Step 1:  Scope of the Kitchen renovation project

In order to work out the extent of the kitchen renovation needed, you should consider the size of the kitchen renovation project by asking yourself a few questions. For example, how much space do you need? Is your kitchen area mainly used for preparing and cooking meals or do you want it more as a central hub that can be used for entertaining? Will there be more than one person using the space to cook and prepare on a regular basis? Do you have a lot of kitchen appliances that need additional storage and do you prefer for them to be hidden away or be placed in open shelving. Lastly, how much do you want to spend? A budget kitchen will obviously involve more compromises but a contractor with years of experience can still create a kitchen design that suits.

The amount of space you need or want will then determine how much renovation is needed, taking into account whether the brief is for a kitchen replacement or an overhaul. Don't forget to factor in extra plumbing and electrical work as well as lights and any flooring changes that need to be made.

Step 2: Choosing a kitchen layout

There are 6 main layouts to consider in designing your kitchen. Each one works best according to the space you have and the way you want to frame your kitchen e.g. as a cooking destination versus a social hub. The other key consideration is making sure you have a highly functional kitchen - in other words the kitchen work triangle is operating efficiently. This means the distance between the cooking area (stove), the cleaning area (sink) and the food storage area  (fridge) are not too far apart to enable access to all three.

One Wall Kitchen

If you have a small space to utilise but still need it to be functional, then the most simple layout is the one wall kitchen.  As the name suggests, the kitchen is designed against a single wall to minimise floor space usage. To make this layout work, it would be best to create cabinet storage as high as possible, with the fridge on one end, the sink at the other end and the stove/oven in the centre. 

Galley Kitchen

The Galley Kitchen is named after a galley on a ship and is essentially a layout with two parallel sections - a countertop and stove area so it’s easy and efficient to prepare and cook. The downside is that it really only allows one person to operate comfortably in the space. Galley kitchens are highly functional and is best suited to those who primarily use their kitchen in this way.

Kitchen Peninsular

If you don't have much space to work with but would like more countertop room, one option is to have a kitchen peninsular layout. The peninsular acts like a small kitchen island and helps to section the kitchen space. Ideally this is suited to smaller kitchens in houses and apartments where you want the benefit of a bigger kitchen but don't have the space.

L Shaped Kitchen & U Shaped Kitchen

L shaped or U shaped kitchens layouts will suit the person who wants a larger kitchen and has 2 or 3 walls in a room that can be used. These kitchens provide a lot of room to move and allows multiple people to be inside. It will allow you to have more cabinets for storage and more counterspace to work with. 

Kitchen Island

If you have a sizeable room, you can also add in a kitchen island as well. The island is very popular now especially with open planned living spaces allow for more casual dinning. No longer are people constrained to be sitting in a seperate dinning table when an island can do this in addition to preparing the food.

Double Island Kitchen

For the ultimate in bench space, you can create the double island kitchen. As the name suggests, you would need sufficient depth to house two islands. Commonly, one island would usually be for dinning and seating and the other island for preparation and cleaning.

Step 3: Storage and Cabinet style

Choosing your cabinets will be based firstly on the amount of kitchen appliances you have and the space you need for storage and then the design which most appeals to you. In terms of design, some of the main types to consider are contemporary, shaker, industrial, country style, Hamptons, and minimalist.  You should also consider a colour pallette that might work in your kitchen.

Step 4: Deciding on fixtures and finishes

The three main fixtures to consider is the worktop bench, the sink and the taps. The worktop bench decision is largely based on which material you want. There are many choices with some of the most popular options being marble, quartz, concrete and timber. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages balancing durability, appearance and budget size.

When it comes to sinks, the main consideration is whether you need one, two or even more sink bowls. Should it be standard size or larger? Stainless steel, granite,  marble or concrete?  Taps ideally would match the sink bowl but again that will depend on personal taste.

Step 5: Installation

The choice of who should actually put your dream kitchen renovation project together is often a difficult one. The best option is usually someone you personally already know or someone who comes highly recommended.

The other alternative is to consider a business whose services demonstrate a level of quality and trust. Finding the right kitchen remodelling contractors Sydney wide can be an exhausting search. We want to help you create the kitchen of your dreams. With over 30 years experience, our outstanding professionalism and knowledge is something we hope you will see for yourself.  If you have any questions or just need a free quote or advice, please contact us on (02) 5661 4179 to speak to  our friendly kitchen renovations Sydney team.