Save or splurge

Renovating the kitchen can be a black hole for spending. You’ve got to know where to cut costs and when to splash out

- JEN JONES

A kitchen can cost anything from around $15,000 for a facelift to $150,000 for an all-new bespoke version, but that doesn’t mean a kitchen at the lower end of the price bracket will look cheap. There are options for all budgets if you keep these save versus splurge ideas in mind.

Kitset or custom

SAVE

Cabinetry is the classic off-the-shelf option. You measure the space, choose your units, and install it in the space you have available. If your kitchen cabinetry is to run from wall-to-wall, it’s unlikely the cabinetry will fit perfectly. You’ll either need to pack the wall out or install a packer panel to avoid any little slivers of space at either end. In a kitchen where the cabinetry runs from wall to open space, it’s not such an issue.

If you’re going to go down this path, hire a builder to install it for you. You’ll still get the cost-saving of a kitset kitchen, but with a high-quality installation.

If your budget is somewhere between save and splurge, there’s also the option of pairing kitset base units with a custom stone benchtop to elevate the look.

SPLURGE

No templates in sight. Cabinetry is completely bespoke, from design right through to fabrication and installation.

There are almost no design limitations – the finish, the profile, the hardware and the add-ons like benchtop, open shelving, pot hangers – you name it, everything can be catered to your tastes exactly.

If you’re operating at this end of the market, you’ll want to hire a kitchen specialist or interior designer to ensure the drawings are completed properly and reflect the aesthetic you desire.

Cupboards or drawers