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Kitchen Renovation, Media

Kitchen Displays At Our Auckland Showroom: Detailed Breakdown

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.

 

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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.

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Before the kitchen renovation

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Design draft 1

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Design Draft 2

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After the Kitchen was Renovated

 

Design drafts Vs Reality of the kitchen

Elevation 1 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen

 

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Elevation 2 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen
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Elevation 3 Kitchen design Vs Completed Kitchen

 

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


 

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.

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

 

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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.

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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.

 

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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).

 

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

 

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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).

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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.

 

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Kitchen renovation in Hillsborough

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

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

 

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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

 

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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.

 

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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.

 


 

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.

 

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Classic kitchen display in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

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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.

 

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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.

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

 

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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.

 

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

 

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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.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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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.

 

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Soft close drawers with BLUM technology in our Kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

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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.

 

Classic-kitchen, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

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.

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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).

 

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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.

 

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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.

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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

 

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This cooking range has similar detailing in its front like the cabinet fronts and elevates this elegant classic kitchen design.

 

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Small warmer oven

 

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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%.

 

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Concrete finish Silgranit sink from Blanco – It can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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Neptune Stone based floors in our classic kitchen design in our kitchen showroom in Auckland


 

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.

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Our contemporary kitchen design can be seen in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

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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

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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

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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.

 

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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

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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

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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

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A different elevation of the same kitchen design

 

 

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This elevation shows that Dorothy used the same engineered stone for the benchtop as well as the entire wall to promote continuity.

 

 

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

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A sample range of Melteca colours that can be seen in our design studio in our kitchen showroom in Auckland

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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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.

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The feature wall of 4 vertical wooden beams can be seen next to the drinks cabinet in this design created by Dorothy

 

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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Chandelier with brushed gold trimmings that match the U-shaped tap and frame of the open shelf

 

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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.

 

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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.

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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.


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.

 


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

House Renovation, Kitchen Renovation

Entertainment Vs Family Kitchen Design: Explained by Cici Zuo

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

 


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

Bathroom Renovation, Kitchen Renovation

10 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Kitchen Design by our kitchen designers

When thinking about your kitchen design, you often think that it will mean a lot of fun and creativity. Kitchen renovations are not cheap so if you are looking at renovating or designing your kitchen then you would have thought long and hard about it. It’s a change that you’re willing to invest in to create a better space and environment that is best suited towards your aesthetic and liking. Not every kitchen design works for every family. An open plan kitchen design could work for some family dynamics while an separate kitchen might work for others.

Getting the kitchen design is vital for a fully functioning kitchen that works for your family and a space that you can enjoy in as a family.

Although the second we get into the process of designing and changing up our space it can become overwhelming. What colour goes best? What style is better? There are a hundred questions popping through your mind to ensure that you’re not spending thousands to end up making a mistake. Kitchen designers however are trained to put your vision into a working and fully functioning reality which is why they are often an integral part of a kitchen renovation process.

It is also easily possible to make mistakes when designing your kitchen so we created the top 10 mistakes that our designers have outlined that you should avoid during a kitchen renovation. We have also outlined the top design trend in kitchen design as well as bathroom design to find out what most Aucklanders prefer in terms of style.

 

In this Article:

  • Mistakes to avoid in your kitchen design
  • Design process at Superior Renovations
  • Elements of a contemporary bathroom
  • Elements of a modern kitchen

10 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Kitchen Design

There are many mistakes that are bound to happen when you’re designing your own kitchen for the first time. Kitchen designs require more thought as they are many factors, elements, and materials to consider which can make you unintentionally make these mistakes.

Here are 10 mistakes that you should avoid in your kitchen design.

1. Not Planning your Kitchen Design Properly

Planning and creating a new kitchen suited towards your needs or changing it to make it more modern is always exciting. You finally get to create a new space that you know you’ll love and enjoy spending time in. But it can be overwhelming as you’re looking on Pinterest for kitchen ideas and whilst they look good, they might not be the most functional for you. Not planning your kitchen design properly is a common mistake that people make as there’s so many factors to consider.

When thinking about your kitchen design, consider these 3 things.

  1. Convenience and Practically

When designing your kitchen, always have in consideration of making your kitchen convenience and practical for you and your family. Consider separating each section of the kitchen into 5 zones for consumables, non-consumables, cleaning, preparation, and cooking. Doing this will ensure that your new kitchen will be organised and easy for you to use and within reach.

  1. Optimise your Kitchen Capacity

Storage plays a huge factor when designing your kitchen as there are many things we need to store in the kitchen. You want to create a kitchen that has heaps of storage space for your kitchenware and appliances. Consider including overhead cabinets and shelves to help reduce clutter in your kitchen.

Read: Kitchen Layout guide to building a functional kitchen in 2021

  1. How to Design your Kitchen Layout (Dos and Don’ts). 

Knowing the right layout for your kitchen is an important step to consider when designing your kitchen as you’d need to decide where your main kitchen components go like kitchen sink, countertop, fridge, etc. Picking the right layout for your kitchen will help eliminate any future clutter and help ensure the functionality and efficiency of your kitchen construction.

Do put ceiling lights along countertops

Having good lighting in your kitchen is important as it can create mood lighting and create a nice atmosphere in the room. Putting ceiling lights along the countertops will create more light for the work area. Using recessed lights will be perfect for installing lights along the countertops and help open up the kitchen space. This can also eliminate any dark corners on your kitchen counter.

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Example of having lights under the counter | Photo Credit – iStock

Don’t position your fridge near a wall

In your kitchen design layout, the biggest mistake you can make is putting your fridge right next to a wall. This can be a problem as you might not measure enough space between the wall and your fridge. Which can result in not being able to open your fridge door all the way, which can be a bit annoying. Try to keep your fridge away from the wall so that the fridge door can open all the way.

Do get an island if space allows

A kitchen island provides more counter space in your kitchen as well as a place where everyone gathers. The kitchen can be the heart of your home and having an island tend to be where everybody goes. Whether that be to eat, work, or simply have conversations. Having a kitchen island incorporated in your kitchen would be highly recommended.

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Don’t put your waste basket too far from the sink

It’s always a good idea to put your waste basket close to the sink as it makes it easier for you to dispose of any rubbish. The most popular idea to put your kitchen waste basket is inside a cabinet. One of those pull out rubbish bins, that way you’re able to hid the bin and mask any odours that might occur.

 

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Pull out waste basket near sink

Unsure about kitchen layouts? Check out one of our blogs discussing kitchen layouts and find the one best suited for you!

2. Not Considering the Kitchen Work Triangle

Ever heard of the kitchen work triangle? The kitchen work triangle is a theory that states a kitchen’s three main work areas should form a triangle. The triangle makes it easier for you to reach between your cooking, cleaning, and food storage area with ease, while also providing enough space between them to avoid crowding and for other people to walk through.

Although the kitchen work triangle might not be suited towards you needs, it comes as suggestion from our designers as following the kitchen work triangle will make your kitchen more efficient and we’ve achieved the kitchen work triangle in our past renovations.

3. Not Allowing for Storage Needs

Having adequate storage in a kitchen is crucial as we can often run out of space. Sometimes we may be renovating our kitchen to create more storage space to make our kitchen more organised and less cluttered. Kitchen storage is not limited to being confined to a wall or base cabinets. There are heaps of different ways you can make the most out of your storage space. For a modern design kitchen, consider using open shelving or wall cabinets with glass doors.

4 Ideas to Utilise Storage Space in Your Kitchen   

  1. Make Use of Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors are often left empty as putting stuff there can cause them to be in our way when trying to find what we need in our kitchen drawers. Thought the inside of your cabinet doors is filled with storage possibilities and this is something you should consider utilising your storage space in your kitchen. You could install hooks to store pans or add a slim rack to stash your pot lids and keep all your pots and pans in one place.

