Building a kitchen while maintaining renovation costs

For most of us it sounds like a blessing – having a kitchen so big you can swing as many cats as you like all at the same time, but when it comes to the renovation costs, a big kitchen is likely to make a sizeable dent in your bank balance.

Think carefully about your cabinetry and benchtop

In any kitchen, the cabinets and benchtop are likely to eat up about 60 per cent of your renovation costs, so choose wisely. "It's definitely possible to choose finishes that will still produce a polished, luxury look, but are less expensive than some top-of-the-range materials," says Gold Coast-based kitchen designer Greg O'Keefe. While it's best to discuss options with an expert, look out for finishes like laminates, veneers and less expensive splashback options like tiles rather than glass.

Go for big appliances

"A large kitchen will look more in proportion if the appliances you choose are also larger than usual," says O'Keefe. And while you might think that will send your budget skyrocketing, if you shop wisely you might be surprised. "Some of the large, 90cm freestanding ovens, which come complete with cooktops and are currently very popular because they give a kitchen that professional look, are actually less expensive than buying an underbench oven and separate cooktop," says O'Keefe.

And don't forget to do the rounds of the factory seconds shops when you're appliance shopping – it can bring the cost of buying a large fridge down remarkably.

Think about the middle of the room

A large kitchen is just crying out for an island in the middle of the room – one which might even house a wash station or cooktop. But designing a layout like this, which involves servicing the centre of the kitchen with plumbing and electrics, can be expensive.

"The alternative is to opt for an island bench which is kitted out with storage and can even act as a casual dining table," says O'Keefe. "It will still produce the right look and will occupy the right space in the kitchen, but at a fraction of the cost."

Contact a kitchen renovator in your area to discover prices and ranges on products that can help you maintain renovation costs: