So you have taken the next step and decided to undertake a kitchen renovation. Once you’ve committed, it is important to plan everything down to the last detail. This includes determining your budget, as well breaking down how you want to spend it. 

It doesn't take long for interior design project costs to get out of hand, however with skillful planning you can determine exactly how much you want to invest from the outset, as well as  monitor your expenditure throughout the project. 

In this month’s B&C Home Journal we’re providing a guide on where to best allocate your kitchen budget as well as how to stick to it. We hope it provides you with greater clarity on how to prepare a budget for your next kitchen renovation project.

Robert Fonti, Director Balnei & Colina

Kitchen renovation by Balnei & Colina

Kitchen Design and Plans

During the planning phase of your kitchen renovation, it is a good idea to decide on which features of your kitchen matter most to you for eg, having the right equipment to produce the perfect meal (cooking appliances), having better access to kitchen items (storage) or a luxury look (materials). 

This will help you determine where most of your budget should be invested and where you can reduce expenses. 

At Balnei & Colina we work closely with our clients, and invest time to understand exactly what their requirements are. This way, we can better design to suit their specific budget and style preferences. 

With a large number of products and materials on the market, and varied price points it can be hard to select the right combination of design elements for your kitchen. An expert kitchen designer will seek to assist with choices that suit your budget and preferences without compromising on quality. 

At Balnei & Colina we base finish selection on your unique requirements and needs. Our expert team can help guide you on which features and fixtures should be allocated a larger portion of your budget, making managing your kitchen renovation budget a little easier.

 

Kitchen renovation by Balnei & Colina

KEY KITCHEN ELEMENTS

Your specific requirements and the level of importance you place on each aspect of your kitchen design will determine where you should spend and where you should save. However, here are some key areas where budget can heavily influence the outcome and finish of your kitchen renovation project.

 

Image credit: Heidi Caillier

KITCHEN BENCHTOP

The kitchen benchtop, together with splashback and cabinetry take up substantial real estate in your kitchen, and regardless of the number of people in your home, the benchtop is a kitchen feature that suffers the most wear and tear.

Investing in a good quality benchtop, will save a significant amount of money in the future on maintenance or early replacement. We recommend the use of composite stone for sink & cooking areas due to its high durability and stain resistance. Use higher maintenance materials like timber or natural stone for lesser-used spaces. 

 

Image credit: Studio McGee

CUSTOM JOINERY

At Balnei & Colina we believe that custom joinery is worth the investment. It provides the greatest freedom for customisation in design, layout and style. A custom designed kitchen allows the creation of a kitchen renovation that not only perfectly fits your space, but is designed to suit your exact requirements.

Investing in high quality custom cabinets for your kitchen renovation project, will save you considerable money in the long term. 

Custom cabinetry and joinery also allows for the creation of smart storage concepts and fixtures. While you might end up spending a little extra money on these installations at the outset, a custom solution will allow you to best optimise the use of available space, which results in a better return on investment.

 

Image credit: Country Style Mag

WORKMANSHIP

While it is important to invest in good quality materials, features and equipment, many homeowners tend to forget about employing the right company with expert tradespeople skilled to complete the job at hand.

Sourcing experienced and skilled tradespeople to handle all the aspects of your custom joinery, masonry, plumbing and other installations is one of the best ways to ensure a superior finish for your kitchen renovation project.

You’ve made a substantial investment in all the elements that make up your kitchen renovation, and it’s just as important to ensure you have the right people in place to bring them all together during the construction phase of your project. When you hire seasoned craftsmen for your kitchen renovation project, like the team at Balnei & Colina, you are assured of aesthetically appealing features and an exceptional finish. 

 

Image credit: Royal Oak Floors

FLOORING

Opt for a hard wearing floor material that is durable, and easy to maintain and preferably water resistant. Flooring should also align with the overall look and style of your kitchen design.

 

Image credit: Julie Carlson

HARDWARE

An area where you may wish to save is door hardware. It is possible to find good quality hardware at a reasonable cost. Or alternatively, for a contemporary kitchen design opt for handleless doors.

 

Image credit: Maree Homer

APPLIANCES

There are a vast array of appliances on the market to suit any budget. Ask yourself, how do I cook my meals and how often, what appliances do I use the most? Invest in appliances that you will use regularly, complement how you work in your kitchen as well as your personal requirements. 

If you rarely cook and eat out, perhaps invest more of your funds elsewhere. If you love to cook and spend lots of time eating at home, cooking appliances that produce quality meals as efficiently as possible are a must. If you are health conscious, a steam oven maybe the perfect addition to your kitchen. If steamed meals aren't your thing, we recommend allocating these funds to other aspects of your kitchen renovation that will mean more to your everyday. 

The same logic applies to other large kitchen appliances for eg a family of 6 will need a substantially larger fridge capacity than a family of 2. How often you shop for groceries can also affect your choice of fridge. Do you bulk buy or take a trip to the local grocery mart everyday? These are questions that should be asked before selecting and investing in appliances and fittings for your kitchen renovation.

The design team at Balnei & Colina will guide you through your appliance selection so that your final kitchen design perfectly reflects how you utilise each kitchen work zone. The result - a kitchen renovation will not only look beautiful and have maximum functionality, but can be enjoyed for years to come. 

Image credit: Nic Gossage

Still unsure how to allocate your kitchen renovation budget? The experts at Balnei & Colina can help. 

For more information on our Sydney kitchen renovation solutions contact us direct on 1300 450 320 or book a complimentary design consultation by sending us your project details via our contact form.

Visit us at balneiandcolina.com.au or connect with us via Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date with the latest kitchen and design trends.

 

Image credit: House & Garden Mag