Are subway tiles still a popular choice? What are the upcoming tile trends for 2022?
Hear it from Kalun (Senior Sales Consultant at The Tile Depot). We caught up with her at our Wairau Valley Showroom, check out what she had to say, and tell us what you think is trending right now.
Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations
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.
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.
Making space in your kitchen design idea for a drink fridge can be essential for an entertainment kitchen. It’s incredibly useful to have a mini fridge for drinks, as it’d be easier and more comfortable for guests to grab a drink instead of looking through your fridge. Some people consider installing a wine fridge. While that can be quite an investment purchase, wine fridges aren’t for everybody so we suggest installing a mini fridge that can fit up to a variety of drinks ranging from water, soda drinks or alcohol.
If you have a walk in pantry, try including a fridge to utilise the space better. Of course, this doesn’t mean have a second big fridge in there as that’d take up unnecessary space. But opt for fridge drawers if you can to keep your fridge more organised. Having all these options for your kitchen design idea as it allows you to have enough space in your kitchen for catering options. As well as being able to accomodate your guests by having a drink station to keep guests comfortable when they grab their own drinks.
Mini Fridge for Drinks | Photo Credit – iStock
Having a kitchen island in your kitchen is essential and possibly the best decision you could make for your kitchen design. A kitchen island has many uses and is highly functional in kitchen design NZ. The island is where you can relax, catch up on newspapers, do homework, or even work from home sitting at your kitchen island. This is a feature for kitchen design NZ.
Not only that, but when friends and family come over it provides a space for everyone to catch up or play some card games. The island itself becomes the epicentre of the party as they can all gather around the island to have some party snacks.
Now, if the island is going to be constantly used for entertainment purposes. It’d be wise to consider purchasing extra bar stools for special occasions and you can keep them in storage. This would help ensure that your friends and family all have a seat and feel included during gatherings. For decorative purposes, consider some seasonal flower display, some candles or even some fairy lights will create a warm atmosphere.
Island in the Kitchen
Check out our kitchen renovation in Blockhouse Bay
One kitchen design NZ concept that is important to think about is kitchen lighting. Whilst you can design the perfect kitchen with our kitchen designer NZ, if your kitchen lighting is left as a last thought then it can ruin the look for your kitchen design idea. The perfect kitchen lighting for an entertainment kitchen is atmospheric mood lighting. An example of this would be a collection of candles and lanterns around the kitchen and also consider built in lighting in your kitchen design ideas.
When thinking of kitchen lighting, there are three different styles you need to consider. Task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting. Task lighting can help get rid of any dark corners on your countertop. Ambient lighting is there to help illuminate the room and create a modern kitchen look. When thinking of creating a modern kitchen design, consider recessed lighting. Accent lighting is purely decorative lighting like wall or pendant lights.
Example of kitchen lighting being used right to get rid of any dark corners
See more information and pictures on this kitchen renovation
The key to any great kitchen, whether its open space or closed space kitchen is great air circulation/ventilation. Nobody wants last night’s food aroma to loiter around in the kitchen the next day. Which is why thinking about having good ventilation in the kitchen or around the house is important.
To improve ventilation in your kitchen, definitely consider using a range hood above the stovetop. You could also consider a ceiling-mounted extractor that you could put in the middle above your kitchen island. However if that is not within your budget cost, there are alternatives. Some of these alternatives are opening windows and doors when cooking to let some fresh air in or simply investing in an air purifier. Air purifiers help remove bad odours and is portable, so you can move it to any room you want whenever you want.
Range Hood To Help With Kitchen Extraction
See more pictures from this kitchen renovation in Avondale
Seating is an important factor to consider in your entertainer kitchen design NZ. If you plan on throwing dinner parties and guests will be seated at the dining table for a long time. Comfort is important! Upholstered dining chairs should be considered as they can provide support that’s required for several courses.
To make use of your kitchen space, you could also consider a built-in seating for the dining table or consider a banquette seating idea. This can create the same effect and support as upholstered dining chairs and can be positioned alone a walk or linked to kitchen cabinetry. This could be a kitchen design idea to consider and make your kitchen feel more cozy.
With these seating kitchen design ideas, it presents and opportunity to bring in colour or patterns to your kitchen design scheme and could possibly enhance the decorative detail of your kitchen design NZ. Or provide an element to make give your kitchen a modern look for your modern kitchen design.
Example of seating in dining area | Photo Credit – Unsplash
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.
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
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.
Open plan kitchen layouts are becoming trendy nowadays especially with a modern kitchen design style. Ditching the formal dining room, home office and sitting room. An open plan kitchen provides a large, multifunction space. The kitchen layout would be suitable and designed for everyone that can use it and make it the heart of your home.
Creating an open plan kitchen, helps make your family be more sociable. As parents are able to prepare meals while still being able to see and interact with their kids. Having this kitchen design ideas allows the host to interact with guests while preparing food and drinks when they have guests over. Having an open plan kitchen removes the walls which can make the room look bigger and provide additional space for people and furnishings.
When having an open plan kitchen, kitchen layout is important. Having a big space to decorate can be exciting yet stressful as you want to decorate it so the room doesn’t look empty. There is a general rule you may want to follow which is that the dining table shouldn’t be too far from the kitchen. Also ensure that there is a direct route from the table to the dishwasher to make is easier for cleaning.
Open plan kitchen, perfect for entertaining and being sociable while cooking
Read more about this open plan entertainment kitchen.
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.
A kitchen island is always a great addition to kitchen design NZ and you should always consider having a kitchen island in your kitchen design. The island itself has many uses, from extra prep surface, a place for the sink, a place for friends and family to gather around. Put some bar stools, then it becomes a space when kids can do their homework and even where you could work. The island can also be used as another storage space area.
A suitable size for a kitchen island ranges from around 2m to 3m long and around 1.1m to 1.4m wide. Any wider can create wasted space in the centre. Although the sizing may depend on how much space your kitchen has. You should always allow at least 1m of space around the island. Remember that not all barstools tuck right in, so measure correctly.
Kitchen Island Tying The Room Together
Check out the before and after pictures of this kitchen renovation in Epsom!
At some point, we always end up running out of storage, which is why in your kitchen design you should always think about ways you can add drawers and be able to utilise space. Consider open shelving on your kitchen walls as not only can it create space but it can also be visually appealing. You can add decorations onto the open shelving which can add a theme to your kitchen.
Example of creating a smart storage solution in kitchen pantry
Read more about organising your kitchen drawers.
Read more about this kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe
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.
A kitchen has many uses. It’s an ample space for entertaining, generous storage and room for family gatherings. It’s the heart of your home. Making your kitchen function is the number one priority when thinking about your kitchen design and kitchen layout. Having a big kitchen can create layout issues. Large kitchens can be overwhelming to design and if your kitchen layout isn’t planned properly, it can result in a lot of unnecessary travel.
The best way to create a kitchen layout in a large kitchen is to add a kitchen island. This is a popular solution and can perform a variety of functions therefore making your kitchen functional. In a large room, or an open plan kitchen it acts as a bridge between furniture. Improving the work triangle and allowing more than one cook in the kitchen to work comfortable side-by-side. So if you enjoy teaching your kids how to cook or cooking with your significant other without getting in each others way. This would be perfect.
Open plan kitchen that serves multiple purposes
Check out our blog on creating a functional kitchen!
Want more examples? Here is our blog showcasing our top 16 renovations in Auckland.
Kitchen flooring is also another priority when thinking about your kitchen design. You’d want flooring that last long and not ones that would chip or break easily. Kitchen flooring have to be incredibly tough to stand up to dirt and knocks in a family kitchen.
Natural stone flooring can be something you could consider for your kitchen design as they are the most forgiving floor coverings if the right stone and finish are chosen. Some stones can be denser than others and all flooring will be subject to a little wear and tear over the years.
However, if you have children, porcelain tile may be another flooring style you might consider for your kitchen design. Porcelain tile is non-porous and can provide a strain proof option which is wise if you have children that are creative and often make a mess. Easy to clean up and leave no stain behind.
Examples of Kitchen Tiles That You Could Consider | Photo Credit – iStock
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.
To bring some colour into your kitchen design, opt for using dark colours on your cabinetry as it can create a bold and interesting family kitchen space. For a kitchen design ideas it’s often tempting to use an all-dark paint scheme. But for sociable spaces like the kitchen, a balanced approach can be more suited.
A benefit of having dark cabinetry, is that it can help hide any fingerprints, stains, or scuff marks that may occur over time. Having good natural sunlight in your kitchen design can also help bring out the colour in a dark shade.
Example of dark cabinets in kitchen
See more photos and information on this kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay.
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.
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.
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.
Installing an eye catching modern lighting centrepiece is designed to create ambient lighting and the the purpose of a lighting centrepiece is to draw attention to the kitchen island. The centrepiece helps give the kitchen a living rom appeal, rather than to provide practical task lighting.
Example of task lighting to draw attention to island | Photo Credit – Unsplash
Ceiling down-lights are a popular solution for general lighting for your modern kitchen design. You’re able to turn them up for when you want to clean the room. Or dim them down to create a softer mood. With down-lights, you’d want to create an even spread of light. You might have to accommodate if you have a skylight, or TV screen that could affect the lighting. You’d also want to avoid putting down-lights right next to a pendant or hard up against a wall cabinet.
Example of Downlights in a Kitchen | Photo Credit – iStock
A complex room, like a living-kitchen open floor-plan requires different light levels for a range of activities. Nobody likes a dimly lit work area. Which is why when you think about your modern kitchen design. Make sure to position spotlights or pendants directly above key areas in your living-kitchen room. This will ensure that light isn’t blocked when you stand or work around your kitchen.
Example of task, ambient and accent lighting in a kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash
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.
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.
Having light inside of your cabinet can be a key component for your modern kitchen design as they provide soft, ambient lighting. It helps bring display back into the kitchen and create an opportunity of soft diffused light. Which can help create a focal point in your modern kitchen design and help brighten up darker corners of the room.
Lighting in shelves/pantry | Photo Credit – Unsplash
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.
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.
In your modern kitchen design, opt for pale countertops in a darker kitchen as that will help create light reflection in your kitchen. Pale colours and reflective surfaces will amplify the glow, while dark shades absorb light. Having dark shades that absorb light can be advantageous as it can help create mood or create a different atmosphere.
Example of light reflection in the kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash
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.
There are many lighting options that you could consider in your kitchen design that can be discreet. Spotlights aren’t the only solution for directional light. There is an exhaust light, which has a smart tubular design that comes in two colours for a powder-coated casing and four metallic options or the trim. Lighting options that go with your kitchen design aesthetics.
Example of modern kitchen lighting ideas | Photo Credit – Unsplash
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.
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.
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.
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!
How to design a kitchen layout isn’t just about working a layout that fits the space but more-so on how you can use the room as well. How to design a kitchen layout that you can use the space? Carefully think about how you wish to use the space and your requirement. Nowadays our kitchen is the heart of our homes as it’s a place where we cook, eat, and entertain. Also a place to sit and work. Our kitchen designers NZ say that kitchen layout NZ should have the prep, cook, and wash areas close together in a kitchen to make the space more efficient. This will help avoid any run ins and save time especially in a large kitchen.
Example of how to utilise space for an entertainment kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash
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.
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!
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
The consistent argument between open plan kitchens and closed plan kitchens is an age-old one. The two types of kitchen floor plans have their pros and cons depending on the lifestyle and space you have. There is no clear winner of what kitchen floor plan is better.
For some an open plan kitchen design may be the right choice, and to some a closed plan kitchen design will be their match. At the end of the day our kitchen designers, Cici and Dorothy states that it is all about personal taste. To find the best kitchen floor plan to fit your lifestyle, we’ve put together a guide that covers all aspects from what each floor plan is to current trends. All the content has been put together with our kitchen designers Cici and Dorothy.
In residential design, an open plan kitchen is a combination of the kitchen, lounge, and the dining room to create one single great space. In simple terms, an open plan kitchen floor plan is a kitchen design without walls or other dividers to separate it from the rest of the house. This type of kitchen floor plan design most certainly have a modern feel and is an easy way to boost room size allowing more travel of light. Open plan kitchens are a popular kitchen design in new builds, and amongst homeowners with smaller homes. Other than allowing a spacious kitchen and living area, the open floor plan kitchen can also boost the resale value of a property.
Our kitchen designers, Cici and Dorothy, recommend incorporating a big island in your open plan kitchen design. Having an island gives your property a modern effect and a spacious area which can be used as a breakfast bar or food preparation area.
An island is an efficient kitchen design to add counter and storage space, in a reachable area. Kitchen islands can act as a pivotable point between your cooking, cleaning, and food-preparation. With the incorporation of fixtures and appliances, such as a sink and cooktop, as well as bar stools for dining, an island is an easy way to get the family together. Kitchen Islands offer such utility, being a reason why our in-house designers recommend it to their clients during their kitchen upgrade or their open plan kitchen. However, during your kitchen design process, be sure to leave enough room between all sides of the island to maintain a traffic free zone between all the key activity zones such as the stove and sink. How you layout your kitchen is crucial to the functionality of your kitchen. It may sound complicated, but it is simple with the correct guidance.
When designing your kitchen island for your open plan kitchen, our kitchen designers recommend incorporating cabinets under the bench-top. As well as, incorporating the same colour palettes for the side, back panels, and bench-top, to create a waterfall ending. Below we will cover 5 other design ideas you can incorporate in your open kitchen design.
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Rustic wood accents are a popular material to make a kitchen island and is an easy way to make your open plan kitchen unique. Try applying mosaic, painting it in a bold colour, explore different types of countertop materials and incorporate as much storage space as possible. A living wooden island countertop is a growing trend that adds a touch of nature to the open kitchen.
Two is better than one. Adding a kitchen island to your home provides extra space for food preparation. However, setting up a double island instead of a singular kitchen island can be useful way for getting that additional space. A double island can provide more kitchen design opportunities, such as, more storage space, a second sink for larger families, a built-in cooktop, or a breakfast bar style eat-in dining space. One island can be used as a bistro table, away from the cooking and one island can be outfitted with a single basin sink for easy clean-up. A double island is an easy and minimalist way to create a simple and clean atmosphere throughout your kitchen. Not only this but two island kitchens give a luxurious look and make a perfect conversation space.
Read more about our kitchen design tips and tricks about double kitchen islands.
Incorporating a butcher block and/or white quartz kitchen island is a great modern take on a classical kitchen design. The contrast between the two kitchen island styles gives the kitchen a more transitional style with a twist with the combinations of colour and finishes. With a mixture of a white quartz island with a built-in sink and bar counter space, and the wooden accents of a butcher’s block island can create a unique, imbalance look to your open kitchen space.
When a client requests a kitchen renovation for an open plan kitchen, the first thing that will be identified is whether additional layout changes need to be made. The two options will be
If structural changes need to be made, the kitchen design team at Superior Renovations will request for a floor plan of the house. This is to get a correct idea of what processes need to be made and identify what type of walls need to be removed. There are 2 types of walls.
A partial wall is when there is no support structure within the wall. These walls are generally used as a divider, or can be used to add an additional door or window. If the floor plan shows a partial work, the process is fairly easy and builders can remove the wall without any additional work. After wall removal is done, our builders touch up the areas with plaster and paint to fix the gib of the damaged wall.
