen Display in our renovation showroom in Auckland shows the various uses of lighting in this kitchen design. Accent lighting was used in the Veneer Open Cabinets, LED task lighting during the sink area, Accent lighting below the bottom cabinets to showcase the flooring, Pendant Lighting above the benchtop and recessed lighting on the ceilings. All these lights can be dimmed to create a cozy atmosphere and a warm atmosphere within the space. This design showcases that lights are not an after thought during the renovation. They can really add beautiful touches within the space, take the kitchen design to another level as well as add warms within the space and create a more functional space.

A look at one of our displays in our kitchen display in our showroom display in Auckland.

Below is a closer look a Kitchen renovation in Henderson Valley, Auckland with Accent lights.

A kitchen renovation in Henderson Valley

Decorative Lighting

Decorative lighting combines style with functionality, acting as both an illumination source and a design statement. In the kitchen, decorative lighting fixtures like chandeliers, large pendants, or unique light sculptures can serve as stunning focal points, elevating the overall aesthetic of the space. These fixtures not only provide essential lighting but also contribute to the kitchen’s design theme, whether it’s modern, rustic, or traditional.

Showcase: This Kitchen display in our Renovation showroom in Auckland show cases the use decorative chandelier lighting to add to the kitchen design. This shows how lighting is not necessarily for light but also as a design element.

This Kitchen design shows how different materials, textures, lighting and finishes can be harmoniously to create a cohesive Kitchen design.

Showcase: This Kitchen renovation we did uses pendant lighting as decorative lighting to elevate the kitchen design.

Simple modern Kitchen renovation uses decorative lighting within the kitchen design. See full video transformation below.

See below the full transformation of the above Kitchen renovation.

For example, a chandelier over the dining table can add a touch of luxury and sophistication, while pendant lights with natural materials can give your kitchen an organic, earthy feel. Kitchen designers carefully select decorative lighting to complement the overall design scheme, ensuring that each fixture enhances the space both visually and functionally. By incorporating decorative lighting, you can personalize your kitchen, making it a true reflection of your style and taste.

How Kitchen Designers Incorporate Lighting into Their Designs

Professional kitchen designers understand that lighting is an integral part of the kitchen design process. They consider lighting from the very beginning, ensuring that it complements the layout, enhances functionality, and aligns with the overall design vision. Here’s how they do it:

Planning the Layout

The first step in incorporating lighting into kitchen design is planning the layout. Kitchen designers assess the natural light available and decide where additional lighting is needed. They consider the kitchen’s workflow, identifying key areas that require task lighting, such as the stove, sink, and preparation areas.

Designers also think about the placement of electrical outlets and how lighting fixtures will be installed. For example, if pendant lights are planned for an island, they ensure that the wiring is in place to accommodate them.

See more: Top 16 Kitchen design ideas for Small Kitchens

Showcase: Below you can see a Kitchen render done by our designer Sachi (from our design studio) and showcases the use of natural lighting in the kitchen. She created two sky lights to bring in more light into the kitchen adding to the pendant lighting above the island, recessed lighting around the fridge and accent lighting near island.

Beautiful Kitchen renders done by Sachi from our Design Studio

Elevation 2 of Render done by Sachi from our Design Studio

Showcase: This Kitchen that we renovated in Herne Bay shows the skylights within the Kitchen design.

Kitchen renovation in Herne Bay with Sky lights for added natural light in the Kitchen

See full Design Transformation for Above Project

Layering the Lighting

A well-designed kitchen typically features layered lighting, which combines different types of lighting to create a balanced and versatile lighting scheme. Kitchen designers layer ambient, task, accent, and decorative lighting to ensure that the kitchen is well-lit and functional.

By layering the lighting, designers can create different zones within the kitchen, each with its own lighting needs. For example, the cooking area may have bright task lighting, while the dining area may feature softer ambient lighting for a more relaxed atmosphere.

This Kitchen renders by our designer Sachi from the design studio showcases the clever use of layered lighting, and a harmony of various textures and materials creating a cohesive design.

Choosing the Right Fixtures

The choice of lighting fixtures is crucial in kitchen design. Designers select fixtures that complement the kitchen’s style and meet the functional requirements of the space. For instance, sleek, modern kitchens may benefit from minimalist recessed lights, while traditional kitchens may feature ornate chandeliers or lantern-style pendant lights.

In addition to aesthetics, designers consider the quality of light each fixture provides. They opt for energy-efficient LED lights that offer bright, clear illumination and have a long lifespan. They also ensure that the color temperature of the lights matches the kitchen’s mood, whether it’s warm and inviting or cool and contemporary.

Elevation 2 of Kitchen renders by our Design studio

Integrating Smart Lighting Solutions

With the rise of smart home technology, many kitchen designers now incorporate smart lighting solutions into their designs. Smart lighting allows homeowners to control the brightness, color, and timing of their lights through a smartphone app or voice commands.

This technology offers convenience and flexibility, enabling homeowners to create different lighting scenes for various activities, such as cooking, dining, or entertaining. Smart lighting systems can also be integrated with other smart home devices, such as voice-activated assistants or motion sensors, for a fully automated and customizable kitchen experience.

What Kind of Lighting Not to Include in a Kitchen Design

While the right lighting can enhance the beauty and functionality of a kitchen, the wrong lighting choices can have the opposite effect. Here’s what to avoid when designing a kitchen:

1. Harsh, Overhead Lighting

Harsh, overhead lighting, especially when used as the sole source of illumination, can create an unwelcoming and clinical atmosphere in the kitchen. Fluorescent lights are a common culprit, as they often emit a cold, harsh light that can make the space feel sterile and uncomfortable.

Instead of relying solely on overhead lighting, it’s better to incorporate a mix of lighting types, including task and ambient lighting, to create a more balanced and inviting atmosphere. If overhead lighting is necessary, opt for fixtures with dimmable options and warm color temperatures.

2. Insufficient Task Lighting

A common mistake in kitchen design is neglecting task lighting. Without adequate task lighting, work areas can be poorly lit, making it difficult to perform tasks like chopping, cooking, and cleaning. Relying solely on ambient lighting can result in shadows and uneven light distribution, which can lead to accidents and eye strain.

To avoid this, ensure that all work areas in the kitchen are well-lit with appropriate task lighting. Under-cabinet lights, pendant lights, and recessed spotlights are all effective options for providing direct illumination where it’s needed most.

3. Overly Bright or Colorful Lighting

While bold, colorful lighting might seem like a fun way to add personality to the kitchen, it can quickly become overwhelming and distracting. Bright, neon-colored lights or overly bright LEDs can create an unsettling atmosphere, making the kitchen less enjoyable to spend time in.

It’s important to choose lighting that complements the kitchen’s overall design and color scheme. Subtle, neutral lighting with adjustable brightness is usually a better choice, as it can create a calm and cohesive environment.

See more: 10 Mistakes to avoid when designing your Kitchen

4. Mismatched Fixtures

Mismatched lighting fixtures can disrupt the visual harmony of the kitchen, making it look disjointed and chaotic. While it’s possible to mix different styles of lighting, such as combining modern and traditional elements, it’s essential to do so with care and intention.

When choosing lighting fixtures, consider how they will work together as a cohesive whole. Ensure that the fixtures complement each other in terms of style, finish, and scale. If you’re unsure, sticking to a consistent design theme or seeking the advice of a kitchen designer can help you achieve a harmonious look.

See more: A guide to Kitchen Layouts (understanding ergonomics)

5. Neglecting Dimmers and Controls

One of the most common mistakes in kitchen lighting is failing to incorporate dimmers and lighting controls. Without these, you’re left with a single level of brightness that may not be suitable for all tasks or occasions.

Dimmers allow you to adjust the brightness of your lights, creating different moods and atmospheres depending on the time of day or activity. For example, you can have bright lighting for cooking and softer, dimmer lighting for dining or entertaining. Incorporating smart controls can also provide convenience, allowing you to adjust the lighting with ease.

In conclusion, thoughtful lighting design can transform your kitchen into a space that is not only beautiful but also highly functional. By carefully selecting and positioning different types of lighting, you can create a kitchen that truly feels like the heart of your home. For more insights, consider exploring further information on kitchen lighting design.

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• Custom Kitchen Cabinetry Cost Calculator

Need ideas? Check out our Kitchen Design Gallery or dive into our Bathroom Design Gallery for inspiration!

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Hey Aucklanders, if you’re eyeing up a kitchen remodel in your Grey Lynn villa or a busy family spot in Papatoetoe and wondering what it’ll actually cost in late 2025, you’re looking at $18,000–$120,000+ overall in NZ, with most folks landing $22,000–$45,000 for a solid upgrade that adds real value and flow. Auckland prices sit higher thanks to labour and materials, but sticking to smart choices—like keeping the layout or mid-range finishes—keeps it realistic without skimping on that Kiwi entertaining vibe.

What’s a Ballpark for Basic, Mid-Range, or Luxury Kitchen Remodels in Auckland?

Basic refreshes (same layout, refacing cabinets, laminate counters) run $16,000–$29,000—great for quick flips in spots like Papatoetoe or Bucklands Beach, using MDF Melteca cabinets and basic appliances. Mid-range is the sweet spot at $32,000–$45,000, adding islands ($4k–$6k extra), custom storage like magic corners, engineered stone benches ($520–$1,200/m²), and brands like SMEG or Bosch—think layout tweaks in West Harbour or Massey for better flow. Luxury? $50,000–$170,000+, with full custom (natural granite/marble $4k–$15k), butler’s pantries, smart lighting, and porcelain splashbacks from Tile Depot—spot-on for upscale Parnell or Remuera pads.

What Knocks the Price Up (or Keeps It Down) for Your Kiwi Kitchen?

Loads, mate—keeping the existing layout saves thousands on plumbing/electrical shifts, while changing it for an island or open-plan bumps costs heaps. Materials make a big diff: Budget laminate tops ($150/m²) vs. premium stone; MDF cabinets for easy clean vs. timber veneers like Melteca Oak. Appliances swing $2k–$30k (go energy-star for bill cuts), and extras like Blum soft-close hinges or LED under-cabinet lights add functionality without breaking the bank. Auckland’s pricier than regional spots, plus permits and trades (4–7 weeks timeline). Dorothy Li, our designer, reckons investing in durable storage pays off long-term, like pull-outs in Hillsborough projects.

How Do You Get Bang for Buck and Decent ROI Without Regrets?

Prioritise what your whānau needs—durable counters for daily chaos, smart storage to ditch clutter, and timeless neutrals that boost resale in our hot market (often 50–80% ROI). Reuse working appliances, shop mid-range like Bestwood veneers or Neptune hybrid flooring, and bundle for deals. We’ve seen transformations in Standmore Bay with warm oak finishes or Parnell with remote LEDs—feels brand new without overcapitalizing.

Most people in Auckland want to renovate their kitchen because their old kitchen does not suit their family’s lifestyle. Some kitchens are too old and shabby while others are just not functional. New Kitchen cost in NZ can range from $18,000 to $120,000 depending on many factors.

However, not everyone has a $100,000 budget to renovate a new kitchen. Most people want a simple upgrade and are only willing to spend between $18,000 to $30,000 for a new kitchen.

If you’re looking for “specific” cost estimates, try our Renovation Cost Calculator Tools

• Bathroom Renovation Cost Calculator
• Kitchen Renovation Cost Calculator
• Reroofing Cost Calculator
• Double Glazing Cost Calculator
• House Extension Cost Calculator
• Custom Kitchen Cabinetry Cost Calculator
• New Laundry Cost Calculator
• New Pergola Cost Calculator

Need ideas? Check out our Kitchen Design Gallery or dive into our Bathroom Design Gallery for inspiration!

Already have all your own trades and you’re comfortable managing them for your kitchen renovation?

Although we don’t recommend if you haven’t renovated a kitchen before and/or you don’t have trades people you can trust, most renovations if not all comes with it’s own surprises because not all homes are the same – this is where experience/project management plays an important role in minimises risks to maintain costs/delays giving you higher certainty of outcome/quality backed by associated guarantees and warranties.

However, if you do intend to manage the kitchen renovation yourself, it does work out more cost effective to contact a kitchen cabinetry manufacturer directly to get the kitchen cabinets designed, manufactured and installed – leaving you to manage the other trades such as flooring, demolition, painting, plastering, splashback/tiling, electrician, plumber, and sometimes a carpenter/builder.

Try Little Giant Interiors cost calculator below to see what you can expect to pay for cabinetry.

• New Kitchen Cabinetry Cost Calculator
• New Laundry Cost Calculator

Find out more about-

how much it costs averagely to renovate a kitchen in NZ (2021).

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How much does a New Kitchen remodel cost in NZ? – Basic Kitchen

Firstly, you might want to think about the kitchen layout. For instance, how big do you want your kitchen to be? Are you going to keep your kitchen layout the same, or are you going to make some changes? What style do you want your kitchen to be? Do you want modern, traditional, or contemporary features? These are some good questions to ask yourself before you contact a renovation company.

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1. Kitchen Layout for a New Kitchen remodel on a budget

Most of the time a change in layout is not possible in a basic kitchen renovation. Changing the layout or moving your island, sink or plumbing will increase the cost of your kitchen renovation especially if you are on a budget.

Before Basic Kitchen in Papatoetoe

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After Basic makeover in Papatoetoe

Check out this basic kitchen’s case study: Papatoetoe

 

If you are more likely to stay with your original kitchen layout, then in that case your cost will decrease, so you might want to consider staying with your existing layout of your kitchen. It is however possible to create a budget friendly kitchen if you choose your renovation materials carefully. We will now discuss the different elements of your new kitchen when on a budget.

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2. Cabinetry and Storage for basic kitchen remodel

The biggest expense in a new kitchen is cabinets. Do some research and get an idea of the kind of look you want for your kitchen cabinets. If you have an overly large kitchen then you might want to think about just changing its doors or changing cabinets that are damaged. This is where we use your standard cabinets and we remove old paint, stain, sanding and repairing the same boxes, and re-apply paint to the same wood of choice.

 

Building entirely new cabinets is also possible but you will have to use mid-range materials like MDF. Melteca and Goodwood are two of the most popular MDF brands in Auckland. MDF in simple terms is manufactured wood from a factory. It is easier to clean than natural wood and has a better finish compared to acrylic. Melteca and Goodwood carry a budget friendly range for their products which come in various textures and designs.

 

Waterproof Plywood boards

Mary Stuart’s Melteca Oak wood finish in Standmore Bay

 

See Case Studies:

Historic Melteca finish in Epsom

Melteca Oak Wood Finish look in Standmore Bay

 

Storage is the second most important aspect of a well planned kitchen. Most kitchens in Auckland feature an open plan setting which means that they must have good storage, so the kitchen does not look cluttered.

 

To create an uncluttered look, think about installing a cutlery drawer, spice racks, pull out bins, magic corners etc. We recommend allocating a substantial part of your budget on your cabinets and storage because you want them to last a long time.

 

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3.What kind of countertop is right for my basic kitchen?

Countertops are another important feature for your kitchen. It is vital to choose a countertop that will be resistant to water, is durable and hard-wearing. There are many options available for budget friendly kitchens and our recommendations are as follows:

 

• Laminate countertops–Laminated Countertops is a material that has a lot of different colours and styles. This material is long lasting, stain resistance and has natural heat. Laminate countertops remains one of the top materials in New Zealand when renovating a kitchen. So, why is it one of the top materials? Laminate is a great material for people who wish to renovate their kitchen on a budget as it is $150 per square meter. Laminate does however have its drawbacks as it can be easily stained.
• Stone Engineered– Engineered Stone is the most popular and common countertop used in Auckland for new kitchens. So what is a stone engineered countertop? A stone engineered countertop simply means that the stone is manufactured in a factory instead of natural stone. The benefits of stone engineered stone is that through technology, manufacturers can manipulate the stone for added benefits like higher durability, better designs and is cost effective. Stone engineered countertops are often made of 90 percent Quartz. This material is a great option for first kitchen renovators as Quarts is affordable and available with a range of variety of textures in New Zealand. Stone engineered is not just durable but comes with 10 years of warranty and is scratch resistant.

 

Stone Engineered Countertop in Papatoetoe

 

Houzz states that stone engineered countertops can range between $520 to $1200 per square meter.

Read: Different Kitchen styles and elements that make each style (Traditional kitchens, classic kitchens, contemporary kitchens, cottage style and modern kitchens)

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4. What appliances can I get for a basic kitchen?

The first step is to see what appliances you want to upgrade. This can be from stovetop to dishwasher. Here is a tip! However, if your budget does not include high maintenance appliances then do not worry. We have got your back and just think about the existing appliances are working and the other appliances that need more attention. This could help you save a huge amount, and you can use that with other upgrades in your kitchen remodeling.

 

Appliances are another major factor when thinking about kitchen renovation as they are needed for cooking, baking, warming up, and refrigeration. To stay within your budget, only buy appliances that your really need. If some of your appliances are working well then there is no need to buy new ones.

 

When picking appliances, see what models have great reviews and only buy good-quality appliances that will last a long time. Having good quality appliances will also increase your house valuation if you do plan to sell your home in the future.

 

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5. Flooring

Choosing the right type of kitchen flooring is important as kitchens are usually a high traffic area and are prone to food and water spillage. You might want to think about the texture of the material you choose as a good kitchen flooring should be easy to clean, hard-wearing, and water-resistant, (hard for water to get through). There are four great options for a basic new kitchen in NZ:

 

• Linoleum Floors– Linoleum flooring is a natural eco-friendly material. It does however need regular maintenance and might not be suitable for families with young children. For instance, Linoleum flooring is likely to get damage because of the moisture in the water and, will wear off with time. Linoleum can also make a home look dated so it might not be a great option for everyone.
• Luxury Vinyl – As technology has developed, the properties of vinyl have also improved. Luxury Vinyl is a type of vinyl that is more durable than regular vinyl. There are also a lot more options available in terms of textures and designs. It is a budget friendly option for kitchens as it is quite inexpensive compared but need more maintenance compared to tiles.
• Laminate Floors– Laminate flooring is more durable and water resistant compared to Linoleum and vinyl flooring. The Flooring is a laminated wood face floor that looks and feels like wooden floors. Laminate flooring comes in various textures and designs which means that it looks great in open plan kitchens due to their aesthetic element. They can be made to look and feel like wood which is great for people who want a wooden floor look. Laminated floors are a cheaper alternative compared to wood floors. They are also easier to maintain compared to wooden floors as they can be made to be 100% waterproof.
• Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles–Ceramic and porcelain tiles are also a good cost effective tiles for basic kitchens. They are easy to clean, are durable and water resistant. You will also have a great variety of textures to choose from which means that you will be a able to create a beautiful kitchen for the fraction of the cost. They can however be cold on your feet in winter and can cause foot fatigue if stood on for too long. To combat this you can put soft rugs which are warmer and more comfortable for your feet.

 

Tiled Flooring kitchen Renovation in Bucklands Beach

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6. Lighting

Natural lighting is important for a kitchen to showcase its beauty as well as for cooking, preparing, cleaning, and hosting parties. Upgrading your current light fixtures with new ones will not cost you a lot.

You can also completely do away with wall lights and opt for LED lights on the ceiling. You can install energy saving LED lights which will also help you keep your energy bill low. To add to the aesthetics of your kitchen, you can also use pendent lighting above the island if you have one.

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How much does a new kitchen remodel cost in NZ – Mid Range Kitchens

As discussed above a basic new kitchen would cost between $16,560 to $28,990. A mid-range kitchen renovation cost in NZ costs between 32,000 to $45,000. In a mid-range kitchen, you have more flexibility and options in terms of change in layout and materials.

A mid-range kitchen would include a change in layout, custom-made cabinetry, stone engineered countertops/marble countertops, kitchen appliances, tiled flooring etc. This new kitchen makeover guideline shows an estimate to renovate for a mid-range level kitchen.

If you are looking for glamorous, budget-friendly, small, and large kitchen renovation cost, do check out the link below as it shows a range of cost for different renovations.

 

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1. How much does it cost to change the layout for a mid-range level kitchen in NZ?

Changing the layout of your kitchen means that you might want to change the plumbing as well as electric wiring in the kitchen. Changing the layout of the kitchen adds up to your overall kitchen renovation cost. If you wish to keep the kitchen layout the same, then it will cost you somewhere around $29,000. However, you want to add an island or change your current layout then you expect to pay more than $32,000. For instance, if your existing layout is not functional then you might want to consider changing your stove, sink or cabinetry around.

