YOU BEAUTY

With the right mix of materials, a splash of finesse and a generous dollop of good design, you've got the perfect recipe for a fabulous kitchen

- WORDS CARROL BAKER

Renovating your kitchen is a balancing act between form and function, aesthetics and practicality. Creating the kitchen of your dreams begins with your vision. With cutting-edge developments in technology, sustainable thinking and product advancements, it's possible to deliver a state-of-the-art kitchen that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

Gather inspiration and ideas about kitchen benchtop materials, cupboards and handles, tapware, tiles or splashback materials, appliances and flooring. Think about how you'd like the space to look. When you have an idea, get a kitchen designer on board to refine your plans. They'll assess your lifestyle, budget, tastes and how you plan to use the space. They'll show you ways to save money so you'll get the most bang for your buck. They can also suggest ideas and concepts you might not have thought of.

John Hall from Nobby Kitchens says a designer will have up-to-date product knowledge and be across new innovations in storage solutions. They'll help to trouble shoot any problems and suggest alternatives.

In her role as a designer, Susan Wasley from The Kitchen Designer is often called in to design a new kitchen although at first glance, there seems nothing wrong with the old one. As Susan points out, the kitchen must be practical as it is a workspace. “It might look fabulous, but it might not be functional or easy to work in,” she says.

How kitchens have evolved