A structural wall, also known as a load-bearing wall is when a wall consists of active structural elements of the house. The process of removing this type of wall requires more builders and more support or steel beams to be added. Upon the removal, if a lintel is found, the above lintel structure must be kept. However, before any work is done on structural walls the client must give consent to go further. Here are quick steps that are taken to determine whether a wall is a load bearing:
The process of wall removing, whether it is a partial or structural wall can be difficult. It is especially difficult when the house does not come with a floor plan, resulting in builder unaware of all details of the wall structures of the house. Therefore, in order to ensure there is no wrong judgement during an open kitchen plan renovation, we discuss with clients about GIB removal and further inspections. However, some main structural changes are not all simple and require an architect and council consent to proceed further.
Please note this progress is a guide on the structural processes taken by the team at Superior Renovations. These steps may vary with other renovation companies.
Find more about the costs of kitchen renovations.
At Superior Renovations our kitchen designers deal with a lot of structural changes during kitchen renovation. One simple action of removing a wall can do wonders to your kitchen. Opening the closed section can bring in natural light and make the space seem less crowded. A perfect example for this is the full kitchen transformation done located in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.
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As you can see, before structural changes the kitchens are congested, dim and lacked space and storage space. The core focus during the kitchen renovation process was to break the two partial walls separating the kitchen from the living space. The counter space acting as a divider was also removed to allow space for a luxurious kitchen island. There is a significant atmosphere change after converting to an open plan kitchen.
Read more about the kitchen renovation based in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.
Read more about kitchen structural changes…
Stanmore Bay Kitchen Renovation
West Auckland Kitchen Renovation
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On the other hand, closed plan kitchens can be referred to as a kitchen space that is closed off from the rest of the house. Unlike an open plan kitchen, a closed plan kitchen features a wall or one or two doorways that acts as a divider from the living or dining area. This type of kitchen plan is usually just common in older property, and a traditional form of kitchen layout. However, this does not mean modern houses do not have closed plan kitchens, some do!
At the end of the day, it is up to you on what kitchen plan you prefer to have in your home. Closed plan kitchens are perfect for homeowners who prefer to keep things more private while cooking, and/or people who want food preparation and clean-up to be hidden from view. Having a separate kitchen is more isolated, and if you enjoy cooking daily, and elaborate meals, a closed kitchen plan will be the ideal choice for you. Also, closed kitchen is a more budget friendly option during a renovation process. This is because it does not require the extra structural work. Our kitchen designers Cici and Dorothy. state “closed plan kitchens are perfect for busy families as it requires limited tidying, and for people who have a limited budget”.
Finding the right kitchen layout for your kitchen may sound like a confusing process. U, I, C, or L there are a variety of different types of kitchen layouts, and these terms like sound like a completely different language to you. However, do not worry, we have created a quick and easy kitchen layout guide below that can help you find the best kitchen plan for you. This guide is built to help you get an idea of what type of layout options you have, and/or help you learn more about the layout of your current kitchen
Read more about Kitchen Designs and Kitchen Styles.
L-Shaped kitchens are one of today’s most popular kitchen layouts. This kitchen layout offers plenty of open space and is an easy fit for almost all kitchen styles. L kitchen layouts allow more opportunity for appliances and cabinets to be installed along the right-angled walls. Try incorporating a central island to create a working triangle between your countertop sink, cooktop, and refrigerator. Since L-shaped kitchens are placed into corners and usually come with two open ends, this allows a traffic free flowing environment with multiple entrances. Claustrophobic kitchens can be stressful and a burden to work in. Therefore, having a free-flowing kitchen can offer stress-free environment when preparing food or when hosting dinner parties. L-shaped kitchen layouts are perfect for homeowners who strive off an organised area. Here are some quick advantages and disadvantages of L-shaped kitchens.
I-Shaped kitchen layouts are so easy and simple, yet often forgotten. This type of kitchen layout, also called a single galley kitchen, is construction with a single wall set up. I-Shaped kitchen layouts are a great option for small spaces, and perfect for open lofts and small apartments. Due to its simplicity and affordability, it is a crowd favourite for small homeowner and gives the opportunity to make the tiniest rooms look stylish. The core benefit of an I-Shaped kitchen layout is that it only occupies one wall of your kitchen. Therefore, this creates more space for other items such as dining tables, bar carts, and a small island. This type of kitchen layout is not only for small kitchens and can most definitely be used in larger homes to contribute to a spacious open plan kitchen. Here are some quick single galley kitchen inspirations we love.
U-Shape kitchen layouts provide a perfect working triangle and are very popular amongst busy cooks. A U-Shape kitchen layout consists of three walls with built in cabinetry, appliances and bench-tops that create a U shape. This shape allows easy reach of appliances and movement while cooking or preparation. This kitchen layout is also called the C-Shaped kitchen and often includes a refrigerator or an oven within the U/C shape. Here are some quick advantages and disadvantages of the U-shaped kitchen plan layout.
A perfect example of a U/C shape kitchen is our classic kitchen renovation projects located in West Harbour. This U shape kitchen is incorporated with custom made cabinetry and pantry, soft close door hinges and LED lights with Dimma switches.
Read more…
Full Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation West Harbour.
Superior Renovations Kitchen Layout Guide.
Importance of Space and Finding the Right Layout for your Home.
As highlighted above, whatever the kitchen plan or kitchen layout, there will always be advantages and disadvantages. In this section we will be highlighted the positives and negatives you should be aware of if you decide to go with an open plan kitchen layout.
An open plan kitchen is a perfect option for small houses such as apartments and townhouses. This kitchen floor plan has no dividing walls or doors which allow small areas seem much larger than they are. Since open plan kitchens come with minimal walls and dividers, there is plenty of space for additional furniture and kitchen design opportunities.
Without any dividers an open plan kitchen can let you bond with your family and make sure kits are safe while cooking or completing kitchen chores.
Having fewer walls and/or dividers means there is more opportunity for natural sunlight. An open plan kitchen allows movement and flow of air and sunlight into adjacent rooms. For homeowners who value home designs that prioritises airflow, continuity, and light, the open plan kitchen is the layout for you!
When removing a wall, an open plan kitchen can make a small space look much bigger. This opens more opportunity for homeowners to design such as building a kitchen island. Having a kitchen island is a perfect use for good preparation or as a breakfast bar. Also, by expanding the living space with an open plan kitchen, it will give you a space to add design accents to complement the rest of the house.
An open plan kitchen is considered a modern design and is known to boost the value of your property when it comes to reselling. This is because, open plan kitchens are increasing in demand with homeowners and homebuyers.
Being an opened area, the kitchen will always be visible to family members and/or guests. Messy kitchens contribute to making the house look messy, therefore, with an open plan kitchen there will always a need to keep the area tidy. Indulging in a regular cleaning routine can be difficult as cooking can tend to be a messy process.
With no walls, the sound of kitchen appliances and cooking will percolate into the house. The sound of the dishwasher and/or the range hood will not contribute to a positive experience when watching TV in the living area. Also, smoke can travel to other living areas making it hard to get rid of the smell of food around the house.
Tips from our kitchen designers Cici and Dorothy: “To decrease the amount of smoke travel, try incorporating good ventilations or range-hood systems”.
Despite having more counter space, having an open plan kitchen normally means limited walls. With limited walls, this means there will fewer cabinets and less scope in pantry space. If you tend to have many dishes or have a lot of kitchen appliances to store, an open plan kitchen may be impractical.
Closed plan kitchens come with its own positives, as well as a few negatives. Below we have highlighted the most common advantages and disadvantages of a closed plan kitchen that could help you when looking for a kitchen that best fits your needs and lifestyle.
Having a separate kitchen means that it does not blend into the living room or dining room. Having a closed plan kitchen gives you a dedicated space you need to do your work, without any distractions. Also, being closed off from the other sectors of your homes means everything is not visible, thus giving more procrastination when it comes to cleaning. Closed plan kitchens are the perfect options of homeowners/home cooks who like a kitchen place that is isolated from disturbances.
Compared to an open plan kitchen, closed plan kitchens have more cabinetry. Having more walls translate to having more space for cabinet storage, countertop workspace and room for kitchen appliances. More cabinet storage results in a tidier kitchen without all the mess lying around on the countertops or kitchen islands. These cabinetry options come in handy if you have a lot of kitchen appliances but like keeping the area tidy.
Having walls or any sort of dividers to separate the kitchen from the living and/or dining area means emission are confined. Closed kitchen plans prevent any emission commenced during cooking overtaking other places in the kitchen.
Not all homeowners want a single great room on the main floor in their homes, some value having a formal dining area. A closed kitchen gives the opportunities for homeowners to create a separate formal space for family meals and gatherings. Having this separate space also opens more design options such as having a full-length luxurious dining table, or a family room with a big TV to create a home cinema.
Although it may not seem like it, the dividing wall that separate a closed plan kitchen may efficient the opportunity of maximising the space of your home. Having a wall between rooms can prevent natural light flow and air, making a closed plan kitchen seem dark and stuffy. Having a closed of section for a kitchen can also create a sense of rigidness, making it difficult to interact with family and/or guests when cooking.
When cooking in a closed of space, smoke and heat can easily build up in the area. Although there are ventilation options, even a good fan can be loud and can make the kitchen an unpleasant space to work in. Whereas an open plan kitchen creates a natural ventilation system and room for the flumes and heat to travel, a closed kitchen does not provide this option.
Closed kitchens unintentionally make the house look smaller. Having a closed kitchen space also means a lack of space to sit and eat. Although you can create a separate dining area, this can be a hassle as you will need to carry hot food in and out of the kitchen. If you are considering a closed plan kitchen, try considering adding a small area for a small coffee table perfect for a quick breakfast.
Tip from our kitchen designers Cici and Dorothy: “Make your closed plan kitchen appear less small by incorporating colour and good lighting in your kitchen design. We recommend painting your area with brighter colours, such as cool grey, beige, or classic light. Try pairing it with led light fixtures. Incorporating refreshing colours and good lighting can significantly make your closed kitchen look bigger”.
An open plan kitchen will have more kitchen design options compared to a closed plan kitchen. Recently, we have seen many clients incorporate contrasting or monochromatic colours, paired with different types of textures. Wood accents and mattes are always in demand, making the kitchen design look less boring and easy to match with the interior of your living and dining area. White and neutral colours are always a crowd favourite, but recently the wood stains and accents are in trend.
Below we have highlighted more open plan kitchen design tips we recommend.
Having good lighting is critical in an open plan kitchen space. Since the kitchen is connected to the living and dining area, you want to distinguish the two areas with lighting. No one wants bright white lights used in the kitchen in the living room, vice versa. Good lighting can help create different atmospheres to different parts of your open plan kitchen, such as a bright LED light over your cooktop, and perhaps a dimmable lighting fixture over the living and dining section. Lighting comes in all different shapes and sizes, spots, pendants, table lamps, floor lamps and more. Choosing the right lighting for each area of your open plan kitchen and living area can change the mood significantly.
A freestanding kitchen island is a must-have in an open plan kitchen. Kitchen islands are great for breaking up large spaces and divide different areas. However, it is important to position your kitchen island so that it steers traffic away from kitchen hotspots, such as the oven and cooktop. We recommend placing your kitchen island towards the seating areas instead.
When designing your open plan kitchen, it is important to think about where guests will sit and where guests will eat. Short-stay seatings, such as breakfast bars need to be ensured it is away from the core cooking zones, but close enough so conversations can flow easily. Think about what section of your floor-plan will be dedicated to living space and what areas will be used for kitchen appliances and dining.
Create a sense of flow and unity by keeping to similar colour palettes throughout your open plan kitchen design. However, only having painted walls can be a bore, try incorporating ‘break out’ areas with painted panels, feature walls or a statement rug to create texture and a contrasting effect. However, be sure to use colours and materials that link with other areas of your open-plan kitchen to ‘sew’ the space together.
Clever placement of furniture is an easy way to break up your kitchen and living space. Remember to create a comforting, chill zone to break away from the busy atmosphere of cooking. Try incorporating corner seatings or modular units can be used as a room divider, differentiating the cooking, and living areas.
Read more…
Popular kitchen design trends and colour schemes.
Closed plan kitchen designs can be very limited. However, this does not mean there isn’t any clever ways to enhance your space. Our kitchen designers have seen an increase in demand for brighter colours for closed kitchens, as darker dull colours can make the space feel and look heavy.
Below we have highlighted more closed plan kitchen design tips we recommend.
Instead of closing your space with basic walls, try incorporating glass enclosed doors. Glass enclosed doors can bring in more light flow to your closed plan kitchen design, whilst still maintaining the closed kitchen affect.
Two-toned cabinetry can keep a closed plan kitchen from looking too flat or sterile. Since closed kitchens consists of a lot of cabinetries, incorporating various of neutral colours and textures through the cabinets can create visual impact and bring warmer and life to the closed off area. Try pairing neutral colours with natural wood accents and stain to your closed kitchen cabinetries.
A banquette seating is an easy way to contribute a modern feel in your closed plan kitchen. Making a space in the corner of your kitchen for a banquette seating can add a polished comforting look to be used as a quick breakfast nook or coffee area.
Choosing the right kitchen floor plan can be difficult. Every homeowner have their different wants and needs in a kitchen. Above we have highlighted the two different types of kitchen floor plans: an open plan kitchen and a closed plan kitchen. Although each kitchen comes with its own numerous benefits and kitchen designer recommendations, it is important to find the right kitchen plan for you!
This blog is not built to make the choice for you but to guide you make the right choice! And we hope after reading this blog you have an idea of what kitchen you are after.
As a wrap up for this blog, we asked our kitchen designers, Cici and Dorothy what kitchen floor plan they love.
Cici: “Personally, I like an open plan kitchen as it provided more bonding with my family. I enjoy cooking and talking with my family. When designing my own kitchen, I tend to think about the future, what will I do when family and friends come over? How will guests and my family have conversion? Having these values, an open plan kitchen was best for me. I love having a big island and big open space where you can both entertain and communicate.”
Dorothy: “I prefer an open plan kitchen. I enjoy thinking from a design perspective. An open plan kitchen provides more design opportunities, as well to stay connected with different areas of the house. Having an open plan kitchen can create more of a wow factor and the finishes will be more amazing.”
The floor plan of your kitchen should support your cooking lifestyle and your personal needs and wants. If you value having open space, family bonding and/or having multiple design options, an open plan kitchen may be fit for you. However, at the end of the day there is no definite answer. It is completely up to you! Consult with one of our kitchen designers to help you find the right kitchen floor plan.
Yes, we definitely recommend our clients installing an extractor fan or any form of ventilation. This prevents odour and fumes for cooking travel to your living area.
Yes, you absolutely can! However, kitchen islands cannot be installed in small narrow closed kitchens. Kitchen islands can only be installed in bigger closed kitchens. Ensure you have at least 10x12 feet space.
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In our digital world, technology is constantly changing and getting better which should come as no surprise that people have invented ways to make our homes smarter and our lives easier. But if you’re still unsure about investing into smart homes, then this article is perfect for you. There are plenty of benefits to having a smart home, keep reading to find out more!
Smart homes may seem convenient for others, but others may also struggle with the idea of smart homes. Smart homes are a huge change and can impact how you and your family live for the next few years. When considering your kitchen or bathroom renovation and design consider installing some smart home appliances.
Curious about smart bulbs or exploring the new amazing capabilities of your new voice assistant? There are many researches that can be found on smart homes NZ and how you can make your house a smart home. Best thing about it, is that you don’t need a full house renovation to make your house a smart home. Having some kitchen design ideas with smart solution home ideas can work wonders in just one room. This can be done in many ways and you’ve probably come across two keywords that is repeated in all your research findings. Smart home and home automation. So what are the differences between those two key terms?