The most popular layouts that are possible for a mid-range kitchen are as follows:

• Galley kitchen
• U shaped kitchen
• L-shaped kitchen
• Island Kitchen
• Peninsular kitchen
• Two island kitchens

For more layout ideas and tips, check if you need more help.

 

Before Kitchen layout in West Harbour

After Kitchen layout renovation

 

 

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2. Cabinets, Doors, and handles

When renovating a mid-range new kitchen remodel cost in NZ , you will have a lot more choice in materials, textures and designs for your cabinets and door handles.

The material that you would be using at this level would be MDF Melteca. MDF Melteca is surface that most kitchen remodels use in New Zealand. Melteca has various ranges of materials and it is highly popular in NZ as it is affordable, easy to clean and highly durable.

You could choose a more premium range of MDF for your cabinets. We work with Melteca and Goodwood brands to custom built all cabinets. You can use Melteca’s high gloss premium range for your mid-range kitchen.

You can also customise your MDF cabinets by wrapping it with Dezignatek Thermoform with any pattern you like to create a traditional, vintage, classic or modern look. For example the cabinets below were wrapped with a Rhonda pattern to give them a vintage look.

• The front of the drawers and cabinets were wrapped in Dezignatek Thermoform with a ‘Ronda’ pattern to give the cabinets a vintage look.

Check out ourcountry cottage style kitchenrenovation in NZ

If your budget allows then you can also custom-build cabinets made of real wood but they are often very hard to maintain and hence MDF remains a popular choice for kitchen cabinets.

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3. Door handles and Blumotion

Our mid-range kitchens often feature soft close cabinets and hinges from Blum and Hafelle. Soft close cabinets are drawers from BLUM allow your cabinets to close softly and without any effort even if they are slammed shut. This feature is great for homes with young children or when you have a busy day in the kitchen.

Hinges from Hefelle and Blum will also last you longer as they are very durable due to their superior technology and will not rust.

If you are going for a modern or contemporary look then you can also opt for a no-handle set up with LED lights above them. This will give you a seamless and uncluttered look especially if you have a small open plan kitchen.

If you want a cottage style or traditional style kitchen then you can also install brass handles to give it a more vintage feel. To give it a cleaner and more classic look you can also install matte knobs against white cabinets for contrast.

For more :

types of kitchen styles like traditional, modern, cottage, contemporary, industrial and classic

 

 

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4. Storage for a kitchen makeover NZ

When taking about cabinetry, we talked about the way your cabinet looks and how it feels but now let us talk about the storage inside your kitchen. Having good kitchen storage is an important feature of a functional kitchen.

Kitchen storage can be useful to store dry foods, small appliances, cutlery, pots, pans, plates etc. Most homeowners like to store their things in places like in the panty, drawers, shelves, or their kitchen island. Check out this link for more comprehensive ways to organise your cabinets

 

6 ways to maximise storage for your mid-range kitchen

1.Magic corners
magic corners can be created for cabinets that are in the corner of your kitchen. They allow you to reach the corner space inside your cabinets which are often hard to reach. Most of our clients prefer using magic corners from BLUM.

2.Cutlery drawers and spice racks
due to our busy lifestyles, it is important that our kitchen is always well organised. You can get custom built drawers with compartments for your cutlery and spice racks. Also remember to put your cutlery drawer next to your crockery drawer and as a top drawer. Also ensure that your spice rack is next to the stove, so it is easy to access them when you are cooking.

3.Custom build condiment drawer
You can also make a custom built condiment drawer which pulls out. For example, if you see the condiments drawer below, it does not have any cabinet planks on either side which makes it easy to view your condiments when cooking. This saves time and energy when looking for what you have in your shelves.

 

Spice Rack storage in Hillsborough

Magic Corners storage in Hillsborough

4.Pantry with pull out drawers

it might not be possible to make a walk in pantry for a mid-range kitchen but that does not mean that you cannot have a well organised pantry. This a great feature for homeowners who seek extra storage for their dry foods, carbs, sauces etc. The pull out drawers is located inside the pantry and this feature is very useful when customising your drawers as it helps you to be organised and it helps you find what you are looking easily.

Kitchen renovation cost for custom-built pantry with pull out drawers in Papatoetoe

To see more on custom built-

See case study onkitchen renovation in Papatoetoe

 

5.Pull out bins

Pull out rubbish and recycling bins cab be installed within a cabinet which makes your space more hygienic as there are no extra bins on the floor. It also helps the area look uncluttered and cumbersome. Remember to install your pull out bins near your sink area because, it will be easier for you to throw extra waste or recycle their empty products.

 

6.Island which doubles as storage

Another option for a mid-range kitchen is to add a kitchen island. A kitchen island can be incorporated within layouts like U-shape, L-shape or even a galley, depending, on the space you have left for family entertainment or preparing food. An island can also be used in multiple ways in your kitchen, for instance, you can have extra storage underneath your island with drawers, you can have a stovetop or even a sink in the middle of your island. Another way to customise your kitchen island is to have a waterfall edge for your countertop or have your exposed countertop hanging off the edge, so that can leave space for your bar chairs. In fact, to renovate a kitchen island is going to cost you between $4,000 to $6,000.

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5.Kitchen Countertops

In New Zealand, renovation companies recommend homeowners to invest in Engineered stone countertop as they are affordable, durable, resistant to water, anti-bacterial and hard-wearing.

For a mid-range kitchen, you will be able to afford a stone engineered countertop of a more superior quality and design.

Luxury Engineered stone countertops are made from crushed marble and granite as it is a popular choice. You can choose a countertop with either sparkles ingrained within it or with ingrained designs or an overhang island for a luxurious look. You also choose to have a thicker countertop with waterfall edges for a contemporary look. If you have a thicker countertop then it will cost, you more than if you choose a less thick countertop.

 

Mary Stuart’s countertop in NZ

Lynette and henry’s countertop remodel in Bucklands beach

Stone Engineered countertops options for kitchen renovation in NZ

 

If your budget allows then you can choose a natural granite countertop which is more expensive than engineered stone. You can also install a real timber countertop, but this will have to be treated before installation. We would not recommend this countertop for people who have busy lives as a timber countertop needs to be maintained regularly.

Insert cottage kitchen photos

Splashbacks

Splashbacks are important as they catch any splatters made while cooking and also prevents from damaging the paint of your walls. Splashbacks are often installed above the stove top and sink area.

Tiles, mosaic tiles and glass tiles are three great material options when choosing a backsplash for your kitchen. Ruth from Tile Depot recommends using the Tribecca collection of tiles for splashbacks as it instantly elevates the look of your kitchen. Tribecca tiles look like handmade tiles which look textured but are actually very easy to clean.

Photo Credit: Tile Depo

 

Cost for a Tribeca Splashbacks for a mid-range kitchen renovation in NZ

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6. Essential Kitchen appliances cost for a mid-range level kitchen renovation in NZ.

When choosing your kitchen appliances, make sure your appliances are position in a way that is most convenient to you when preparing food or cleaning up. For instance, install your dishwasher next to your sink so your cleaning process will be easy. Another example is having your fridge between your stove and sink as you will be able to grab things much faster. Positioning your oven underneath your stove or place it at a closer distance to your cooktop. This is because when cooking or cleaning, the oven bar can come in your way and it will make it harder for you to move around, cleaning can also be a challenge if the oven is above or below eye level. Instead place your oven at eye-level to make cleaning easier and it can also be convenient when taking things in and out of the oven.

Choose your appliances well and check their energy star rating before making the purchase. Choose energy star rated products because it helps reduce your energy bill, they have a longer lifespan and come with an extended warranty. Unlike in a basic kitchen renovation, you will be able to change all your appliances to new ones.

Our mid-range kitchen renovation clients often use SMEG, Samsung, and Bosch for their appliances as this fit in easily with their budget. A freestanding mid-range oven from SMEG will cost you between $25000 – $4,000 if you are buying through a renovation company. This free standing oven often has a gas top, a warmer and single oven.

 

SMEG dishwasher used in a West harbour for a Mid-range kitchen renovation

• Bosch is another great brand for stovetops, ovens dishwashers, waste disposal, and rangehoods. Bosch is a more cost effective brand compared to SMEG and is very durable. You can expect to spend around $414 for microwaves, $1150 for modern ovens, and $1500 stain steel fridges.
• SMEG has an extensive range when it comes to price and makes appliances for mid to high range kitchen renovations. SMEG appliances are more suited for people who want a designer element in their kitchen. They come in various designs and styles to suit most tastes.

 

If you want a seamless and clean look then you can hide your appliances by building cabinet doors on top of them. This can be done by building cabinet doors on top of the appliances. However, only certain brands and appliances will be compatible enough to build cabinet doors on. We will not recommend you build hideaway ovens and microwaves as they can be a health and safety hazard.

 

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7. Kitchen Flooring

Your kitchen should ideally be staining free, waterproof, and easy to clean, comfortable and, most importantly, hard-wearing. You will have a lot more options to choose from for a mid range kitchen as compared to basic kitchens.

• Tilesare often a popular choice for Kitchen flooring as they are easy to maintain and durable. Ceramic and Porcelain tiles remain popular for kitchen floors as they are versatile and come in various designs and textures.
• Porcelain tiles are better recommended for kitchens as they are more durable and harder to damage. They are more expensive than ceramic tiles, but you will get a lot more design options for porcelain tiles. Porcelain can be made to mimic stone and wood which can elevate your kitchen design.

Tiles can however be cold in winter or hard on your feet when you are cooking for long periods of time. To combat this, you can either install underfloor heating or put some soft rugs on your kitchen.

• Luxury Laminate Flooring is also another option for kitchen flooring. They are warmer than tiles but are not water resistant which could be an issue with maintenance. If you are installing laminate flooring, then make sure that you wipe away any water spills immediately.
• Hybrid Neptunehas a new range of kitchen flooring called the stone polymer composite. This hybrid flooring is great for mid-range kitchens as it has all the best properties of stone and laminate. The stone used in Limestone and the Neptune SPC is water resistant, warm, soft on the feet, and muffles the sound of your footstep.

 

Hybrid Neptune Rustic Oak flooring(Tile Depot, 2021)

Hybrid Neptune kitchen flooring best features (Tile Depot, 2021)

Hybrid Neptune mountain flooring (Tile Depot, 2021)

Hybrid Neptune Soho Smoke flooring (Tile Depot, 2021)

Hybird Neptune Picture credit to Tile depot

Ruth from Tile depot says that this is a much better alternative compared to tiles or laminate and does not require any underfloor heating. It is also very durable and comes in many finishes. It will also not get damages due to sun or extreme cold weather.

 

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8. Smart Kitchen features and Lighting

Good lighting is necessary in a kitchen as it needs to be a bright space as most of the cooking and entertaining happens here. You can use recessed lighting on the ceilings as well as LED lights above splashback, underneath cabinets and door handles which can be dimmed or made brighter in accordance with the mood you want to create.

You want lights that are low heat emission and longer lifespan. LED lights gives your new kitchen a nice medium tone of light. It is recommended that we should not get lights that are not so bright or dim, just in the middle as the lights have a large impact on us and our guest.

You can also add sensor lighting and blue tooth lighting which can be switched on and off through the command of your voice. You can also change the colour of these lights with the help of your phone, remote or voice. You can also add pendent lighting above your islands or dining area to create further depth in your kitchen design.

 

LED Lighting under cabinets in Massey

Change lighting settings with a remote controller in Parnell

• Guru and Neeta’s kitchen setup with LED lights under cabinets in Massey
• Urban modern style kitchen with a remote that controls the LED lights under cabinets in Parnell

You can also install USB ports on the wall so you can charge your phone while cooking. also install push down electric ports on your countertop which can be pushed down inside the countertop when you do not need them, and you can bring it up when plugging in any appliance.

Guru and Netta’s modern style invisible plugs that hid away in the countertop

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How much does a New Kitchen remodel cost in NZ – Luxury kitchens

The kitchen is a best way to give an overall impression for your guests especially in open planned kitchens. To renovate a brand-new luxury kitchen in New Zealand is between $50,000 and up to $173,880. A luxury kitchen has no limitation to cost, and we recommend you still spend your money wisely as you will be spending a lot for a custom-build kitchen.

In a luxury kitchen you will be spending on a new kitchen layout, custom built kitchen storage, cabinets, high-quality countertops, marble flooring, designer flooring and brand-new appliance.

The biggest difference in mid-range and luxury kitchens is that in luxury kitchens your budget allows you to incorporate high end and premium materials.

Do check our table above to see what other things include in a high-end kitchen and, read our pervious article on how much does it cost to renovate a kitchen in NZ in 2021?

 

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1. Hiring a kitchen designer for your layout

When you are building a high-end kitchen, you have the freedom to customise your kitchen from start to end. This is where you will hire a kitchen designer and they will advise you on what materials, colours and what your style will look like by creating 3D models and renderings.

 

Above are a few elevations of 3D rendered drawings that our designer Dorothy created for a client who needed a kitchen renovation.

 

The kitchen above is an example of 3D renderings and designs that our designer Cici created for a client that needed a kitchen renovation in Parnell

 

Layout is very important when it comes to interior designer because they need design accordingly to the plumbing points and electric wiring for cooktops. However, when renovating a luxury kitchen, you have the flexibility or changing your plumbing and rewiring to suit the layout you want.

Storage and countertop benches are the most essential things when renovating a new kitchen.

Check out some top 5 crucial tips that Dorothy (our in-house kitchen designer) has recommended:

1. Plumbing and Electrical Ports– If you are trying to keep your kitchen renovation cost at a lower end of your budget then do not move your wiring and plumbing as this will significantly increase costs. Keep your stove and sink in the same position that it is currently in.
2. Advice on materials– A kitchen designer will also help you understand more about the renovation materials that you can incorporate in your kitchen design. They will help your combine different materials, textures and colours to create a beautiful kitchen. Due to their industry experience they will have knowledge about the innovation in materials and what is more suited for your family’s needs.
3. Space planning and work triangle – When designing your kitchen layout from scratch, you might want to think about the foot space in your kitchen. Your kitchen designer will design your kitchen layout in accordance to the work triangle.

Superior article about layouts: https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/kitchen-layout-planning-guide-to-achieving-a-good-kitchen-design/

A work triangle measures how effectively your kitchen is planned. It makes sure that there is a clear pathway from your stove to the cleaning area and your refrigerator. This triangle should have no other foot traffic in its pathway. You want to be able to comfortably work in your kitchen.

Reference: https://weizter.co.za/magazine/the-work-triangle

 

4. Appliances should be close by when moving around the kitchen like your sink should be opposite your stove or oven, microwave, or dishwasher.
5. Storage planning–Your kitchen design should include designated areas for storing all your cookware, spices, large appliances, and crockery. This will determine how you built your cabinets throughout your kitchen. For example, if you are storing your large appliance like a bread maker or a mixer in the left side of your kitchen then you have to make sure that the cabinet has the space and height to fit them. If you do not plan your designated storage areas then you might have a kitchen that can either not fit your appliances or have space that is wasted.
6. Kitchen islands– Luxury kitchens often feature kitchen islands in their kitchen designs. If you do not have space for a kitchen island, then you can explore the option of knocking some walls down to expand the space of your kitchen.

kitchen islands are a great addition for your kitchen as they give you extra counter space for food preparation and are a great entertainment area. You can also add two islands if you have a large kitchen area. Just like mid-range kitchens you can add extra cabinets, put a stove top, and add bar stools.

To hire a kitchen designer, you will be spending around $6,900 or between $138 to $276 per hour in New Zealand.

Customised Cabinets, Cabinet features and Joinery

 

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2. Customised Cabinets, Cabinet features and Joinery

Cabinets

Luxury kitchen cabinet doors are made from high-end quality materials which start from $2,070 per linear foot. When you are planning to renovate a high-end kitchen renovation, then think about getting materials that will last longer and have design features.

Depending on what type of style you want for your kitchen, you have the freedom to customise your cabinetry options to either modern, traditional, contemporary, classic, cottage style or industrial.

• Natural wood like Timber is a great option for your cabinet doors and drawers. You will have to make sure that it is treated so that it is not easily damaged. They have a natural beauty that gives it a will make your kitchen timeless. Depending on the wood you choose, you will be able to incorporate various hues like oak, maple, pine etc.

 

Pro tip: If you are using natural wood for your cabinets then make sure that they are treated and polished every 1-2 years to ensure longevity.

 

• Porcelain tiles on MDF (neolith) can be installed on your MDF cabinet boards to create a feel of luxury on your cabinet and drawer doors. Neolith is one of our preferred suppliers for porcelain tiles as they have an extensive range in textures and colours. Attaching porcelain tiles on MDF boards allows us to create designer kitchens in various styles. For example, you can use porcelain tiles that look and feel of cement to create an industrial style kitchen. Cabinets with Porcelain tiles require very good quality joinery and hinges to support the heavy weight of the porcelain tiles. We will discuss more about joinery a bit later in the article.

 

Pro tip: Cabinets with porcelain tiles attached on them will last you a long time. They will not be worn out easily and are great for families with kids. They can be heavy so you will have to choose your joinery and hinges carefully.

 

• Lacquer on MDF

  has been a popular choice for luxury kitchen cabinets because of its extensive range in colours and styles. Lacquer cabinets have 2 coats of paint applied to your cabinets with a high gloss finish. They are an expensive choice because you need a specialised skill set to create these cabinets. While they are waterproof to an extent, they should be regularly maintained as prolonged contact with water can warp them. They are also prone to fading if they are in contact with direct sunlight too often. They might have to be repainted every 5-10 years depending on its wear and tear.

 

Pro tip: If you have children in your household then we would recommend not using lacquered cabinets as they are prone to superficial scratches which will compound over time.

 

• Timber Veneer

  is basically manufactured wooden veneers which are attached on your MDF carcass. We often work with Bestwood and Melteca for wooden veneers as our clients can choose from an extensive range in colours, textures, and patterns for their kitchen cabinets. Luxury timber veneers like the woodgrain range from Melteca are a great alternative compared to natural wood as they are made to be more durable and require less maintenance. They emulate wood in how they feel and look but can also be manipulated to the exact look that you require which is often hard with natural wood.

 

• MDF Vs Plywood Vs Particle board for your carcass

Plywood and MDF are a better choice compared to particle board for the carcass of your cabinets as they are more water resistant and are much sturdier. We recommend using Plywood for your carcass when creating cabinets under your cleaning or sink area. This is because plywood is more water resistant compared to MDF. You can however use MDF for the rest of the cabinets in your kitchen. MDF and plywood have similar qualities when it comes to aesthetics and durability.

Details on your cabinets

You can also add crown moulding on your cabinets if you are going for classic or traditional kitchen design. You can also adorn your panels with wainscoting if you want a classic or cottage style kitchen. We often wrap Dezignatek Thermoform on cabinets to create patterns and designs on kitchen and drawer drawers.

For more traditional kitchen designs you can also create corbels and crown moulding on your cabinets to give a more furniture like look.

Country cottage style kitchen in Mangere Bridge, Auckland

 

Modern Kitchen cabinetry renovation in NZ

Joinery

We use BLUM for all our joinery and hinges because they are one of the best in terms of quality and innovation. Blum also has hinges and joinery in darker and lighter shades so a seamless design can be achieved whether you have dark or lighter shade cabinets.

Types of joinery we recommend:

1. Soft close cabinets and drawers: Soft close cabinets are great as no matter how hard you bang your cabinet doors; they will close softly without any sound. This also prevents wear and tear to your cabinets, and this will prolong their lifespan.
2. Tip on Blumotion: These drawers will open automatically when you press them. In order to close them you just have to push them hard, and they will close softly. No matter the style of kitchen your kitchen, this technology will improve the way you use your kitchen.
3. Pull out systems: Pull out systems allow you to open your cabinet upwards as opposed to traditionally opening on the sides.
4. BLUM Legrabox: This type of drawer system is designed so your runners are not visible and gives a sleek look to your drawers which works very well for contemporary, industrial, and modern kitchen designs.
5. Pull out pantry drawer system: This custom built pantry system boasts a pantry with pull out drawers with clear sides so it is easy to organise your pantry and your pantry items are easily visible.