  1. Hanging Rack for Pots and Pans

Constantly tired of digging in your kitchen cabinet trying to find the right pan/pot to use? Installing a hanging rack in your kitchen for pots and pans can help eliminate clutter in your cabinet and provide more space for other kitchenware or appliances. That way you can see all your pots and pans in one setting and be able to easily take it out and use it.

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Example of a hanging pot rack to utilise space

Read more about the Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation in Stanmore Bay 

  1. Utilise Wall Space

Make the most out of your wall space by installing a knife magnet which displays all your knives in a row. But if that seems too dangerous with kids running around, consider putting in open shelves in your wall space in your kitchen. Having open shelving can be used as extra storage space and it will also become part of the kitchen décor which you could add small plants or succulents.

  1. Give Your Island Drawers

Considering going for an island kitchen layout? To get more storage space, always choose to have drawers in your island. That way you have more storage space for your kitchenware and island handles are often hidden so at first sight, people won’t even notice that your island has drawers.

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Kitchen Island with drawers

Read more about this full house renovation in Avondale 

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Read more…

Kitchen renovation in Massey (pictured above and below)

 

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4.  Not Having Enough Bench Space

Ensuring that you have enough storage space is as important as creating enough bench space in your kitchen. Most household nowadays have appliances like a toaster, coffee machine or an air fryer, and if you’re someone that loves purchasing small kitchen appliances or decorations then making sure you have enough counter space is important

3 Tips to Utilise your Bench Space

  1. Incorporate a Kitchen Island

Having a kitchen island provides another space for food preparation or you could add some barstools and create an eating, working or entertaining space to. Not only does a kitchen island create more storage, it’s also a nice space to entertain people and if you like creating a charcuterie board, the kitchen island makes a great space to take photos and gather friends and family around.

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Finished kitchen renovation in Epsom

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3D Design of Kitchen

See more 3D design photos of this kitchen!

  1. Ditch the Double Sink

How often do you end up using 2 sinks? If you answer rarely, only consider sticking with one sink. Having one sink leaves you with more bench space for food preparation, decorations, or appliance placement. Having 2 sinks are always nice but if bench space is more important to you then having one sink is ideal. Especially if you have a small kitchen. Having one sink provides you with more bench space.\

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3. Induction Cooktop

Not only are the induction cooktop used as a stove but when they’re turned off then can even be used as another space for food preparation. Can be a place to put your groceries, ingredients, or a mixing bowl without worrying about it spilling or falling. The best thing about having an induction cooktop is that they’re discrete, so depending on the angle it can be invisible. Another bonus is that the cooktops heat up and cool down quickly.

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Induction Cooktop in Kitchen

Notice how the induction cooktop blends in with the counter. At first glance you don’t notice the cooktop unless you look at it closely.

See more photos from this kitchen renovation

5. Hindering Ventilation

When thinking about your kitchen design, always consider ventilation. Ventilation plays a huge part in your kitchen as cooking produces lots of smoke, steam, and odours which can irritate eyes and skin. Having good ventilation in your kitchen can create more comfort as kitchen hoods can provide ventilation to control the air temperature.

 

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Read more…

Project details + before and after pictures (for the kitchen renovation pictured above and below) 

 

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How to Improve Ventilation in Your Kitchen

  1. Use a Range Hood

Kitchen hoods are one of the best ways to improve ventilation in your kitchen. Not only do they help remove steam when cooking but they also filter out grease as well. Using your kitchen hood properly means to turn it on when you start cooking and not during the middle or at the end. Be sure to clean your filters regularly to maintain good ventilation.

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2. Open Windows

As we all know, opening windows helps let in fresh air which can help get rid of any odours in our house. It’s something that we do whenever it’s sunny. Opening windows during food preparation and when you’re cooking can help improve ventilation in your kitchen. The open window doesn’t have to be in the kitchen, it can be in another room. Whatever works for you as opening any window can help circulation in your house and improve ventilation.

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Window in the kitchen, letting natural light in

See more of this kitchen renovation

  1. Use a Splatter Guard

Using a splatter guard is another way to improve ventilation in your house as they can help prevent any grease and grim from flying around. The splatter guard can also help protect your cabinets and splashback. The splatter guard is a more affordable option and won’t take up any valuable space and is easy to wash.

  1. Invest In an Air Purifier

An air purifier is another useful way to improve ventilation in your kitchen as well as your entire house. This option may not be everyone due to how expensive air purifiers can be, but they do come with great benefits and it’s something to consider. Air purifiers helps remove bad odours and is portable so you can move it to whichever room you want.

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Example of air purifier in room | Photo credit – iStock

6.  Forgetting about power points

Power points is the last thing that comes to mind when designing your kitchen as they’re a small item that you need. Whilst power points are essential to have in your household and kitchen, the main problem with power points is placement. Where should power points go in your kitchen? You can’t put them near sinks, and they also need to be well placed so that you can access them easily and prevent overload.

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Power outlets that can be pushed back into the counter

This is a great example of installing power outlets into your island or countertop as they can be pushed back into the counter or island and won’t be in the way. Makes it more convenient and less of a tangled mess of wires when using kitchen appliances.

Check out this kitchen renovation in West Auckland 

7. Not being creative enough with the design

Picking the right colour for your kitchen can be challenging. Having the right colour scheme can change the aesthetic of your kitchen. It’s almost tempting to have an all-white kitchen as white can go with anything. Use colours to add contrast to your kitchen and try refrain from having an all-white kitchen, unless that is what you’re after. Installing a nice splashback with a pattern or design can make a huge difference in your kitchen.

Check our our blog discussing kitchen colour schemes

8. Poor Lighting

Having good lighting is important as lighting can change the room and adds functionality and it a key component to a great kitchen design. Unfortunately lighting comes as a last thought just like power outlets which is why we need to avoid this mistake. This is an important step to consider as nobody likes having a dark kitchen or uneven lighting.

Best Lighting for Your Kitchen Design and Where to Put Them

  1. What is Task Lighting?

Task lighting focuses on a specific area to provide targeted illumination for accomplishing tasks. This is useful lighting to have in your kitchen as it can be put under your cabinet for extra lighting. Having a well-placed task light can define and highlight the areas of your kitchen where you’re chopping, washing, or serving food. Having task lighting will get rid of any dark countertop corners and remove any shadows. LED strips are perfect for this.

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Example of task lighting in kitchen

See more about this kitchen design

  1. What is Ambient Lighting?

Ambient lighting is used to create a modern and illuminate the room. While there are many different options to choose from when deciding on what lighting you want. The most popular is recessed lighting. These lighting fit right into your ceiling and makes your kitchen look sleeker, while giving ample light to your space. The key thing to remember when using recessed lights is the placement as you want them to look appealing on your ceiling.

When choosing recessed lights, always go for white light bulbs.

  1. What is Accent Lighting?

Accent lighting is purely used as decorative lights that adds to the existing lighting in your kitchen. There are many different lights you can use for accent lighting like a wall lights or pendent lights. Accent lights creates a soft focus on certain key elements in your kitchen based off where you put them. This is one of the versatile kitchen lighting ideas as you can put them wherever you like and there are no limitations.

9. Not asking for professional advice

We love sticking to a budget and creating our own little project that we can do ourselves. There are many different ways that you’re able to change up your kitchen without having to rip everything apart or take things out. But it’s always wise to ask for professional help as it can help you save thousands of dollars and prevent you from making any expensive mistake.