If you assume that these two terms are somewhat similar, you are correct! These two terms are closely related, but they do refer to different things that makes them different from one another.
Smart homes in NZ refers to electronic devices and sensors that can be controlled over the internet or your own local network like your phone, computer and other devices. These devices most often have their own separate app that you’d use to control within certain ecosystem. And it also doesn’t require a full home renovation for it to work. For example, Alexa is a home assistant smart device that you can set up and make it towards your liking. As Alexa is a part of Amazon, there is a separate app needed in order to set up you Alexa.
Home automation refers to a methodology for using smart home devices. The purpose of home automation is to make devices work automatically so that it can response to what you’re doing. While also requiring little to no interaction with any app or physical interface as we try to incorporate this into smart homes NZ.
For example, Philips Hue smart bulbs. You can set them up to a certain ‘scene’ or lighting for a movie night. With a smart home, you’ll open your smart home app to adjust the lighting. But, with home automation, you can set up an automation that can detect when you’re watching a movie and adjust the lights for you. While this can be done to any room you pick, consider going for a full home renovation to be able to have all those nice features in every room.
The main form of entertainment we indulge in nowadays is connecting our streaming services to our Tv’s. Which provides you with a bigger screen to watch your favourite movie or tv show on. When first starting to invest in smart homes, Google Chromecast or Apple TV is a good starting point. These are smart home gadgets which can be controlled via voice if you have a compatible smart assistant. Not only is it exclusive to watching movies and tv shows, it’s also another way to blast your music while doing chores.
Example of Chromecast/Apple Tv
There are many appliances that be control towards your smart home and make your life easier. There are a huge variety of smart appliances that you could choose from. Few examples are fridges, ovens, heaters, air conditioners, which those appliances are able to give you notifications. A popular appliance that most people have in their homes are automatic vacuums which will send you a notification once it’s finished or if it’s stuck somewhere in the house. Some appliances can be controlled on your phone or by using voice commands. Voice commands only work if you have a smart device, like Alexa or Google Assistant.
Are you all comfy and warm in your bed but forgot to turn the lights off? With your smart home appliances like purchasing smart lights, you can turn the lights off from your phone and stay in your cocoon of warmth. Having a smart thermostat in your household can also be controlled from your phone or using voice command.
Security plays a huge part in our lives as we want to keep our belongings secure. With a smart home, you’re able to control your gates from your phone. Install cameras which you can also see from your phone and purchase a smart doorbell which comes with a camera. Works best if you’re connected with Wi-Fi.
Smart home appliances are environmentally friendly and can be sustainable for you as there are gadgets and appliances that can track your energy usage and water consumption. This can help you use less energy and water.
The best thing about investing into a smart home is that everything can be controlled from your phone no matter where you are as long as you have a strong internet connection. Think you left the lights on while you’re on vacation? Worry no more because with remote access, you’re able to turn the lights off from your phone.
Remote Access through your smart phone | Photo Credit – iStock
Smart homes are easy to use and accessible to everyone. This can be extremely helpful with people who have a disability as they can use voice commands to turn things on and off and be able to control things without having to get up.
With upgrading your house, there will always be associated costs and creating a smart home is no different. Smart homes NZ do have smart home appliances and smart home technology that do cost significantly more due to the lack of interest and popularity in them. But it’s been predicted that these prices may drop and become more popular in the next few years. Running a smart home can also be costly as you’re introducing more powered devices to your house. Look at it this way, buying a house is an investment. Doing a full home renovation so that you love your house even more is also an investment. Setting up a smart home is also an investment.
Setting up your smart home NZ or purchasing your very first smart home technology can cost significantly more than ordinary items that does the exact same things but with manual assistant. An example of this could be having LED bulbs. LED bulbs can range between $10 – $20. Whereas smart bulbs can range from $30 – $40. A little jump in price but it’s enough reason as to why consumers prefer not to adopt in smart home technology.
It’s no secret that having a smart home will incur additional running costs to your power bill. However, with intelligent choices and enough research, you can reduce your costs and lower you water and electricity usage.
Taking your time and carefully considering when choosing your smart home technology, setting up and managing your IoT (Internet of Things) appliances can have a positive impact on the cost in smart homes NZ.
Smart homes can indeed save money. As said before having a smart home is an investment that can pay off in the long run. To save money you’ll need to set up and manage the devices correctly. When setting up your smart home devices or items. Consider on-time and power consumption. Creating smart solution homes by choosing energy efficient smart homes technology. When you do a full home renovation, we encourage you to think about incorporating smart solution ideas in your full home renovation.
When purchasing smart bulbs, consider buying the more energy efficient LED lights. With many researches, LED lights are shown to be the better option as they run cooler, use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Studies have found that LED bulbs use between 75% and 80% less energy than an incandescent bulb.
Another benefit to encourage you to use LED bulbs is the extended lifetime they have. Most if not all LED bulbs have around 25,000 hours of life. Compared to incandescent bulb which can last around 1000 hours.
As said earlier, LED bulbs are significantly cooler than incandescent. Incandescent bulbs in the house can slowly increase the ambient temperature of the house, increasing the costs of cooling the house. When thinking about a full home renovation, consider opting for LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs in smart homes NZ.
Another way a smart home can help you save money is investing in purchasing a smart thermostat which can help you save on energy bills. Smart thermostats can allow excellent control over heating and cooling the house and you’re able to monitor the temperature with your phone.
Starting to move towards having a smart home is very exciting no matter if it’s one smart item or multiple smart items. But if you are looking to create an 100% smart home. It’s important to plan it out and consider smart home technology and smart solution homes. Which can help you get the best possible solution for your budget.
Thinking of having a smart home? But not sure where to start? There are many smart devices that is advertised to you. But not all of them are the right fit for you or your house. This is where planning becomes a vital stage of creating a smart home. There are many tools to help with this process and make your planning easier.
Firstly, you’d want to do research in which smart home device is compatible with your home. Start by writing down the different devices that would work well with your house. If there’s too many options, consider a pros and cons list of them all.
Secondly, you’d want to decide where you’ll place the device. The most popular place that people put their smart devices is usually in the living room or the kitchen. This is due to having easy access to power outlets. Some smart devices also have a wired network capability and can often work better when wired.
Once that is all sorted, you can go ahead and set up your smart device. You’d want to set up schedules which can help reduce your energy bills as well as playing around with it to get more comfortable with the app. Trying out all the features that your smart device can provide. This is a great way to slowly inch your way to making you house a smart house with smart home technology.
When it comes to setting up smart devices that are somewhat like Amazon Alexa, they are easy to set up. But with smart bulbs and smart outlets, it can be a different story entirely. If you need help installing new outlets or needing new cable runs. It’s the safest choice for you to hire an electrician who can do all the electrical work.
When renovating your house, consider purchasing a smart thermostat for your house. Or if you’re designing your house, switch out your old thermostat for a smart thermostat. This can help cut down on energy consumption. Smart thermostats help regulate and automate your heating and cooling. They can also be controlled from your phone.
Smart Thermostat which can be controlled from phone | Photo Credit – iStock
When designing your house, consider purchasing smart lighting that can connect to your smart home device. Having smart lights in your smart home means you can schedule when the lights turn on and off. Switching to LED bulbs will also help reduce your energy usage.
Check out some smart light bulbs from Bunnings
When considering your kitchen design, opt for a smart fridge as they are energy efficient and come with heaps of benefits. A smart fridge gives you an option to write a virtual bulletin board for your family with a ‘to do list’, reminders or quote of the day. Sick of having expired food in your fridge? With the smart fridge, the appliance is able to keep track of expiration dates, so you don’t waste any food.
Smart Fridge with touch screen options | Photo Credit – iStock
Thinking of making your house more modern? Consider switching some outlets to smart outlets to make your house eco-friendly. Normal outlets constantly drain energy even when you aren’t using it and to stop it from draining energy, you’ll have to turn the outlet off. Not everyone has time to turn the outlet on and off everything. With the smart outlet, they automatically detect when you aren’t using it and cuts the power off. This is a great way to be more energy efficient.
A key tip when thinking about securing your smart home security is understanding that your Wi-Fi router is the doorway to your smart home. Setting up your router correctly by following all instructions and these tips will secure your home security. Therefore, eliminating the threat of a possible hacker.
It’s important to change your router name as keeping it as the default name will make it easier for people to find default login details. Using the default name will make it easier for others to gain access to your smart home. When changing the router name, be creative and remember to leave personal details out.
Include capital letters, numbers and symbols in your password which can create a super strong password for your smart home security. You can also consider using a random password generator if you can’t come with anything. The generator will provide you options and be sure to write the password down somewhere in case you forget it.
There are many features that come with a smart device, and most times you’ll end up only using a few things. Be sure to disable any feature you don’t need like voice control on certain features. This is because if someone hacks into your smart device, they’re able to listen to your conversations and hear everything you say. Therefore, disabling features, you don’t use, eliminates the threat of that problem.
Enable a multi-factor authentication onto your smart home device is a great way to increase security and prevent others from hacking your smart home device. The best two factor authentication to use for a smart device is sending a verification code to your mobile device to gain access to the smart home device. As we always have our phone on us, if you get sent a verification code that you’re unsure off you can change the password on your smart home device or improve the security.
With technology growing, smart appliances are becoming trendy and somewhat useful. Based on the smart appliances you have, they’re able to send you notifications to let you know if you didn’t close the fridge properly, or if the dishwasher is finished. Mundane tasks that could let you get on with other things you need to do without worrying if you left the fridge open or not as your smart appliances or devices will send you a notification.
With smart appliances and smart devices, they’ll let you know if they’re malfunctioning, and you’ll be able to get them fixed before they actually break.
Notification received on phone
Although smart appliances are more expensive than normal household appliances, they’re a good investment to make when creating a smart home. Not only are you just investing in the appliance itself, but you’re also investing into the software and technology that is integrated into the appliance.
Smart kitchen appliances can help you track your energy consumption by letting you know which is using the most energy to help you cut cost. These smart kitchen appliances can be monitor on a regular daily basis from your phone.
With having a smart kitchen, it makes cooking easier as there are some smart kitchen appliances that lets you know important information. An example of this would be letting you know the perfect temperature for cooked meat which will eliminate any food poisoning. This makes preparing food safer.
There are some smart ovens that don’t require you to sit around the kitchen and keep an eye on the oven to make sure your food isn’t burning. The smart oven itself will cook your dish for you and then put it on ‘warming mode’ until you’re ready to eat. There are many benefits to having smart appliances in your kitchen and this is one of them.
Example of a small smart oven | Photo Credit – iStock
Constantly think someone is going to break into your house when you’re on vacation? With your smart home, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your home and eliminate any worries you might have. Having smart lights in your smart home will make your house feel less empty when you’re on vacation. Which can give an illusion of someone being home because the lights are on since smart lights are accessible from your device.
Some great smart appliances to add to your smart home kitchen are smart dishwashers and smart refrigerators. Smart refrigerators have a camera in the inside so, when shopping for groceries you’ll know what you need. Having a smart refrigerator also helps monitor and control energy usage and sends you a notification letting you know if there is a power outage or if you didn’t close the door properly.
A great feature that is included in a smart dishwasher is that if there were a leak, the dishwasher would let you know. Smart dishwashers stop working once it detects a leak and shut themselves off to protect flooring. Which is helpful as you’re able to get that fixed asap. These are some essential items to think about having in your smart home.
Example of having a smart dishwasher and features | Photo Credit – iStock
With your smart device, you’re able to take advantage of using voice commands when showering or too busy to do it yourself. You can use your smart devices to adjust smart lighting or to change music. The best thing about this is that you can use any smart device to do this. Using a virtual digital assistant helps add another layer of convenience to your smart home and make your bathroom design more luxurious.
Are you always waiting for your shower to heat up before jumping in? With smart showers you don’t have to wait for the shower to heat up. Smart showers let you adjust the temperature towards your liking, so you can step into the shower with the perfect water temperature. Another benefit of a smart shower is that you can adjust a time limit for your shower to ensure that you’re not late for anything. Smart showers help lower your water usage and smart showers also come with Bluetooth speakers which can connect to your phone. Have a shower, have a party, have a concert.
Having a smart bathroom doesn’t always have to mean having smart appliances or a smart device. Creating a smart bathroom can be from how you design the space and keeping bathroom accessories organized. Standalone soaking tubs are a great way to help eliminate clutter in your bathroom. Having a standalone soaking tub in your bathroom will help replicate the experience of a spa treatment. If your bathroom has space, consider purchasing a standing bathtub in your bathroom design.
Although our past renovated bathrooms don’t feature all smart bathroom appliances and gadgets. The most popular item that most bathroom renovations are standalone tubs or soaking tubs. Check out a few of our bathroom renovations with a standalone bathtub below!
Soaking Tub | Photo Credit – Unsplash
Standalone Bathtub in Greenhithe
Bidets have been around for a while now, most popular in Japan. Although people see bidets as a luxury product and unusual to have in your home. When thinking of 21st century toilets, there are more products that aren’t bidets. So, if bidets aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There are other ways to smarten up your bathroom.
Smart toilets have motion sensors that can put the toilet seat up or down, depending on your preference. Some toilets will automatically flush on its own once you’ve finished your business. There are also smart toilets that can self-clean. Some benefits of having a smart toilet are that they’re environmentally friendly, reduce the risk of overflowing and some smart toilets can instantly clean themselves. This will definitely add a new element into your smart home. Consider them in your bathroom design.
Example of Bidet in Bathroom | Photo Credit: Reece
5. Intelligent faucets
Smart faucets have been around for a while and some shopping malls have implemented them into public toilets. This is a great idea nowadays as it reduces the risk of and germs and bacteria spreading as those faucets are motion sensor. Consider smart faucets in your bathroom design. Having a smart faucet in your smart home will help lower your water usage and saves energy. Also eliminates bacteria spreading around the house if someone in the family is sick.
Want a smart bathroom but on a budget? There are many different ways that you can create a smart bathroom without purchasing all the smart bathroom appliances. You can create a smart bathroom by purchasing small gadgets like a smart outlet to start off with. Changing your bathroom fixtures and fittings is a great way to create a smart bathroom without all the expensive appliances. Consider fittings and fixtures that can make your bathroom look smart in your bathroom design.
Example of a smart bathroom design | Photo Credit – iStock
Check out our top 15 bathroom design trends blog for more inspiration
Kitchen technology has always been in the works since our technology has become more advanced. As it helps reduce the amount of work that we need to do in the kitchen. Since kitchen appliances have been around for a very long time, it’s hard to make changes to making your kitchen smarter. As decades go past, the design and style of kitchen appliances have become smarter, sleeker, and more energy efficient. Over the years there has been plenty of changes to create smart homes technology as well as coming up with smart solution homes to make life easier. Especially more creative ideas for small kitchen design as not everyone has the luxury of having a big kitchen.
As often stated, the kitchen is the heart of the home. In your kitchen design idea, make sure to spend extra time making sure that the kitchen is perfect for your needs. As it is the heart of the home, we often spend a lot of time in there. Not only does it serve as a place where you cook, but a place where everyone can gather and where you can entertain guests. Or cooking a meal but also feeling included with friends and family. How to design a kitchen that can incorporate all these things? Smart home technology has come a long way and there are now smart kitchen appliances that you can purchase. Incorporate them into your kitchen design idea.