 

Photo credit to Blum (2021)

Hinges that can support more weight:

If your kitchen cabinets have porcelain tiles attached on their MDF board then your cabinet doors and drawers will be heavy. To support these heavy doors and drawers, you will have to make sure that the hinges can support them. BLUM makes hinges that can support up to 70kgs which is suitable for heavy cabinetry.

As discussed above, planning your storage is important before even building your kitchen cabinets. This is because certain cabinets might need runners that can support more weight compared to others. For example, drawers and cabinets with heavy appliances and crockery will need runners that can support more weight compared to ones that will have your cutlery.

 

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3. What are my options to organise my kitchen storage?

You can get your standard storage like magic corners, cutlery drawers and pull out condiment drawers. However, with a luxury kitchen you have the flexibility to change the layout of your kitchen in a way that you can create a butler’s pantry.

• Butler’s pantry/ kitchen

A butler’s pantry is especially good for homes that have an open plan kitchen and for people who love entertaining guests. The butler’s pantry usually is a small room that is connected to the kitchen where you can either prepare your food or make mess in private without making your main kitchen dirty. You can also store your big appliances and dry food or install a sink to wash your dishes at a later stage.

• Walk in pantry or pull out drawer pantry

If you do not have a very large kitchen then opt for a small walk in pantry instead. A walk in pantry is just another form of a walk in wardrobe. You can create a large cupboard with shelving where you can install a sensor light to easily view your dry food items. If this is not an option, then you can custom built a pantry with pull out drawers.

 

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4. Natural stone Countertops and Designer Splashbacks

Countertops:

1. Granite and Marble

• Natural stones like marble or granite are two popular high-quality materials that designers recommend using on your countertop or kitchen island. Granite will cost you around $4000 to $7000. Marble on the other hand with cost rom $10,000 to $15,000 if you are using it for an island as well as all your countertops.
• Natural stones are popular because they exude a natural beauty which surpass the beauty of any stone engineered countertops. They have natural patterns that are unique to each slab and hard to engineer.

2. Concrete

• Concrete is also an option for islands, but it is a lot harder to work with. As concrete countertops can be very heavy, they pose a set of technical challenges which means that they should be manufactured and installed by renovation companies that have experience working with concrete.
• If you do want a concrete countertop for your island or countertops your countertops must be supported by steal beams as other materials will not be able to support the weight of concrete. Concrete is usually used in contemporary or industrial style kitchens.

 

3. Mix different textures, materials, and finishes

• Dorothy from our design department suggests using a combination of different stones, glass, and other materials with various textures and colours to create some depth in your kitchen design. You can also combine different finishes for different materials to give a truly luxurious feel.

 

Splashbacks and Feature Walls

Splashbacks are essential for your cooking and cleaning area. Our designers recommend our clients to not get textured splashbacks as they can be very hard to clean. The good news however is that there is an extensive range for easy to clean splashbacks to choose for a luxury kitchen.

1. Use a single slab of tile or marble- Cici, our in house designer recommends using one single slab of marble as a splashback for a clean look. Using a custom cut one piece of tile also means that you will have no grout lines which means that clean up will be easy.

Glam wall designer tiles at tile depo

2. Tribeca collection from Tile depot- Ruth from Tile depot said that bright tiles or handmade looking tiles are very popular as splashbacks and feature walls. The 2021 Tribeca collection features premium tiles that look textured and handmade but are in fact manufactured in a way that they have a smooth surface which is easy to clean, making it a perfect choice for splashbacks.

 

TIP: You can also opt at choosing a glass splashback or any other form of tiles. It is better to choose

 

Feature walls

Feature walls are great to add a different dimension and create more interest to your kitchen. There are several ways that you can create a feature wall in your kitchen. You can add a feature wall by painting a wall in a bold contrasting colour, adding tiles or a wall with plant creepers.

If you are using tiles then you can install either woodgrain tiles, mosaics, or textured tiles on the wall to create more depth to your kitchen. If you do not want a whole wall of tiles then you can also create accents with mosaics like a horizontal strip of mosaics on a plain wall.

 

Tile Depo’s glam cube collection for a splashback wall

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5. Designer appliances to complement your designer kitchen

As we talked above, getting energy star appliances are better for the environment, they will use less electricity, have a longer warranty and are more durable.

When purchasing your appliances, think about the overall style of your kitchen and get appliances that complement your overall kitchen design. You can also opt for hiding your appliances inside your cabinetry which is done by attaching the material of your cabinet on the surface of your appliances. This is great if you are going for a clean and sleek look for your kitchen.

For a modern and contemporary feel, opt for stainless steel rangehood with 6 or 8 gas hobs and stylish hood. You can also buy a smart steel fridge with double doors, a separate freezer, water dispenser and an ice maker. You can also either purchase a wine fridge or custom built a wine storage area.

1. Style options for kitchen appliances

SMEG and Bosch are two brands that are often used in designer kitchens because not only are they of superior quality, but you also have a lot of design options to choose from.

2. Traditional kitchen appliance ideas

If the overall design of your kitchen is traditional or cottage style, then try and purchase appliances that complement this style. Buy a large standalone gas cooktop with an oven and complement this with a matching hood. If you are going for a retro theme, then you can also use the retro appliances range designed by SMEG

SMEG appliances for a 1950’s retro style kitchen.

SMEG’s Classica style kitchen for a modern kitchen renovation in nz

 

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6. Luxury Flooring options for designer kitchens in New Zealand

You want a flooring that is soft on your feet, durable, low in maintenance, beautiful and does not echo when you walk on it. The two best type of flooring for your kitchen are tiles and Stone based composite polymer.

• Stone based composite polymer is a new hybrid flooring option in New Zealand which is 100% waterproof which makes it a great option for kitchen floors. It is also softer and warmer on the feet as compared to porcelain tiles. They are also a great option for second floor kitchens as they do not echo as much as tiles. They are not as expensive as natural stone tiles and can also be used for mid-range kitchens as well as for designer kitchens.
• Porcelain Tiles are more durable and waterproof than ceramic tiles but can feel cold in winter. If you are installing porcelain tiles in your kitchen then we do recommend clients to either install underfloor heating or put kitchen rugs during winter. The advantage of porcelain tiles is that they are easy to clean, are durable and have an extensive design range. We recommend using large format tiles 1200 by 900 or 600 by 900 for your kitchen floors for a more continuous and seamless design.

Porcelain tiles can also be made to look like cement, wood or any other natural stone which makes them a versatile choice for most people.

Tile depot range of Urban cement collection (2021)

 

• Natural stone Tiles are one of the best and expensive options for kitchen flooring. Natural stone tiles have a natural beauty that really elevates a kitchen design. You can install the same tiles in your living and dining area if you have an open plan kitchen.

Macchia Vecchia Floor Tiles from Tile Depo

 

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7. What is the best lighting for my Luxury Kitchen?

A brightly lit kitchen is a must as it is the centre of most of our activities in a home. We prepare our food, have our coffee, and often entertain guests/family in the area. Adding good lighting to your kitchen is not as simple as adding a few light bulbs on the walls or ceilings. Lighting goes beyond just having visibility in the kitchen. A well lit kitchen should make it easier for you to do your prep work with precision, it should be easy for you to stow and retrieve items in shelf and should make your kitchen look welcoming and spacious.

Incorrect installation of lights can in fact make your affect the appearance of your kitchen negatively.

 

Plan your kitchen lighting based on 3 distinct layers which serve a separate function.

1. Lighting to carry out tasks

• This is the general lighting which is needed to make your overall kitchen visible. This light should make cooking, cleaning, preparing food and navigating easy. One of the aims for this lighting is to make it easier to carry out your tasks.
• So, think about the areas that you need to carry out these tasks. Install lights above your kitchen island to make preparation work easier. Install LED lights below your top cabinets so it illuminates your countertop, at the top end of your splashback and near the handles of all cabinets and drawers.
• You should also add either LED ceiling lights or ceiling bulbs, so your entire kitchen is illuminated.

 

Tips of installing your Task lights

Tasks lights should be positioned directly above your sink, island, countertop, or other space where you carry out cooking tasks. Install the LED light strips under your upper cabinets and above the handles of your lower cabinets.

2. Ambience lighting

• This type of lighting creates a soft mood in your kitchen. This could either be lighting that can be made dimmer, or it could be in the form of pendant lighting on top of your kitchen island.
• There are several design options available for pendant lighting so you will have plenty of options to choose from depending on the style of your kitchen. If your space allows then you can also install a chandelier. Recessed lighting can be installed on your ceiling or any opening like seen in vaulted ceilings.

 

Tips on installing ambient lighting

Ambient lighting should have a direct path to the floor of your kitchen. If you do not have an island, then install a chandelier directly above your floor or directly on top of your island. If you are installing recessed lights, then position them at half the distance of the distance of your floors and ceilings. Also avoid creating shadows on your countertops by installing the recessed lighting above the countertop and not at the edge of it. The same concept would apply to semi flushed and flushed lighting.

 

3. Accent Lighting

• This type of light usually highlights a design feature in your kitchen. This could either be a feature wall or architectural feature in your kitchen. This is great especially in open planned kitchens where your kitchen is visible for the living and dining area. You could also but accent lights in glass cabinets with fine China or crockery.

If you have a vaulted ceiling or any other ceiling feature that you want to highting then you can install cove lighting which basically means that they light is built into your ceiling. You can also install soft low profile lighting inside your cabinets.

Tips on installing Accent lighting

Think art galleries when installing accent lights especially if you are trying to highlight a feature wall. You can also put lights inside your cabinets with the light installed above the crockery or decorative items in the glass cabinets.

 

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8. Electric work and SMART Kitchen features

If you are renovating your entire kitchen then chances are that you will be rewiring your kitchen. This is especially true if you are changing the layout of your kitchen because then you will have to switch all the plug points around. You can also add smart features to your kitchen that will improve the way you use your kitchen.

Ideas to incorporate SMART features in your kitchen design

• SMART appliances like a refrigerator that dispense water of any temperature that you like
• A hot water tap so you do not have to boil water every time you need boiling water while cooking.
• SMART home systems can be integrated within the design so you can control the light or the dimness of lights with your phone.
• SMART lighting controlled by Bluetooth where you can set a time that you come home and it will automatically switch the lights on for the time that you get home.
• SMART fridge that has cameras inside the fridge which can be connected to your phone. This way you can check what items you have run out of and get them on the way from work.
• Sensor ovens which can sense that the food or meat is cooked and it will automatically switch off or set off an alarm so you will never burn or overcook a meal.
• Plug points with a USB port so you can charge your phone while cooking
• Sensor lighting that will switch the lights on automatically when you enter the kitchen
• Range hoods that will automatically switch on at a certain fan speed suited to the type of cooking that is taking place.

Back to the Top

To Summarise,

The cost for a new kitchen remodel in NZ depends on what type of style you want your kitchen to be. Whether it is a vintage, cottage, classical, modern or a traditional kitchen style, also depends on the special kitchen features that you have upgraded from your previous kitchen like,

• Better quality materials for countertops, cabinets, splashbacks
• Energy star rated appliances.
• Change in Layout- adding a kitchen island or walk in pantry.
• Customise your kitchen cabinets doors and storage.
• Designer faucet, kitchen lights, cabinet handles
• Waterproof flooring
• Plumbing and electric work.

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Frequently asked question

On an average, how much will I spending to renovate my kitchen in New Zealand?

To renovate a kitchen in New Zealand, you will be spending about $22,000 - $30,000 on an average. This includes, project management, permits, labour works, kitchen designers etc. To know more, click on the link below, https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/kitchen-renovation-cost-nz/

How much does it cost for a kitchen renovation (mid-range) in NZ ?

At a budget level, you will be expect to spend under 29,000 with not change in layout. In contrast, for a mid-range level you will be spending $32,000 to $45,000. This includes, adding a kitchen island, better quality materials, upgrade your appliances, customize your cabinets and etc.

How long will it take to renovate a kitchen ?

To renovate a full kitchen renovation, it can take up to 4-7 weeks (depending on permits delay). However, it may take a bit longer as it includes changing in layout, plumbing, electric work or even getting a consent from Auckland council. A tip to consider is to start early to get a permit and start the project earlier.

Do I need to hire a kitchen designer ?

No, our consent process includes in-house designers who will help up along with the process during your time with us like 3D rendering, colour choices, picking materials etc.

What steps do I have to take before renovating my kitchen ?

1. Set your budget 2. Book a consent with a Kitchen Designer 3. Establish you kitchen needs than personal desires 4. Pick a renovation company that fits your desires 5. Grant permits from Auckland Council 6. Set project goals 7. Note: Remodelling a kitchen will take 3 to 4-7 weeks . Go shopping for suppliers 9. reassess your budget with project management 10. Ask for warranties for your appliances, materials, and workmanship once your renovation is complete. 11. Cleaning service should include too

 

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If you’re looking for “specific” cost estimates, try our Renovation Cost Calculator Tools

• Bathroom Renovation Cost Calculator
• Kitchen Renovation Cost Calculator
• Reroofing Cost Calculator
• Double Glazing Cost Calculator
• House Extension Cost Calculator
• Custom Kitchen Cabinetry Cost Calculator
• New Laundry Cost Calculator
• New Pergola Cost Calculator

Need ideas? Check out our Kitchen Design Gallery or dive into our Bathroom Design Gallery for inspiration!

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Further Resources for your house renovation

1. Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
2. Real client stories from Auckland

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Need more information?

Take advantage of our FREE Complete Home Renovation Guide (48 pages), whether you’re already renovating or in the process of deciding to renovate, it’s not an easy process, this guide which includes a free 100+ point check list – will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Download Free Renovation Guide (PDF)

 

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This article has been republished to include further content on kitchen renovation trends and top 6 key features that a good kitchen design must include. This recommendation has been made by our in house kitchen designers .

Hey Aucklanders, if you’re dreaming of a kitchen reno that nails modern functionality while feeling warm and inviting for family gatherings or summer barbies, these 26 top trends (with roots in solid ideas that have evolved into 2025) are pure inspiration. From smart tech and eco picks to bold colours and seamless outdoor links, it’s about creating spaces that handle our humid climate, maximise tight sections, and blend practicality with that effortless Kiwi style.

What’s Hot in Kitchen Trends for Auckland Homes Heading into Late 2025?

A lot of these classics are still going strong, updated with fresher twists like more biophilic greens and smarter sustainability. Standouts include:

• Smart tech integration → App-controlled lights, motion faucets, and energy-monitoring appliances—perfect for busy whānau cutting bills in spots like Massey or Parnell.
• Eco-friendly materials → Recycled composites, induction hobs, and water-saving taps, tying into grants for greener renos.
• Dark and bold cabinets → Black or deep tones for drama, with pops of blue or green islands adding personality without overwhelming small spaces.
• Streamlined textures → Clean lines, 3D tiles, or rough wood for depth—think Spanish-inspired backsplashes in Stanmore Bay vibes.
• Open or broken-plan layouts → Knocking walls for family flow, or zoned areas in Bucklands Beach-style homes.

Which Features Give the Biggest Wins for Functionality and Style?

Quartz benches remain king for durability against our steamy cooking, paired with clever storage like magic corners, tall larders, and multipurpose islands (single or double for big entertainers). Open shelves work wonders in compact units, hardwood or wood-look ceramics hold up well, and vibrant backsplashes or outdoor connections via bi-folds turn your kitchen into the ultimate hub—especially linking to decks for that proper Kiwi barbecue life.

Kitchen renovation trends usually change slightly from year to year with no big changes seen in the coming years. It is easy to change certain elements within your existing kitchen to keep up with the new trends. For example if you have a traditional white kitchen and want a change then you can easily add a pop of colour by adding a vibrant textured backsplash. If you are lacking in storage, then you could easily replace your existing island with a multi-functional kitchen island which could be used as a breakfast bar, storage unit as well as a cooking area.

What a kitchen means today for a family is very different from what they meant in the past. Traditionally kitchens have always been a place for cooking and cleaning only. Kitchens today are a place where most of the family congregates. It is a place that brings the family together whether it is in the form of a breakfast island bar or an open plan kitchen which opens into your living space.

In this article we will discuss the following:

1. the top 20 newest kitchen renovation trends for 2023
2. 10 trends that you should stay away from in the coming years.
3. 6 Key Features that every good kitchen design must include – Recommended by our Kitchen designers

Here’s what we concluded as the top kitchen renovation trends for 2023

1. Smart Kitchens
2. Eco-Friendly Kitchens
3. Cabinet Colours: Dark Colours Are Finally Here & White Is On Its Way Out!
4. Streamlined Designs, Materials and Textures
5. Open plan Kitchens and Broken plan kitchens
6. Quartz is Still King
7. Effective Storage Solutions
8. Open Shelves for Small Kitchens
9. Kitchens with a bar island for entertainment
10. Hardwood Flooring is Still the Shining Star but Ceramic Tile is on its Heels
11. Single Level Multipurpose Kitchen Islands
12. Double Islands
13. Ceiling high larders
14. Backsplash Trends
15. Connecting With The Great Outdoors
16. Adding a Pop of Colour
17. Mix and Match Metals
18. Steel Hoods
19. Statement Accessories
20. Hanging cups, Colourful pans and Colourful Appliances
21. Welcome with a Sociable Kitchen
22. Embrace a Wood Resurgence
23. Layered Lighting
24. Handle less Designs
25. Create a Space for a Pantry

Technology advances and changing social dynamics have contributed greatly to the rise of the newest kitchen renovation trends. There is a far bigger focus on open concept homes that revolve around the kitchen so everyone can be together.

As with any modern design trend, clean and simple styles have become favourites for homeowners with natural light becoming an essential aspect of the overall look and function of the kitchen space. There are 3 fundamental things that make a great kitchen design and it doesn’t often change, the three things are:

Trend #1. Smart Kitchen Design

Technology has entered the kitchen in full force and not just in the form of fancy gadgets and appliances. Today, you can have a kitchen with technology integrated into every function and appliance–from the faucets to the fridge to lighting. This is what we call a smart kitchen.

Smart kitchens are an evolving aspect of design. In fact, a lot of kitchens today are built smart from the ground up. For older kitchens, sensors, smart gadgets and other devices can be added to add convenience.

Kitchen renovation trends in Massey: These ‘pop out power outlets’ were installed on the counter top which can be pulled up when needed and pushed back down when not in need

Read more…

Guru and Neeta’s Luxury kitchen renovation in Massey – Pictured above

Townhouse Luxury Urban renovation in Parnell

Easy add-ons are motion sense-equipped kitchen faucets that can sense the presence of hands underneath and will come on automatically or try a one-touch feature. Refrigerators that can alert you when your groceries items are running low or a coffee maker programmed to have your coffee ready when you wake up.

There is also a gadget that monitors your eggs, telling you which ones are almost going bad. Do not forget to update your lighting system–allowing you to control all the lights from your smartphone or tablet. Technology integrated kitchens are becoming more popular as homeowners experiment with novel technologies. This is one of the biggest trends going into 2023.

Trend #2. Eco-Friendly Kitchen Design

A growing kitchen renovation trends has been being eco-friendly. As the awareness around sustainability grows, people are getting more conscious about using materials that are environmentally friendly. Taking steps towards sustainability could include having built in recycling bins in the kitchen, installing an induction cook top to reduce energy waste, and installing a 3 in 1 hot water tap.

A

Kitchen renovation in Parnell – the hot water tap is installed on the left side of the main tap fixture

Hot water tap is a great way of reducing water and energy waste. When boiling water we often boil too much water or use a kettle. When you install an instant hot water tap, you are using just the amount of water you need and less electric energy is being used to get the water to boil. This is also an added convenience to having access to instant boiling water for coffee or food preparation.

Trend #3. Cabinet Colours: Dark Colours Are Finally Here & White Is On Its Way Out!

Although white cabinets are a classic look that can be used in almost any kind of kitchen style, we are slowly starting to see them on the way out! We expect white to start declining in popularity throughout 2023 . To break up the monotony of all-white kitchens, expect to see islands in a variety of different paint colours or wood stain colours. The mixing of finishes creates a needed accent piece and additional pops-of-colour for the brave of heart.

Blue and green will be the most popular shades to add colour to your kitchen. Apart from natural and neutral shades green, emerald, and other earthy tones will also be popular this year.

Kitchen renovation trends in Massey: Our client in Massey wanted black cabinets against white to give a luxurious feel to his kitchen. LED lights were also installed under the cabinet handles to add to the glamour of the kitchen.