10. Choose the wrong tapware.

When picking finishing touches for your kitchen, there are many different styles and design that you may like. Be careful to always pick finishing touches that are the same style as your kitchen design. You don’t want to have your new kitchen looking odd with different finishing touches. If you’re after a contemporary kitchen, stick with brass tapware.

What is our Design Process?

Design processes can be tricky and confusing if it’s not explained to you properly. Especially if it’s your first time choosing the right company to make your design come true. To ensure that you understand what happens, here is our design process.

  1. Site visit

Once you’ve had your first consultation with our designers, the next step will be to arrange a time that works for everyone so that our designer can have a site visit. This is a required step as our designers are about to take measurements and have a more in depth discussion with you about what you want and what’d you like.

  1. Designing the layout

Based on the measurements taken from the site visit, our designers are then able to starting researching and designing the best layout or style that is bested suited for you. While they’re designing the perfect layout, they’ll also give suggestion based on the structure. We try our best to design a bathroom or kitchen that is based off your requirements but our designers do make suggestions here and there.

  1. Colour Design and material choosing

Once we’ve finished designing the layout, we add some colour and materials that you have picked out for your kitchen or bathroom. During this process, our designers Cici and Dorothy are able to go with you to pick out colours and fittings and be able to give suggestions along the way.

  1. Finalise all the fittings and appliances

Lastly, we finalise all your fittings and appliances in the design and from then on, they’ll email you the finished 3D design that they have created for you. From then you can discuss with our designers about any changes you’d like to make. Once you’ve approved of the design, then we’re able to start renovating and making you one step closer to having your dream room!

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One of our 3D kitchen designs

Want more information about the process? Here is how we work with you!

Key Mistake to Avoid Making in the Design Process

The main mistake that you should avoid making in the design process is not communicating with our designers properly. Communication is an important step when renovating as miscommunication can create problems and end up having you wasting thousands on something you don’t like.

Advice From Our Designer

When trying to design your own kitchen or bathroom by yourself, our designers advice is to make sure that your design makes the space highly functionally and aesthetically pleasing but making your space aesthetically pleasing is a personal choice. Some more advice for you when you’re designing your own kitchen or bathroom, you should always question why you want to redesign the space. But most importantly, our designers have advised that you should always seek out professional help.

Before starting on your design, you need to first consider what kind of style would suit you best and go well with the rest of the house. To provide you with the best information possible, we’ve asked Cici and Dorothy our in house designers on what they think is the most popular style and trend for a kitchen or bathroom design. Our in house designers Cici and Dorothy both said that the most popular style for bathroom or kitchen is contemporary and modern.

Our in house designer Dorothy said, ‘that most clients prefer modern or contemporary design as they both has simple elements to boost the room size and tend to be naturally brighter.”

Down below, we have listed some elements that you need to make your bathroom or kitchen style look contemporary or modern.

Elements of a Contemporary Bathroom Design

Contemporary bathrooms just so happens to be the most popular bathroom style. We’ve also asked our designers on what style is popular when it comes to bathrooms and they both said contemporary. This style is most popular as you’re able to incorporate some modern features here and there.

Here are 6 elements that you need for your contemporary style bathroom.

1.     Neutral Foundation

When thinking about having a contemporary style bathroom, neutral hues is the way to go when thinking about colour choices. Contemporary bathrooms mainly use white, black or a neutral colour for the overall look of the bathroom. Pure white or black foundations work best, and it allows you more freedom to decorate your bathroom to your liking. Later on in your bathroom decorations, you can also be able to accentuate the setting with a vibrant greenery and natural earthy materials. You can always use some vibrate colours as well to frame the room and give it a unique vibe.

2.     Introducing Natural Elements Throughout

Designing a contemporary bathroom can be challenging as there are only certain elements you can choose that is within your style. Introducing natural elements throughout your bathroom can play a vital role to create a perfect symbiosis between modern sleek and timeless traditional. Opt for using natural materials like choosing natural instead of man-made materials. Look for hardwood, bamboo, cork, or stone to bring a bit of outdoors into your bathroom.

Natural Elements you can Add to your Bathroom

  1. Widen Windows

Consider having bigger windows in your bathroom instead of small one. This can add a sense of tranquillity in your bathroom. Having a wider window also helps let in fresh air which is good for ventilation and getting rid of any damp bathroom smell. Having wider windows also helps let in more natural sunlight which provides your bathroom with a more natural look.

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Wider windows in bathroom

  1. Natural Light

Allowing as much natural light into your bathroom will provide a natural element and make the bathroom feel more open. Try to avoid covering your windows during the daytime as you’ll block the natural light. If you’re concerned for your privacy, consider incorporating plants outside your bathroom window. So you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoor view from your bathroom while still maintaining your privacy.

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Natural sunlight in bathroom

Check out this bathroom renovation in Redvale 

  1. Add Greenery

Adding some succulents or plants to your bathroom decoration can help add vibrancy and natural focal points to your bathroom. Some plants can decrease levels of certain pollutants, reduce airborne dust, increase humidity and lower stress levels for people who see them.

3.     Clean Lines

Clean horizontal lines are a main element of a contemporary bathroom as this can be applied to bathtubs, cabinets, and fixtures. Curvy, undulating planes have little relevance in a contemporary bathroom. Though the sharpness of certain elements can be softened with smooth angles as well. Think rectilinear in your cabinet choices to keep it basic.

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Clean lines in this modern contemporary bathroom

Read more about this bathroom renovation in Albany 

4.     Less Ornamentation

Contemporary bathroom designs requires little to no ornamentation as contemporary design is all about sleek, clean lines. White tiles with solid colours or natural grain and texture are preferred over ones with ornate patterns. Instead of using ornate details and décor, contemporary spaces tend to stick more to colours with hues that are on the opposite end of the spectrum.

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Example of lack of ornamentation | Photo credit – iStock

5.     Simple Lighting

In contemporary bathrooms, simplicity is a running theme that extends towards lighting as well. Natural lighting is an important element to have in your contemporary bathroom as this can be easily achieved with the right choice of windows. Consider non ornate lighting fixtures or cone lighting on the walls, ample overhead lighting as well as top lighting for your vanity.

6.     Lack of Clutter

Contemporary spaces have a minimalistic aesthetic and may not be well suited for everyone. Appliances and bathroom necessities like lotions, brushes, and appliances all how their own space hidden and tucked away so you’re not able to see it. Therefore it helps eliminate any clutter in the bathroom. Giving the bathroom a nice sleek look.

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Lack of clutter on sink counter

See more photos from our Bathroom Renovation in Titirangi 

Elements of a Modern Kitchen Design

Nowadays, the most popular kitchen style ranges from modern or contemporary or a mix of modern and contemporary elements. We asked our inhouse designers on which style is most popular that our clients choose and they both said modern.

Down below we have come up with 8 elements that make a modern kitchen.

1.     Flat-Panel Door Style

Having a flat-panel door style helps create a sleek look in your kitchen. This can also be referred to as a slab-door style and is a signature element of a modern kitchen design. This is best used for your kitchen cabinets and is one of the most popular style. Some modern kitchens may use the shaker door style, but that leans more towards a transitional kitchen.

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Flat Panel Door Style in Kitchen Design

See more of this kitchen design in Epsom 

2.     Frameless, fully-overlay cabinet construction

There are many names that are thrown around to describe this cabinet construction. What it means is that the door overlays the cabinet box, because when you look at the cabinets all you see are doors. Using these cabinets will allow you to have the exact same spacing between all your cabinets and drawers. This style is often use to create a more sleeker look for your modern kitchen design.

3.     Sleek and Simple Hardware

Sleek and simple hardware can be integrated into cabinets as well as tubular or flat linear pulls. The sleek handles helps defines the cabinets. Modern kitchen cabinet are often pair with this type of hardware as it helps accentuates the lines of the cabinet. Full length cabinets are also a great option because it can add to the minimalist aesthetic and the horizontal lines will also be accentuated by the cabinet.