Due to the pandemic, everyone has spent most of the year stuck in their house. Some may have discovered that their house was lacking a bit in terms of entertainment and caring for their needs. It’s safe to say that we’ve had those days where we just want to be lazy. Having smart home technology can really help with being lazy on those days. Having total integration of your smart home devices will mean that you can control every smart home technology from your phone.
Smart homes NZ will need to have smart solution homes so that your device connected to smart home technology is flexible. Instead of having a full home renovation to make your smart home flexible. You can start small and consider kitchen design ideas to make space for smart home technology. Smart devices can be customised and will become more popular in the next few years to come.
Due to climate change and the constant increase temperature of our planet, can cause natural disasters to happen more often. Homeowners are looking to be prepared for whatever my strike. We’d want to feel safe and comfortable knowing that we can survive instead our homes for an extended period. Which is ironic as many if not all of us have stayed in our houses for months, only leaving for groceries. Having these smart solution homes can help make your house more fun and enjoyable to live in if we were to be stuck inside for a long period of time.
To prepare, people are thinking how to design a kitchen? Sure, you’re current kitchen is fine but if you’re looking for an upgrade, you’d want to start thinking about small kitchen designs or kitchen design ideas based on how big your kitchen is.
Purchasing water storage systems, backup generators for refrigerators, long term food storage areas ad solar water heaters are becoming more popular for the unforeseeable future. Some research says that in the upcoming years. As we move into more of a technology age, new builds will also have some technology integrated into the houses to meet homeowners’ desires.
We love a clean house. But sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to clean the house. With smart home technology, there will soon be more smart solution home ideas to make cleaning easier. With touchless appliances, robot vacuums with built – in mops and be able to introduce more voice control integration. That way you can just shout out to your smart device to start the vacuum and the vacuum starts. How cool is that! Especially if you need small kitchen design idea to make your kitchen more interesting. Having self-cleaning appliances are perfect for the lazy days.
Ever since the pandemic hit, we’ve been cleaning more often and sanitising everything. Not only that but we’ve been spending a whole year at home and more cautious around frequently touched surfaces in public spaces. How to design a kitchen that can also help reduce the spread of germs? Having smart home technology can help enable consumers to have touchless access and be able to control stuff straight from their mobile devices or through voice commands. This smart home solution will make your house even more safer during high risk times and more convenient for you.
Nowadays, we are trying our best to reduce our environmental footprint. Therefore, resulting in kitchen design ideas that will ensure having a greener kitchen. Having a greener kitchen is expected to be the next upcoming trend for future kitchen design trends. Which you can think about adding in your small kitchen design idea. This is due to having more appliances that will be more sustainable and efficient.
Smart homes NZ requires smart solution home ideas to reduce your environmental footprint by purchasing smart home technology this is more efficient. Although having smart home technology uses power to work, you may be worried about your utility bill going up. But that’s not the case. Using smart appliances in smart homes NZ can help you reduce your utility bill due to them being energy efficient.
As we move more into the future, our technology will only gross and become more advance. Down below we have found 6 high tech that are already here or for the future that will make your time in the kitchen more fun. And what you can expect your smart home to look like in the next decade or so?
Countertop project has been introduced to the world for the last decade or so but not many people are interested in it. As it’s still in the works and coming up with ways to make it better. Here is just a few reasons as to why you should get one for your smart home technology. This device allows you to control other appliances, scan the thickness of food as well as being able to get tips on how to cook certain items.
Another added benefit is that the countertop project doesn’t take up any counter space as we all know counter space is crucial. It can also help improve your cooking and baking skill. When thinking about your kitchen design ideas, consider having a countertop projector to make your cookier easier. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many options available to purchase from in New Zealand so further research is needed.
Countertop projector can be small which is perfect for a small kitchen design as storage space is super important in a small kitchen design as you’d want to ensure that your kitchen is perfect.
If you’re not a big fan of cooking, you’d love learning about smart solution home idea to make your cooking easier. This is where steam ovens come in. Steam cooking is becoming the healthier alternative to other cooking methods. Like frying or baking. Using the steam oven still provides the same taste as how you’ll cook it normally. This will eliminate the unnecessary oil that pops up when you cook.
An advantage of using a steam oven is that it’s energy efficient and have an energy efficient consumption system. With the steam oven, it can also cook your food faster than regular ovens which also helps you save energy. If you’re having a late dinner, using a steam oven would be more efficient as you won’t have to wait long to cook the food you’d want to eat.
If you’re interested in eating healthy or staring a new diet like going on a calorie deficit. The smart scale may be able to help you out. Not only does a smart scale tell you how much something weighs but they can break down it’s nutritional value. So, you won’t have to search it up as it’s right there in front of you.
In some cases, you can even use the smart scale to weigh your entire meal and get all the nutritional value of it. If set up right, you may even be able to connect the smart scale with your favourite nutritional app to keep track. It’s small and light, which is perfect for a small kitchen design as you’d want to utilise all the space available.
In a small kitchen design, the most important thing is space. And knowing how to utilise the space. Having a digital backsplash instead of tiled backsplashes would prove more useful. Sure, it’s a bit expensive to have a digital backsplash but in the end, it’d be money well spent. This smart home technology can allow you to watch tv, look up recipes and be able to control your other smart home appliances.
Feeling bored of your tiled backsplash? With the digital backsplash you can change it to whatever you want. Whether that is photos of friends and family or artwork. Something that suits your aesthetic or mood of the day. you can. Change you backsplash every single day if you’d life. No need to go shopping and spending more money to change your tile backsplash when you get sick of it.
While this technology has yet to be introduced to the market. Consumers are already doing their research on how well the digital backsplash can benefit them. It’d make following a video teaching you how to make something much easier as you can use your entire backsplash as a screen. For small kitchen design ideas this would be perfection for decoration purposes as you have limited space to decorate as well as still being able to utilise your kitchen space.
Oven hoods play a huge part in making our kitchen functional helps with air circulation and help reduce odours. When you question how to design a kitchen. You’d always want to make space for an oven hood as that is crucial to have in your kitchen design ideas. Smart oven hoods will be able to provide you access with your favourite apps. Even comes with a built in camera so you’re able to live stream your cooking skills and techniques.
Once again, this is perfect for a small kitchen design idea as every kitchen needs an oven hood. So why not get a smart oven hood that is multi-functional!
As we slowly move into incorporating smart home technology in our homes. Smart homes NZ have introduced smart light bulbs and plugs as smart solution homes idea. This is due to them being easy to install and allow for total customization. As our technology evolves more, we’ll be able to control our lighting with our voice.
How to design a kitchen? Consider kitchen lighting as you’d want to make sure that every inch of the kitchen has light and not a dark corner. Consider ambient and task lighting in your kitchen design idea. In the next few upcoming years, windows and blinds can also be adjusted automatically to reduce sun glare, allow sunlight or darken a room based on your needs and activity.
As consumers, we mainly only go for smart solutions home that can really benefit us. For example smart lights that we can control via voice command or from our smart devices. Which can lead to number of smart gadgets that don’t communicate well. Also resulting in have dozens of different apps to control your house.
To solve this issue and ensure that you won’t have this problem. Consider purchasing a smart home automation hub that can support all the devices you wish to have in your smart home.
There are many benefits to investing in smart home technology. Especially as they’re able to let you know how well they’re functioning and what needs repairing when faulty. Usually we wouldn’t notice if something was faulty unless it starts acting up. This can result in costly consequences.
Smart thermostats are able to provide alerts if your house loses power or if the temperature goes below or above your maximum or minimum temperature.
Having smart kitchen appliances can also help detect any water leaks. Alerting owner about any potential leaks. So you’re able to get it repaired before it gets worse.
Smart homes have been known to be environmentally friendly with smart appliances as they help lower your water and energy usage. A popular smart technology that helps make your smart home environmentally friendly are smart thermostats. You can adjust the temperate from your phone and smart thermostats will automatically turn off if a door was left open. This can help minimize your carbon footprint.
Another way that having a smart home can help minimise your carbon footprint is having smart lighting. With smart lighting you’re able to control from your phone. This can ensure that you’ve turned your lights off when going on vacation. Wasting electricity and forgetting to turn lights off leaves a massive carbon footprint, so investing in smart lighting helps make your home environmentally friendly.
Video doorbells are amazing smart home technology that you can incorporate into your house to increase your home safety and your house value. Having a video doorbell is now becoming more popular as people purchase their first homes. This allows you to see who is it at door from your smart device as we’re more cautious when it comes to opening the front door. While it’s unlikely that a burglar would push past you to enter your home, it’s also handy to avoid talking to door to door salesman.
Video doorbells works with wireless technology as they’re easy to install and provides a two way video and audio communication system. That way you can jokingly deny access to your friends and family.
Not only that, but your video doorbell also works as a security camera so you’re able to see when your package has been delivered. And for many other reasons like being able to see if someone was causing a problem or vandalising your property.
Best thing about having one integrated systems that connects all your smart home technology in your smart home is that you’re able to control everything and anything at all times! This definitely creates a huge selling point to buyers as it brings more ease and convenience into your busy lives.
This is where your smart assistant like Amazon Alexa would come into play and be extremely helpful. As you can connect them all to your Alexa and control them from one app. This can work with any smart assistant and is not limited to Amazon Alexa.
Smart home assistants are completely voice controlled once set up and can be voice commanded to control your lights, home media, heating, air conditioner and many more. Not only can your smart assistant control your smart home technology. But it can also tell you information on just about everything. As smart assistants have AI technology, they’re able to learn from interactions and provide you with content that you’ll like.
Currently, the most popular smart home solution is smart lighting system. They can add significant value to your home as it provides many benefits. Did you know that smart lighting can increase the security in your home? This is due to you activating them to turn on even when you aren’t home to give the illusion that someone is home.
After having a long day, you don’t want to come home to complete darkness. Having smart lights that can activate around a certain time is a great way to be welcomed home to lift your spirits. Especially when you can also control your air conditioning from your phone. You’ll walk into a perfectly lit warm household. Perfect for those cold winter days.
Another benefit of smart lights is that you’re able to customise the light setting. Perfect if you’re waking up early or going to bed late. You’re able to dim the lights so that you’re still able to see but also not wake or disturb anyone else.
Having the help of your smart assistant, you can tell them to turn the lights on and off as you leave an empty room which can increase the value of your house.
Having automated heating systems allow you to pre-set the heating so your house temperature is perfect at all time. This ensures that your home is always warm or cool but also stops you from wasting money and energy heating up your house when you’re not there. Forgot if you turned the heater off or not? With an automated heating system, you’re able to double check straight from your phone.
There are many great benefits to investing in smart home technology as they have your home more comfortable and convenient for you and your family. If you’re interested, look for smart home technology that will help increase security. Creating a warm, comfortable environment and potentially your dream home without the extra costs of having a full house renovation.
There are plenty of smart devices that are coming out nowadays, which gives you as a consumer plenty of options. Though having too many options can be overwhelming. The top three smart devices to install for your smart home is the Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Siri aka HomePod.
Based on our research we have found some advantages of using these three smart devices. Advantages for Amazon Alexa is that it’s easy to use and easy to set up and Alexa has more than 10,000 skills. Alexa can answer anything you ask her although her response might not be the answer you want. Another advantage of Alexa is that it’s compatible with any device. A main disadvantage of Alexa is that you can’t trigger her from your phone and Alexa doesn’t always understand you inquires.
Amazon Alexa | Photo Credit – Unsplash
Google Home or Google Assistant is another popular smart device suitable for your smart home. Some advantages of Google Home are that they’ve proven that their AI is more advance than any other smart devices. A disadvantage of Google Home is that you can only summon it by saying ‘Ok Google”, which can become annoying. Another one is that Google Home also won’t understand your commands and inquires all the time.
Google Assistant | Photo Credit – Unsplash
Lastly, another smart device that is the HomePod which is associated with Apple’s Siri and some advantages of this smart device is that it’s easy to set up because it works directly with your home kit app that is already installed into your phone. A big disadvantage is that this is only accessible via apple products. So, if you don’t have an apple product then the HomePod is not available for you to use.
Apple HomePod | Photo Credit – Unsplash
Further Resources
You might think as though you have few options when it comes to your kitchen makeover in Auckland. However this is far from the truth. A kitchen makeover is a possibility if your kitchen is in the hands of a skilled team . We can transform it into something more functional in terms of convenience and give it a real makeover with the help of our expert designers. – even with a limited budget or building restrictions.
We can all agree that kitchens are the undisputed heart of the home. They are the place where everyone gathers, mingles and lingers during parties – and where the magic of cooking happens. They are an essential part of a home. If your kitchen lacks the space or functionalities that you expect, you should definitely consider a kitchen renovation.
Our kitchen makeover specialists can give your kitchen a new life whether you like a modern or a more traditional kitchen design.
Speaking of, our services include but are not limited to:
Modern kitchen makeovers are all about sleek finishes, contemporary design and comfort! The monochromatic palette, streamlined furnishings and well-thought-out storage design that come with modern kitchen makeovers create the illusion of spaciousness. That is why the fuss-free modern kitchen aesthetic is perfect for a smaller space where every inch counts. By incorporating efficient design details and layouts, you can achieve a fantastic kitchen makeover. You will find that a lot of north shore residents opt for modern kitchen makeovers as these sleek designs complement the bay and sea areas.
Read: How to create a modern kitchen in Auckland
Here are some of the elements of a modern kitchen:
Traditional kitchen makeovers are all about sophistication and class. They are famous for traditional architectural elements that originated from the Old World countries like England and France. Elegant lines, craftsmanship and expensive materials are important. Here are some of the most common elements of traditional kitchen makeovers in North Shore (again a high demand in the shore!) area:
See project specifications for Traditional kitchen renovated by us
traditional classic kitchen for a historic home in Epsom
Rustic Traditional Kitchen for Mary Stuart’s home in Stanmore Bay
Classic Kitchen renovation for a bungalow in Greenhithe
“Can my kitchen makeover include contemporary elements?” Absolutely! If you’re thinking of giving your existing kitchen a new, modern look, a contemporary style might be right up your alley! The beauty of a contemporary kitchen makeover is defined by sleek design, geometric lines and innovative appliances. Here are some of the elements that define a contemporary-style kitchen:
Contemporary Kitchens renovated by us
Luxury Urban kitchen renovation in Parnell
Entertainer’s dream kitchen renovation in Massy
“I’d like my kitchen makeover to include a cottage-style kitchen design” No problem! Ah, cottage life. Cosy, happy and relaxing, a cottage-style kitchen is a pure heart of the house. A cottage kitchen makeover is all about going back to simpler times and evoking a sense of care-free living. Here are some of our favourite elements of a cottage kitchen makeover:
Read: Cottage kitchen makeover done in Mangere Bridge
Rather than going for a clean, sleek look, rustic kitchen renovations turn to simplicity and warmth of the old colonial design. Rustic, Old World-style kitchens are also designed with functionality in mind to accommodate the busiest area of the house. Some of the elements of the rustic kitchen include:
See: Rustic Style kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay
At Superior Renovations, we have all the experience and expertise to ensure that your kitchen makeover looks fantastic. We will deliver a great design that is in line with your time and budget. Most importantly, we will make the difference you need and add maximum value to your home.
How to choose the right tapware for your kitchen – Q & A with Kitchen Hub
From layout to materials, concept and overall scope of work, we will show that your kitchen makeover Auckland looks fantastic – and gives you the functionality, versatility and efficiency that you deserve.
You can either have a look at some of our previous kitchen renovations in Auckland – or get in touch with us to show you what we can do for your kitchen.