Dark kitchen cabinets portray elegance and a deep rich luxurious atmosphere. You must however be careful that the dark accents or cabinets you use does not overpower the room as it could make the room feel perpetually dark or dingy. But more homeowners are getting bolder and opting for a kitchen with dark cabinet colours in 2020. Expect to see tons of black and darker colour shades in the trendiest home of 2020.

Trend #4. Streamlined Designs, Materials and Textures

• Cabinets

While styles like farmhouse and mid-century modern are still popular, homeowners are getting more streamlined in their overall aesthetics, designs and alternative materials for kitchens. Simple looks are all about modern clean lines. They will continue to be a huge hit throughout 2023.

Removing upper wall cabinets has become a growing trend in the last few years since it opens up the visual space making the kitchen appear much larger and brighter. It allows you to utilise the countertop space more productively as most people cannot reach the top shelves anyway.

• Textures and Materials

A streamlined design does not equate to boring. It simply means that a design which is less cumbersome and more tasteful. Consider using materials with different textures. For example when using open shelving, consider rough cut wood as your material for a natural look or metal tubing for a more industrial look.

Kitchen renovation trends in Mangere Bridge: American Ashwood was used as the benchtop to add texture and a natural element to the kitchen.

• Tiles as a focal point

Floor tiles in a natural stone or backsplash tiles that are sculpted, beveled, or stacked make for the perfect focal point. These interesting textures are very different compared to the usual polished or glossy finishes we see everywhere. You may even want to consider a ceiling treatment to add another dynamic to your kitchen.

Kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay: The Spanish tiles installed in this kitchen are a great design element that can be used to enliven a space.

Kitchen renovation in Parnell: We added textured 3D tiles as a backsplash for this client to add character and interest in the kitchen wall

For further ideas on using Tiles as a focal point in a Kitchen

Urban Luxury Kitchen in Parnell with 3d textured tiles

Spanish mosaic tiles as a feature in the kitchen in Stanmore Bay

Henry and Lynette’s kitchen in Bucklands Beach with dark hexagonal textured tiles

Trend #5. Open plan concept and Broken plan concepts

The open plan concept for kitchens has been a growing trend for many years now. Today’s homes are mostly made of 2 working parents where evenings are the only times that families get together to spend quality time. Open concept kitchens allow families to spend time even if one person is in the kitchen whereas the others in the living. Open plan kitchens are easily achievable by tearing down a few walls that separate the kitchen from the rest of the living space.

An open plan Kitchen: The above picture is an open plan concept as the room is very clearly divided from the living room by a wall and from the dining room with some counters. There are still some breaks in the room which divide the room into specific areas. The above kitchen was renovated by us in Bucklands Beach.

Broken plan kitchens are a trend of the next decade, taking the open plan concept to another level. Imagine a large room which has different zones for living, dining and cooking. These zones are not divided by any half or full walls. This makes an area look more spacious as there is little that is ‘breaking’ the large space or room.

Broken Plan Concept: The above is a good example of a broken plan kitchen. The room is a large space where there are allocated zones for different purposes. However, there are no walls making a specific ‘break’ between the different zones.

Trend #6. Quartz is Still King

For high-end kitchen countertops, quartz still reigns supreme. The material is extremely hardy, can last virtually forever, is a breeze to maintain and is anti-microbial. Granite, the main competitor in the high-end bracket, requires slightly more maintenance.

When quartz countertops first came into the market, the main worry was lack of variety in terms of colours and finishes. But through technological advances, manufacturers can now provide a range of colours and patterns. You can even get quartz finished with elaborate swirls and large veining to imitate other materials like natural stone. These unique styles have become immensely popular.

Kitchen renovation in Bucklands Beach: We engineered stone to look like black marble which was then infused with shiny specs to add a touch of luxury for this kitchen renovation

But there is a notable trend toward softer and more neutral colours. More and more homeowners are opting for colours like grey, taupe, creamy or white finishes. This follows the trend towards cleaner styles seen in most home spaces.

Kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay: Engineered stone used to look like pattered granite. The pattern chosen by our client was Autumn Leaf.

While we are still on the topic of countertops, it is important to mention the rising popularity of composite sinks. These are sinks made from the same material as the countertop. This creates a cleaner uniform look and makes cleaning and maintenance much easier. However, it is going to be a tough battle against the still very popular stainless steel, ceramin and Silgranit sinks.

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Trend #7. Effective Storage Solutions

One of the biggest drawbacks with kitchen cabinetry is the unnecessary waste of space. The way the basic shelves and drawers are structured leaves a lot of wasted space. Worst of all, available space is often too small for some of your larger things or the opposite: it’s too wide and does not give you a way to properly and efficiently organize the space.

One of the foundations to a functional kitchen is kitchen storage. If it is inadequate or ineffective, you will be faced with endless frustrations and challenges.

To counter these storage challenges, homeowners are starting to look for better storage solutions within the cabinetry. These can include:

• drawer dividers for cutlery & utensils
• pull-outs for spices
• tray dividers
• roll-out trays
• magic corners for pots & pans
• wastebasket cabinets for garbage and recyclables
• deep drawers.

Pull out Rubbish and recycling bins

Custom built Pantry drawers to add convenience and maximise storage

Magic corners to utilise the space in corner cabinets

A different variation of a magic corner to effectively utilise corner space for cabinets

Custom built storage solution for cabinets to store condiments

The most popular storage solutions we have seen with our clients are the ‘magic corners’ as they effectively utilise the wasted space in the corners of the kitchen. The other popular storage solutions have been custom built cabinets with pull out drawers.

For more storage solution ideas…

• Lynette and Henry’s kitchen in Bucklands Beach
• Home and Kitchen renovation in Avondale
• Kitchen renovation for a young family in Papatoetoe
• Amber and Craig’s kitchen transformation in Hillsborough

Trend #8. Open Shelves for Small Kitchens

While Hidden storage solutions will always remain popular, they are not always feasible in a small kitchen. Small kitchens do not have the space for bulky cabinetry with storage drawers and hence need a different storage solution.

Open shelves for small spaces can provide effective storage solution and can also add a great design element. Following are some of the ways you can maximise storage in an open shelf for a small kitchen:

• Use magnetic holders for knives. These can be screwed on to the wall so you do not have a bulky knife holder on your counter top
• Laddle hangers and wall spice racks. Small hooks can be installed to hang all your spoons and laddles used for cooking. You can also find smart hangers where you can place your spice bootles.
• You can also create a wine glass hanger which would reduce the need for shelves.

Floating open shelves were added to increase storage and add a design element to the kitchen

A great tip is also to buy colourful pots, pans, bowls etc which can be placed in the open shelves. This would create interest and also add a pop of colour to your kitchen.

Trend #9. Hardwood Flooring is Still the Shining Star but Ceramic Tile is on its Heels

Hardwood flooring is still very popular when it comes to kitchen flooring. But the second most popular option, ceramic flooring. Thanks to technology, ceramic flooring now comes in a wide variety of designs, styles and sizes.

For example, you can get ceramic tiles that look exactly like hardwood flooring. So if you want to retain the hardwood look but want a material that is easier to maintain, consider using ceramic tiles. In addition to wood, ceramic tiles can be designed to resemble a range of other materials including natural stone. Even the surface texture is changed to mimic these materials.

Kitchen renovation in Bucklands Beach: Ceramic tiles which mimic hardwood were installed for easy maintenance and as a cost effective option

In terms of size, you do not have to go for traditional sizing any longer. It seems like the sky is the limit with variety and larger format tiles. You can get single plank tiles that resemble actual wide planks of hardwood once laid down on the floor. Or you can get custom cut tiles to create a uniquely patterned kitchen. Larger tiles make an are look bigger in space as compared to smaller sizes. This is because there are lesser grout lines and the area hence looks less ‘busy’.

Trend #10. Single Level Multipurpose Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands are no longer an afterthought or something small to squeeze into the space. They have become the point and the hub of the kitchen. One of the changes emerging is the single level larger sizing, serving multiple uses. Large islands now also have ample shelving below to maximise storage.

Kitchen renovation in Blockhouse Bay: Custom built large island which doubles as a storage solution with cabinets and as a breakfast and prep bar

Kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay: An island bar which doubles as a dining table and cooking bench

In the year 2023 large kitchen islands will become the jack-of-all-trades. They will have storage solutions and would be fitted with various under-counter appliances while also providing seating–serving as a casual dining and/or drinking bar. To accommodate the increased size, we are seeing a tendency for the kitchen island to extend into living room spaces in homes with open plan designs. This ensures the kitchen island can be multi-functional without cluttering up space in the kitchen.

Kitchen renovation in Massey: Kitchen island extending into the living room space to double as a bar that can be used for entertaining

Trend #11. Double Islands

If you have the space, then we would advice you to get two smaller island in your kitchen rather than 1 large island. Having 2 smaller islands improves the flow of the kitchen as well as the ease of movement. Having two separate islands also means that you could use of as a breakfast bar and the other as a counter top for preparation as well as installing a cook top.

Double islands have become a growing trend in the last year and are seen to be on the rise for large kitchen spaces as well as open plan living.

Trend #12. Ceiling high larders

Kitchen is not just a functional space these days. With the rise in open plan kitchens, it has become important to make kitchens aesthetically pleasing along with good functionality. Many people now prefer to have open shelves in their kitchen rather than bulky cabinetry as it makes kitchens look more spacious. Buy some colourful pots and pans and you have a beautiful focal point full of colours and textures.

The same logic applies to larders. The trend in 2023 is seeing a rise in larders that are open and built up to the ceiling. This gives you more storage and will also add a beautiful design aspect to your kitchen. To access the higher shelves on your larder, consider buying a trendy movable ladder that you can rest against your larder.

The above is a great way to built an open larder with trendy storage containers and a larder to access the higher shelves. Add some light within the larder and you have a great focal point for your kitchen.

Trend #13. Backsplash Trends

First things first, subway tiles are out! Okay maybe not completely out, but they are no longer popular in the ‘white brick’ size. People are moving on to larger slabs of tiles with various textures and patterns. Adding a bright and vibrant backsplash will add the much needed character in a neutral kitchen. Neutral patterns with natural texture is another option for those looking for a classic look.

Kitchen renovation in Bucklands Beach: Hexagon shaped black and grey textured tiles were added as a backplash to add interest, drama and texture to the kitchen

Another big change we’re seeing in tile backsplashes are their size and the portion of wall they cover. More people now opt for larger tiles to make the area look less ‘busy’. These slabs can be made to look like marble, quartz, wood, copper, stainless steel, glass…. the list goes on forever!

Trend #14. Connecting With The Great Outdoors

As discussed above, open plan living and kitchen has been a popular trend for a while now. In New Zealand we love Bbqs and entertaining our guests outdoors. This way of living in NZ has given rise to the trend of connecting the kitchen/dining area with the deck or outdoor area. Some of our previous clients have also used their outdoors as an extended kitchen area.

This is mostly done by building a covered outdoor area equipped with grills and cooking equipment which can be accessed from the kitchen through french doors.

Trend #15. Adding a Pop of Colour

As mentioned above, white will always be a popular colour for kitchens as it is a versatile colour to work with. In past people have always gone for a traditional look for kitchens with either white surfaces and cabinets or dark wood. The trend has now been changing towards adding colour to otherwise white kitchens.

A sky blue backplash was added to add some colour into a neutral themed kitchen in Papatoetoe

People are now looking at ways to add colour to their kitchens. We spend most of our time in this area of the house, entertaining our friends and family, so why not put our favourite colour in the space? We have and will be seeing this on cabinets, islands, hutches, and feature walls.

The colours predicted for these spaces are inspired by the elements with blues, earthy tones of green and red.

Trend #16. Mix and Match Metals

We get this question a lot: is it okay to mix metals in the kitchen? The answer is YES! Mixing metals adds character in the space, especially if it is done correctly. We will be seeing more of an eclectic style in 2023. Overly matched and coordinated spaces is a trend that is slowly fading. If you love gold fixtures, but don’t want it all over your kitchen, add a soft gold faucet with black or nickel hardware.

Light fixtures can be a completely different metal altogether, while having hints of the same metal you are using elsewhere. These pieces are the finishing touch to the space. Make them stand out! Another way to mix in metals, would be in your furniture selections for kitchen tables chairs or island stools. These can be easily interchangeable when you want to change things up a bit!

Kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay: Textured Brass sink and tap fixtures added metal elements to this kitchen in Orewa

Textured metals that are the same colour as other pieces in the kitchen are a nice way of adding a different element, while not getting too crazy.

Trend #17. Steel Hoods

In 2023, we will be seeing homeowners focus on their hood designs. This piece can be a major focal point in the space, especially depending on the layout of the kitchen. Most of the time, we design the space with the range and hood on a wall that is seen from other rooms in the house. Why not make this piece a statement?

The Steel hood above adds a certain drama to the kitchen

Custom steel hoods are a way to add in a breaking point to a long row of wood cabinetry. These are a nice feature, but they do come with a cost. Custom steel hoods can range anywhere from $5-7k, but they sure do make a beautiful addition to your new kitchen, so make sure you budget for this correctly. Let’s get rid of those boring matching stainless hoods and be creative with your space! This is also your chance to add metal as a component to your kitchen.

Trend #18. Natural Wood Tones in Kitchen Design

Stained, treated or imitation wood has been used in kitchens for more than a decade. Natural wood is making a come back in the next year as natural forms of wood brings warmth into a kitchen and gives it a nice rustic feel.

Kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge: Natural wooden counter tops treated with Epoxy Urethin Vinyl to increase durability.

If you have a white toned kitchen then adding either a wooden island, drawers or counter-top will add a vintage charm to your kitchen. In order to increase durability of your natural wood elements in the kitchen simply apply Epoxy Urethin Vinyl Coating on your counter tops. Natural wood however can be used in its true form as a nice rugged looking breakfast bar.

Trend #19. Statement Bronze Accessories for your Kitchen design

Installing statement is a great way to liven your kitchen up and give it a unique design element. Use statement taps and fixtures like brass to give your kitchen a rustic look or industrial look.

Brass sink and tap-ware added for our client to create a rustic look for this kitchen we renovated in Orewa

If you have a kitchen which is mostly designed in neutral and white colours then use black for all your taps, fixtures and cabinet handles to instantly make it a classic black and white kitchen without making any drastic changes.

Rustic looking bronze hanging lights also added to the rustic feature of this kitchen in Orewa

Trend #20 Plate racks, Hanging cups and colourful appliances

As mentioned above, a great way to spruce up you kitchen aesthetics is to bring some colour into the kitchen. If you are not looking for a big change then putting colourful crockery on display is a great idea to add some colour.

The above kitchen looks dramatic and bold due to simple red utensils and black cabinets. The red utensils create a lot of interest to an otherwise monochromatic kitchen.

All you have to do is add some hooks for colourful cups or add a wall mounted plate rack complete with pattered plates to create interest into a drab kitchen.

Another example of adding colour to a white toned kitchen.

If you are not afraid of colour, then add colourful appliances like a SMEG fridges or accessories can add some fun elements to your kitchen without having to renovate.

Trend #21 Welcome With a Sociable Kitchen

One of the kitchen renovation trends 2023 is the use of curved design elements to enhance the ergonomic benefits and functionality of the space. Rounded kitchen islands are becoming popular as they facilitate socialising and movement in open-plan kitchens with multiple entry and exit points. This kitchen renovation trend encourages smooth transition between spaces and is perfect for entertaining guests.

Open Plan Kitchen, Easier to Socialise

Modern full home renovation in Greenlane

Trend #22 Embrace a Wood Resurgence

Wood kitchen cabinets are becoming popular and may be part of kitchen renovation trends 2023. Using wood cabinets like walnut or oak kitchen cabinet ideas provides your kitchen with a timeless or classic look. A popular option amongst homeowners.

Trend #23 Layered Lighting

A major kitchen renovation trend 2023 is layered lighting to create a well-designed and functional kitchen. Instead of relying solely on task lighting in specific preparations area, layered lighting will create a more balanced and visually appealing look. This kitchen renovation trend of layering lighting is a key aspect of designing a successful kitchen.

Task Lighting Above Sink

Trend #24 Handle Less Design

The modern kitchen renovation trend 2023 is focusing on multi-functional, open-concept spaces with a minimalistic aesthetic. With the advancement of push-open and close doors, handle less kitchen cabinets are becoming increasingly popular as it provides a sleek and streamlined look. This trend emphasises simplicity, placing emphasis on the detail of cabinetry for a clean, uncluttered look.

Handle Less Design for Cabinets and Drawers

Read – Contemporary Kitchen Renovation with Rustic Features

Trend #25 Create a Space for a Pantry

Pantry cupboards are becoming increasingly popular in modern homes as they provide a convenient and organised solution for food items. This kitchen renovation trend 2023 emphasises the importance of having all food goods in one central location, instead of scattered around various wall cupboards. This not only makes it easier to keep track of groceries, but also creates a more orgnaised and functional kitchen space.

10 Kitchen Trends to avoid in 2023

It is always a great idea to not renovate your kitchen wholly after one trend. This is because some trends start becoming an eye sore after a time. We mostly recommend our clients to go for classic designs and use elements of upcoming trend to complement the kitchen as opposed to wholly changing the kitchen to suit a ‘current fad’.

We have compiled a list of trends that do not work well anymore and that you should avoid.

Trend #1 Themed Kitchen design

Kitchens that are fully renovated to emulate a certain time period or style can quickly run out of style, leaving you with a kitchen that you no longer like. An example of this would be a kitchen would be a retro themed kitchen. If you like retro styled kitchens then think about perhaps using a few elements from that era in an otherwise classic or modern kitchen.

Trend # 2 Kitchen desks and workstations within a kitchen design

Kitchen desks were very popular a few decades ago. The birth of kitchen desks came from an era where there was no internet or online accessibility of recipes. People used these desks to work on their menu and store recipe books. However, kitchens is a space which is prone to getting messy and you do not want your desk to bear the brunt of it. Re-locate your kitchen desk to another area of the house and instead add an extra pantry in the kitchen area.

Trend # 3 Dark wooden cabinets

Unless you have a large kitchen, dark cabinets can make your kitchen look bulky and cumbersome. It will close the space up and make your kitchen look dated. Opt for a lighter wood to open your space up and add a modern clean touch to your kitchen.

Trend # 4 Over the range microwave

Older kitchens mostly feature a space above the counters for microwaves. Not only is this cumbersome but it is also inaccessible sometimes with food being split or dropped ever so often. Instead, make a space for your microwave which is below eye.

Trend # 5 Tile Counter-tops

Tiled counter-tops may be cheaper compared to other materials but they are not easy to maintain. They are prone to chips and grouting stains which can become unsightly very soon. If marble or granite is not an option for you then try using engineered stone which can be made to look and feel like marble. They are a whole lot easier to clean and maintain.

Trend #6 White Subway tiles

Subway tiles have been used over and over again in the last decade or so. It is almost an overkill to use them when renovating a kitchen. Try glass, acrylic, stone or tile instead. If you do however like the ‘subway’ look then try colourful subway tiles instead so they add pop of colour to your kitchen.

Trend #7 Closed kitchens

As discussed above, closed off kitchens just do not suit our contemporary tastes anymore. Sure there is a pressure to keep your kitchen tidy in an open plan concept however, no one parent or two want to cook the evening away in a closed off kitchen while kids are hanging in the living room.

Trend #8 DIY backsplashes and cabinets

Doing a DIY job of either painting your cabinets or installing them will never give it the finish that you desire. If you are not a professional then stay away from doing a DIY job as it will only give you problems in the future.

Trend #9 Ornate Styles

If you prefer a rustic, classic or traditional kitchen then that is completely okay! Modern kitchens with sleek lines is not everybody’s style. Even if you are after a traditional kitchen, do not go for ornate decorations on cabinets, doors or oddly shaped islands. Ornate designs on wood etc make a kitchen look dates and unappealing. Instead, make the use of colours, wood and other accessories to bring out the traditional style.

Trend #10 Mismatched styles

When you think about renovating your kitchen it is always a good idea to see what the overall feel of your home is. If your home reflects a more classic traditional style then renovating your kitchen to a sleep modern kitchen would make it look like an eye sore. Instead you could have a traditional kitchen with modern elements to still maintain the theme of the rest of your house.