4.     Lack of Ornamentation

The lack of ornamentation is where contemporary and modern kitchen stop being similar. In a modern kitchen, you won’t have or see any patterned tile shapes or colour with a modern design. The splashback is often glass to tie in with the sleek look and in a modern kitchen style, there will be no patterns or veining.

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Lack of Ornamentation in Kitchen Design

Check out more photos of this kitchen renovation in Albany 

5.     Reliance on the beauty of natural materials

While a modern kitchen lacks ornamentation, that doesn’t mean your modern kitchen can’t be decorate. Since they don’t use any ornamentation for decorations, modern style rely on natural elements and materials. Using natural characteristics in materials, like the horizontal grain of oak or the veining of marble can often be found to add variety to the kitchen.

Tips to Bring A Natural Feel To Your Kitchen Design

  1. Incorporate Large House Plants

Adding natural elements like houseplants can help add a natural feel to your kitchen. This is a great way to decorate your kitchen. If you kitchen has any free space and receives lots of natural light then adding large house plants that do well with the environment can make it look more natural and open up your kitchen a bit more.

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Example of house plant in kitchen | Photo Credit – iStock

  1. Wood

Wood has always been a popular natural element to add to any design as there are many things that can be constructed out of wood. Like flooring, cabinets, furniture, etc. Using wood accents helps create a natural look that contrasts well with foliage and light and will do well to provide your kitchen with a natural feel.

  1. Skylight

Being able to incorporate a skylight in your kitchen will definitely give your kitchen a natural feel. Having a skylight brightens up your kitchen with the amount of natural light coming in and can create a warm atmosphere. Although, skylights may not be for everyone or is too expensive to install, consider having large windows. Having large windows in your kitchen is also a great way to let natural light in, making the space feel more open.

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Example of having natural light from large windows | Photo Credit – iStock

6.     Use of Horizontal Lines

In a modern kitchen design, they all share the same tendency to using horizontal lines. They can either be wide or long stacks of drawer cabinets lined in a row. The hardware of these cabinets are set long and horizontal so that they’re able to accentuate the lines of the drawers.

7.     Consistency in style of accent pieces

In a modern kitchen style, all accent pieces like bar stools, lighting, chairs and tables should stay consistent in colour and style or else you end up having an eclectic kitchen rather than a modern kitchen. Sleek bar stools and pendant lights are consistent with a modern style and in some cases, you can add some colour to your accent pieces and you kitchen can still look modern.

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Consistent accent style pieces across the kitchen design

To conclude, the design process can be tricky especially if it’s your first time. Creating your own design can be fun as you’re able to create something you know you’ll love. But there are many mistakes that you can make and hopefully with the help of this blog, you’re able to avoid these mistakes. This blog also contains elements of a contemporary bathroom and elements of a modern kitchen as those two styles are the most popular at the moment as said by our designers Cici and Dorothy

Following this guide will be sure to help you avoid any mistakes that you could make in your kitchen design and tips to ensure that you don’t make these mistakes in your kitchen design. So get out there and start designing a space that you’d love and enjoy spending time in!

 

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.

 


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

small kitchen ideas nz
Kitchen Renovation

Top 16 Design Ideas for Small Kitchen design NZ Guideline

This guide has been republished to include 7 additional small kitchen design ideas for New Zealand homeowners and to reflect the trends of 2022.

Let’s face it – no one wants to feel claustrophobic when cooking. This can become a problem especially in small apartment and homes where space can become a real problem. Due to lack of space, being in your kitchen can become a stressful experience. But this can be easily combated if the space is used efficiently. 

Planning is key when it comes to small kitchen design NZ. The cost for basic things like labour and project management will still remain the same as you still have to bring trades in like installers, electricians, plumbers, tilers, painters etc. However, you will save on materials as there will be lesser cabinets, lesser tiles and other raw materials to work with.

Innovation is also important when thinking about planning a small space design ideas NZ. Look for innovative ideas within the space for storage and work areas. An example would to make hidden storage cabinets that can be integrated into your living space. These closed cabinets will allow you to store appliances and at the same time will not make your space look bulky.

You can also custom build cabinets which can finish at the ceilings. Keep less used appliances on the top shelves and incorporate an aesthetically pleasing ladder in your decor which can be used to access appliances on the top shelves.

Kitchen things (our preferred supplier for appliances) has products from various top brands which primarily makes appliances especially catered for small spaces. These appliances can be dismantled and stored in a cabinet without taking any counter space.

1. Play around with your Colours 

Did you know that some colours have a tendency to make a space feel tiny and narrow while some are perfect for creating an illusion of added space? We recommend clients to use more neutral colours to make their space look larger. Use Dulux’s Mason Bay Quater WN27 or Epsom VW C100 as the main palette for your kitchen in order to open up your space. 

However, using neutral or shades of white does not mean that your kitchen has to look dull or boring. Choose a colourful or textured splashback to draw attention and create interest. The colour of your cabinets can also be a few shades darker to create some contrast. Use colourful knobs and tapware to add some colour in the space.

2. Lighting is important

Natural lighting is the best lighting you can have in your kitchen design NZ. You can maximise natural lighting by having large vertical windows to create a sense of height or add skylights to heighten the ceiling (and get extra space for more kitchen cabinets).  If this however is not possible then there are still ways of incorporating lighting into your kitchen design.

5  Small kitchens ideas

  • Lights that are close to your ceiling: Consider installing chandeliers or lights that are close to the ceiling. Avoid low hanging chandeliers as they will make your small kitchen layout look cumbersome. Having close to ceiling lighting will also let you skip any wall lighting fixtures. These walls can be better used for shelving.
  • Recessed Lighting: Recessed lighting is a great option to light up an area without infringing into your kitchen space.
  • Pendant Lighting: Pendant lighting is a lone lighting fixture suspended by a chord or metal chain. This is a variation to a chandelier and is less space consuming. You can either use a series of pendant lights or just one depending on your space. Pendant lighting also creates a lot of drama and adds character to any kitchen space.
  • LED strip lights underneath cabinets: Install LED strip lights underneath your cabinets and cabinet handles save on space as well as enhance the mood of your kitchen. Most of these LED lights can be dimmed which can also act as a mood enhancer.
  • Flush mount Lighting: Most houses in Auckland feature flush mount lighting. They are great as there come in many styles and save a lot of space.

 

DSC07317-1000, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation AucklandLED lighting below cabinets DSC07535-1024x682, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation AucklandPendant Lighting DSC07532-1024x682, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation AucklandPendant Lighting
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Above are examples of lighting that can be incorporated into your kitchen design

3. Choose your appliances wisely

Purchasing appliances for your kitchen is not an easy task – and its get more difficult if your kitchen space is tiny. However, one of the best kitchen design ideas NZ is to use smarter products that are emerging and are in the perfect form and function.

Choose  kitchen appliances and furniture that are specifically designed for tiny spaces. There are many options for kitchen appliances which are flexible, versatile and efficient regardless of your small space. Bosch and Kitchen Things specifically make appliances that are designed for small kitchen design NZ. For example think about appliances that can be dismantled and put into a drawer rather than ones that take up counter space. 

An example would be a hand held mixer or grinder that can be put back into a drawer rather than a bulky mixer and grinder. Also think of multi functional appliances which can do several tasks rather than just one specific task. These smart and innovative appliances often have several functions like being able to mix, grid, whisk etc.

4. Become a Shelving master

Renovating or designing a compact kitchen space nowadays requires planning and researching for appropriate solutions. A lot of interior designers will agree that the best kitchen design ideas need proper organisation – which is why shelves are important.