In the end, it is safe to say that a kitchen remodel in Auckland can give you the greatest return on investment in terms of its resale value – not to mention the functionality and comfort that you will receive as a homeowner.
If you are interested in the latter, all you need is to follow this link and submit your details, or call us directly on the phone.
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.
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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Kitchens today have a multi faceted role in our lives and are not merely a place where the cooking is done. As we evolve more towards an open style living, our kitchens have become a focal point of how families interact on an everyday basis. It is a place where everyone gets together to cook, it is also a place where family and friends come over and hang around on bar stools while others cook.
This open style living has made it even more important for our kitchens to be functional, have a good kitchen layout and be aesthetically attractive. Having an open plan kitchen means that the aesthetics of the rest of your home is often extended to the kitchen in order to have some continuity.
Classic kitchens are supposed to reflect a timeless kitchen design that does not go out of style. They should not however be confused for traditional kitchen designs. Classic kitchens have a neutral palette that gives it a fresh new feel.
As classic kitchens mostly have a neutral palette, they might not be for everyone. They might feel too bland for people who love colours and perhaps too ornate for people who like sleek modern lines for their interiors.
Due to their neutral palette they will easily complement the rest of your home’s interior. If the rest of your home is modern, then a few small changes in your classic kitchen can modernise it.
As mentioned above, classic kitchens are meant to have a simple and light design with minor ornate detailing. They are not too dark, traditional, or complicated in their kitchen design. Classic Kitchen designs have a neutral overall colour palette for their walls and cabinets. This however does not have to mean that they need to look bland.
A great way to add some interest and colour is to add a dark countertop/benchtop. Create contrast by adding dark light fixtures, benchtops, flooring, or minor detailing to the neutral colour scheme.
Classic Kitchen we renovated in Epsom
The above kitchen was renovated in a Historic home in Epsom. The previous kitchen was in a traditional style but the new owners wanted a more timeless look for their kitchen. We demolished the previous fixtures and custom built the kitchen in a classic style. See full project specifications: Classic Kitchen renovation in Epsom
Always remember your design brief when choosing fixtures and materials for your classic kitchen design. A classic kitchen needs to be timeless which means that the cabinetry should be chosen keeping simplicity in mind. Too many ornate features on the cabinets will make the kitchen design look too traditional. Instead, opt for shaker style cabinet doors which feature clean lines with a recessed centre in the middle. If you do want to add more details on the cabinets then you can add some bead moulding on the edges.
When renovating classic kitchens, we use Dezignatek Thermoform that is wrapped around the cabinets with minor detailing. Thermoformed doors are of a high quality and are highly durable which makes them a great choice for cabinets in a classic kitchen.
A no-handle set up which is often featured in modern kitchens, does not work well for classic kitchens. This style is too modern for a timeless look which means that you should opt for cabinet door handles in your classic kitchen design.
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You can also create contrast to an otherwise neutral kitchen with door handles. Try using matte black door handles to add elegance and interest in your classic kitchen design. Shiny handles can make your kitchen look more contemporary.
Although it is quite high-maintenance, marble is one of the essential elements in a traditional kitchen. Granite or Caesar stones can work too, as long as you opt for a monochrome color scheme.
A black marble bench top would provide a great contrast to an overpowering all-white kitchen.
Marble countertops are an essential for classic kitchens. However marble is very hard to maintain and can prove to be very expensive. Alternatives to marble can be stone engineered countertops that can be given a marble or granite look. Stone engineered countertops can be made to look like marble with a design on them and can be made in any colour.
If you want some contrast in your kitchen then you can opt for darker shades for your countertop.
A great thing about classic kitchens is that they can be transformed into any other style by mixing elements of different styles within the design.
Sinks in classic kitchens are usually not chrome or stainless steel. A white butler’s sink works great for classic kitchen designs. If you do not want to butler’s sink, then opt for a Silgranit sink which comes in various colours and textures. More of our clients are going with classic Silgranit sinks as they are more durable and can make your kitchen look more contemporary.
Black Silgranit sink used in a Kitchen renovation in Rosedale, Albany |
Textured double grey Silgranit Sink used in a Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe |
Antique looking taps with a high spout works in matte brass colours can be within a classic kitchen design to add something of the past and present. If you are not fond of brass looking taps then you can also opt for taps in chrome or other colours as long as they do not look too sleek or ornate.
Astra Walker range from Kitchen Hub has several designs in their classic and contemporary range to choose from for any type of classic kitchen design.
Kitchen Hub’s classic kitchen tapware |
Long sprouted curved tap in a kitchen renovation in Epsom |
If you are looking for a purely classic theme, then you can use the Astra Walker classic range to add some history and drama to the design. Use matte black fixtures to create contrast or you can use shinier chrome for a more neutral design.
A cooking standalone cooking range which slides in between your cabinets makes for a great focal point in a classic kitchen. A dark grey rangehood with iron grates and upward knobs should be used instead of induction cooktops as they look too modern for a classic kitchen.
A grey cooking range was used with white subway tiles as a backsplash for a timeless classic design – Kitchen renovation in Epsom
The size of your tiles is not important when choosing a splashback for your kitchen design. As mentioned above, it is more the colour palette that is important in a classic kitchens. You can add textured tiles or even marble in neutral colours as your splashback. If you want to add some interest then you can use dark grey grouting between tiles.
A great way of introducing focal points and interest in your classic kitchen design can be through pendant lighting. A long antique looking pendant lightings which hangs above your island can really lift your kitchen design. Their height can be adjusted to suit the length that you prefer.
This long multi-bulb pendant light was installed above the dining table |
Two separate long pendant lights installed above the breakfast Island |
We do however suggest only getting a couple of pendant lights for your kitchen as too many of them can give your kitchen a cluttered feel. If you have a large kitchen then you can install wall mounted lighting which do not look to sleek.
Traditional kitchens are all about intricate features in cabinets, ceilings, and countertops. They put an emphasis on details and most traditional kitchens work well in larger spaces. This is because most traditional kitchen designs feature a darker colour palette and a furniture-like pieces that can feel bulky if you have a small area to work in. More modern traditional kitchen designs feature a lighter palette which have dainty and delicate crown mouldings etc which are often seen in old villas and cottages of Auckland.
Classic and contemporary kitchens often feature cool colours in their kitchens but the colour scheme in traditional kitchens mostly feature warm colours. Light beige, yellows and shades of brown are often popular in traditional kitchen designs which mimic the kitchens of the past. Having a traditional kitchen does not mean that your kitchen must look dingy, dark or outdates.
Understanding the different shades of brown and yellows and how well they work together can make all the difference in designing a beautiful kitchen that almost mimics Villas in Tuscany and Spain. If you are going with dark cabinets then choose a lighter beige countertop with orange or yellow undertones.
We renovated this Spanish Style Traditional Kitchen in Stanmore Bay, Auckland
The above renovation was done in Stanmore Bay for our client who hailed from the US. She wanted to renovate her closed off kitchen into an open plan kitchen in a traditional style. Her brief was that she wanted her kitchen to feel like a rustic style Spanish Villa. The use of brows, yellows, brass, wood and mosaic are reminiscent of Spanish Villas. See full project specifications – Mary Stuart’s Kitchen Renovation
Mary Stuart’s Rustic Style Traditional Kitchen in Stanmore Bay, Auckland
Since there is a lot of dark colour used in cabinets in a traditional kitchen, we often suggest our clients to go for lighter walls as this will make the rest of your kitchen stand out more. You can also opt for lighter white cabinets if you have a small space, but this is usually seen in cottage style kitchens. We will discuss cottage style kitchen designs later in this article.
Some traditional kitchens also include features and cabinets that are a darker blue and are mostly popular in the UK. These kitchens could also be categorised as country kitchens or cottage style kitchens.
Cabinets are the star of a traditional kitchen as they are full of character through rich warm colours, details and ornate handles. Unlike contemporary or modern style kitchens which focus on simplicity, traditional cabinets focus on embellished designs for their cabinets. If you want a traditional kitchen design, then stay away from shaker style cabinets or plain smooth ones.
Instead, opt for a more vintage raised panel or a classic raised panel for the cabinet doors. Also stay away from a shiny finish and choose matte materials for your kitchen cabinets. Another great way to incorporate a traditional feel for your kitchen would be to use glass display doors for one side of the wall mounted cabinets. Traditional kitchen designs often feature a mix of open shelves, closed bottom cabinets and a few cabinets that have a glass front door. This will also make you kitchen appear more spacious.
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Mary wanted her cabinets to look like they had been made by real wood like Oak or Timber. Oak and Timber are however very expensive especially in New Zealand. We custom built all cabinets with MDF boards and the front panels were made with textured woodgrain ‘Jarrad Legend’ Melteca. This is a highly durable material that does not require much maintenance. We also used rustic looking dull cupboard handles for all cabinetry.
Cabinet handles should exude a sense of old-world charm in traditional kitchens. Think brass ornate handles or even drop-down handles for your kitchen cabinet and drawers. If you feel that drop down handles are too bulky or too traditional looking then choose small, rounded knobs for a cleaner look.
You can also look for cabinet handles which are decorative to bring out a more Spanish feel to your kitchen design. If you want a more unified look then use the same doorknobs as the handles for your kitchen cabinets.
As discussed above traditional kitchens are usually found in larger spaces which means that they have an island. Benchtops in traditional kitchens often add a sense of luxury to the overall design. This is because they are often the only shiny element in a traditional kitchen design. The cabinets and other elements of a traditional kitchen are often found in matte finishes so shiny finish benchtop is a great way to add another dimension and depth to the design.
Granite, Quartz and Marble are popular materials for a benchtop in traditional designs. These materials however can prove to be expensive and are hard to maintain. If you have a busy household and do not want to spend time cleaning your benchtop then we would recommend you use a custom-built stone engineered stone for your benchtop.
Most of our clients opt for stone engineered countertops as they are easy to maintain and highly durable. They are also very versatile when it comes to design features as they can be custom built in any colour or texture. We often recommend our clients to use light beige with inbuilt patters for benchtops in traditional kitchens as they complement the darker cabinets well.
Custom built stone engineered countertop used for Mary’s kitchen. We made this engineered stone look like pattered granite with a shiny sheen. The pattern chosen above is called Autumn leaf and like its name has yellow and mustard undertones which complements the dark cabinets well.
You can choose your fixtures based on how traditional you want your kitchen design to be. If you are going for a very traditional design, then keep your appliances ornate and follow our guide below. If you want to include elements of a contemporary or classic design, then simply include fixtures from contemporary or classic designs. Classic and contemporary kitchens complement traditional designs so you will still be able to achieve a symbiotic design. Modern design fixtures however do not go well with traditional styles and hence should not be incorporated into a traditional kitchen design.
The things that make a traditional kitchen are its details. If you are going for a more Tuscan style or Spanish style traditional kitchen then use brass sinks and long arched brass faucets. If you are however going for more English style kitchen then use chrome taps with ornate details and a separate hot and cold tap.
Brass sink and dull brass tap used to make the kitchen look rustic yet traditional
Traditionally cooking ranges were not mounted on a benchtop with screws which has become a growing trend now for contemporary and modern kitchens. Traditional kitchens mostly feature a standalone cooking top with canopy style rangehood. They are usually gas burning and are slid in between two countertops.
Fixed Gas Hob
If you do not want the slide in type of cooktop then you can also get a gas hob with grills which can be screwed on top of the countertop. The canopy style rangehood however can still be attached over the gas hob to bring out a more traditional feel.
Splashbacks in traditional kitchens should be kept simple in design. This is so that your countertops and cabinets remain the star of the show. You can use either tiled splashbacks in light beige or neutral colours. Keep the finish of your splashbacks on the duller and matte side and do not go for an overly shiny finish.
KITCHEN LAYOUT GUIDE TO CREATE A FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN DESIGN – 2021 EDITION
Light fixtures in any kitchen should be installed in a way that they highlight all the working areas in the kitchen. This is important as a lot of kitchen designs end up looking dingy if they are not properly lit. Traditional kitchens often have a chandelier that is installed above the island and ornate wall mounted lighting on the walls. If you feel like a chandelier is making your kitchen look too bulky and busy then you can also opt for pendant lighting which have a more antique feel to them. If you have cabinets on the top half of your kitchen then you will be unable to install wall mounted lighting. In such cases you can also install lights lamps that hang closer to the ceiling. A great way to create interest is to add some stained-glass lamps on the ceiling.
The term modern kitchens and contemporary kitchens are often used interchangeably these days. This however is not entirely correct. While some elements do overlap for these two designs, they are fundamentally different. While the term ‘modern design’ refers to a design movement that begun in the 1940’s, which completely broke from the traditional kitchen designs.
It is important to understand the difference between contemporary and modern kitchens before you finalise your kitchen design. Contemporary kitchens reflect the trends of today and often feature various patterns and colours in their design. Saying this, contemporary designs usually borrow elements from other styles as old trends are always coming back in fashion. They also use renovation materials that are of the current era for example stone engineered benchtops. One of the biggest differences of modern and contemporary kitchens is that modern kitchens lack ornamentation. Contemporary kitchen designs on the other hand are a marriage of various styles and patterns which can also be ornamental depending on the trends of today.
Modern Kitchen renovated in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland
Modern Kitchens feature a clean uncluttered look and were revolutionary for their time as they broke free from traditional kitchens. See full project details – Full Kitchen renovation in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.
Contemporary Kitchen renovation in Massey, Auckland
The contemporary Kitchen is very different from modern kitchens as it is constantly evolving to include trends of the day in their kitchen designs. See full project details – Guru and Neeta’s Kitchen renovation in Massey, Auckland
In this section we will discuss the differences and similarities between modern and contemporary kitchens and the design elements that make each design possible.
Contemporary and modern styles favour a seamless and uncluttered overall look for their kitchens. They feature clean lines smooth spaces that exude a comfortable and calm vibe in the room. The features seen in contemporary and modern kitchens are not cumbersome, bulky, or ornate.
Both types of designs often integrate shiny surfaces and materials such as stainless steel, other metals or glass. Contemporary designs also feature lots of wooden elements such as countertops or a feature wall. This should not be confused with all wooden cabinets found in traditional kitchens. The wood used in contemporary kitchens is usually raw and without any ornate details. While modern kitchens have a ‘no fuss’ design, contemporary kitchens often borrow elements from other styles and can incorporate elements from traditional, modern, classic, or industrial kitchens depending on the trend of the day.
In short, the similarities of both styles are as follows:
Contemporary kitchens are ever evolving, and their design changes every decade or so to reflect the new trends of the decade. Contemporary kitchen designs borrow elements from various styles like art deco, traditional, industrial, and modern designs.
Contemporary kitchens are simple and minimalistic but have a layered look which comes from using several materials, patterns, and textures.
Contemporary Kitchen renovation in Parnell, Auckland
The above renovation has a contemporary design with a no-handle set up, soft close cabinets, marble look-alike benchtop, hexagonal tiled backsplash, silgranit sink with a hot water tap, and concrete floors. This is a great example of how current trends are incorporated within the overall kitchen design. See full project details – Luxury Kitchen renovation in Parnell, Auckland
The cabinets in contemporary kitchen have clean lines, are sleek and lack ornamentation. They are built in a simple rectangle or square and are constructed as a full overlay. Little to no cabinet frame can be seen which gives it a seamless look. The cabinet fronts do not have any ornamentation and are completely smooth. The cabinets usually feature a no-handle set up with LED lights that give it a more futuristic look. As contemporary designs are all about latest conveniences and trends, they have creative storage solutions like ‘magic corners’, pull out drawer pantries and hidden bins.