Trend #11 All White Kitchen

Minimalistic kitchen designs are trending, but to avoid a barren look, it’s important to incorporate neutral colours in addition to white. Incorporating colours such as tan, grey and black into a white kitchen can add depth and interest while maintaining a minimalistic aesthetic. This kitchen renovation trend 2023 focuses on simplicity and clean lines, so be sure to avoid having an all white kitchen.

Read – 10 Mistakes to avoid in your kitchen by our kitchen designers

6 Key features to incorporate within your Kitchen Design

There are several features that you can incorporate within your kitchen design when renovating a kitchen for comfort, functionality and aesthetics. A well planned kitchen design includes key features that maximise the space for the lifestyle of the homeowners. The good news is that there are several innovative solutions available today that work within small as well as large spaces. We spoke to our Kitchen designer and she listed the top 5 features that a good kitchen design should include.

#1 Layout is important for a Kitchen design

Deciding a layout of your kitchen will depend on the space available and how much your family uses the kitchen. If your kitchen is a high traffic area with various family members cooking together then your kitchen design should include a substantial amount of bench space. We have listed the most common layouts below:

One walled kitchens

These kitchens are best suited for smaller units or apartments in Auckland where space is limited. Units and apartments mostly feature open plan living. With one walled kitchens you can make a small area look less cumbersome and you get the flexibility of having a small dining area and a nice living room space.

Galley Kitchens

This layout works good for small spaces as well as it is a lean layout which is ideal for 1-2 person households. The galley kitchen layout features two walls or countertops running parallel to each other with a walkway in between. If you do have a small unit and a one wall kitchen does not provide ample space then a galley kitchen is the right type of layout for you. You can also use one of the countertop area as an island with bar stools and skip on a dining table. This will give you extra counterspace as well as an area to eat your meals.

L-Shaped Kitchens

U-shaped Kitchens

Islands in a Kitchen

As discussed above, it is possible to include islands within most layouts when designing a kitchen. The size of the island should however be in proportion to the space that you are working with. If you do have a one walled kitchens then you are probably working with a small space which means that the island that you install should be sleek and no overcrowd the space.

Peninsular Islands

Peninsular islands can be seen as an extension of an L-shaped kitchen. They are attached to a part of the L shaped kitchen to form a U-shaped kitchen. Below is a great example of an Peninsular island that we designed in a full kitchen renovation in Bucklands Beach.

Peninsular island in Bucklands Beach which provides our client with extra counter space as well as a breakfast nook.

Read – Our complete 2021 guide on Planning the right Kitchen Layout for your kitchen

# 2 Storage

Storage is one of the most important aspects of achieving a functional kitchen. The first thing that we recommend all our clients is to draw up an inventory of all their large utensils and kitchen appliances. If there is anything that you do not use regularly then this would be a great time to get rid of them.

Next think about your pantry and how much groceries do you store on a regular basis. Do you need a larger pantry or are you satisfied with the current one? These questions are important before a renovation so your kitchen can be custom built according to your family’s functionality.

When working within tight spaces we incorporate space saving designs such as ‘magic corners’ for corner cabinets, pull out cabinets, pull out rubbish bins and pull out pantries. Such designs help save space, and maximise storage when not a lot of it is available.

# 3 Durable Benchtop

Benchtops need to be durable in any kitchen whether it is used often or now. Most times benchtops cannot just be changed without changing the carcass of your cabinets as well. This means that it is vital that your benchtops survives atleast 25 years. Most older homes in Auckland have durable benchtop made of laminate which are not prone to cracking or breaking but they are prone to staining. Laminate benchtops get stained very easily and hence start making your kitchen look shabby.

Stainless steel is a very durable benchtop as it will not stain and has a long life. Stainless steel is not for everyone though as it can make a kitchen look cold and more like a commercial kitchen. Stainless steel is not the best option if you are going for a traditional or classic kitchen. Stainless steel can work well with industrial, modern and contemporary styles.

Quartz is another material that works great for countertops as it comes in various designs and is very durable. Due to its versatile option in design, it can be used in all types of kitchen styles. It is however an expensive choice for benchtops which might not be right for everyone’s budget.

Engineered stone has become one of the most popular choices for our clients as it is durable as well as cost effective compared to quartz. Engineered stone is exactly as it sounds, it is engineered in the factory. It can be made to look like marble or any other material which makes it a versatile design choice. It is also not as expensive as marble or quartz and does fit into most budgets. Engineered stone does not stain like laminate and is a very easy to clean material.

# 4 Good durable Flooring

The floor of the kitchen can easily get dirty and messy. Most people live busy lives and cannot spend a long time cleaning and maintaining the floors. Tiled or Acrylic floors are the easiest to maintain when it comes to kitchens. Tiled and Acrylic floors now come in various textures, designs and patters and can be made to look like wooden floors or any other type of flooring. This means that you do not have to compromise on style and aesthetics. They are also very easy to maintain and do not get damaged with any water spillage.

Carpets and Real hardwood floors are easily the hardest to maintain. Carpets are easily stained and can be a nightmare to maintain in a kitchen even with a kitchen mat. Real hardwood floors can begin to rot overtime if there is constant water spillage which is often not avoidable in a kitchen. If you have real hardwood floors then a good idea will be to protect them in order to avoid them getting damaged.

We have renovated old bungalows in Auckland where our clients chose to keep their timber floors and we preserved them by taking the following steps:

• All the floors were cleaned thoroughly and then sanded
• All the rows of nail holes were fixed
• 3 coats of commercial grade water Born Polyurethane was applied on the floors
• After 5 days we then applied a satin finish of moisture cured and water based polyurethane.

# 5 Good Quality Fittings

If you’re considering which items to spend more on in your kitchen, it’s worth paying attention to the fittings. A standard cabinet can be lifted by a beautiful handle, while a basic sink can look high-end with the addition of a well-chosen tap.

The fittings in your kitchen are going to be used a lot, so it makes sense to invest in quality to ensure they’re strong, durable and nice to touch.

It is important to use good quality fittings when renovating a kitchen whether it is a DIY project or through a renovation company. You are not going to be renovating your kitchen every 5 years or so which means that the fittings you choose should be lasting you at least 15-20 years. It is better to put off your renovation for a few more years in order to save enough to invest in good quality fittings for your kitchen renovation.

Your fittings will be used a lot and quite regularly so there is a high chance of wear and tear. The materials you choose for your cabinets, benchtop, sink and door handles should be durable and sturdy.

# 6 Easy to clean splash back

A well chosen splashback can transform your kitchen in terms of design as well as reduce the time it takes you to clean while cooking. One of the key functions of a splashback is to protect the wall from the splatters made while cooking. Hence decide on a sleek tiled splashback without many grout lines or a glass splashback.

If there are too many grout lines or if the tile used is rough or textured then cleaning the splashback will be harder. If it is a smoother tile without too many grout lines then it would be a whole lot easier to clean your splashback.

Featured Projects

Urban Luxury Kitchen renovation in Parnell

This townhouse was centrally located in Parnell but the kitchen was tiny and lacked counter space. We completely changed the layout of this kitchen by first moving it from the left side of the area to the right. We then added cabinets in the dining area as an extended storage space. This cabinet featured shelves with internal lights which could be opened when required. To see Before and After pictures and project specifications see more

Entertainer’s Dream Kitchen and Bar

Guru and Neeta from Massey had a closed off kitchen which did not let them enjoy an open plan living. They wanted to renovate to introduce a feel of luxury but also make it an open space which could double as an entertaining space. We opened up the space for them and also extended the kitchen counter towards the lounge to act like a bar. The black and white see more

Kitchen, Lounge and Dining room renovation in Massey

Cottage Style Kitchen in Mangere Bridge

This was a special kitchen as it was about incorporating natural elements into the kitchen to reflect our client’s country surroundings. The kitchen was dated and was transformed into a chic country style kitchen complete with treated real wood as bench-tops, butler’s sink, floating shelves and cabinets that were wrapped in Dezignatek Thermoform with a ‘Ronda’ pattern to give them cabinets a vintage look see more

Full kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge, Auckland

Already have all your own trades and you’re comfortable managing them for your kitchen renovation?

Although we don’t recommend if you haven’t renovated a kitchen before and/or you don’t have trades people you can trust, most renovations if not all comes with it’s own surprises because not all homes are the same – this is where experience/project management plays an important role in minimises risks to maintain costs/delays giving you higher certainty of outcome/quality backed by associated guarantees and warranties.

However, if you do intend to manage the kitchen renovation yourself, it does work out more cost effective to contact a kitchen cabinetry manufacturer directly to get the kitchen cabinets designed, manufactured and installed – leaving you to manage the other trades such as flooring, demolition, painting, plastering, splashback/tiling, electrician, plumber, and sometimes a carpenter/builder.

Try Little Giant Interiors cost calculator below to see what you can expect to pay for cabinetry.

• New Kitchen Cabinetry Cost Calculator
• New Laundry Cost Calculator

Further Resources for your house interior design

1. Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
2. Real client stories from Auckland.

Need ideas? Check out our Kitchen Design Gallery or dive into our Bathroom Design Gallery for inspiration!

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We have recently opened a renovation showroom in Auckland with 3 displays of renovated kitchens, 5 displays of renovated bathrooms as well as a design studio. We are the first of its kind in New Zealand as this is not just a manufacturer’s showroom but a showroom where our clients can see the quality of our workmanship as well as explore the myriad of renovation materials that are available today.

Our showroom was created to highlight essential storage in kitchens, the different range of revolutionary materials available today as well as different kitchen designs.

With the creation of this showroom, we decided that it would be a good idea to create an article explaining the different materials used in our kitchen showroom display designs and their features as well as benefits for families. The idea is to educate our clients about the revolutionary and innovative renovation materials available today.

Table of contents:

1. Difference between our showroom and other kitchen showrooms in Auckland ⇓
2. Our lead renovation designers Cici and Dorothy – examples of their prior work ⇓
3. Highlighting our modern matte black kitchen in our kitchen showroom ⇓
   
   – Overall design highlight
   – Premium Acrylic boards for cabinets – features and benefits
   – Leather finish benchtops – Features and Benefits
   – Silgranit Sink – What exactly is Silgranit?
   – Soft close technology for cabinets
   – No handle set up + Push open cabinets
   – Maximising storage solutions in a sleek kitchen
   – Waterproof Laminate floors
   – who are these types of materials/kitchens good for?
4. Highlighting our Classic kitchen in our Kitchen showroom ⇓
   – Overall classic design explained
   – highlighting 60mm polished benchtop
   – Handcrafted cabinet fronts
   – Feature walls
   – Premium luxury materials
5. Contemporary Kitchen in our Kitchen showroom ⇓
   – How to achieve a great design which is budget friendly
   – Premium Acrylic cabinet fronts Vs Mid-range acrylic cabinets
   – Combination of different materials to create a contemporary style
   – Creating continuity with benchtop and splashback
   – Why is this kitchen more budget friendly than the other two?

Renovation showroom vs Kitchen manufacturer’s showroom – Why we are different? ⇑ (Back to the top)

Chances are that if you are renovating your kitchen, you are also changing its flooring, painting the walls, and moving electric sockets around. With kitchen manufacturing companies you will have to find the additional trades, handle supply deliveries, and manage the process.

Most showrooms that you see in Auckland are kitchen manufacturing companies that have a showroom where they display their quality of kitchens. You will mostly meet a designer that designs your kitchen which is then manufactured and installed at your home. They do not however provide other trades like electricians, builders, plumbers, painters, or a project manager. You will also have to go to flooring companies to select your flooring, choose a painting company, and organise other trades.

Need ideas? Check out our Kitchen Design Gallery or dive into our Bathroom Design Gallery for inspiration!

 

Our Renovation showroom in 16D Link drive, Wairau Valley, Auckland. Our renovation showroom has 3 kitchen displays, 5 Bathroom displays, a Design studio and 100s of renovation materials for you experience. We encourage our clients to visit our showroom to see the quality of our workmanship.

 

In our case, we are a renovation company that specialises in project management. When renovating a kitchen with us, our project manager will come to your home and measure your kitchen are and discuss your design ideas. Our lead kitchen designers Dorothy and Cici will then create your kitchen design using CAD and sketch up. Our project manager will then give you a fixed quote and with all the specifications for your project as well as timeline.

Before accepting our quote, we would encourage you to visit our showroom to see the quality of our workmanship. Once you have accepted our proposal, we will first finalise your kitchen design and once approved, it will be manufactured in Auckland which would take from 2-3 weeks.

While the kitchen cabinets and benchtops are being manufactured, we will take you to our flooring, lighting appliance supplier showrooms to select all your other fittings for the kitchen. We will then install your cabinets and benchtop, install your flooring, and provide all trades like electricians, flooring installers, painters, plasterers, plumbers, builders and you will have a dedicated project manager to oversee the entire renovation process.

Cici and Dorothy – Our in-house Renovation and Kitchen designers (Examples of their kitchen designs)– ⇑ (Back to the top)

Cici and Dorothy come with an extensive experience in designing renovation spaces which are functional yet beautifully designed. They both worked together to create our kitchen showroom displays as well as our bathroom showroom displays. They create initial designs on sketch up but also create 3D renderings and models using CAD for our renovation clients. They are an asset to our company not just because they are very good designers but they also have extensive knowledge about the evolving renovation materials of today.

A kitchen renovation in Massey – Take a look at the design phase behind this Kitchen renovation.

The kitchen renovation pictured below was designed by Dorothy and managed by our project manager Jin. It was primarily designed to renovate a closed off kitchen into an open plan kitchen with an area to entertain.

The pictures below show the transformation of a kitchen renovation that we carried out in Massey, Auckland. The kitchen was a closed off room which was demolished an open plan living which is often why many of our clients get their kitchens renovated. A bar area was also created which was extended from the kitchen. Dorothy and our client decided to use the same renovation materials as well as cabinetry for the kitchen as well as bar to maintain continuity in the overall kitchen design.

Before the kitchen renovation

Design draft 1

Design Draft 2

After the Kitchen was Renovated

 

Design drafts Vs Reality of the kitchen

Elevation 1 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen

 

Elevation 2 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen

Elevation 3 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen

 

Other drafts initial designs

 

Read: Before, and After pictures + design specifications of a kitchen renovation in Massey designed by Dorothy

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1st Display – Modern Matte Black kitchen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland ⇑ (Back to the top)

 

Dorothy designed this kitchen for our kitchen showroom keeping a minimalistic and sleek design in mind. This kitchen also highlights different storage solutions as well as in cabinet organisation that you can incorporate in your kitchen design to make it more functional.

This kitchen showroom display also highlights the revolutionary renovation materials that are available today. These renovation materials ensure that cleaning up and prolongs the durability of the kitchen.

 

 

The key features of this kitchen showroom display includes:

• Premium Acrylic boards on MDF boards for all kitchen cabinets and drawers
• Stone engineered benchtop with a leather finish
• Timber Veneer boards for floating shelves
• Glass Splashback
• Downdraft rangehood on the island
• Large induction stove on the island
• Hidden fridge and dishwasher
• Pull our rubbish and recycling bins
• Full length pull out pantry with drawers
• Pull out condiment cabinet
• Magic corner for corner cabinet
• Hidden drawers
• Soft close cabinet and drawers with a push open technology
• Silgranit sink with a insinkerator
• Waterproof SPC laminate floors

 

Design stages for the kitchen display done by Dorothy

You can see some of Dorothy’s preliminary designs for this display for our kitchen showroom. This is one of our most interactive kitchens in our showroom because practically all storage and appliances are hidden behind the cabinets. Our clients spend most of their time on this kitchen because there is always a surprise behind each cabinet/drawer that they open.

 

As mentioned above, the materials and and functionality of this kitchen makes it a unique kitchen display. The materials are innovative and revolutionary for the families of today. Kitchens are no longer serve the same purpose that they did in the past. They are now a hub of entertainment and often a place that the whole whole family congregates around in the evenings or for a quick breakfast before school or work.

It is no longer a separate room but a room in the living space with an open plan setting. Children and adults often cook their meals together which makes it important that the materials used to create your kitchen are durable and easy to clean/maintain.

“I wanted to show our clients that you can achieve a sleek and minimalistic look for their kitchen design without compromising on storage or functionality. Storage solutions of older kitchens are often either bulky or inconvenient for accessibility. The materials especially are an highlight for this kitchen because they are very durable and easy to clean.” explains Dorothy when asked about her vision for this kitchen showroom display.

Most people renovate their kitchens or even homes only once or twice in their lifetime which means that there is a serious lack of knowledge about the renovation materials of today. Our aim through this article is to educate our clients about the materials that we use as a renovation company as well as the materials in our kitchen showroom displays.

Read more…

10 Mistakes to avoid when designing your kitchen by our in-house kitchen designers

How much does it cost to renovate a kitchen in NZ (2022)

Cabinets and panels for all cabinetry – What are they actually made of?

All the cabinets and drawers fronts in this matte black kitchen are made of premium acrylic that is pressed on FSC certified MDF. The carcass or framework of the cabinetry is made of particle board.

Premium Acrylic panels on MDF boards for all the cabinet and drawer fronts. Recessed Veneer below the stone engineered countertop gives the benchtop an appearance of floating.

What is MDF?

MDF or Medium density fibreboard is manufactured or engineered in a factory. It is made by breaking down any scrap/residual parts of hardwood which are bound with wax and resin. High pressure and temperature is applied to this to make them into panels.

Premium Acrylic panels by Laminex

We have used Laminex’s premium acrylic decorative boards which are pressed on the locally made FSC certified MDF. They have a great depth of colour with a matte finish that is made smooth to almost feel like velvet.

These panels are beautiful yet durable and very easy to clean. Some of the features of these premium acrylic panels are as follows:

• They are fingerprint resistance – this means that you will not have to keep wiping off finger prints from the cabinets.
• They are easy to clean as they do repel dust
• They are scratch resistant – this is great especially for kitchens where it is easy to scratch the fronts by sharp objects.
• Stain resistant – The fact that these cabinets cannot be stained means that you don’t have to worry about wiping any spillage immediately while cooking.
• They are soft to touch and come with a 10 year warranty.

 

The panels we have chose for our kitchen showroom display is Metallic coal but it does come in 8 other colours which gives you alot of options when designing your kitchen.

When you open one of our hidden drawers, you will see all the other colours that you can use to customise your kitchen in the style that you would like.

 

Benchtop used in this kitchen display

The benchtop is also engineered stone with a concrete look. Dorothy wanted this kitchen to have an overall matte finish for all its materials and hence the benchtop also has a matte finish. We work closely with the supplier UniQuartz that create beautiful stone engineered benchtops.

This benchtop is also soft to touch like the acrylic panels and has a leather finish (which means its not polished but has texture when you touch it).

The key features of this material is as follows:

• It is stain resistant – this is great for when you are cooking and you don’t have to worry about any spills staining your benchtop
• They wont crack easily if you put a heavy put or if something drops on it unexpectedly from any top cabinets.
• They can withstand up to 410 degree Celsius without any damage to it.
• You can wipe any spills easily with a cloth or paper towel
• It has a textured feel to it when you touch it with a concrete look

 

The top edge of the benchtops have a shark nose that gives the benchtop a floating quality. This can be seen in the picture below.

All the floating shelves are made of Veneer board with a crown cut. Veneer board is basically MDF with real timber on the surface. The floating shelves add warmth to the kitchen and cut the monotony of the matte black cabinets. It also allows clients to display ornaments, crockery or wine making the kitchen homely.

Read more…

Mary Stuart’s Before and After Spanish Kitchen renovation – with Spanish style stone engineered benchtop

Lynette and Henry’s modern kitchen renovation – Black Stone engineered benchtop with ingrained sparkles

No handle set up + technology used in cabinets

This kitchen does not have any knobs or handles to open the drawers or cabinets. All the lower cabinets have a shark nose at the edge, making it easier to grip and open them. There is a veneer board recessed strip between the benchtop and cabinet edge which has an LED light strip making it easier to see where you open the cabinets in the dark.

All the top cabinets use a ‘push open’ technology to open the cabinets which simply means that you push the cabinet and it opens. As the cabinets are finger print resistant, you will not find any fingerprint marks when you touch the top cabinets.

All the cabinet and drawers use a ‘soft close’ technology which reduces means that even if you slam the cupboards, they will slow down and close softly. This is great as it reduces noise in the kitchen and especially when young kids are in the kitchen.

