Picking the right kitchen finishes and appliances

Your goals and kitchen priorities will determine where you allocate your kitchen renovation budget. The more informed you are about your product options, costs and delivery times, the better your choices will be. Also consider any additional technology you would like incorporated in your kitchen, such as a sound system or computer.

Lighting

Lighting is an extremely effective design tool, which can be used to transform a room. In the kitchen it plays two key roles –task lighting and mood lighting.

Master Electrician Chris Lehmann says lighting and fittings can help make a kitchen really ‘pop’.

“Lighting choices can make a big difference to the look of a kitchen, some clever under-bench lighting or a feature pendant over an open bench can be very effective, and LED is definitely my recommendation,”Lehmann says. “Secondly, some feature switch plates and powerpoints to match the splashback or benches can really lift the kitchen and accentuate colours. Check the ‘Saturn’range by Clipsal or the ‘Arteor’  range by LeGrand.”

LED lights use 70 per cent less energy than conventional bulbs and come in a range of configurations. And for your convenience, don’t forget powerpoints that incorporate USB charger outlets.

Appliances

When buying kitchen appliances, generally you get what you pay for – if you invest a little more you are likely to get a longer product life, better performance and customer service. Whether you are after the latest products on the market or consider yourself a commercial-grade chef, always shop around and make sure you compare follow-up service and warranty details.

Importantly, contact your insurer as you will need to update your home and contents insurance. Investigate stock availability as some imported products may take weeks or even months to arrive, which could impact your installation timeline.

Master Plumber Dave Moyle encourages kitchen renovators to do their homework, visit showrooms and stick to their budget!

“Always go to a reputable plumbing showroom, do your research, get brochures and involve your plumber. WELS is Australia’s water efficiency labelling scheme. If you’re about to buy a water-using product check out the star rating on the product. It’s simple – the more stars on the water rating label, the less water the product will use and the more money you will save.”

As a bare minimum, Moyle advises consumers to look out for the WaterMark™ logo. “The WaterMark™ confirms the product complies with the Plumbing Code of Australia and the relevant Australian Standards, which relate to product quality, including health and safety, and warrant that it is fit for purpose. WaterMark™ certification is mandatory for products to be legally installed in accordance with state and territory plumbing regulations,”he says.

“Gas Energy Rating Labels can be found on gas space heaters, ducted heating and gas water heaters [storage and instantaneous]. As the scheme is voluntary, not all manufacturers will have Gas Energy Rating Labels,”explains Moyle.

Benchtops

Today, kitchen renovators are spoilt for choice when it comes to options for benchtops:

• Stone: Beautiful, hardwearing and an investment; marble, granite or limestone are the common stone choices. Stone will need to be sealed and you should clean spills promptly. Due to the weight of stone, the supporting cabinetry and installation time need to be taken into account.
• Engineered stone: Made from a mix of real stone and resin, you can save money choosing engineered stone benchtops. They’re easy to maintain and come in a range of colours and finishes.
• Timber: Ages beautifully and is the perfect choice for bringing warmth and texture to a room. Wood needs to be sealed, and consider bamboo as a cheaper alternative.
• Metal: For a commercial or industrial look try stainless steel.
• Concrete: You can choose from different colours and finishes, including textured, smooth, polished or even marbled.
• Glass: Ranges from mirror finish to frosted and textured.
• Laminate: Comes in an extensive colour range as well as timber and stone-inspired finishes, patterns, matte and high-gloss options.
• Acrylic solid surface:This flexible option can be prefabricated into curved and organic shapes, but its heat resistance is limited.

Cabinetry

Depending on the scale of your kitchen renovation there may be items you choose to recycle, such as the cabinetry if it’s in good condition. Depending on the material, it might be possible to sand it back, re-cover it or paint it.

• Solid timber: Made from hardwoods such as oak, birch and maple, or softer woods like pine, it costs more but will last a long time and can be sanded back and re-polished.
• Timber veneer: Made up of hardwood adhered to a substrate core (such as plywood, fibreboard or particleboard), it’s a cost-effective alternative to solid timber.
• Laminate: It’s made up of resin-saturated layers adhered to a substrate. Low-pressure laminates are known as melamine; high-pressure laminates are higher quality and tend to cost more. Laminates come in a huge array of product styles and finishes and generally offer a cost-effective option.
• Vinyl: It’s adhered to a substrate core using heat and is another cost-effective option. Vinyl cabinetry comes in a wide range of colours and finishes, including wood, textured and gloss.

Splashbacks

Splashbacks are practical and they offer a key design opportunity to incorporate texture, pattern, colour and light into your kitchen. Some clever kitchen designs turn splashbacks into windows or incorporate backlighting to brighten an otherwise dark room. Try mosaic or subway tiles, or experiment with metallic finishes. Other options include printed materials like acrylic, laminate or glass and even concrete or stone.

Continue reading the Complete Kitchen Renovation Guide with: Complete kitchen renovation checklist