Yellow LED lights installed below the countertop which provides a great contrast to black cabinets |
White LED lights installed below the top cabinets to highlight the backsplash and cooking range |
Technology plays a vital role in a contemporary kitchen design. The electronics are sleek and high functioning. Induction cooktops built in coffee machines and commercial grade appliances are often seen in contemporary kitchens.
All LED lights in this kitchen can be made dimmer or brighter with this central remote |
The above plug points can be pushed back into the countertop when not needed |
While lots of contemporary kitchens stick to a grey, black, or white, there is ample ways that colours ca be infused into their kitchen design. If colour is added then it is often pure saturated tones. Contemporary kitchens often feature bold colours and have a larger colour palette. You will often see an accent wall with a bold colour or patterns. They also include splashbacks that come in various shapes and textures. Some contemporary kitchen designs make a bold impact with coloured countertops or cabinets.
As mentioned above, contemporary kitchens have a layered look about them which is achieved through various textures, colours, and shapes. This is a huge difference between modern and contemporary kitchens. Concrete, wood, concrete, stainless steel, and glass are great examples of materials that are used in combination to give a layered look. Stainless steel is especially popular in contemporary kitchens as it makes a kitchen look more commercial which has been a prominent trend of today.
Concrete is also often featured in contemporary design as it is a material used in industrial designs. Industrial designs have become increasingly popular in the last few years and will be growing stronger in the next decade. Today’s contemporary design borrows several elements from industrial kitchens. The most popular is the use of concrete for flooring and benchtops. Other elements include tapware and pendant lighting. Glass tiles are also featured in contemporary kitchens. They can be used as a backsplash or cabinet doors.
Poured concrete floor was chosen for this kitchen in Parnell |
Hexagonal textured tiled used as a backsplash |
More Contemporary Kitchen Renovations in Auckland:
Lynette and Henry’s contemporary kitchen in Bucklands Beach
Guru and Neeta’s Contemporary Kitchen in Massey
Urban Luxury Kitchen in Parnell
Kitchen renovation in West Harbour
Modern kitchens first emerged in 1940s as a break from traditional kitchens. They were suddenly an extension of the living and dining room as opposed to a separate room. This made it necessary for the kitchen to look good along with being functional. The key features of modern kitchens is clean sleek lines and no embellishments or ornamentation.
Modern Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe, Auckland
The above Kitchen was renovated with a modern design in mind. It shows how simple modern kitchens actually are. They look clean and have no embellishments. See full project details – Modern Kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe for a family with young children
Like contemporary cabinets, a modern kitchen design has a full overlay over the cabinets which means that you cannot see the frame of the cabinets. They also feature slab door and cabinet fronts without any design on them. This gives it a smooth and sleek look which the hallmark of modern design. These cabinets also have sleek door cabinet handles and do not have a no-handle set up.
Simple slab door fronts with long handles – Modern kitchen in Blockhouse Bay |
Another example of plain slabs used for cabinets – Modern kitchen in Avondale |
In both the pictures seen above, white has been used as a dominant colour for the kitchen with flooring the only contrasting feature colour wise. The picture on the left has handles as seen in most modern kicthens while there are no handles in the kitchen seen on the right.
See full project details (picture on the left) – Modern Kitchen in Blockhouse Bay
See full project details (picture on the right) – Modern Kitchen in Avondale
No ornamentation
Modern kitchen designs do not have pattered tiles, multiple shapes, textures, and colours in their design. The countertops, benchtops, cabinet fronts and backsplash have a smooth surface without any veining or texture.
Highlighting the natural materials is key in creating a beautiful modern kitchen. Use horizontal grain of Oak or manufactured Oak for your cupboards. For benchtops think marble or stone engineered stone without any veins. Always remember to keep the elements as simple as possible. Let the quality of materials shine through.
Modern kitchen designs often emphasise on horizontal lines in their kitchen design. The look could include long wide lines of stacked cabinets that are stacked in a row. This could also be done by installing a splashback or an accent wall which has wide horizontal panels stacked together on top of each other.
All elements in a modern kitchen are chosen in a similar design and colour with no ornamentation. Think of pendant lights, dining chairs, bar stoons and tables. They should all be simple and in similar shades of colours of each other. This creates a clean and sleek look which is what a modern design is about.
Modern kitchens are all about highlighting good quality materials in their design. Think about quality when choosing a benchtop for your modern kitchen. Quartz is a great choice for modern kitchens are they need no design or ornamentation to look and feel good.
Quartz can prove to be a very expensive material in New Zealand so you can try and find alternatives to fit your budget. Today’s technology allows us to engineer materials to emulate the look and feel of quartz at a lower cost.
Cottage style kitchen designs are supposed to exude a sense of warmth, comfort, and cosiness. Their design is inspired from old English cottage kitchens which are inviting, homely and a place for the family to get together. They often feature a small dining area within the kitchen space and is supposed to have a casual feel.
Many people are reverting to a cottage styled kitchen for their villas, bungalows or baches in rural areas as they complement the rest of the exterior architecture of such homes.
Cottage Style Kitchen Renovation in Mangere Bridge, Auckland
The above kitchen was renovated to reflect the abundant nature around the house. Our client wanted a cottage style kitchen which was inviting. It features tiled wooden lookin floors, real wood which was treated in order to preserve it, white recessed cabinets with cup style pulls, open floating shelves and a butler’s sink. See full project details – Cottage Style Kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge, Auckland
If you think about cottages, you always think of a light palette. Neutral whites, beige, light pinks, and pale blues work best in cottage style kitchens. Pale pink and blue can however make your kitchen look a bit dated, so we mostly recommend our clients from using shades of white or light beige for their kitchens. Buttercup yellow is also a nice way to infuse some colour in cottage style kitchens. You can however incorporate colour within the kitchen by choosing natural wooden looking benchtops or cabinet handles.
We recommend using shaker style cabinets with minor detailing for an overall vintage look. Choose a light colour for your cabinets and create contrast by adding matte black handle. You could also incorporate a free-standing cabinet with a sliding glass door to display crockery. Add some corbels under your upper cabinets which is a very common feature for cottage kitchens.
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For handles think about brass, or matte black simple knobs or cup-style drawer pulls. Cup style drawer pulls complement a white shaker style cabinet very well and add to the cottage style.
Open shelving was very popular in older cottages as they allowed cooks to easily retrieve cooking utensils. They were often found in place of today’s upper cabinetry and were also installed as building additional upper cabinets was expensive. Open shelves today are mostly used for decorative purposes. You can also use them to store your cups, plates, and other crockery to create some interest.
Floating Shelves built from real wood to store cups as well as a decorative feature
We recommend installing a butler style sink for your cottage style kitchen. These sinks are large, rectangular and very deep which means that they also have a practical advantage over other types of sinks. Butler’s sinks are usually made of ceramic and you will be able to wash your biggest pot comfortably in it.
A classic butler’s sink installed which is one of the hallmarks of a cottage style kitchen
You can pair your sink with old English looking taps with a separate handle for hot and cold water. Kitchen Hub’s Astra walker collection has an ‘olde English’ range which works great with a Butler style sink. You can either use a brass toned colour or go for a classic chrome.
Having a benchtop in a brown shade or using real treated wood is a great way to add some contrast and colour to your country style kitchen. Most country kitchens feature wooden benchtops, but they are not always very practical. One of our clients in Mangere Bridge, Auckland wanted a wooden benchtop for her country style kitchen, so we treated it in a way that it would avoid future wear and tear.
American Ashwood was stained to walnut for the desired colour. Steps were then taken to treat it in a way that it would last for a long time
We used American Ashwood as a countertop for the above renovation. It was then stained to a walnut colour which was a perfect shade to for this design. After staining, we applied Epoxy Urethin Vinyl on the benchtop as well as the floating shelves. This was done to prevent the wood from rotting and to avoid wear and tear. This would have to be re-applied every 15 years. After the coating we finally applied varnish to give it some lustre. The varnish will have to be re-applied every couple of years in order to maintain the shine. See full project specifications – Cottage style kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge, Auckland
Wall panelling was a big part of interior design in the past. Homes designed in the traditional style featured dark panelled walls in most rooms. Cottages on the other hand had white panelled walls with vertical grooves. They were usually found in whites or creams or the same colour as the cabinets. This however might feel dated today so instead install dull subway tiles between the countertops for a similar but more contemporary feel.
Q & A WITH HOLLY (THE KITCHEN HUB) – CHOOSING THE RIGHT TAPWARE FOR YOUR BATHROOM DESIGN
Cottage style kitchens mostly feature hardwood floors to give them a nice warm homely feel. This also creates a contrast with cabinets that are often found in light colours. Hardwood floors however are not very practical as they require high maintenance and are also expensive.
An alternative to hardwood floors would be to use tiles that emulate hardwood floors in texture, design, and aesthetics. These tiles are easy to source, install and are very easy to maintain.
Olden day cottages did not have recessed lighting and had to depend on pendant style lighting for their kitchens. Low hanging pendant lighting also makes a space feel homely and inviting. You can either choose vintage inspired lighting or have a stained-glass pendant lighting to add further interest.
Industrial styled homes and kitchens depend on their materials for the overall look of their design. Materials such as iron, concrete and cement are often highlighted in industrial styled kitchens. They also feature high ceilings, large windows, and exposed brick. The style first originated from the USA and is sometimes also referred to as New York style apartment design. This design first started in homes that looked like loft style or warehouse style apartments. If designed well, this style can be replicated within normal homes designs in Auckland. Following are some key features that will help you design an industrial styled kitchen for your home.
One of the most obvious traits of an industrial kitchen is open space and high ceilings. The rough look has become increasingly popular because of its ‘airy’ nature. Typically, you’ll find brick walls, rustic furniture and exposed pipes and beams in an industrial style kitchen, with appliances often dressed in stainless steel. The rough textures blend perfectly with the smooth steel surfaces to form a harmony.
Industrial Kitchen
This Industrial Kitchen is a great example of how this design works best in a high ceiling room. You will an exposed air duct at the top of the kitchen which gives the kitchen a raw rustic look. The design includes a large polished concrete island which doubles as a dining area with metal stools. The materials used in this design are the real stars of the show with an overall minimalistic look.
Think of a rough and not overly processed look for your industrial kitchen design. One of the most obvious features of this design is an open plan space with a minimalistic look. The ceilings are high, and all the pipes and beams are exposed. The overall look of this style is however minimalistic without any frills or details on their cabinets or walls. The combination of different materials, their rough texture and raw feel are the highlights of this design.
Cement is often featured in this design due to its versatility. It can be used wither as a waterfall edged benchtop, as a floor or a splashback. If you are using it as a splashback then we would recommend you use it as a smooth texture so that cleaning is easier.
Rough looking brick walls can make your space instantly look like an industrial kitchen. If your home is not made of brick then you can also create a false brick wall or you can even use textured brick look alike vinyl.
Another key element of an industrial kitchen design is iron. Use iron bar stools, furniture, lamps, light fixtures, and shelves for an overall industrial look.
Using wood in the design will add some warmth to your kitchen design. However, do not use overprocessed or over-polished wood and let is have unpolished and rough edges. You can use wood for the front of your cabinets or even as a countertop.
Exposed Brick on opposite walls give this relatively classic kitchen an industrial feel
As most of the elements in an industrial kitchen have a matte finish. This can make the design however look a bit dull. Shiny stainless-steel appliances and a big professional looking gas hob can add some depth in the design.
The tapware used in this kitchen gives the kitchen a raw feel. The tapware in this picture is from Kitchen Hub’s Watermark collection which makes tapware for industrial styled kitchens
Most Urban industrial kitchens have a colour palette between grey, brown, and black. You can also add some bold saturated hues as red or mustard. You can use this for your backsplash or even as your benchtop. Another great way of incorporating colours is through furniture like bar stools and lighting accents.
Low hanging pendant lighting over countertops and islands in steel or iron is great for industrial themed kitchens. You could even use high hanging exposed bulbs without a screen which is becoming increasingly popular.
The industrial style was conceived to give a platform to artists which means that they often have iconic pictures of people or movements within their design. They do not have traditional painting but gravitate towards modern and abstract art.
We renovated this entire townhouse in Parnell in a contemporary style.
See Full Project specifications + Before and After pictures
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Guru and Neeta had a closed off kitchen which was completely demolished to create an open plan space for the entire family to enjoy.
See Full project specifications + Before and After pictures
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This renovation was done keeping convenience and low maintenance in mind as it was for a family with young children.
See Full Project specifications + Before and After pictures
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This kitchen was renovated in a modern style for a family whose kitchen had started leaking. They needed a complete renovation as the old kitchen had become very shabby.
See full project specifications + Before and After pictures
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BOHOO
This cottage style kitchen was one of the first kitchens we renovated of this style.
See Full project specifications + More Pictures
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Full kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge, Auckland
BOHOO
This historic Villa in Epsom was renovated from an old traditional kitchen to a classic kitchen style.
See Full project specifications + Before and After pictures
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This old bungalow in Greenhithe was renovated to include a classic kitchen while preserving the existing hardwood fixtures.
See Full project specifications + Before and After pictures
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Yes, we do have an In-house Kitchen designer who will help you create a Kitchen design for your kitchen renovation. We provide all our clients with 3D drawings when we create a proposal for you.
This will depend on various factors. Read our article on Planning your layout for a functional and practical kitchen design here to understand more about the layout that is right for you : https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/kitchen-layout-planning-guide-to-achieving-a-good-kitchen-design
We provide a full renovation service for any given area. This means that our service will include design, demolition, sourcing of all renovation materials from local supplier showrooms, custom built cabinetry, installation of all cabinets, flooring, fixtures, project management and all trades like electricians, plumbers, grouters, builders, tilers, and any other trades.
Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations
Or call us on 0800 199 888
We have partnered with Q Mastercard ® to provide you an 18 Month Interest-Free Payment Option, you can enjoy your new home now and stress less.
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The perception is that wood is seen as this strong and sturdy material while MDF Board is often viewed as a weak and cheap alternative. We’re going to dive deep into the pros and cons particularly for kitchen renovations, and we’ll also share our take on it. Despite popular belief, wood is not always the superior choice; in some situations MDF Board might be the better material.
While buying kitchen cabinets (or any cabinet for that matter) or renovating the kitchen, homeowners often find it perplexing to choose between MDF vs Wood – but we’re here to break it down.
Photo credit: https://builders-surplus.com/
In simple terms, solid wood is essentially the natural lumber while the MDF is categorized as “engineered wood”. Engineered wood is a mixture of redwood, fibers, veneers, resin, and adhesives.
It’s common in older homes that solid wood is primarily used for the construction of cabinets while MDF is used for specific components such as the door center panels. But there is a good reason why the newer homes, and kitchen manufacturers nowadays are choosing MDF now for cabinetry. Let’s break down on why solid woods is an option.
MDF Kitchen Cabinets |
Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets |
Kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay using MDF cabinets
Kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge using MDF boards that were wrapped and distressed
There are many reasons why solid wood is chosen as the primary choice for kitchen cabinets. Here are some of the reasons.
Solid wood is strong and sturdy, that’s why most clients lean towards choosing this when it comes to renovating. It will last a very long time without any issues however keeping in mind that there are many different types of solid wood (some a lot stronger such as Oak)
The look and feel of solid wood definitely stands out, the appeal of solid wood is the colors/textures and patterns it comes in. It also comes in many different variations that will give your kitchen an unique look.