Floating Shelves

You can use floating shelves as an easy and inexpensive way to add much-needed extra storage for your kitchen. They can be great for spices, cups, tea and coffee pots while adding a personal touch to your kitchen design. If you are completely redoing your kitchen then incorporate floating shelves within your kitchen ideas to match other cabinets. These floating shelves can also be added in your dining area. You can buy colourful mugs, plates, and kitchen accessories to give your space some character as well as using it for storage. 

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Full Kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge – Floating shelves add a focal point as well as storage for the kitchen

Drawers and Pantry Shelves

Shelves within your drawers can make organisation and storage much easier. Think of incorporating shelving within the drawers to store cutlery. Another emerging trend has been to create storage pull out shelves within a pantry. This allows you to keep the pantry looking sleek and uncluttered. This kind of a storage pantry can also be built within your other living areas and does not have to be in the immediate vicinity of the kitchen.

5. Kitchen storage

Storage is of paramount importance in any kitchen design ideas, but particularly a small one. One obvious way to maximise storage space is to have wall units running above your base units, effectively doubling your small kitchen storage potential.

 

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DSC06665-1000, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland DSC06588-1000, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland DSC06656-1000, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Storage solution for our clients in Auckland

 

5 ways to maximise storage in small kitchens

  • Open shelves till the ceiling: You could also look to have some open shelving, which, as well as being practical, will help give your small kitchen a more open feel.
  • Magic corners: Magic corners are great for corner cabinets which are awkward and the space in the corners is often wasted. Magic corners feature pull out trolley like drawers which let you utilise that corner space.  We often work with products from Blum which are very innovative in storage solutions for small kitchen design NZ
  • Islands that double as a storage solution: More storage the better for most people. Your breakfast island is another great place which can double as a storage space within your kitchen design. Breakfast islands can be custom built to have storage cabinets and drawers to further increase storage space.
  • Cabinets with storage shelves: As discussed above, building organisational shelves within the cabinets can make your darwers uncluttered as well as have a dedicated space for items. Pantry storage drawers are also becoming popular for organisation and saving space.
  • Hooks for Pots and Pans: A hanger for pots and pans or utensils can be another great way to store items that would otherwise take up space in your cupboard. A style tip would be to buy cubs and utensils which are colourful and vibrant.

6. Islands that double as storage and dining

Whether you have a small or large kitchen, islands have becoming a great addition to any kitchen design. This is because islands are very versatile and can be used as a counter top for preparation, as a dining solution and for storage.

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Kitchen renovation in Blockhouse Bay – This island provides plenty of storage cabinets as well as counter space

 

Our renovation showroom with a kitchen display – A case study in maximising storage including the island

We have recently opened a renovation showroom in Auckland due to popular demand by our clients. This is really to show the quality of our renovated kitchens as well as bathrooms. If you see below, you will see a great example of our modern kitchen design that showcases an island which has storage on both sides of the kitchen island.

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Our renovation showroom in Wairau Valley, Auckland. This is a great example of a modern and sleek kitchen which has storage on both sides of the kitchen island.

When you look at the kitchen island above, you will see a seamless design where it seems like there are no cabinets or drawers. In reality however, the part of the island that is facing the corridor has 2 double storage cabinets and a single storage cabinet. The part of the island that faces the kitchen has 2 pull out condiment cabinets, 2 double drawers with a hidden drawer inside. The hidden drawer is created so that from the outside it has a seamless look.

 

 

 

Read: Which layout is better for your Kitchen?

People often think that islands cannot be incorporated within a small kitchen design NZ. This however is far from the truth. Small kitchens are often found in an open plan living setting. They could either consist of one wall with a couple of counter tops, cooking range and a dishwasher. If you are doing kitchen makeover then think about ‘breaking’ the kitchen from the living room by installing a small breakfast bar in the middle. You can eliminate the dining area all together and use the breakfast bar as a space where you can eat your meals and also use as a counter top.

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Kitchen renovation in Greenlane – The island doubles as a dining area, has a sink and counter space for prep and storage on the other side in form of cabinets

If you do have a small kitchen which is not in an open plan settling then consider breaking the wall between your living and kitchen to open up the area. You will be amazed how spacious your kitchen will feel when you make it into an open plan kitchen.

For further ideas for great storage solutions check out the following projects

7.Hideaway kitchens

Another emerging trend for best kitchen design ideas is a concept that has been quite popular over the past few years – the concept of hideaway kitchens.

Essentially, these are small kitchen spaces which are separated by a drawer – and ones which become “invisible” on demand. With a kitchen like this, you can easily hide your kitchen mess and transform a living room with kitchen to a full living room in a matter of seconds.

8. Small kitchen layouts

Small kitchen ideas are plenty but before anything begins you will have to think about the layout. Layout has a huge impact on how easy your kitchen is to cook in, and how pleasant it is be in. Whether you’re starting from scratch or adapting a current space, think about how you use your kitchen and what tasks you do most. Don’t just think about putting breakfast together and cooking dinner every night, but be more specific.

If you personal preference is an L shaped kitchen but if it makes your space look congested then opt for putting your kitchen counters on one side only. Instead, think about putting in a small breakfast inland that can provide counter space and double as a dining space. If your kitchen is closed off then consider breaking the wall that divides the kitchen from the rest of the living space. Open plan kitchens often make the space look larger and provides more of a cohesive living space.

Single Wall Kitchen Layout

How to design a small kitchen? For your small kitchen layout, this layout may be helpful as it’s perfect for small kitchens and won’t take up too much space. Kitchens with a single wall are effective because you can use the vertical space for additional storage. This wall has depth and balance thanks to the attractive texture the wood paneling produces. Simple kitchen designs don’t cost a lot to make. To make the most of the space’s usability and create a little design, you may include a seating area in you small kitchen layout.

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Single Wall Kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Galley Kitchen Layout

If there is enough space, you may want to consider a galley kitchen layout for your small kitchen layout. A galley kitchen has services on one or both sides and is long and narrow. A galley kitchen has an aisle down its middle. The galley kitchen may occasionally come to a dead end or function as a pass-through kitchen. Galley kitchens are typically less expensive to install or remodel than other kitchen layouts due to their modest size. Which is perfect if you’re on a budget and have limited space.

How to design a small kitchen? Having a galley kitchen as your small kitchen layout will help keep movement to a minimum as everything you need are close together. This small kitchen layout also allows for the work triangle to work.

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Galley Kitchen Layout | Photo Credit – Unsplash

7 Open Plan Small Kitchen Design 

How to design a small kitchen? You to make your kitchen look more spacious you can break down a wall and create an open space kitchen. Open plan kitchens don’t necessarily need a big space to create. You can create an open plan kitchen design with a small kitchen with these help modern small kitchen design ideas. Be sure to incorporate some of these ideas in your small kitchen layout design.

1. Lighting 

Lighting is very important in an open plan kitchen design as you’d want different lighting to break up the space as there is no longer a wall that separates the kitchen from the living room. There are 3 different types of lighting you’d want to use. Task lighting, ambient lighting, and spotlight lighting. In

your open plan kitchen design, opt for hanging pendant lights above your kitchen island to create an attractive focal point.

2. Make space for entertaining 

In your open plan kitchen design, consider an entertainment kitchen for modern small kitchen ideas. By removing a wall, it will help open your kitchen space and enable you to make space for entertaining. When having guests over, everyone can gather around the same space and if you include an island with seats, it will provide a space for socialisation while cooking. Sometime to consider in your small kitchen layout.

Entertainment Dream Kitchen Renovation in Massey. 

Find out if having a entertainment kitchen is perfect for you.