Glass mirror splashbacks – Why a glass mirror splashback was used for this kitchen showroom display?

Tiles have always been the most popular choice for splashback for kitchens. Glass mirror splashbacks have seen a growth in popularity recently especially for modern and contemporary kitchen designs.

This glass mirror splashback in our kitchen showroom is coloured black to match the overall kitchen design. Contrary to popular belief, this splashback is resistant to heat as it is made of toughened glass and will will not break easily. Using glass mirrors is also a way of making your kitchen look more spacious. Glass splashbacks are also easy to clean compared to tiles as there are not grout lines.

Extensive Storage solutions for your kitchen design – Making organisation easy

Most of our kitchen renovations include making the kitchens into an open plan kitchen. Open plan kitchens often have the living and dining area in the same space as the kitchen. While open plan kitchens promote family interaction, they also pose a problem. The problem is that open plan kitchens need to look presentable and uncluttered at all times as they are visible from other living areas. This means that you should be able to store all your big appliances, condiments, pots and pans inside the cabinets comfortably.

Dorothy says that the ease of retrieving your appliances/condiments should also be considered when building internal storage or organisation for cabinets and drawers.

This kitchen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland is a great example of good storage with great internal organisation and everything is easy to find/retrieve.

Hideaway Dishwasher and Fridge in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Having your dishwasher and fridge hidden behind your cabinets gives your kitchen a seamless and sleek look. This is especially an advantage for open plan kitchens as there is an added emphasis on aesthetics in open plan kitchens.

So how do hideaway dishwashers and fridge work? The cabinet fronts are attached to the exterior of the dishwasher and fridge so from the exterior it looks like a cabinet.

We have created hidden dishwasher and fridge in our kitchen showroom to show our clients how they look and feel.

Hidden SMEG dishwasher with cabinet front attached to the exterior of the dishwasher in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

Hidden Fridge and Freezer with cabinet fronts attached to the exterior of the fridge in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

Pull out panty with drawers

The older pantries in our kitchens often just feature a large cabinet with shelves. We often store all our pantry items in the shelves and no matter how much we organise it, it always ends up looking cluttered. When retrieving items from behind, we have to move the items in front out of the way. This wastes time as and is also quite inconvenient.

This kitchen display shows a pull out pantry that you can build it within your kitchen with in built compartments as seen below. The in built drawers are see through from the sides which means that you can see all your pantry items which makes retrieving them easy.

Pull out pantry with in-built shelves makes it easy for you to clearly see all the stored items and retrieve them. – This pantry can be seen in our matte black kitchen display in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland.

 

Individual drawers in the pull out pantry

 

There are several types of pull out pantries that can be incorporated in a kitchen design. We did a full kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe which included creating pull out drawers in a pantry as opposed to the entire pantry being pulled out. In this type of pantry you can pull out individual drawers with see through plastic drawers making organisation of items and retrieving of them easy (see below).

 

Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe with individual pull out drawers built within the pantry.

 

In this pantry, instead of building an entire pull out pantry, we instead created individual drawers that can be pulled out.

 

See full kitchen renovation specifications + Before and After pictures (for renovation above)

Magic Corner for corner cabinets in our Kitchen showroom

What exactly is a magic corner? Magic corner is a storage solution for corner cabinets or L shaped corner cabinets. It is often hard to get appliances or pots from the corner part of the cabinets which is where a magic corner comes in handy. The idea of a magic corner is to build a shelf which can be pulled out completely. See below for the magic corner that we installed for our matte black kitchen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland (at Wairau Valley).

Magic corner in our kitchen showroom for our matte black modern kitchen

 

As is the case with a pantry, magic corners come in various designs depending on the preference of our clients. You can see a few examples of different magic corner styles that we have used in our clients’ kitchen renovations around Auckland.

 

Kitchen renovation in Hillsborough

Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe

Kitchen specifications + Before and After renovation for Hillsborough Kitchen renovation (Picture above left)

Kitchen specifications + Before and After renovation for Papatoetoe Kitchen renovation (Picture above right)

 

Pull out bins + Recycling bin in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Pull out bins and recycling bins have become popular with clients because they are more hygienic than bins that are on the floor beside the kitchen. They also make the kitchen area look less cluttered without a bin on the floor. This kitchen showroom display has two full sized pull out bins which are installed next to the sink for easy disposal of rubbish.

 

2 Full sized bins that can be pulled out from the cabinets in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Some examples of pull out bins that we have incorporated in client kitchen designs. As you can see the bins in our client homes as seen below are half length bins as there is also a drawer beneath it. The size of bins depends on your preference as some of our client s prefer to empty the bins more often than others.

 

Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe

Kitchen renovation in West Harbour

 

Pull out condiment cabinet in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Pull out condiment cabinets may not be a necessity in a kitchen but it makes organisation easy. Condiment drawers are usually built around near the stove for easy access while cooking. Our kitchen showcases just that in the picture seen below.

Pull out condiment cabinet in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Most of the kitchens we have renovated include a condiment cabinet like this in its kitchen design. Some examples of pull out condiment cabinets can be seen below in our kitchen renovations that we have completed in Auckland.

 

 

Hidden drawers with a drawer in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Dorothy’s vision for this particular kitchen display in our kitchen showroom was to create a sleek look especially from the exterior. This meant that smaller drawers like cutlery drawers would create smaller lines in the exterior which would not make things look seamless. Hence, Dorothy decided to incorporate smaller drawers within the big drawers as seen below in our kitchen showroom display.

 

Smaller hidden drawers within the larger drawers to create an even and seamless look from the exterior.

 

Downdraft Range hood with a large safety induction cooktop in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

The induction stove top was designed to be installed in the kitchen island for this kitchen design. The induction stovetop is by SMEG and has a safety feature which means that even after you are done cooking, it is safe to touch and will not remain hot. This is especially good for households with young children.

Large induction stovetop from SMEG with a safety feature in our kitchen showroom in Auckland. The downdraft range hood goes back into the benchtop when not in use.

When you need to use the downdraft range hood, you simply press a button and it comes up.

 

Keeping to the seamless design in mind, Dorothy decided that having a rangehood at the top of the stovetop might make the area look cluttered and cumbersome. Hence she decided to include a downdraft range hood which goes back into the benchtop when not in use. In order to use it, you just have to push a small button and it comes back up.

 

When in use the downdraft range hood comes up from the benchtop. This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland (Wairau Valley).

 

Electric downdraft rangehood.

 

In order build a downdraft rangehood you need to have an island that has space behind the rangehood as the electric mechanisms need to be built behind and under the cabinet of the benchtop.

In built Microwave, 2 Ovens and a Steamer Oven

 

In built 2 Ovens, Microwave, and Steamer Oven from SMEG – Can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

This kitchen really shows how sleek and functional a kitchen design can really be. In the picture above, you can see that there are 4 appliances that are built in within the cabinetry. As they are not switched on, you cannot see the light on the touch screen. There are 2 ovens, 1 microwave, and a steamer oven built within the cabinets. Originally Dorothy wanted to include an inbuilt coffee machine instead of 2 ovens but we did experience some supply issues during the creation of our showroom so we decided to forgo the in-built coffee machine.

 

Silgranit sink from Blanco in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

There are a diverse set of sinks that can be included in your kitchen depending on your preference and kitchen design. There are many types of sinks available like ceramic, stainless steel, stone sinks, and silgranit. We have used Silgranit sinks for 2 of our kitchen displays in our kitchen showroom due to its popularity with most of our client renovations as well as its many features and benefits.

What exactly is Silgranit? These granite sinks are made of a composite material made up to 80% of quartz sand. Quartz sand is the strongest part of granite. They feel like stone and are easy to clean, is stain resistant, very strong and can withstand high temperatures therefore making them suitable for todays modern kitchens.

Features and Benefits of Silgranit from Blanco – Why our designers prefer this above other materials?

• Promotes healthy living as it has a build in patented protective formula called Hygiene+Plus. It reduces growth of kitchen bacteria by about 98%.
• Stain resistant – Unlike white or ceramic sinks that stain easily from red wine or food, silgranit sinks do not stain. All you have to do is rinse it with a tap to clean. You will not require to use any cleaning solutions or scrubbing.
• It is very strong – 80% of silgranit sinks are made of quartz which is the strongest component of granite. This means that it will not damage with any type of heavy pot falling on it. It is very resilient and will not chip off, crack or break.
• Heat resistant – It is heat resistant up to 280 degree Celsius which is incredible for pots that get very hot while cooking over a flame. Even if you have a boiling water tap installed in your sink it won’t damage your sink.
• Scratch resistant – Silgranit sinks are scratch resistant which is an incredible feature of sinks.
• New concrete line – Concrete finish and look has become increasingly popular in contemporary kitchen designs of today. Blanco now has most of its style in a concrete look and finish that elevates the overall design of the kitchen.
• Blanco black (a statement line) – White or light coloured benchtops are always quite popular with our clients. Blanco has a range of silgranit sinks that provide a beautiful contrast to light coloured benchtops.

Waterproof Neptune SPC (stone based laminate) flooring from Tile Depot for this kitchen display

In the past any kind of Acrylic or laminate flooring would not have been a good choice for kitchens or bathrooms as they are prone to warping when in contact with water. Tiles were mostly used as they are easier to maintain and are resistant to water. Tiles however, are hard on your feet when one is standing on it for too long which can make you tired easily. Tiles also get cold in winter and you often have to put mats or rugs to comfortably stand them unless of course if you have underfloor heating.

We have been increasingly using Neptune SPC in our kitchen renovations because it combats all the negative aspects of other types of flooring. So what exactly is Neptune SPC flooring?

Neptune stone based waterproof flooring is a revolutionary type of flooring from Tile Depot. It is a floating flooring and can be laid on top of any type of flooring. This type of flooring is made of multilayered stone polymer composite but it looks and feels like wooden planks. It has a limestone core that makes it stable and 100% waterproof.

Key Benefits of of Neptune SPC for your kitchen renovation

• 100 percent waterproof
• Easy to apply on any floor
• 100% free of orth0-pthalates and other harmful substances like plasticizers
• It has a UL Green Guard Gold certification which means that it is great for people who have allergies or sensitive skin
• It has a built in SE+ anti-bacterial surface that protects the floor against harmful bacteria
• Neptune comes with a sound absorbing technology so you don’t have to install a separate underlay
• It is stain resistant which is great for kitchens floors
• It will not fade
• It cannot be easily scratched or dented
• Easy maintenance – as you only need to vacuum it and occasionally mop.
• Cost Effective
• Very durable and will last you a long time

 

We have used Neptune SPC flooring for all our Kitchen displays in the kitchen showroom. Most of our clients prefer using Neptune for their kitchens compared to other flooring materials as it is a high traffic area and needs materials that are durable and easy to maintain.

If you look at the picture of our kitchen showroom below, you can see that Neptune flooring simply looks like wood. It comes in several colours based on your preference for your kitchen design.

 

Neptune SPC flooring in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Is this type of Kitchen design for you? – Consider the materials and design

There are 100s of materials that you can mix and match to create countless variations of any kitchen design. This means that you can use different materials and get the exact same design of any kitchen. This also means that you should consider the materials of your kitchen carefully before renovating.

Dorothy and Cici often as several questions and they try to understand the lifestyle of the family. It is important to design the kitchen based on your lifestyle instead of fitting your lifestyle around your kitchen design.

This kitchen is great for families with an open plan kitchen. Aesthetically it would be beautiful in an open plan living due to its seamless yet simple kitchen design. It has a sleek uncluttered look with ample storage which makes it a very functional kitchen. We built this kitchen keeping in mind the hectic lifestyles of today and chose materials that are durable and easy to clean. Most of the materials are scratch resistant, stain resistant, water proof and easy to maintain with just a wipe or a vacuum. This would also be a great kitchen for families with young children as the materials are so durable.

This kitchen however, would not be so great for rental properties as the materials used in this design are premium and hence not cost effective for rental kitchen renovations.

 

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Display 2 – Classic Kitchen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland (Handcrafted) ⇑ (Back to the top)

 

Each kitchen display in our kitchen showroom is designed for a particular purpose. The matte black kitchen (first display) that we discussed above was designed to show the innovative materials available today as well as storage solutions that can be incorporated within a kitchen design. The previous kitchen was also a perfect kitchen for busy families with young children and hence the materials chosen to design the kitchen were easy to maintain and were durable.

This kitchen in our kitchen showroom is to showcase the craftsmanship of our kitchens and the luxury materials that can transform a kitchen design. The skillset required to craft this kitchen is a lot harder than the other kitchens in our kitchen showroom. This is because all the cabinets are handmade and not made in a factory. This kitchen was designed by Cici who is our lead kitchen designer.

 

Classic kitchen display in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

Classic kitchen with luxury materials that are hand crafted – Can be experienced in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

Read more…

Classic kitchen renovation in a historic home in Epsom – See before and after pictures

Cottage Style kitchen renovation in Mangere – before and after pictures + project specifications

 

Design Phase for our classic kitchen display

Cici wanted to design a kitchen in a classic and timeless style which would be suited for clients that lived in Villas or homes with a classic overall style. As mentioned above, this kitchen was renovated to show the premium and luxury materials available today. It is also a handcrafted kitchen which means that the cabinets were handmade instead of manufactured in a machine. This requires considerable skill from our cabinet maker but the result of that is a beautiful and timeless kitchen design.

 

 

We asked Cici what inspired her to create this particular kitchen design and she said “Classic kitchens are quite popular with some of my clients, especially the heritage homes and Villas found in Epsom. A very modern kitchen design does not really suit these homes. Classic Kitchens have a timeless feel and can be customised in many ways to still incorporate modern storage solutions. This particular kitchen is very similar to one of the kitchens I designed for my client in Epsom. It has many fine details and is completely hand crafted by our cabinetry maker so it makes it even more special. In order to see the details you should definitely visit the showroom in Wairau”.

 

Handcrafted cabinet fronts in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Why are these cabinet fronts so special compared to the others in our kitchen showroom? The actual cabinet fronts are made from MDF which are then cut by hand to make the paneling around the cabinet fronts. This requires quite a high skill set compared to manufacturing the cabinet fronts in a machine.

Handmade cabinet fronts in our classic kitchen display in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

White handcrafted drawer fronts with soft close drawers

 

All the cabinet fronts in the kitchen are spray painted using ‘half black white’ matte finish lacquer paint expect the cabinets on the island which are spray painting using ‘Madison blue’ with a matte finish lacquer paint.

 

Resene lacquer paint with a matte finish was used on the cabinets.

 

All cabinet fronts in the classic kitchen were painted with ‘Madison blue’ to create a beautiful contrast with the white cabinets.

Creating contrast with colour for this kitchen design

Most classic kitchens have a neutral palette when it comes to cabinets as neutrals never go out of style or trend. Such kitchens usually incorporate colour in their kitchen design by using colourful tiles or brass tapware. Cici however went with this blue for the island to give it a more cottage style classic kitchen. Blues have always been very popular in classic country kitchens and she wanted to create a contrast that would really make the kitchen a showstopper. The fact that most kitchens are open plan, it becomes even more important to to pay careful attention to the aesthetics of your kitchen design. Cici believes that kitchens need to add to the beauty of your living space instead of just being a functional space to cook.

Cabinet door handles – Why Cici did not choose a no-handle set up for this kitchen design?

As most of our clients choose a no-handle set up for their cabinets, we were curious why Cici chose to incorporate door handles and knobs for this kitchen design. When asked this question Cici explained as follows:

 

“While I would use a no handle set up for contemporary and modern kitchen designs, I generally do not recommend that for more classic or traditional kitchens. Of course if a client wants a classic kitchen with a no-handle set up then I would design it for them in the way they like, after all it is their kitchen and they should have it designed the way they like it. However, classic and tradition design styles have something that are vital to their design and I try to stick with the basics for such kitchen designs. I incorporated simple matte black handles and knobs for this kitchen keeping with the classic theme. If I was designing a more traditional kitchen then I would have chosen more ornate handles. Classic kitchens however, have a simple and timeless feel to it and is often made with more solid quality materials.

Handcrafted Rangehood cover with classic detailing in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

While we used SMEG’s stainless steel rangehood, Cici wanted to make it look like a vintage hooded chimney. She did not want to make it too ornate as that would be too traditional but decided to add some detailing like the cabinets. The hooded rangehood is also hand-made like the cabinet fronts with MDF that has matte lacquer painted on it.

Handcrafted detailing in our hooded rangehood in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

Handcrafted hood on top of a range hood to give it an appearance of a chimney

 

Handcrafted detailing in the hooded chimney in our kitchen showroom for our classic kitchen display

 

The hooded chimney is made above the SMEG over head rangehood

 

Soft close cabinets with BLUM hinges

We mostly prefer using BLUM for all our cabinet technology as well as hinges as they are definitely the best hinges in the market. We also use Hafele for hinges as well as in storage (like magic corners etc) solutions for cabinets. BLUM is New Zealand however, has had some supply issues in the last few months so we have had to find other suppliers like Hafele instead of BLUM.

This classic kitchen in our kitchen showroom however, uses BLUM hinges and soft close technology. Soft close technology in cabinets makes such a difference when cooking in the kitchen with your family. When cooking we are often prone to closing the cabinets with force as its not always easy to carefully close the cabinets. This makes BLUM’s soft close technology very helpful when cooking in a chaotic kitchen.

 

Soft close drawers with BLUM technology in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

BLUM hinges used in all cabinets in this classic kitchen

 

” I wanted to add simple black handles and knobs to all the cabinets and doors to keep the overall design classic and I also wanted the focus to be on the detailing of the handmade cabinet fronts. Black was an easy choice as it complements the white cabinet fronts as well as the blue cabinet fronts” said Cici about her choice for choosing matte black handles for the cabinets.

 

60mm Polished Stone engineered Benchtop – Why is it unique?

 

You may wonder why a 60mm benchtop would be anything special for this kitchen design. This is because this benchtop is not just one slab of engineered stone. In fact, this benchtop comprises of two separate sheets of engineered benchtops that are joined at 45 degrees which is called the mitre joint to create a 60mm benchtop. 60 mm benchtops

You need a high set of skill level to join two separate benchtops and this technique can only be carried out by a very experienced professional. Keeping with the classic theme, the benchtop chosen by Cici was a marble looking matte benchtop with a polished look. A polished look mere means that the benchtop is smooth to touch instead of having a texture like our matte black kitchen that we discussed above.

 

60mm engineered stone benchtop which combines to separate pieces of the benchtop to form a single benchtop.

60mm benchtop are not very common as mostly common types of benchtops are 30mm. The engineered stone benchtop also have veined lines to mimic the natural lines found in marble.

Read more…

60mm polished engineered benchtop – Before and After pictures of a Luxury kitchen renovation in Parnell

Guide on designing Classic, Contemporary, Modern, Traditional, Cottage style, and Industrial kitchens – all elements explained

Feature walls in our Classic kitchen display in our Kitchen showroom

Feature walls are great to add a designer element in any kitchen. There are two feature walls in this kitchen with each serving a very different purpose.

The first feature wall that you can see below is to add depth to the kitchen and to give it a luxurious look. The tiles used on this feature wall are 3 dimensional and are sheets which are of a size 256 X 297X 8mm. They combine a stunning combination of marble and gold metal mosaic. We used these tile sheets from Tile Depot and these tiles are specifically called ‘Mosaix Lux Gold Herringbone White 275 x 303.

The beautiful tile sheets from Tile depot were used to add a touch of luxury to this feature wall. They are installed in a Herringbone style and are a combination of stone engineered to look like marble as well as gold metal. This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland (Wairau Valley).

 

A close up look the feature wall. You may not be able to see the 3d effect in this picture but it can be seen in our kitchen showroom.

 

LED lights installed below the cabinets light up the feature wall which draws your eye to the wall.

We often put LED lights below the cabinets if we want to showcase a feature wall. This feature wall needs to be maintained well if you do not want to damage it. It should not be cleaned with abrasive liquids, harsh acid or abrasive scrubs as they will scratch the gold surface of the metal. Hence this type of feature walls with groves should be used as a splashback in areas where you do not cook and where much cleaning is not required.