There is ample options for customising wood, there is endless choice of shapes, patterns, and colors you can choose from, and it is custom made to your liking.
If you’re a homeowner looking for better pricing for your property, consider adding elements of solid wood to improve the perceived value.
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Photo credit to: jessebridgewater
Despite having all these advantages over MDF, solid wood is not always the best option, In order words, MDF is often the better choice than solid wood. Here are a few things about solid wood that make it a bad choice.
Most solid woods are prone to water and moisture damage, especially in an unfinished state and it is not waterproof, also some high-quality wood and endue moisture for longer. To protect the wood, a waterproof finishing usually has to be applied.
Solid wood will expand and contract with the change in temperature and humidity (particularly with New Zealand’s ever changing climate) which makes them a poor choice for cabinet door panels. Most solid woods are highly prone to warping and cracking in hostile temperature. The cracks remain visible even if the cabinets are painted. With time, wood makers have developed crafting methods and technologies that minimize warping and cracking.
Unless you look after it very well, solid woods are highly prone to bug infestation and pest attack. On the other hand, it requires regular maintenance and the right finishing to keep the wood well protected.
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For our kitchen renovations, It is definitely the most popular (by far) alternative to solid wood with its own share of pros and cons (also more cost effective). It is normally considered a better option to plywood for being denser, stronger and more durable. For these reasons, it has almost as many applications as solid wood.
Many of our clients initially tend to look down on MDF Wood with the perception that it is a “cheaper looking” option to solid wood but as we mentioned in the beginning both solid wood and MDF Wood have their advantages and disadvantages.
Before we talk about the pros and cons of MDF Wood, just so you understand, there are varying types of this engineered wood. MDF boards can also vary in terms of size, density glue type, and moisture content. As a thumb rule, thicker and denser MDF boards tend to be costlier.
For those renovating their kitchen, looking for a cheaper alternative to solid wood (once they know the price difference in material) always comes up, but without compromising on sturdiness and resistance, It always leads them to MDF as a compelling option. Let’s take a look at the benefits of choosing MDF over other types of engineered woods.
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MDF, like wood, expands and contracts when there are fluctuations in temperature and humidity. But unlike Wood, MDF does not warp. This is because the board, thanks to its structure, moves as a unit. Even with extreme changes in humidity and temperature, you do not have to worry about any damage to the cabinet doors.
MDF doesn’t have any noticeable grains that are usually found in solid woods, or small imperfections. As a result, they have a smoother finish after the paint is applied.
There are shaker-style cabinet doors, flat paneled doors, inset doors, raised doors and many more. The ease of customization of MDF boards is to thank for this variety. Because of its structure, MDF Board can be cut and drilled in many different ways without any damage. Available in larger sizes than solid wood. If you have a project that demands a large piece of wood with no joints, MDF is the recommended choice.
When it comes to water resistance, MDF outperforms wood. In fact, some MDF boards are specifically crafted for bath cabinets and they are made water-resistant.
The obvious clear winner is MDF is a lot more cost effective and worthwhile (value for money) and with proper maintenance, MDF boards can last as long as some of the solid woods.
Kitchen renovation in Massey using MDF cabinets
Kitchen renovation in West Harbour using MDF cabinets
Despite all the pros, MDF cabinet doors aren’t perfect for certain situations. From being susceptible to water to scratches to heat, so MDF cabinets does require extra care – here are some of the cons to pay attention to.
It’s clear that MDF is the more cost-effective & durable option, there are some surprising and inspiring projects out there in recent years that feature the use of MDF due to it’s flexibility in design, color, and feel. If you want to get creative with your kitchen renovation (as opposed to the wood look), MDF will give you the opportunity to play with all kinds of colors. MDF can even take veneers like leather and vinyl, if you’re looking to play around with texture.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a favorite with Superior Renovations clients because it gives them solutions for big design details rather then choosing what looks standard – this gives them endless possibilities/options to play with.
For most of our renovations, you’ll commonly find MDF being used for kitchen cabinets. Most kitchen cabinets comprise of both solid wood and MDF elements. MDF Board is usually found on the doors and interior panelling for the following reasons:
But it is not just the kitchen where you’ll find MDF being used, but we also use it in bathrooms and laundry spaces due to the resistance to moisture/humidity.
Another consideration when you’re deciding materials particularly with MDF is when it is compared to plywood. This is not necessarily a comparison you would do for kitchen cabinets, but in other construction instances choosing a plywood vs MDF may be a choice you need to consider to bring down costs.
Another area where MDF was used in a renovation is used shelving, whether it’s for a bookshelf, kitchen shelving, lounge tv unit, or open wall shelving – it’s popular choice because of the change of colors/styles you can choose. But be careful if you’re using it to place heavy objects as it will sag so normally it is reinforced with solid wood if that is the case.
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Examples of kitchen renovations by Superior Renvations with MDF Cabinets
Kitchen renovation in Hillsborough using Black MDF cabinets
Kitchen renovation in Ellerslie using White MDF cabinets
Our opinion is MDF performs better than solid wood in many areas as mentioned above – although the are benefits to choosing solid wood, the advantages of MDF outweigh it … The main concern surrounding solid wood for cabinets, doors and panelling is it requires consistent care and maintenance.
But when it comes to cabinet doors, we highly recommend MDF, It provides far more benefits than solid wood. If you are in the process of giving your kitchen an upgrade, consider choosing cabinets with MDF doors.
Choosing MDF for your cabinets means they are going to be sturdy and durable – it also makes it a lot easier for you to make decisions during the design process because of the larger range of options. MDF (especially doors and shelves) offer smoother finisher and tougher resistance to humid temperatures which we think is particularly important for Auckland homes.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about our kitchens, check out our case studies page or feel free to reach out to us, we’ll be happy to help.
This was a special kitchen as it was about incorporating natural elements into the kitchen to reflect our client’s country surroundings. The kitchen was dated and was transformed into a chic country style kitchen complete with treated real wood as bench-tops, butler’s sink, floating shelves and MDF cabinets that were wrapped in Dezignatek Thermoform with a ‘Ronda’ pattern to give them cabinets a vintage look. See Full Case Study Here.
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Full kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge, Auckland
Guru and Neeta from Massey had a closed off kitchen which did not let them enjoy an open plan living. They wanted to renovate to introduce a feel of luxury but also make it an open space which could double as an entertaining space. We used MDF boards to make black cabinets with a matte finish to give it a luxury feel See Full Case Study Here
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Kitchen, Lounge and Dining room renovation in Massey
Mary Stuart’s renovation was especially enjoyable for us as it meant giving the kitchen a rustic look. Rustic kitchens usually incorporate real wood to make cabinets. However, using real wood would have exponentially increased costs and maintenance. So we decided to use MDF Melteca cabinets and gave them a look of Timber See Full Kitchen Case Study Here.
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Bathroom, Kitchen and Laundry renovation in Stanmore Bay
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.
When it comes to cabinet doors, we highly recommend MDF, It provides far more benefits than solid wood. If you are in the process of giving your kitchen an upgrade, consider choosing cabinets with MDF doors. Choosing MDF for your cabinets means they are going to be sturdy and durable – it also makes it a lot easier for you to make decisions during the design process because of the larger range of options. MDF (especially doors and shelves) offer smoother finisher and tougher resistance to humid temperatures which we think is particularly important for Auckland homes.
For most of our renovations, you’ll commonly find MDF being used for kitchen cabinets. Most kitchen cabinets comprise of both solid wood and MDF elements.
For our kitchen renovations, It is definitely the most popular (by far) alternative to solid wood with its own share of pros and cons (also more cost effective). It is normally considered a better option to plywood for being denser, stronger and more durable. For these reasons, it has almost as many applications as solid wood.
Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations
Or call us on 0800 199 888
We have partnered with Q Mastercard ® to provide you an 18 Month Interest-Free Payment Option, you can enjoy your new home now and stress less.
Learn More about Interest-Free Payment Options*
*Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Video testimonial by Joanne & Steve Hilson for their House Renovation completed by Superior Renovations ® located in Greenlane, Auckland.
“Knowing that we weren’t there while it was being done as well was the best part, we were on the beach, and the renovation will be done”
“Working with Kevin and the team was easy because we weren’t having to ring up different suppliers ourselves, it was like one team does this, another team does that – and everything was done for us under one roof. Kevin had a contact for everything, and the experience was simple. You hear a lot of horror stories about doing renovations and I was like, well that was very easy”
Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations
Are you trying to make up your mind about renovating your property or make improvements in advance before a new tenant moves in? or perhaps your renovating to increase the equity in preparation for selling?
When it comes to property investment, it is recommended you review your finances from time to time. Refinancing, at a better mortgage rate could help achieve a higher return. You may also want to contact your accountant or tax specialist to see if you qualify for any or further tax benefits.
Some rental owners think that renovating their property isn’t financially worthwhile.
Common views from rental/investment property owners:
These are all valid points and not wrong to some extent, however we’re going to dig deeper to see what the data says. We will also address some of these questions in this article and hopefully provide you with enough information to make an informed/data driven decision that ultimately puts you financially better off.
For instance, imagine you spend $7,000 on making improvements to your kitchen between tenancies. We don’t mean setting up a brand new kitchen, but renovations such as repainting walls and cupboards, new floors, replacing bench top or acquiring a new stove.
Consequently, you can obtain a higher rent, probably about $30 every week.
You can determine your return by calculating your yearly rent increase (52 weeks x $30). Then divide your answer into the renovation cost ($7,000). You should get 0.22, and you can multiply this by 100 to get a percentage (22.28%) – and that is your return on investment, which will pay for itself after 3-4 years (assuming you’re not increasing rent further, and you’re not selling).
Real estate investors are always looking for a high return on investment (ROI) when buying rental properties. Higher returns can be achieved and influenced in many ways. Real estate renovation is one of those ways.
Renovated rental units justify a higher rental rate – but it’s important you’re spending on the “right” renovations. There are a couple of other factors behind real estate renovation:
I want to make improvements to my property to add value. To achieve this, I plan to spend $15,000 to paint the interior and replace damaged carpets to increase my property value by $30,000 and similarly raise weekly rent by $30.
Sounds good in theory! But it doesn’t always plan out that way. We can definitely speculate the return on investment, and the increase in rent (but is that what the tenant wants?).
If you are looking to renovate to add value, instead of looking at the “end result” first – begin with focusing on what you are in control of which is choosing what to renovate. By choosing the right renovations to begin with (within your planned budget) backed by data – the end result of the renovations is a given. Rental property owners tend to make the mistake of assuming what they think should justify increase the value or rent, but this subjective thinking leads to making the wrong decisions. Be careful where you get your advice from as well, everyone seems to have an opinion on what they think you should do to your property.
So we’ve put together a list of renovations that proven to add value and justify increasing rent.
According to Realtor.com, kitchen and bath remodels offer nearly an 85% ROI, making them sound investments whether renting or selling. In lower income locations, renovating the kitchen can be extremely expensive and not worthwhile. However, there are simple kitchen cheats that you can use to ensure kitchen makeovers are cost-effective and still create an appeal. One of these is purchasing second-hand cabinetry online and using stain-block on your old cabinetwork. Perhaps even consider replacing the kitchen cupboards and draws assuming the carcass of the kitchen is still in good condition. For mid to high income locations, a full kitchen renovation is definitely worth considering because it would appeal more to the target audience. But with both options, consider the value of your property and make sure not to overcapitalise.
Although this appears overly simple, re-staining your fence, painting the roof and installing a new letterbox can give your home a new look that appeals to buyers and renters alike. This kind of renovation is best suited during spring when the weather allows you to paint outside, and your paint will dry quickly because of the warm weather. If you’re looking at selling the property, painting the home is the most cost-effective way to give the home a spruce up.
A bathroom renovation is widely considered to increase the value of home significantly and it’s been stated by Business Insider that it can be up to a 70% return on investment. Whether a renovation is structural or simply cosmetic, an attractive bathroom will always appeal to the savvy buyer. But again, the decision to make minor alterations to the bathroom or to fully renovate the bathroom comes down to the location of your property (it would resonate with the target audience, eg Location with mostly growing families would prefer to have a bath), and to ensure you’re not over capitalising. Get the right lighting – Plenty of light is essential for a bathroom, but so is a warm and cosy glow. Check your lighting and see what you can change to make your bathroom appeal to your type of buyer.
A smart garden appeals to everyone, and it all narrows down to your audience in the location (families, working professionals, or flatting situations). One thing to note is always go for plants that don’t need much gardening time or maintenance – don’t expect tenants to look after it (if they do, great!). These may be natives that are endemic to your area. Always ensure that your garden’s front lawn is tidy and trimmed. Also, berms ought to follow suit.
Carpets in old rentals act as hind outs for various crawling insects, including such as ants. While a carpet can be costly, there are cost-effective options to acquire one. One of these is purchasing in bulk. You will buy them at a reduced price, and you can use the extra carpets across your multiple rentals.
The most common floor renovation for rentals is converting from Carpets to Laminate flooring for multiple reasons such as:
Always seek professional painters to do the job – it seems like something that can be done by yourself but if not done properly, it’s very obvious and visible. Here’s an article that outlines whether you should DIY or Choose a Professional Painter. The most common painting project clients undertake is interior and exterior painting (not so much roof, normally a roof wash is sufficient), or replacing wallpaper to painted walls. Painting the property is one of the easiest and most cost-effective way to improve the perceived value of the property especially if surfaces look tired – it is also value added to potential buyers and renters. Check out blogs from Superior Painters (North Shore) for more information on painting your rental property.
Normally something easily forgotten – but it does make a difference. To give your property a refreshing impression before selling or renting it. Installing/purchasing new blinds and curtains can be as low as $2,500 for standard 3 bed home (8 windows).
While you can have someone to provide their services in your house within a day, you can accomplish the same tasks or even more in much less time with your mates. Besides, you will have more fun doing it together.
Light shades offer decent and stunning looks in your rooms, but they can get pretty dingy after some years. Although it is relatively simple to get a replacement, you can restore their new and fresh look by performing an effective scrub. A common choice we get from home owners and rental property owners is replacing all the lights in the home to LEDs, for the following reasons:
The cost of renovating a rental is different (due to requirements) compared to if you were renovating your own home because:
Note: Copied from our article on: How much does it cost to renovation in Auckland for 2019
| TYPE OF HOUSE RENOVATION COSTS | COST RANGE |
| Heat pump | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Renovation Management | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| Electrical | $2,200 – $4,400 |
| Plumbing | $2,700 – $4,200 |
| Builder | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Joinery (windows) | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Insulation | $1,000 – $3,600 |
| Roof | $4,400 – $9,600 |
| Interior Renovation costs | $40,000 to well over $100,000 (dependant on size of home and specs) |
| Renovation Costs Bathroom | Starting at only $8,500 for a basic alterations to an average spend of $18,000 – $22,000 for a full bathroom renovation. |
| Renovations Costs for Kitchen | Ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for minor alterations (changing cupboards and draws) to an average spend of $22,000 – $28,000 for a full kitchen renovation. |
| House Extension cost | $100,000 + |
| Recladding cost | $150,000 + |
In most cases, the renovation of investment properties is regarded as an unfailing plan that guarantees an increase in rental returns.
While this seems straightforward, the truth is it’s not always the case because when operating in an unstable market, the monetary gains of improving a property may be outweighed by equity loss.
Here some mistakes that are made by renovators of investment property.