3. Make a compact space work 

How to design a small kitchen? Your small kitchen layout doesn’t affect how you want to design your kitchen. You can still create an open plan kitchen design even with a small kitchen. This is when you’d want to consider having a single wall small kitchen layout in your open plan kitchen design as you’re able to have all your kitchen units on one wall. Finish the look by adding a round dining table as a square or rectangular table might make the space more squished.

Read our blog on open plan kitchen vs closed plan kitchens. 

4. Maxmise natural light 

In your modern small kitchen ideas, ensure that there is enough space to let as much natural sunlight in as possible. If possible, opt for a skylight as that will help let the sunlight into the room more. How to design a modern kitchen? Having as much natural light as possible helps makes your small kitchens look bigger and create an appealing look. Which is needed for modern small kitchen ideas.

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Natural Sunlight in Open Plan Kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

5. Built in appliances

How to design a small kitchen? In this small kitchen layout, you’d want to choose built in appliances. Built in appliances can help save space for more counter space and they’re perfect for an open plan kitchen design and provide a sleek, minimalist design. This would be a great addition to add in your small kitchens.

6. Kitchen island 

A kitchen island is vital in an open plan kitchen design. Not only does the kitchen island provide additional storage space in your small kitchens, but it also helps break up the space from the kitchen and the living room. There are many benefits to adding a kitchen island into your modern small kitchen ideas as it’d be a social hub of your kitchen and bring the room together.

View more…

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Renovating a 40 year old kitchen

Contemporary Kitchen Renovation in Henderson

How to Maximise Kitchen Island Space 

1. Incorporate appliances 

It’s hard to make space for everything you need in small kitchens. Including a kitchen island into your small kitchen layout can help with storage space. Having a built in microwave or build in dishwasher in your kitchen island can save on counter space. Ensure that any opening doors won’t get in the way of anything and ensure that they’re outfitted with proper electrical components.

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Dishwasher incorporated in kitchen island | Photo Credit – Unsplash

2. Shallow open shelves 

How to design a modern kitchen? In your modern small kitchen design ideas, consider installing open shelves into your kitchen island. When doing this, ensure that you made the shelves deep enough to serve a purpose. Open shelves should be around 12-15 inches deep as it’d be easier for you to access items you’ve put there and make it easier for you to see everything.

3. Kitchen island spice rack 

To improve visibility in kitchen island cabinets, use pull-out shelves and cabinets. Smaller things, like spice jars or bottles of vinegar and oil, can be stored in pull-outs and are less likely to get lost in the depths of a large cabinet.

4. Kitchen Island mini fridge 

This is a great addition to add to your modern small kitchen design as it’d be easier to access drinks. Especially if you often throw events at your house, it’s a great addition and make it easier for guests to grab their own drink as they’re able to see where it is.

man-hand-opened-mini-small-refrigerator-and-reached-drinking-plastic-picture-id1397635013?b=1&k=20&m=1397635013&s=170667a&w=0&h=oxXuJ5I7c4PtFIJD0J2ec_odwzOqSezJbKb30ggxuIA=, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Mini fridge in Kitchen Island | Photo Credit – iStock

5. Create a handy bookshelf 

If you love cooking and have plenty of cookbooks, this modern small kitchen design ideas will be perfect for you. Create a little bookshelf in your kitchen island, as this will be a place where you’ll store cookbooks or regular books. This will add a colour, texture and character to your kitchen island and create a focal point in your small kitchens.

7. Broken plan layout 

Whilst an open plan kitchen design has been very popular and always included in modern small kitchen design ideas. There is another option you can consider. How to designer a modern kitchen? You can opt for a broken plan layout which breaks up the space with half walls, glazed doors, or even split level flooring.

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Broken Plan Kitchen Layout

House renovation in Epsom, see more pictures!

9. Use Larger Tiles for your Kitchen floors

Contrary to popular belief, larger tiles actually make a space look larger. If you are using tiles for your kitchen floors then consider using 900 by 600 or 600 by 600 dimension tiles are they will make your floor look space look larger. This is owing to the fact that there will be lesser ‘breaks’ due to lesser number of grout lines. If you want to know more about large kitchen tiles and how they can give an illusion of space them read our Q&A article with Tile depot. 

 

Further Kitchen Design ideas for Small kitchens by our designers

10. Replace kitchen cabinets with drawers  

Normal cupboards do not effectively store your appliances and utensils. They are also inconvenient as things stored at the back of the cupboard are often hard to reach. Instead, try and install drawers that can be pulled out. When you install a drawer that pulls out, you can easily see all the contents and be able to organise your kitchen a lot better.

 

Read: Guide on designing Classic, Traditional, Contemporary, Modern, Cottage and Industrial Kitchens in Auckland

 

11. Be Mindful of the texture of your cabinets, and Add Mirrors

Having a small kitchen often means that you must choose materials that will not make your kitchen look smaller than it is. Shiny and smooth surfaces will reflect the light within your kitchen which will make your kitchen look larger. Most small kitchens do work well in a modern style due to its minimalistic look but if that is not the look you want then just remember not to make your materials too ornate and dark as they will make your kitchen appear smaller.

If you like modern and contemporary styles, then you can also use glass as a splashback which will create an illusion of space. If you are not going for a modern and contemporary style, then think about adding a mirror on the wall which is suited to the style that you are designing your kitchen after. An example is a framed large horizontal mirror with a simple white frame for a classic kitchen

Choose a no-handle set up for your drawers and cabinets if you are designing your kitchen in a modern or contemporary style. If you are going for a traditional, country, classic or cottage style kitchen then choose small matte knobs instead of bulky handles.

 

12. Rolling Kitchen Carts and Tall dining table

There is often a lack of counterspace in small kitchens. Think of creative ways to add counterspace for your small kitchen which work well for your layout. One way is to get a rolling kitchen cart that you can use as an additional counter for prep and store things. When not in use you can either remove it from your kitchen space or fold it up and store it away. Another way is to have tall dining table which you can also use as a prep counter while standing. Add some bar stools to the dining table to elevate the design of your space.

 

13. Think about your Wall Patters and Feature walls as a design element

It is not very easy to add design elements in a small kitchen as the cabinets are streamlines and there is not a lot of room to add decorations. You can however add character to your tiny kitchen by adding a feature wall. Avoid putting paintings or decorative items on the walls as this can make your small kitchen feel closed in. You can however draw attention to the wall by installing bright coloured tiles or painting your wall in a contrasting colour to the rest of your kitchen. You can also add tiles which are textured to add an additional dimension to your kitchen.

 

14. Bring in Nature into your small kitchen 

Incorporating natural elements within your kitchen design can add the much-needed warmth to your kitchen. Larger kitchens have the freedom a mix of materials like wood, and stone but with small kitchens it is often hard to have too many wooden elements without making it look closed in. Hence think about living plants that can be added to the corners of your cabinets.

You can also add plant creepers that start from the top and fall on parts of your cabinets. If you do want to add wood, then you can add tiles to your feature wall that look and feel like wood. Woodgrain tiles are often found in kitchens these days as they have the texture and look of wood but are easy to clean with a mop. If you are using woodgrain tiles on the walls then opt for a lighter colour instead of a dark colour.

Read: 15 Top Kitchen design trends and 10 trends to avoid in 2021

15. Paint your Kitchen cupboards the same colour as your walls

Matching the colour of your cabinets with the walls allows you to create a kitchen which feels airy and spacious. To spruce up the design of a neutral kitchen you can add a coloured feature wall, contrasting lighting fixtures and cupboard handles.

16. Install a Large Sink

Installing a large sink in a small kitchen can be very handy especially if you do not have a dishwasher. A large sink allows you to conveniently wash dishes as well as put the unwashed dishes out of sight while cooking and not clutter your counter space.

