Kitchen Renovation Guide

Complete Kitchen Renovation Guide and Checklist

A successful kitchen renovation starts with more than just ideas — you need a plan. Whether you're going all-in or just making a few updates, the prep is just as important as making it look pretty.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to plan it all properly, so your reno feels smooth and turns out exactly how you imagined!

Kitchen renovation checklist

Don’t expect your new kitchen to come together overnight — quality results take time. But knowing what to expect and preparing well from the start will make the process much easier, so here’s a checklist to tick off before you make any changes.

• Decide on your must-haves

Before getting started, be clear on what changes you want. Organise your plans into must-haves (like new cabinets or lighting) and nice-to-haves (like a new counter or stove). Knowing where to spend and where to save will help you make smarter decisions later.

• Keep your budget in mind

You don’t need all the numbers sorted yet, but it helps to have a rough idea of what you’re willing to spend. Costs can climb quickly, so having your priorities straight will help you stay on track. We’ll get into more detailed budgeting later — for now, just keep it in mind as you plan.

• Figure out a basic design

Don’t worry about choosing colours or taps just yet — the first step is figuring out where things will go. Allow at least 90cm for walkways and 45cm between benchtops and overheads. Plan for enough clearance in front of appliances, and think about how you’ll use the space day-to-day. Prioritise smart storage — drawers with organisers, a pantry cabinet, vertical shelving or even hidden sections in your island — so everything has a place and the kitchen stays clutter-free.

• Pick a style

Once the layout’s locked in, start thinking about how you want it to look. Choose a kitchen style that works with the rest of your home. Whether you’re into clean modern kitchens or something more bold, make it feel cohesive. Think about your colour palette, cabinetry and tapware finishes. Small details go a long way in tying the space together.

If you’re not sure which way to go, take our Style Quiz.

• Plan your time

Kitchen renos can take longer than you think — especially if trades or lead times are involved. Use this as a rough guide when planning:

• Planning and approvals: 2–4 weeks
• Demo: 1–3 days, longer if you're doing it in stages
• Rough-in work: 1–2 weeks
• Cabinets and floors: 1–2 weeks
• Countertops and tiles: Up to a week with fabrication lead time
• Finishing touches: 3–7 days for painting, trim and hardware
• Set up a temporary kitchen

If you’ll be living through the reno, plan a temporary kitchen to keep things running smoothly. Set it up in a quiet spot — like the dining room or garage — and stock it with essentials like a microwave, mini fridge or esky. Use a folding table as your bench, and wash dishes in the laundry sink.

Kitchen renovation costs and budgeting

Once you’ve sorted out your priorities and rough design, it’s time to get a bit more real about the money. A clear budget will help you make better decisions and avoid a mid-reno panic when costs start creeping up. Here's what to know.

Average cost of a kitchen renovation in Australia

How much you’ll spend on a kitchen renovation depends on the size of the space and the scale of the changes. Here’s a rough cost guide to help set expectations:

• Minor updates: $5,000–$15,000
• Mid-range reno: $15,000–$30,000
• Full redo: $30,000–$50,000+

With any renovation, surprise expenses often pop up. To stay ahead, budget an extra 10–20% as a safety net for miscalculations, damaged items or hiring help.

Budget breakdown

Where your kitchen reno budget goes will depend on what you’re upgrading. Here’s a general breakdown of how funds can be spread across different kitchen elements:

• Cabinets: 30–40%
• Appliances: 15–20%
• Countertops and flooring: 10–15% each
• Lighting, paint and finishes: 5–10% each
• Plumbing and electrical: 5–10%

How to spend smart

Your budget isn’t a bottomless pit, so it pays to be strategic. Some things are worth the extra spend, like good cabinets, solid benchtops and skilled tradies. These aren’t easy to fix later, so you’ll be investing where it counts.

If you want to DIY some things, be honest about your limits. Painting and putting in hardware are beginner-friendly, but you should leave plumbing and electrical work to the professionals to avoid costly repairs later.

Popular kitchen layout options

Your layout should suit your space and how you use your kitchen day-to-day. The kitchen work triangle — linking the sink, stove and fridge — is great for smaller kitchens, but workflow zones work better for busy households.

Here are some common layout types to think about, and their pros and cons:

Choosing your kitchen elements

Once your layout and budget are worked out, it’s time to choose hardware, materials and finishes.

Tapware and hardware

Your kitchen tapware will be well used, so it needs to be both practical and a style win. Think about how you use your sink daily — do you want a pull-out hose for easier washing, or a swivel spout if you have a double sink? Door hardware includes all the other bits that bring your kitchen together, like handles and drawer pulls.

Don’t forget to think about finishes — both how they look and how easy they are to clean. Our taps and hardware all have hard-wearing and low-maintenance coatings, in colours like Chrome, Warm Brushed Nickel, Brushed Brass, Antique Brass, Gunmetal and Matte Black.

Tiles

Tiles play a big role in your kitchen’s look — and they need to handle heat, moisture and mess. Whether you’re tiling a splashback, your floors or both, go for something that’s durable and easy to clean.

Porcelain tiles are a popular pick because they’re low-maintenance and built to last. For floors, choose something easy to clean and slip resistant, and for splashbacks, don’t be afraid to have fun — fun colours, textures or layouts like herringbone or vertical stack can really lift the space.

Cabinetry

Depending on your budget, choose between stock, semi-custom or custom cabinetry. Materials like plywood or MDF are budget-friendly, while solid wood offers longevity.

Look into refacing for a refresh without having to rip out the whole thing. To stay comfortable for long cooking sessions, add toe kicks, which let you stand closer to the counter without any accidental bumps. And for the final touch, choose cabinet handles that tie in with your other decor.

Countertops

Your benchtop does a lot of heavy lifting, so you should really think through your options. Whether you go for laminate, butcher block, engineered stone, natural stone, tile or concrete, each material has its own look and feel. Some come with a higher price tag or need a bit more maintenance, so think about what works best for your lifestyle and budget.

Flooring

To handle spills to heavy foot traffic, your kitchen floors need to be hardy. So you need to choose flooring materials that are moisture-resistant, easy to clean and that you love to look at. Some popular choices are tile, floorboards and vinyl.

Built-in appliances

When it comes to your oven, stove and range, go for something that covers your needs and fits in your budget. Think about things like how often you use the oven, the type of stove you prefer or if you need a powerful range for ventilation. Revisit your must-haves list and focus on features that’ll make cooking easier, not just what looks good.

Ready for your kitchen renovation?

A kitchen reno is a big job, and even with a solid checklist, it can be a lot to juggle. If you're feeling unsure where to start or just want a second opinion, we’re here to help.

Book a design appointment and chat with our team — we’ll walk you through your options, help you make confident decisions and make the process more approachable. Or, have a look through our products and gallery for inspiration!