Some people who have owned investment properties for over a decade tend to think that they are in an advantageous position to carry out renovations. But what they might not know is the market keeps on changing. Such changes range from interior designs, property value, to tenants’ tastes. Thus, you are likely to miss out on your projected returns by ignoring current market trends. So before renovating your property, undertake research on recent sales of property, analyze current trends in the market, and consult those in the property industry business. A good example is like people leaning more towards properties with LED lighting (as mentioned above).
Monitoring rental markets are often not in the priority list of most property renovators. But property prices keep of changing, and if you don’t monitor their trend, you might be left with vacant properties to fill after prices fall. If you have old properties, you need to keep monitoring the rental market to ensure they remain competitive.
In saying that, if the market is flat lining and not appreciating in value – it might be a good time to renovate to increase it’s value if you are intending to sell/ or increase rent.
If there are tenants residing in the property you are renovating, it will cause rental income loss if they need to move out while renovation works takes place. You may also be responsible for their belongings (storage cost), electrical bill, and water bill.
To avoid all these issues associated with tenants living in the property, make renovations plans in advance and plan out the renovation in stages to minimise loss rent – try to avoid having the tenants move out or do it when they are away on holiday. For example, if you’re renovating the bathroom, hire a porta-loo for them to use for the time being (negotiate a reduction in rent as a compromise as it’s not exactly ideal). Make appropriate scheduling for delivery of renovation tools and materials to minimise issues with the tenants.
There are cheap alternatives that smart renovators use to minimize costs while providing added value to their clients. But cheap renovations doesn’t always mean the best return on investment, it may even be detrimental (dependant on the location of the property and the target audience).
You need to recognize the amenities and services that drive tenants’ demands. Some alternatives will drastically minimize cost and end up with a finish that delivers projected value and results.
You are likely to get into arrangements that don’t pay off, for instance, by extending your home loan to cater for your property improvement. This is because a huge portion of your returns will go into loan payment.
If you must borrow to carry out renovations, you need to be confident that your improvements will bring about higher rental returns. This will help you to evade risky situations of making zero returns, considering the unstableness of the market. We’ve put together an article exactly for this, on how to finance your renovation via loan – courtesy of Linda from Loan Market.
This should be the first question you need to consider before considering any renovation. Understand your reasons for conducting a renovation and what you’re expecting in return financially.
For example, renovating a devastated three-by-two house can increase the weakly rental rate by $50. (at a minimum, always use minimums to determine affordability – not what you think it’s worth) – Your weekly rental rates might shoot from $320 to $380. In a year, you will realize an extra $2,600.
Remember to be realistic with your estimations and projections. Don’t invest less and expect huge returns.
Never replace things that can otherwise be repaired or fixed. Since renovation is an expensive undertaking, you need to save it for those areas that require it.
In case you are working with a limited budget, and you still want to increase your returns, try these:
You can give your kitchen a new look by replacing countertops and handles, and replacing the cabinets/draws. Replace carpets and repaint walls to give the home a new freshness to it and give the impression of it feeling new.
Instead of thinking about replacing your kitchen sink or bathroom vanity, just cut costs by replacing the tapware (makes a bigger impression, if the cabinet is still in good condition)
Focus on vital and functional areas like the bathroom and kitchen, where tenants are likely to spend much time. Restoring these areas will have a huge impact on the daily living of tenants and rental returns as well. Is renovation vital to tenants?
Not every renovation work is important to your tenants. Some restoration will only enhance the resale value and not the rental value. For instance, a new toilet may appear good in the house; a tenant may regard it as just a toilet.
For your rental property to appeal to tenants, focus on aspects that are regarded highly by tenants. This includes having additional space or room and installing a heating pump for cold seasons.
Although maximizing your property’s ROI is vital, you need not compromise on quality. Cheap fixtures and repair materials are prone to wear and tear fast, and you will be called to replace them sooner than you expected (focus on long term return/cost)
Besides, analyze the prices for different materials as they are likely to vary from one hardware store to another. Ensure that the materials you have chosen are suitable for your rental. About renovation materials, think more about their durability and not just costs. You will maximize your ROI by using long-lasting materials and it’s not an area to cut costs.
You shouldn’t overcapitalize the upgrades. In other words, keep it simple. The majority of the tenant will not bother to know how much that you invested in the renovation. They just want to have it functional so that it can fulfil their needs.
Be flexible in terms of considering cheaper but quality accessories. Also, think about the locality of your rental property and determine whether your upgrades would warrant an increase in rent (is it important to your target audience).
In New Zealand, rental laws are continually changing. From installing smoke alarms to making sure your property is healthy and safe, you should comply with all the legal obligations about rental properties and focus on these first before any other renovations/alternations.
It is worth noting that all forms of renovations should reflect and conform to the set laws as well – so make sure you’re using companies that are able to provide certificates/warranties. Rent increase also needs to conform to established stipulations. This includes giving advance notice prior to the increase.
We hope this guide has been helpful, and it gives you enough information to make an informed decision about renovating. Do let us know if you have any questions, and we would try our best to answer every question posted. Lastly, don’t forget to share your experience and tips that’s not mentioned here that you think will be valuable to those interested in renovating your rental property.
Please note: Whilst all information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. The information may change without notice and Superior Renovations is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.
Depends on what you’re trying to achieve and what you’re renovating, not all renovations are equal and all delivers different returns on investment – including a number of variables to take in consideration such as location, target audience, financial circumstances, current market trends etc
Kitchen renovations, renovations to increase street appeal, bathroom renovations, New Curtains and Blinds, and Lighting are amongst the most common renovations.
Ignoring market trends and audience in the location, Failing to monitor the rental market, Tenants living in the property, Tenants living in the property, and Refinancing to renovate if they can’t afford to.
Understand your reasons for conducting a renovation and what you’re expecting in return financially. For example, renovating a devastated three-by-two house can increase the weakly rental rate by $50. (at a minimum, always use minimums to determine affordability – not what you think it’s worth) – Your weekly rental rates might shoot from $320 to $380. In a year, you will realize an extra $2,600.
Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations
Or call us on 0800 199 888
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A kitchen splashback adds value and functionality to your home. Therefore, it is vital to know all the options you can choose. Besides, we spend a significant amount of time in the kitchen. Therefore, why not bring in the wow factor to your kitchen with a stylish splashback.
The most important factor when choosing a kitchen splashback is the material. And, there are several options to choose. When choosing the material, you will have to consider the look and style you are targeting. More importantly, you will have to consider the cost.
While considering cost, keep in mind that a kitchen splashback is a simple way to update the design of your kitchen.
In the kitchen, there is a lot of heat, moisture, grease, and cooking residue, which lands on your walls and cabinetry. Gradually, all the heat, moisture, and dirt degrade your walls and cabinetry. That’s where splashbacks come in.
Splashbacks are particularly crucial behind sinks and cooktops. Besides, they are a great way of adding style, colour, and overall life to the design of your kitchen.
Glass kitchen splashbacks in New Zealand are very common.
Remember, you want a splashback that will complement your kitchen’s colour scheme. Therefore, you should go for the back-painted glass kitchen splashbacks.
Note that the paint is on the backside of the glass. The backside does not come in contact with water. So, you need not worry that the paint will come off. The exposed, unpainted glass surface is easy to clean. Additionally, this exposed surface does not have grooves or cracks that can trap grease.
Furthermore, if the colour bores you at some point in the future, you can simply remove the glass and apply new paint or replace the splashback with a new one.
The prices of these splashbacks vary depending on the type of glass treatment. For ordinary glass, the prices range from $300 per square metre. The cost of low iron glass starts from $400 per square metre.
When it comes to glass splashbacks, the best option is toughened glass. Why? Toughened glass is easy to clean and affords you a wide range of colour and print options.
More importantly, toughened glass is functional in the kitchen. For starters, it can withstand the heat in the kitchen. Plus, in the rare event it breaks, it crumbles into small granular pieces – not large and sharp shards, as is the case with ordinary glass.
Glass splashback installation is quite involving and requires the help of a professional.
Installers with glazing experience or professionals with a trade work license in splashback installation do Glass kitchen splashbacks in Auckland.
So, before you even consider a quote from an installer, check their licensing status with the local licensing authority.
After all, licensing is one way of making sure an installer has the necessary training, qualifications, and experience to handle your splashback project.
Kitchen and House Renovation
Mirrored glass splashbacks are fast claiming their place in New Zealand kitchens. Their reflective nature adds more light to the kitchen. The reflectiveness also makes your kitchen appear to have more space.
The difference between a regular mirror and a mirrored glass is colour. Ordinary mirrors, like the ones in your bathroom, are clear. But, mirrored glass splashbacks have a smoky tint – which can either be slivery or bronze-like. The smoky hue of these splashbacks is very appealing in the kitchen.
Like toughened glass, mirrored glass is a safety glass. You can safely install it behind your cooktops without risking cracking or breaking.
Acrylic resembles glass. However, acrylic splashbacks are a cheaper alternative and are easy to install.
However, unlike glass options, you cannot install acrylic splashbacks behind or near hot areas such as cooktops. If you have to install them behind cooktops, you should use protective measures such as a stainless-steel plate behind your cooktops or toughened glass.
While installing protective plates behind your cooktops, you should adhere to Australian safety guidelines. The plate should be the same width as your cooktop. Also, it should be at least 20 centimetres above the burners.
Traditionally, tile is the most common material in kitchen splashbacks. Tiles are relatively cheap and versatile. All thanks to a wide range of colours, materials, styles, and patterns, tile splashbacks are slowly regaining their place in the modern kitchen.
However, the price of tile splashbacks varies significantly due to the wide range of tile options.
Stainless-steel adds the much contemporary industrial style to your kitchen. Stainless steel is durable and hygienic (easy to clean), which explains why it is the most common choice in commercial kitchens.
Stainless-steel splashbacks are an excellent option for DIYers as they are easy to install. Stainless-steel sheets are readily available at your local hardware store. These sheets are easy to cut to size, and you will not need specialized equipment to stick them to the wall of your kitchen.
Aside from durability, stainless steel is an excellent option as it is entirely safe for use behind cooktops.
Furthermore, you can use stainless-steel splashbacks behind your cooktops then use another material such as acrylic in the remaining splashback areas.
As mentioned above, there is a wide range of tile materials and styles to choose from. But, not all are convenient for use in kitchen splashbacks. You want a tiled splashback that is easy to clean. So, avoid slate and other textured materials. Also, avoid matte tile surface.
The installation cost of kitchen splashbacks ranges between $300 and $1,300. The installation cost depends on the type of splashback, the size, and whether or not you hire a professional splashback installer.
While DIY kitchen splashback installation is a cheap option, you should make sure you have the necessary skill to install the type of tile you choose. Tile and stone splashbacks, for instance, can be challenging to install. On the other hand, stainless-steel splashbacks require little skill.
Custom Kitchen Design and Build for a New Build in Greenhithe, Auckland
So, how do you choose the right kitchen splashback:
Kitchen splashback costs are a significant concern. Factors that determine the final price include the material, size, and layout.
When going through your options, you should keep your budget in mind. You do not want to make choices only to realize later you are way above your budget limit.
What’s the style of your kitchen? Or, what design are you going for in your kitchen remodel?
Style does not necessarily mean going for a kitchen splashback of the same colour as your walls or countertops. However, the splashback should match or complement the design of your kitchen.
Colour is closely related to design and style. The colour of your kitchen splashback helps a lot with the look and feel of your kitchen.
Going for a tone similar to your walls, cabinetry, and countertops provides a uniform look. However, you could go for contrast and make your splashback a decorative fixture.
Generally, you have two choices – light colours such as sky blue and dark colours such as grey. Dark colours conceal dirt and food splatter. On the other hand, bright colours open up and brighten your kitchen.
The material determines the look. Stone gives a rustic-look, stainless-steel provides the contemporary industrial look, mirrored-glass is sleek, and so on.
Additionally, some materials are less durable, especially behind cooktops. Acrylic and ordinary glass, for instance, will not last long behind heating areas. Such materials require special treatment when placed behind cooktops, which translates to extra costs.
Some splashback materials are challenging to clean. You might even need specialized cleaning products.
So, if you have a busy kitchen that sees a lot of food splatter and spills, consider easy to clean materials. For example, you could go for large-sized ceramic tiles with few grout lines.
Glass, though stylish, is not easy to clean. Yes, it is easy to wipe. However, you will find it challenging to achieve that flawless clean without special cleaning products.
Tiles, especially ceramic tiles, are easy to clean. However, over time, the grout lines will stain and give your splashback a dull look. Probably the most comfortable material to clean is stainless-steel.
As mentioned earlier, the size and layout of your kitchen determine the price of your new kitchen splashback. So, with a considerable budget and a small kitchen, you can go for extravagant choices such as glass.
Besides, you can use a splashback to make your kitchen appear to have more space. To do that, go for reflective materials such as back-painted glass or mirrored glass.
Mirrored glass, particularly, helps open up a small kitchen. Also, the mirror attribute adds more light.
Mirrored glass is an excellent choice when you have a beautiful open home view to reflect.
However, tiny spaces with little natural light undermine the advantages of reflective kitchen splashbacks.
Modern Kitchen Design and Build
You want a kitchen splashback that is modern, stylish, and functional. To check all those boxes, consider the following kitchen splashback trends:
Tile is a versatile kitchen splashback material. But glass is the latest more popular trend in the kitchen splashback market. With glass, you can pick any colour, and there are many options to complement your kitchen design. More importantly, you don’t have to deal with grout lines.
Lately, interior design is leaning towards popping colours. Neutral spaces are quite dull. So, consider using a splashback to add colour. Imagine the excellent contrast a fire-engine-red splashback would provide against an all-cream kitchen.
Mixed textures are a thing nowadays. Think a mirrored glass splashback thrown amid stone countertops and timber cabinetry.
Forget matching textures. Go for smooth and rough, or natural and artificial.
Colour is more than just rainbow hues. Add distinct colours with polished chrome. The colour polished chrome provides a lovely contrast to neutral spaces. Furthermore, it solidifies the classic and luxurious kitchen styles.
New Kitchen Renovation in Hillcrest, Auckland
| Type of Splashbacks | Estimate costs |
| Cost Of A Glass Splashback | From $300 per square metre. |
| Cost Of Mirrored Glass Splashbacks | From $450 per square metre. |
| Cost Of Acrylic Splashbacks | From $430 per square metre. |
| Cost Of Tile Splashbacks | From $27 per square metre. |
| Cost Of Stainless-Steel Splashbacks | From $270 per square metre. |
| The Installation Costs Of Kitchen Splashbacks | The installation cost of kitchen splashbacks ranges between $300 and $1,300. |
In the kitchen, there is a lot of heat, moisture, grease, and cooking residue, which lands on your walls and cabinetry. Gradually, all the heat, moisture, and dirt degrade your walls and cabinetry. That’s where splashbacks come in.
Glass, Mirrored glass, Acrylic, Tile, Stone, Stainless steel, annd Pressed metal
There is a wide range of tile materials and styles to choose from. But, not all are convenient for use in kitchen splashbacks. You want a tiled splashback that is easy to clean. So, avoid slate and other textured materials. Also, avoid matte tile surface.
The installation cost of kitchen splashbacks ranges between $300 and $1,300. The installation cost depends on the type of splashback, the size, and whether or not you hire a professional splashback installer.
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.
Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations
Or call us on 0800 199 888
We have partnered with Q Mastercard ® to provide you an 18 Month Interest-Free Payment Option, you can enjoy your new home now and stress less.
Learn More about Interest-Free Payment Options*
*Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