5 Modern Small Kitchen Ideas

Modern small kitchen design ideas have always been incorporated into small kitchens. Modern kitchen style has been a popular kitchen style that everyone is after. Having a small kitchen can seem like it’s compacted and there’s not enough space for everything. Consider adding these modern small kitchen ideas in your small kitchen layout.

1. Contrast the countertop with the flooring

How to design a modern kitchen? While you may have a small kitchens, that shouldn’t limit your creativity. To create a modern small kitchen, choose a contrasting colour for the backsplash or cabinetry. Another option for your modern small kitchen ideas is that you can alternatively, choose light wood floors that contract with black countertops for an unparalleled appearance which will make your countertop the focal point in your small kitchens.

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Contrasting colour in kitchen layout | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Read our guide on making your small kitchen look large. 

2. Create a shelf between the hob and wall cabinets 

In your small kitchen layout, you’d want to create as much storage space as possible. Creating a shelf between the hob and wall cabinets is a perfect storage idea to add into your modern small kitchen ideas. Ensure that the shelf here is deep enough as you’d want them to serve a purpose and not be there purely for decoration purposes. Ideally, you’d want to keep kitchen essentials that you’d use every day there to minimise constant movement.

3. Use glass fronts instead of solid doors 

The illusion to make your small kitchens look bigger than it is, is allowing as much natural light as possible into your kitchen. How to design a modern kitchen? Think about changing your cabinets solid doors to glass fronts. This way the glass fronts gives your kitchen depth, which can help it appear bigger and roomier. Natural light is reflected via glass doors, which gives the room a lighter, brighter appearance.

4. Keep wall cabinets to a minimum for an airy look

How to design a modern kitchen? Whilst storage space is important and a vital part you need to consider in your kitchen design. You’d also want to ensure you don’t have too much storage space.  Avoid having long banks of wall cabinets since they might make the room appear cramped and unwelcoming. Less is more, so take advantage of creative storage options to accommodate your kitchen needs. A warm entrance can be made by reducing the number of cabinets and placing tall cabinets together in the back and away from windows. Something to consider in your modern small kitchen ideas.

5. Install a multi-functioning island 

In your modern small kitchen design ideas, think about including a kitchen island into your design. Kitchen islands do take up space and you also need to have the space for it. If your small kitchen layout has enough room add an island. Whilst the island does not need to be big to be multifunctional. You can pick a small kitchen island that is more suited towards your small kitchens. The rule is to leave one meter of space all around the island. An island has many uses and you’re able to use it as an additional work surface.

Tiny Kitchens 

Having a tiny kitchen isn’t always ideal but we have to work with what we got. Don’t get discouraged by having a tiny kitchen NZ as there are many ways to utilise the space and ensure that it works well for you. Tiny kitchens require a lot of thought and planning to maximise functionality and flow. There are many tips and tricks that can help your kitchen work well.

9 Tips To Make The Most Out of  Your Tiny Kitchen NZ 

1. Wall Cabinets 

This kitchen ideas for small areas are necessary as in tiny kitchens NZ there may be spaces that are to awkward to fit any storage spaces and you’re just unsure what to do with that space. Which can be difficult to utilise as much space as we can in a small kitchen design. A long, narrow wall cabinet can fit into spaces that are too small for higher cabinets while yet providing enough storage space.

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Wall Cabinets in Tiny Kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

2. Vegetable Drawer

This small kitchen designs might not be suited for everyone but that’s based on personal preference. This kitchen ideas for small areas are to have a vegetable drawer if you don’t have any space to add baskets. Consider creating your own vegetable drawer in your tiny kitchens NZ and it help keeps unnecessary stuff off the counter and makes it easier for you to access.

hafele-pull-out-vegetable-baskets-haefele-ideas-for-living-img~cdc1ca6104c63430_4-3677-1-0c24a83, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Example of a Vegetable Drawer | Photo Credit – Hafele

3. Toe Kick Pull-Out

This kitchen designs NZ is perfect for those cooks who love to bake. If you ever find yourself with too much baking trays, having a toe kick pull out is perfect for you. Of course, this toe kick pull out drawer can be used for anything and doesn’t have to only be for baking needs. This space might be  place for you to either put pet food bowls or pet stuff. Perfect addition to add in your tiny kitchen NZ to maximise your space.

4. Storage Unit

Another solution to create additional space in your small kitchen design NZ is to add a storage unit. As this storage unit can expand when you need it and then put away when you no longer need it. The good thing about having a storage unit in your tiny kitchens NZ is that it doesn’t take up much space in your small kitchen designs and depending on which storage unit you pick out, it can also be created into a long narrow table.

5. Microwave and Oven Hood Combo

Nowadays most modern kitchens opt for a combination microwave and oven hood instead of having two different appliances. This is a great appliance combo to add in your small kitchen design NZ as it will help save on space to use for extra storage. Having a microwave and oven hood combo gives you the opportunity to cook and vent food using the same appliance which increases your tiny kitchens NZ versatility.

6. Hanging Storage

Having too much hanging storage may make your tiny kitchens NZ look cluttered and messy. Hanging storage may be perfect for you if you have narrow or awkward spaces in your small kitchen designs. Never undervalue the tight spaces in a kitchen, even with a shallow self you can still increase storage capacity in your small kitchen design NZ.

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Hanging Storage | Photo Credit – Unsplash

7. Drawer Dividers

Making sure your drawers are orgnaised is essential in your small kitchen design NZ as you’d want to make sure you have space for everything in your drawers and not let them clutter out onto the counter. Maximise the use of your drawers by putting drawer dividers to make it easier to find that you’re looking for and make your drawers more organised.

8. Hidden Counter Space

In a small kitchen designs, you’d want to ensure that you have enough counter space. Which can be hard to get as much counter space as possible in tiny kitchens NZ. In your kitchen design NZ, consider having hidden counter space. Having a hidden counter space can be pulled out for anyone if they wish to assist in the kitchen while also serving as storage. Once you’re finished with the counter space you can neatly push it back in.

9. Cup Hooks

Cups don’t necessarily need to be stored in cabinets, which is why you should consider having cup hooks as they’re extremely useful in tiny kitchens NZ. Having your cups out can led to them collecting dust, so ensure you use your cups frequently to avoid this. This kitchen ideas for small areas will help improve storage as you’re able to to use the cabinet space for something else. Simply put some hooks to the bottom of your cabinets or shelf and put your cups there.

kitchen-open-wooden-shelf-with-dishes-glasses-and-mugs-mugs-are-hanging-from-hooks-cozy, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Cup hooks underneath a shelf | Photo Credit – iStock

5 Storage Tricks For Your Tiny Kitchens NZ

1. Don’t Overpack Cabinets

Making categories for yourself or your family will help you keep track of the food you already have in your kitchen designs NZ. Pull out open drawers can make your cabinets look cleaner and make it simpler to access items in your small kitchen designs.

2. Display What You Can

Displaying a few appliances on your countertop is a great kitchen idea for small as not everything needs to be put away. Whilst having everything tucked away does provide a nice clean look to your kitchen. Adding appliances will provide a touch of personality to your kitchen and can also provide extra storge space for other things.

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Appliances out on the counter | Photo Credit – Unsplash

3. Use Clear Containers

Using clear containers as storage options are great as they let you see what is in which container which can stop you from rummaging through your cabinets trying to find something. You can also add labels to each containers, so you know what it is and you’ll also be able to know when you start to run low on something.

4. Combine Different Types of Storage

Don’t just stick with the same old storage piece, switch it up by having big storage and small storage. There are many different types of storages that would be best suited in your kitchen layout ideas NZ. Having smaller storage items can sometimes be more practical than one large storage piece.