This brings us to the splashback that we have used in the cooking area of this classic kitchen display in our kitchen showroom. We have used simple white gloss subway tiles for the cooktop area which we got from Tile Depot. White subway tiles are a key feature of classic kitchen designs and we wanted to find a way to integrate them in this kitchen design. The glossy finish of these tiles also make them easy to clean and are perfect as a cooking splashback. Using two different sets of tiles as splashbacks in the kitchen also create interest and provide depth to this kitchen design.

Vintage Appliances to match this classic kitchen design

Cici did not want to include very sleek or modern appliances as they would be an eyesore for a classic kitchen design. We work very closely with kitchen things and decided to choose a standalone cooktop with a vintage design from their SMEG appliance collection. SMEG is known for its range of appliances in all kinds of styles like traditional, contemporary, vintage, classic and modern.

SMEG standalone cooktop with 6 gas burners, 1 warming tray, bread oven and roast oven – this can be seen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

This cooking range has similar detailing in its front like the cabinet fronts and elevates this elegant classic kitchen design.

 

Small warmer oven

 

This beautiful vintage SMEG cooking range has gorgeous old style knobs and gas burners which combine elegance and modern functionality

 

This SMEG cooking range is a piece of art with beautiful vintage detailing in its oven fronts, old style dial knobs, big handle and 6 gas burners that are reminiscent of a timeless classic era.

Silgranit Sink with a marble texture and matte look from Blanco

We have discussed it the length the benefits of Singranit sinks above but we will still highlight what the key features make Silgranit sinks from Blanco the perfect choice for any kitchen design. Silgranit sinks are made of 80% quartz which is the strongest component of granite making them very sturdy and will not crack or break. They are also scratch resistant as well as stain resistant which means that you can wash your dishes without any worry about damaging your sink.

It can also withstand temperatures up to 280 degrees Celsius and has a patented protective formula called Hygiene+Plus which reduces kitchen bacteria by 98%.

 

Concrete finish Silgranit sink from Blanco – It can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

Subline 700-U level sink. It is an undermounted sink with a large U shape tap. The end of the sink can be extended out to wash vegetables with ease.

 

Silgranit sinks from Blanco

 

This classic kitchen display in our Kitchen showroom has a Silgranit sink with a concrete look and finish.

Hideaway Dishwasher and Hidden Rubbish Bins can be seen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Hideaway dishwashers and fridge have become quite popular with our clients especially for open plan kitchens. This is so all the big appliances can be tucked away in cabinetry to give it a uniform look.

Cici decided to incorporate the dishwasher within the cabinetry for this classic kitchen. The cabinet front is attached on top of the door of the dishwasher as can be seen in the picture below.

 

Built in dishwasher in our classic kitchen display – In our Kitchen Showroom in Auckland

Pull out bin and recycling bin in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Pull out bins have become quite a common feature with all our kitchen renovations. They are practical, hygienic and give your client an uncluttered look in their kitchen area. This is a full sized bin and recycling bin with a hidden drawer inside for any rubbish bags.

Waterproof Neptune stone based floors for kitchen floors

We used waterproof Neptune flooring from Tile Depot just as we have for all our kitchen displays in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland. As discussed above Neptune stone based flooring is a revolutionary type of flooring which looks like wood but is stone based laminate. It has many features and benefits that promote durability and easy maintenance.

Some of the features include:

1. Scratch resistant
2. stain resistant
3. 100% waterproof
4. soft on the feet so you won’t experience foot fatique when cooking for long
5. Looks like food
6. Absorbs sound which means that you wont hear heavy footsteps

We used a darker and more rustic looking colour for the classic kitchen to imitate real oak flooring that is usually found in classic kitchen designs.

Neptune Stone based floors in our classic kitchen design in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

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Display 3 – Contemporary Kitchen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland (Small Kitchen design) – ⇑ (Back to the top)

This kitchen display is truly unique in the fact that it combines a wide variety of textures, colours and materials to form a contemporary kitchen design. This kitchen was designed by Dorothy to show our clients that it is possible to create a beautiful yet functional kitchen when you have a small space available. This kitchen boasts materials that are designed to show our clients that it is possible to renovate a beautiful kitchen and be budget friendly.

Our contemporary kitchen design can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

This kitchen is renovated using a diverse set of materials to create contrasts as well as adding some creative elements to form a contemporary design.

 

Some of the key highlights in the kitchen are:

• Waterfall stone engineered benchtop
• Stone engineered splash back that continues till the ceiling
• Mid-Range which acrylic panels on MDF cabinets
• Melteca black board used for black cabinets
• Soft close drawers with Hefele hinges and runners
• Wood Benchtop using Plywood extends out of the kitchen island
• Gold stainless steel frame with glass shelves doubles
• Black floating shelves
• Undermounted Stainless steel sink with gold brass tapware
• Induction cooktop and rangehood from SMEG
• Waterproof Neptune flooring

Read more…

Top 16 Design ideas for small kitchen designs in Auckland

Kitchen Layout guide – Which layout is best for your kitchen space?

Overall design concept for this kitchen design

Dorothy wanted to design a contemporary kitchen for a small space which could showcase a variety of contrasting materials and textures to suit most budgets. So what is a contemporary kitchen design? Contemporary should not be confused with modern. A modern kitchen design focuses on sleek and simplistic design like our matte black kitchen design we previously discussed.

Contemporary designs focus on using renovation materials that are popular at a current period of time. You can say that contemporary materials are a mix of various styles and its design elements change as the current trends or materials change in popularity.

“I used all the materials for this kitchen design that are cost effective but also quite popular in the current renovation market. Just like the matte black kitchen, I used Acrylic boards for half the cabinets, however to make it more budget friendly I used the Acrylic panels that are from the mid range as opposed to their premium range. To contrast these white acrylic cabinets I used MDF Melteca black boards for other cabinets as this is also quite a popular material in the renovation industry too. I also used engineered stone for all benchtops as well as the wall which acts like splashback. It is quite common to use the same material for benchtops and the walls because it creates continuity which makes a small space appear larger. Other popular trends of today include floating shelves and hence I tried to incorporate that within this kitchen design. Some of the key designer features of this kitchen include the stainless steel open shelf, floating breakfast bar and a wine fridge” explains Dorothy about the over design of this kitchen.

Elevation 1

First initial draft of the kitchen design done by Dorothy. Here you can see all the different elements that she talks about above.

 

Kitchen display in our kitchen showroom in Auckland – Reality of elevation 1

This kitchen display shows how colour is used to create contrast and interest in this kitchen design. – This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland.

 

Initial drafts of this kitchen design show the floating cabinets, black cabinets, white acrylic cabinets, and the floating breakfast bar on the right.

 

Elevation 2

This kitchen elevation shows the stainless steel rack for drinks with stainless steel frames and glass shelves. This shelf adds to the overall aesthetic to the overall kitchen design. You can also see the floating breakfast nook on the bottom left of the picture. You can also see a feature wall partition on the left side of the kitchen. This is great if you want an open plan kitchen but do not want your kitchen to be wholly visible from the living areas.

 

Kitchen display in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland – Reality of Elevation 2

The kitchen display designed based on the elevation about – This kitchen can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland.

 

Other elevations of this kitchen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

A different elevation of the same kitchen design

 

 

This elevation shows that Dorothy used the same engineered stone for the benchtop as well as the entire wall to promote continuity.

 

 

This kitchen elevation shows the island with a floating benchtop attached on benchtop

 

A combination of Acrylic panel cabinets (White cabinets) and MDF Melteca board cabinets (Black cabinets) – Can be seen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

The materials chosen for this kitchen design were chosen not just because of their current popularity but also to make it affordable for an average Aucklander. In the end the cost of your kitchen renovation will greatly depend on whether you have chosen mid-range materials or ones that are more on the side of luxury.

White cabinets – what are they actually made of?

The white cabinets are made of MDF and then the acrylic panels are attached to the surface. The panels are from the brand ULTRAglaze with the actual product being high gloss white Alabaster. They are different from the modern matte black kitchen discussed above as they are not scratch resistant or fingerprint proof. This makes them more cost effective than premium acrylic boards used in the matte black kitchen. You will have to take care to maintain these cabinets as you may have to wipe them down for fingerprints and food splashes so they do not stain. These panels come in various different colours which gives you much room for customisation.

A range of colours available for our clients to choose from for their Acrylic panels.

 

The material for the black cabinets is not Acrylic panels but it is MDF with a layer of black paper sheet. This is from the brand Melteca and are fire resistant and do repel water. They came in over 200 colours which gives our clients many options to create any type of colour combination for their kitchen design.

 

High glass white acrylic panels are used for all white cabinets in this kitchen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland.

The finish of the white cabinets is glossy which means that it reflects light and is very smooth to touch. The black Melteca cabinets on the other hand have a ‘pearl’ finish which means that they are matte and have a textured feel to it when you run your hands over it. This shows that different textures and sheens can be combined together to form a great overall kitchen design.

 

 

 

Below, you can see the range of colours available from Melteca and the number of customisation options you have when renovating your kitchen. Another brand that we work with which is quite similar to Melteca is Bestwood and they too carry a wide range of options in colours.

 

A sample range of Melteca colours that can be seen in our design studio in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

Samples of the Bestwood range in our design studio in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

All of the hinges used in our cabinetry is from Hafele and have a soft close set up.

 

Engineered stone benchtop and splashback in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Creating continuity

One of the aims to create this kitchen display in our showroom was to show how it is in fact possible to create an aesthetically beautiful kitchen within a small space. Some of the ways to create an illusion of space in a small kitchen design is to create continuity. This was done in this kitchen by using a lighter shade in engineered stone for the splashback as well as benchtop above the already white cabinets.

Benchtop with a waterfall edge on one side

The benchtop and splashback are made of engineered stone with a polished finish. A polished finish just means that it is smooth to touch and it has a matte finish. It has a look of marble and have natural vein lines that you see naturally occurring in marble. in It is also 20mm in width and this width has started becoming popular in the last few years. The edge of one of the sides of the island has a waterfall edge which basically means that the engineered stone extends to the floor of the kitchen, hence the waterfall. This benchtop is from the mid range of engineered stone and not from the premium range that is used in our classic kitchen display discussed above. Using the mid-range engineered stone makes this kitchen more budget friendly as compared to our classic kitchen display.

 

Waterfall edge for one side of the island can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Floating shelves, feature divider/wall and stainless steel open shelves – in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

Dorothy and Cici usually try and incorporate floating shelves in small kitchen spaces as it opens up the space and also adds to the aesthetics of the kitchen. If you had full top cabinetry in a small kitchen design then it will close the space up and make your kitchen look cumbersome. Hence, Dorothy decided to create one full length storage cabinetry in black and for part of the kitchen she decided to add black floating shelves to contrast with the white stone on the walls.

 

Black floating shelves with LED lights against a white stone wall adds interest to this small kitchen design

Drinks cabinet – Stainless steel frame with glass shelves

Dorothy also wanted to add another colour to the kitchen instead of just white and black to make it more appealing and to add a designer element to the kitchen. This drinks cabinet is made of brushed gold stainless steel frame and glass shelves and is a perfect way to display your glassware as well as drinks. This brushed gold colour also matches the tapware and chandelier found in this kitchen display in our kitchen showroom.

This drinks cabinet has a stainless steel frame in brushed gold/brass with glass shelves. This makes it a perfect display cabinet for drinks. This brushed gold also matches with the tapware as well as the chandelier in this kitchen – This can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Feature wall – can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

Feature walls can be anything that is added on a wall for design purpose. It can be a wall that has designer tiles on it, wall paper or you can built an entirely separate walls that act as a divider.

The reason we built this feature wall is to show our clients that they can create dividers with their homes. It is also great for clients who have an open plan kitchen but do not want their kitchen to be fully visible from their living areas.

The feature wall of 4 vertical wooden beams can be seen next to the drinks cabinet in this design created by Dorothy

 

The kitchen display in our kitchen showroom shows the 4 vertical wooden beams next to the open drinks cabinet

Floating breakfast nook – extends out from the stone benchtop

Any kind of wooden element in any design brings some warmth in the kitchen to make it look cozy. This breakfast nook extends out of the benchtop and is attached on top of the benchtop. It creates a separate area for people to eat meals or even do for kids to do their homework.

The fact that it is a completely different material that is attached on to the benchtop also creates depth in kitchen and adds to its design.

The wooden looking breakfast nook that extends out from the benchtop. You can also see a wine fridge at the bottom left of the breakfast nook.

 

Elevation 2 of the breakfast nook – This can be seen in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

Floating breakfast nook – what is this material made of?

The wooden benchtop is made of two different pieces of plywood that is joined together at 45 degree in a mitre joint to form a 50mm box. It is hollow inside so it is relatively light and can be easily attached to the benchtop without any strain on the stone.

We do not have bar stools for this kitchen display but we do plan to get them in the future. A sleek set of bar stools can be fit under the floating breakfast nook.

Brushed gold for the tap, stainless steel frame and feature chandelier

As Dorothy wanted to add some colour to this kitchen design, she decided to add 3 components with brushed gold. The feature chandelier, brass gold tapware and stainless steel frame are brass gold and even though they are not big components, they do add a great contrast.

Chandelier with brushed gold trimmings that match the U-shaped tap and frame of the open shelf

 

Brushed gold u-shaped tap matches the stainless steel frame of the drinks shelves and trimmings of chandelier. The nozzle at the end of the tap can be pulled out and stretches till the stainless sink.

 

Stainless steel frame with glass shelves of the drinks cabinet matches the tap as well as the chandelier

Neptune Waterproof Flooring from Tile Depot

All our kitchen displays as well as clients prefer installing Neptune flooring for wet areas because of its many benefits. This revolutionary flooring is a composite of polymer and limestone that happens to the strongest component of quartz. The limestone in Neptune flooring makes it 100% waterproof which is a great quality to have for your kitchen flooring.

It also resists the growth of bacteria, is stain resistant, scratch resistant, sound proof and soft on your feet. Dorothy chose a slightly lighter shade than the matte black kitchen for this kitchen design and it can be seen in the picture below.

As you can see the flooring in this kitchen looks like it is made of real wood and not engineered Neptune. It is also easier to maintain and will last you a longer time that other materials. This flooring can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland.

Appliances in this kitchen

Dorothy used the standard induction cooktop and in built top rangehood for this kitchen from SMEG. This induction cooktop is from the mid-range of SMEG and not from the premium range like the one in the matte black kitchen she designed. The matte black kitchen was to showcase innovative materials and appliances but this was designed to fit into most budgets. The induction cooktop in the matte black kitchen does not remain hot once cooking is done so its safe to touch its surface. This induction cooktop however, does not have that safety feature and will remain hot for a few minutes after cooking is done. This means that you have to be careful if children are present in the kitchen.

Who is this type of kitchen design good for?

This kitchen is suitable for most families or even rental properties as it budget friendly and easy to maintain. Some of the materials are however, not stain resistant which means that it is advisable for you to wipe away and spills once you are finished cooking. Most spills will not stain the benchtop or cabinet fronts even if you do not wipe them straightaway.

However, spills like red wine, beetroot juice and turmeric should be wiped off sooner rather than later to avoid staining. This however may not be a great kitchen design for people who prefer more classic and traditional kitchen designs.

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Where from now?

If you are looking for a kitchen renovation quote then the best way would be to ring us at 0800 199 888 to secure an on-site visit with a project manager. At the end of 3-4 days you will receive your detailed proposal as one complementary design of your kitchen.

Alternatively, we encourage you to visit our showroom at 16B Link drive, Wairau Valley where you can first hand look at the quality of our workmanship. You can also secure an on-site visit with the showroom consultants when you visit our showroom.

It can often be stated that the kitchen is the heart of the home as it’s where meals are created, and where friends and family gather to enjoy a wonderful home-cooked meal. When thinking about kitchen design NZ, always consider an entertainment factor as it is where everyone gathers. Designing kitchens for entertaining comes from an open kitchen layout as it makes the space feel more inviting.

Designing or upgrading your kitchen to your needs is important to make it perfect. Especially if you’re the type to host events at your house, the kitchen needs to accommodate for everything. An entertainment kitchen is the perfect type of kitchen for you if you love hosting events. This type of kitchen represents a space to welcome guests, cooking, eating and working from home. A kitchen has many uses so when making your kitchen design, consider all those factors.

In this article:

• Design a kitchen for entertaining
• Family kitchen design ideas
• Top 8 Lighting Ideas
• 5 Tips to Design a Kitchen Layout

How to design a kitchen layout suited for an entertainment kitchen? If you’re considering an entertainment kitchen, consider the shape and size of a kitchen island or a breakfast bar. What kind of dining space you’d like to integrate and how much fridge and freezer space you’d need. As well as ensuring that there’s enough space for a general family/relaxing area. If you’re unsure of these factors, don’t worry! Our amazing in-house designer NZ can help guide you through the process.

Below, are some elements that we think you need when designing entertainment kitchen.

1. Make Space For a Drink’s Fridge

Making space in your kitchen design idea for a drink fridge can be essential for an entertainment kitchen. It’s incredibly useful to have a mini fridge for drinks, as it’d be easier and more comfortable for guests to grab a drink instead of looking through your fridge. Some people consider installing a wine fridge. While that can be quite an investment purchase, wine fridges aren’t for everybody so we suggest installing a mini fridge that can fit up to a variety of drinks ranging from water, soda drinks or alcohol.

If you have a walk in pantry, try including a fridge to utilise the space better. Of course, this doesn’t mean have a second big fridge in there as that’d take up unnecessary space. But opt for fridge drawers if you can to keep your fridge more organised. Having all these options for your kitchen design idea as it allows you to have enough space in your kitchen for catering options. As well as being able to accomodate your guests by having a drink station to keep guests comfortable when they grab their own drinks.

Mini Fridge for Drinks | Photo Credit – iStock

2. Make a Kitchen Island Central to Your Design

Having a kitchen island in your kitchen is essential and possibly the best decision you could make for your kitchen design. A kitchen island has many uses and is highly functional in kitchen design NZ. The island is where you can relax, catch up on newspapers, do homework, or even work from home sitting at your kitchen island. This is a feature for kitchen design NZ.

Not only that, but when friends and family come over it provides a space for everyone to catch up or play some card games. The island itself becomes the epicentre of the party as they can all gather around the island to have some party snacks.

Now, if the island is going to be constantly used for entertainment purposes. It’d be wise to consider purchasing extra bar stools for special occasions and you can keep them in storage. This would help ensure that your friends and family all have a seat and feel included during gatherings. For decorative purposes, consider some seasonal flower display, some candles or even some fairy lights will create a warm atmosphere.

Island in the Kitchen

Check out our kitchen renovation in Blockhouse Bay

3. Get Kitchen Lighting Right

One kitchen design NZ concept that is important to think about is kitchen lighting. Whilst you can design the perfect kitchen with our kitchen designer NZ, if your kitchen lighting is left as a last thought then it can ruin the look for your kitchen design idea. The perfect kitchen lighting for an entertainment kitchen is atmospheric mood lighting. An example of this would be a collection of candles and lanterns around the kitchen and also consider built in lighting in your kitchen design ideas.

When thinking of kitchen lighting, there are three different styles you need to consider. Task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting. Task lighting can help get rid of any dark corners on your countertop. Ambient lighting is there to help illuminate the room and create a modern kitchen look. When thinking of creating a modern kitchen design, consider recessed lighting. Accent lighting is purely decorative lighting like wall or pendant lights.

Example of kitchen lighting being used right to get rid of any dark corners

See more information and pictures on this kitchen renovation

4. Ensure Kitchen Extraction is Efficient

The key to any great kitchen, whether its open space or closed space kitchen is great air circulation/ventilation. Nobody wants last night’s food aroma to loiter around in the kitchen the next day. Which is why thinking about having good ventilation in the kitchen or around the house is important.

To improve ventilation in your kitchen, definitely consider using a range hood above the stovetop. You could also consider a ceiling-mounted extractor that you could put in the middle above your kitchen island. However if that is not within your budget cost, there are alternatives. Some of these alternatives are opening windows and doors when cooking to let some fresh air in or simply investing in an air purifier. Air purifiers help remove bad odours and is portable, so you can move it to any room you want whenever you want.

Range Hood To Help With Kitchen Extraction

See more pictures from this kitchen renovation in Avondale

5. Think Seating

Seating is an important factor to consider in your entertainer kitchen design NZ. If you plan on throwing dinner parties and guests will be seated at the dining table for a long time. Comfort is important! Upholstered dining chairs should be considered as they can provide support that’s required for several courses.