5. Put Crockery On Display On A Long Shelf

When trying to fit delicate plates and bowls into small cupboards, storing tableware in a small kitchen can be a bit of a problem. Long narrow shelves are your best friend as they are much needed in your small kitchen designs. Use long narrow shelves so that everything is visible and accessible, just be careful to position them low enough to easily reach things.

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Crockery on display | Photo Credit – Unsplash

8 Tips to Create Extra Kitchen Counter Space 

1. Add Some Shelf Risers

Small kitchen countertops benefit greatly from shelf risers as space is limited in a small kitchen designs. For easy storage for all your excess bottles and jars, shelf risers can stack two or three layers on top of one another to maximise storage space. Depending on space, your countertop can accommodate two or three shelf risers, which is the best part as they save on space.

2. Add a Cake Stand

Having a cake stand on your countertop may seem weird, but it can serve a purpose in your small kitchen design NZ. Items will appear much more functional this way, and you’ll also have space to set some larger plates on trayed on the counter while you work.

3. Use Your Windowsill for Storage

If you happen to have a beautiful windowsill in your kitchen design NZ, consider making use of that windowsill for storage space. Whilst you don’t want to chuck everything there as it can get messy; you’d only put little things on it to make it look organised in your kitchen design NZ. You could use your windowsill to hold kitchen canisters and cookbooks.

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Use of a windowsill | Photo Credit – Pexels

4. Turn Your Stovetop Into A Workspace

A kitchen idea for small areas would be to turn your stovetop into a workplace. In a small kitchen design NZ, you’d want to use everything in your kitchen. Purchase some burner covers to cover your stovetop and create a work surface. This could be used as an impromptu counter as you’re able to convert space to be useful to you and your needs in your kitchen designs NZ.

5. Add a Cart 

Another great kitchen idea for small areas is to add a small cart into your small kitchen design as this would provide you with additional counter and storage space. Having a small cart in your small kitchen design NZ also doesn’t take up too much space and can be stored in an adjoining room.

6. Put Your Splashback to Work

Utilised your splashback if you have one. Add magnetic rails along your splashback to make the most out of the space. Hang most used utensils, knives, and cookware on your splashback can help increase your drawer space instead of hiding them. This will also help save time when food prepping.

7. Explore Standalone Shelving

Kitchen layout ideas NZ could provide you an opportunity to explore standalone shelving in your kitchen designs NZ. If your small kitchen designs have a vertical space, you can put in standalone shelving. Which can provide you with additional storage space or clear up space in your cabinets.

8. Hide a Wall Of Shelves Behind Sliding Panels 

This may be a great storage solution in your small kitchen design NZ if you aren’t a big fan of open shelving or having your cookware on display. In a tiny kitchens NZ it can be difficult to move around if there are multiple people in the space. Having an open shelf can lead to an accident waiting to happen which is no good for anyone. Keep all your plates and jars protected, opt for wall storage with sliding panels.

9. Over The Door Organiser

Have this over the door organiser to make use of your door. Your small kitchen designs will have more space and will be more organised thanks to this over the door organiser. To make it simpler for you to identify what is running low, simply slap this over the door and place spices, tea, or coffee capsules inside.

5 Kitchen Renovation Ideas

1. Replace The Dining Table With a Kitchen Island

A kitchen island is typically a feature for a larger kitchen. For small kitchen renovations, consider taking creative use of any available space in a compact kitchen by adding a kitchen island. If your kitchen designs NZ is too small, you could keep the middle island and remove the cabinets on one side on the wall.

In your kitchen renovation ideas, consider space efficient kitchen island seating options that could be used when needed. When the kitchen island seating is not in use, you can put seats beneath the island to improve your kitchen designs NZ visual appeal.

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Kitchen Island with seating

See how we turned this 40 year old kitchen more modern. 

2. Custom Build Cabinetry

Finding pre-made cabinetry that is ideal for you and your small kitchen designs space may be challenging but something to consider in your kitchen renovation ideas to spruce up your kitchen. Consider reaching out to a designer about creating cabinetry that fits your kitchen’s requirements. Think about the house’s theme, surroundings, and space for your small kitchen renovations.

3. Declutter

Our homes begin to fill up over time with extra items that we don’t need. For this kitchen renovation ideas remove all the accessories that are rarely used and keep the area frequently cleaned. To help declutter your kitchen, you can put all your appliances in one place. If  you have a specific corner in your kitchen designs NZ, you can put all the kitchen appliances like toasters, blenders, and coffee makers without it looking cramped.

4. The Simple Shelf 

In your kitchen renovation ideas, consider adding a straightforward shelf to your kitchen if you want to make a small alteration to liven up your kitchen designs NZ. If this shelf is useful, you can place it anyplace on your kitchen wall. You can use this shelf for decoration, or you could add some hooks and set cups beneath the shelves in your small kitchen renovations. This is a great kitchen renovation ideas as it will help make your tiny kitchens NZ appear larger.

5. Open Shelves

For your small kitchen renovations, choose open shelves that will help make your small kitchen appear larger and will further open a closed off kitchen. Having open shelves will make your small kitchen more light-filled. A well thought out open shelf will make the room feel airy and welcoming and this will enable better access and more storage flexibility. Something to consider in your kitchen layout ideas NZ.

open-wooden-shelves-with-various-glass-jars-with-a-wooden-lid-filled-with-spices-coffee, Kitchen Renovation, Bathroom Renovation, House Renovation Auckland

Open Shelves | Photo Credit – iStock


Featured Kitchen Renovations for small spaces (Small kitchen ideas) 

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

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Compact Kitchen in Greenlane

Joanna and Steve wanted to renovate this house to make it more modern as this was an older house. Their kitchen was closed off and so we broke down a wall to make it an open plan living space. There was a constraint in space and hence we created a breakfast bar that could add further storage, provide more counter space, and double as a breakfast bar see more

 

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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.

 

 

Do I need my own Kitchen designer for my kitchen renovation?

We are a complete design to build company for kitchen renovations which means that we have an in-house kitchen designer that will help you design your kitchen. Our kitchen designers will help you choose the renovation materials suited for your kitchen, help you with the creative aspect of design, create a functional space and create 3D drawings and renderings so you can visualise your future kitchen.

Do I need my own plumbers or electricians?

We are not just a kitchen manufacturing company where you just meet a designer, manufacture and then install. We start with design, demolish everything within your space, manufacture your cabinetry & benchtop, install it, we will take you to our supplier showrooms to pick your appliances, flooring, lighting etc to pick supplies at trade prices, we will also provide all trades like painters, electricians, plumbers, builders, etc whatever that is required to renovate your kitchen. You will also have a project manager throughout your renovation who will manage all trades, supply deliveries and be your only point of contact throughout the renovation process.

How much does a kitchen renovation cost?

We provide a full design to build service which includes design, demolition, all cabinetry, fixtures, trades like plumbers, electricians, builders etc, and a project manager to manage your project and be your only point of contact throughout the renovation. Our quotes are fixed and they include all the things mentioned above. Kitchen renovations with us start from about 32K and the quote will differ based on the materials you choose as well as the size of your kitchen.

 

 

 

 


Further Resources for your house interior design

  1. For kitchens with great storage solutions read the following project specs
  1. Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
  2. Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
  3. 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)

 


Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

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    WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

    Superior Renovations is quickly becoming one of the most recommended Kitchen Renovation & Bathroom Renovation company in Auckland and it all comes down to our friendly approach, straightforward pricing, and transparency. When your Auckland home needs renovation/ remodeling services, Superior Renovation is the team you can count on for high-quality workmanship, efficient progress, and cost-effective solutions.

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