To make use of your kitchen space, you could also consider a built-in seating for the dining table or consider a banquette seating idea. This can create the same effect and support as upholstered dining chairs and can be positioned alone a walk or linked to kitchen cabinetry. This could be a kitchen design idea to consider and make your kitchen feel more cozy.

With these seating kitchen design ideas, it presents and opportunity to bring in colour or patterns to your kitchen design scheme and could possibly enhance the decorative detail of your kitchen design NZ. Or provide an element to make give your kitchen a modern look for your modern kitchen design.

Example of seating in dining area | Photo Credit – Unsplash

6. Take Acoustics into Account

As kitchens mainly have hard surfaces, they could affect the acoustics of the room. When you’re entertaining and having guests over, there will most likely be music playing in the background or people talking to one another.

To solve this issue, consider soft surfaces and furnishing in your kitchen design ideas for your entertainment kitchen. This could be in the form of upholstered chairs, window treatments, or even rugs. Although, rugs would be best suited away from cooking and preparation areas. If you’re looking for kitchen flooring ideas, consider a timber floor instead of a tile as that will be softer underfoot.

How Do You Build A Kitchen Design For Entertaining?

Building a kitchen for entertaining is important to focus on the kitchen layout. You’d want to make sure that there is enough space for guests to sit comfortably, without getting in the way of anyone cooking. This could make you consider your kitchen layout by dividing the cooking and dining zones that include a kitchen island so that whoever is cooking can still socialise with their guests and not feel excluded.

When thinking about designing a kitchen for entertainment, making sure that seating is comfortable is another important factor to consider. Having seats that are comfortable will ensure that everyone can linger around the kitchen for longer.

One of the most popular kitchen design NZ style is a modern kitchen design. A modern kitchen is all about space. A space to cook, space to entertain and a space for family gatherings. The modern kitchen has many uses and would be great for hosting parties as they’re spacious. Creating a new kitchen design, is more than new appliances and cabinetry as nowadays there are many other factors to consider.

The biggest appeal for a kitchen is to be able to cook and be apart of the action when entertaining as everyone is included. For normal days, it’s a great setting for busy families to cook and help their kids with homework and be able to keep an out for their kids while preparing a meal.

Down below we have 11 kitchen design ideas that helps blend form and function

11 Kitchen Design That Blend Form and Function

1. Boost Storage In A Family Kitchen With A Beautiful Banquette

When designing your kitchen, you’d always want to make sure there is enough storage space for your kitchen appliances and utensils and other things you may need to store. This is where you might consider banquette seating. Combining function and form, banquette seating offers built-in seating for a dining nook in an open plan kitchen.

The banquette seating offers an opportunity for extra storage space. The storage space doesn’t just have to be for kitchen gadgets but it can be used for any storage needs. Like containers, toys, or even a little secret snack area.

2. Create A True Social Hub For Family Time

Open plan kitchen layouts are becoming trendy nowadays especially with a modern kitchen design style. Ditching the formal dining room, home office and sitting room. An open plan kitchen provides a large, multifunction space. The kitchen layout would be suitable and designed for everyone that can use it and make it the heart of your home.

Creating an open plan kitchen, helps make your family be more sociable. As parents are able to prepare meals while still being able to see and interact with their kids. Having this kitchen design ideas allows the host to interact with guests while preparing food and drinks when they have guests over. Having an open plan kitchen removes the walls which can make the room look bigger and provide additional space for people and furnishings.

When having an open plan kitchen, kitchen layout is important. Having a big space to decorate can be exciting yet stressful as you want to decorate it so the room doesn’t look empty. There is a general rule you may want to follow which is that the dining table shouldn’t be too far from the kitchen. Also ensure that there is a direct route from the table to the dishwasher to make is easier for cleaning.

Open plan kitchen, perfect for entertaining and being sociable while cooking

Read more about this open plan entertainment kitchen.

3. Enhance Your Kitchen Layout

To achieve your perfect kitchen layout that avoids any obstructions and can provide the best access to frequently used ares like the fridge or the stove. It’s important to work with a kitchen designer NZ as they’re able to help bring your visions into a reality. Our kitchen designer NZ can help accommodate to your needs and give you the kitchen you’d want.

Focusing on distinct areas of your kitchen like cooking, dining and relaxing, will help you maintain order in an open plan kitchen or a multi-use family room. You can use different flooring, decorative light fittings or different kitchen colour schemes to help show the different rooms in one setting. This can be effective and won’t lose sight of the overall design cohesion.

To help visually tie the room together and keep it simple and uncluttered, consider coordinating the dining table top with the worktops. If you need more help our kitchen designers NZ will gladly help you out and guide you through it.

Want more information? Check out our blog on open plan vs closed kitchen.

Here is a blog to guide you through kitchen layouts.

4. Include A Kitchen Island Into Your Plans

A kitchen island is always a great addition to kitchen design NZ and you should always consider having a kitchen island in your kitchen design. The island itself has many uses, from extra prep surface, a place for the sink, a place for friends and family to gather around. Put some bar stools, then it becomes a space when kids can do their homework and even where you could work. The island can also be used as another storage space area.

A suitable size for a kitchen island ranges from around 2m to 3m long and around 1.1m to 1.4m wide. Any wider can create wasted space in the centre. Although the sizing may depend on how much space your kitchen has. You should always allow at least 1m of space around the island. Remember that not all barstools tuck right in, so measure correctly.

Kitchen Island Tying The Room Together

Check out the before and after pictures of this kitchen renovation in Epsom!

5. Opt For Smart Storage Solutions

At some point, we always end up running out of storage, which is why in your kitchen design you should always think about ways you can add drawers and be able to utilise space. Consider open shelving on your kitchen walls as not only can it create space but it can also be visually appealing. You can add decorations onto the open shelving which can add a theme to your kitchen.

Example of creating a smart storage solution in kitchen pantry

Read more about organising your kitchen drawers.

Read more about this kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe

6. Make Space For Working From Home

Ever since the pandemic hit and we’ve all be stuck at home and having to work remotely. We’ve had to find a place for us to work. Most times if we don’t have a home office, it would be working at the dining table or somewhere near the kitchen if not in the kitchen. Which is why it’s important to make your kitchen feel welcoming while also having them to be sleek, smart and functional.

When thinking about your kitchen design, consider the aspect of having to work from home to make your kitchen suitable for you to do that. This could be where a kitchen island might come in handy with bar stools as it could be a place where you work. It’s also a good place for household admin, and become a work station that is designed to complement your kitchen.

7. Put Functionality At The Heart Of Your Kitchen

A kitchen has many uses. It’s an ample space for entertaining, generous storage and room for family gatherings. It’s the heart of your home. Making your kitchen function is the number one priority when thinking about your kitchen design and kitchen layout. Having a big kitchen can create layout issues. Large kitchens can be overwhelming to design and if your kitchen layout isn’t planned properly, it can result in a lot of unnecessary travel.

The best way to create a kitchen layout in a large kitchen is to add a kitchen island. This is a popular solution and can perform a variety of functions therefore making your kitchen functional. In a large room, or an open plan kitchen it acts as a bridge between furniture. Improving the work triangle and allowing more than one cook in the kitchen to work comfortable side-by-side. So if you enjoy teaching your kids how to cook or cooking with your significant other without getting in each others way. This would be perfect.

Open plan kitchen that serves multiple purposes

Check out our blog on creating a functional kitchen!

Want more examples? Here is our blog showcasing our top 16 renovations in Auckland.

8. Put The Focus On Functional Flooring

Kitchen flooring is also another priority when thinking about your kitchen design. You’d want flooring that last long and not ones that would chip or break easily. Kitchen flooring have to be incredibly tough to stand up to dirt and knocks in a family kitchen.

Natural stone flooring can be something you could consider for your kitchen design as they are the most forgiving floor coverings if the right stone and finish are chosen. Some stones can be denser than others and all flooring will be subject to a little wear and tear over the years.

However, if you have children, porcelain tile may be another flooring style you might consider for your kitchen design. Porcelain tile is non-porous and can provide a strain proof option which is wise if you have children that are creative and often make a mess. Easy to clean up and leave no stain behind.

Examples of Kitchen Tiles That You Could Consider | Photo Credit – iStock

9. Light The Way

Kitchen lighting is a vital part of any successful kitchen design scheme and is important when it comes to designing an entertainment kitchen or a family kitchen or kitchens in general. Using task lighting above your kitchen island can help create a characterful lighting serve. It helps light up the whole island and provide as a decorative function when combined with materials like marble tops and metallic accents.

10. Go For A Dark Colour On Cabinetry

To bring some colour into your kitchen design, opt for using dark colours on your cabinetry as it can create a bold and interesting family kitchen space. For a kitchen design ideas it’s often tempting to use an all-dark paint scheme. But for sociable spaces like the kitchen, a balanced approach can be more suited.

A benefit of having dark cabinetry, is that it can help hide any fingerprints, stains, or scuff marks that may occur over time. Having good natural sunlight in your kitchen design can also help bring out the colour in a dark shade.

Example of dark cabinets in kitchen

See more photos and information on this kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay.

11. Plan Your Kitchen Around Family Life

Banquette seatings beats dining chairs when you consider your kitchen seating idea. Banquette seatings help save space and can also seat large number of people when you have guests over or host family events.

Usually, with dining chairs the rule is to leave around 90cm between a chair and the next piece of furniture or wall. But with banquette seating you can reduce that down to 30cm, especially if the seat fits onto the wall. Not only do they save space, but they can also accommodate more people. It’s perfect for birthday parties and family gatherings and make photos look better as there are no chairs in the picture. Consider banquette seating in your kitchen design if possible.

How Do You Design A Family Kitchen?

There are many needs and uses when it comes to a family kitchen. In your kitchen design, you’d have to think about the kitchen layout, where you cook, eat, and to entertain. Even if you have a large kitchen, the meal prep, cook and cleaning areas will always be close together for better efficiency.

The amount of work surface area you need, depends on you and your family needs. It’s important to have enough worktop for meal prep as well as when you’re cooking with others. A family kitchen can be designed for entertainment use as everyone is willing to help cook. It’s become the new normal to be sociable while cooking and entertaining guests at the same time. It’s also a great space to multitask and catch up with one another while preparing food.

Our Top 8 Lighting Ideas for your Kitchen Design

Kitchen lighting can often be left as a last thought and that is a mistake many people make. Lighting brings the room together and can help transform your kitchen. For example, a contemporary kitchen requires a layered and responsive lighting scheme that can keep up with the changing demands throughout the day.

Having an expansive glass door and skylight in a large kitchen will flood the space with natural light, making the room look bigger. Task lighting can be used for prep areas and ambient lighting for social spaces.

For a modern kitchen design, the lighting helps create depth, marking out different zones and help create a clear and safe passage though the space. The different types of lighting that can be used is general, task, ambient and decorative lighting in your modern kitchen design. Since some kitchens may require lots of light switches it would be easier if you brought smart lights which can be controlled though your phone, making it easier for you to turn the lights on and off. When it comes to lighting, consider the warmth of the bulb as the cooler end gives brilliant task lighting. While warmer whites can make a seating area feel more inviting.

Down below is our top 8 lighting ideas to include in your kitchen design.

1. Install An Eye-Catching Modern Lighting Centrepiece

Installing an eye catching modern lighting centrepiece is designed to create ambient lighting and the the purpose of a lighting centrepiece is to draw attention to the kitchen island. The centrepiece helps give the kitchen a living rom appeal, rather than to provide practical task lighting.

Example of task lighting to draw attention to island | Photo Credit – Unsplash

2. Make The Best Use Of Down-lights

Ceiling down-lights are a popular solution for general lighting for your modern kitchen design. You’re able to turn them up for when you want to clean the room. Or dim them down to create a softer mood. With down-lights, you’d want to create an even spread of light. You might have to accommodate if you have a skylight, or TV screen that could affect the lighting. You’d also want to avoid putting down-lights right next to a pendant or hard up against a wall cabinet.

Example of Downlights in a Kitchen | Photo Credit – iStock

3. Layer Light

A complex room, like a living-kitchen open floor-plan requires different light levels for a range of activities. Nobody likes a dimly lit work area. Which is why when you think about your modern kitchen design. Make sure to position spotlights or pendants directly above key areas in your living-kitchen room. This will ensure that light isn’t blocked when you stand or work around your kitchen.

Example of task, ambient and accent lighting in a kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

4. Tackle Task Lighting

Task lighting is an important feature to add to your kitchen. As they can be discreet and hidden under wall cupboards or shelving. But you can also create a nice centrepiece feature that can be angled to direct brightness where it’s needed.

5. Consider Low Light Sources

LED strips can help provide a soft low light that can be useful to direct traffic through the kitchen space. Some LED strips can be controlled with a remote and can change colours creating a different atmosphere in the kitchen. You could also wow your guests with different colours. It’s like a party! Putting a subtle glow beneath your counter will encourage your guest to pull up a seat or gather around.

6. Light The Inside Of Cabinetry

Having light inside of your cabinet can be a key component for your modern kitchen design as they provide soft, ambient lighting. It helps bring display back into the kitchen and create an opportunity of soft diffused light. Which can help create a focal point in your modern kitchen design and help brighten up darker corners of the room.

Lighting in shelves/pantry | Photo Credit – Unsplash

7. ‘Wash’ Cabinetry With Lighting

Another kitchen lighting to consider is to use track lighting and up-lights to wash surfaces with a soft reflective light. This can be linked back to using down-lights as you should only place them where light is required as part of your kitchen lighting scheme. Consider using a low glare directional downlight to direct light to wash the front of your kitchen. Added bonus is that when you open your cupboards, it will also light the inside of it up.

8. Ask An Expert In Modern Kitchen Lighting Design

If you’re confused and wondering how to plan your kitchen lighting that fits your kitchen design. Consider asking a kitchen designer or the kitchen designer you’re working with to help you. They’ll be able to help you balance a range of sources into a cohesive scheme to enhance your space. You can’t go wrong with asking for help as designers are there to help you bring your visions into a reality.

4 Modern Kitchen Lighting Tips For Your Modern Kitchen Design

1. Create Light Reflections

In your modern kitchen design, opt for pale countertops in a darker kitchen as that will help create light reflection in your kitchen. Pale colours and reflective surfaces will amplify the glow, while dark shades absorb light. Having dark shades that absorb light can be advantageous as it can help create mood or create a different atmosphere.

Example of light reflection in the kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

2. Light Beyond Your Modern Kitchen

As you know, having skylights or walls of glass can provide plenty of natural sunlight into your kitchen during the day. But can turn into black holes at night. Consider running strip LEDs in a skylight recesses as well as great outdoor lighting ideas. This will help create a light show in the garden beyond the glass. And help get rid of the black hole.

3. Choose Discreet Modern Kitchen Lighting Ideas

There are many lighting options that you could consider in your kitchen design that can be discreet. Spotlights aren’t the only solution for directional light. There is an exhaust light, which has a smart tubular design that comes in two colours for a powder-coated casing and four metallic options or the trim. Lighting options that go with your kitchen design aesthetics.

Example of modern kitchen lighting ideas | Photo Credit – Unsplash

4. Use Modern Kitchen Lighting To Play With Room Proportions

If you have a large kitchen or a kitchen with high ceilings. Don’t just leave that ceiling space empty. Complete the kitchen look by choosing a modern kitchen light fitting that helps tie your kitchen together. Choosing a modern molecular lighting with multiple bulbs, that shine their light in all directions may be a suitable option for your modern kitchen design. This is best suited to be installed over an island or dining table to create a focal point.

5 Tips For A Kitchen Design Layout

As a first time homeowner there are many questions that you have in mind before starting to renovate your kitchen. How to design a kitchen? How to design a kitchen layout? Which kitchen layout is best suited for you? There are many questions and research involved before you start. There are many kitchen design NZ and kitchen designers NZ that are able to help answer your questions and help guide you through the process.

But, to further your research more. We have come up with 7 tips that you should consider in designing your kitchen layout. These tips would help answer you question on how to design a kitchen layout and how to design a kitchen as well.

1. Create a Wishlist

To begin, start by creating a wishlist and writing down all the features you’d like in your dream kitchen. It’s a chance to create a brand new room that is fitted more towards your needs and build a new space that you love. There are many kitchen layout NZ ideas that you might have in mind for your kitchen. Also reflect on what isn’t working in your current kitchen to avoid having it in your new kitchen.

You can also include intangible ideas on your wishlist which our kitchen designers NZ can help with and give suggestions when needed. These intangible ideas could be mixed materials cabinetry, different countertop finishes, etc. To gather more inspiration you can look on Pinterest on look at our case studies and see how previous clients have designed their kitchen layout NZ. The more you see other kitchen design NZ, the more you’ll know what kind of kitchen style you’re after.

2. Set a Kitchen Design Budget

It’s important to set up a kitchen design budget as kitchen costs need to be clearly defined at the start of your project. How much are you willing to spend? You’d also want to set aside some money just incase there are any unforeseen costs or any problems that may occur during the process. At Superior Renovations, you don’t need to worry about paying separately for plumbing, wiring, or labour as that is included in our renovation process.

Find out what your kitchen style is here!

3. Consider How You Will Use Your Space

How to design a kitchen layout isn’t just about working a layout that fits the space but more-so on how you can use the room as well. How to design a kitchen layout that you can use the space? Carefully think about how you wish to use the space and your requirement. Nowadays our kitchen is the heart of our homes as it’s a place where we cook, eat, and entertain. Also a place to sit and work. Our kitchen designers NZ say that kitchen layout NZ should have the prep, cook, and wash areas close together in a kitchen to make the space more efficient. This will help avoid any run ins and save time especially in a large kitchen.

Example of how to utilise space for an entertainment kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

4. Measure Up

Kitchen nowadays perform a variety of roles like family dining, relaxing, working, and entertaining. It’s important to have a good kitchen layout that have adequate storage as having enough storage space in your kitchen is important. You’d want to ensure that you can fit everything you want in your kitchen. But that all depends on accurate measuring which our kitchen designers NZ would be able to do during their consult with you.

If you’re thinking about having a kitchen island in your kitchen design, make sure to precisely measure the floor so that the island can fit comfortably within your space. When placed, it should leave enough floor space for you to maneuver around the entire space.

5. Consider the Perfect Layout

Choosing the perfect layout for your kitchen begs the questions as to how to design a kitchen layout. Looking at kitchen layout NZ ideas would be a starting point to start the journey of designing your kitchen. Making your kitchen efficient and maximising the space can make time spent in the kitchen more enjoyable. In your layout try to put your sink, refrigerator, and oven within easy reach of one another. In your kitchen layout, consider natural light and seating areas are best placed near windows.

Read more about this design case study

Check out our guide on designing different kitchen styles

Kitchen design ideas can be overwhelming as there are many different ideas that fit into your aesthetic. Creating your dream kitchen can be exhausting as you’d want it to be perfect and practical for you and your family. Designing an entertainment kitchen requires a lot of thinking and can be quite an investment to make. But it’s an investment that’s going to do wonders for your home.

Having a read through this blog would have given you more information and more insight on designing an entertainment kitchen and creating a family kitchen. With wonderful advice from our designer NZ and tips to create better lighting in your kitchen design idea as lighting is an important factor to consider. Our kitchen design NZ will be sure to help give you an idea and provide inspiration for you. Have a read, have a browse and start designing!

Already have all your own trades and you’re comfortable managing them for your kitchen renovation?

Although we don’t recommend if you haven’t renovated a kitchen before and/or you don’t have trades people you can trust, most renovations if not all comes with it’s own surprises because not all homes are the same – this is where experience/project management plays an important role in minimises risks to maintain costs/delays giving you higher certainty of outcome/quality backed by associated guarantees and warranties.

However, if you do intend to manage the kitchen renovation yourself, it does work out more cost effective to contact a kitchen cabinetry manufacturer directly to get the kitchen cabinets designed, manufactured and installed – leaving you to manage the other trades such as flooring, demolition, painting, plastering, splashback/tiling, electrician, plumber, and sometimes a carpenter/builder.

Try Little Giant Interiors cost calculator below to see what you can expect to pay for cabinetry.

• New Kitchen Cabinetry Cost Calculator
• New Laundry Cost Calculator

Further Resources

1. Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
2. Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
3. Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
4. Real client stories from Auckland

Read more