When it comes to kitchen renovations, compromise plays a huge role. The key to creating quality design kitchens, is to strike the perfect balance between what you want and what you need.

Before you dive head first into your remodelling project, sit down with your kitchen designer and discuss the goals you want to achieve for your kitchen.

1. Daily Use vs. Special Occasions

Establishing how often you will be using your kitchen will dictate a lot about how you plan your kitchen. Think about how often you use your kitchen, what you use it for and how many will be using it. People who hardly have company over can do with minimal countertops, a small hob and oven. Entertainers, on the other hand, might allow a bigger budget for a wider space and more equipment.

2. Price vs. Value

Figuring out where to save and where to splurge can seem like a daunting task but it all boils down to your lifestyle. Create a list of things you want to prioritise when it comes to budgeting – some homeowners have no time to spare to do the dishes and would rather shell out more on a high-end dishwasher while others can do with a basic one (even if in entails some pre-rinsing). At the end of the day, you determine how valuable a feature is and if it’s worth spending on.

3. Efficiency vs. Aesthetics

Everyone has a dream kitchen in mind but that kitchen design may not always be practical. This is where the top kitchen renovators in Sydney come in handy – seamlessly merging design with functionality. How your kitchen will look should greatly be affected by how often you use it and what you’ll use it for. Discuss with your kitchen designer the best layout not just for the space available but also for your lifestyle and preference.

4. Speed vs. Quality

As with any major renovation, a kitchen remodelling project will take a bit of time. Some people may find it a great inconvenience to not have a working kitchen and have several tradespeople coming in and out of their homes. Others might have a back-up kitchen or seldom use the kitchen in the first place and so have more time to spare. Determine early on how much time you are willing to spend on the renovations and add a buffer in case of emergencies. Keep in mind, however, that cutting down on renovation time could also mean sacrificing quality (i.e. choosing for a common backsplash instead of waiting on a customised one that’s been on back-order for months).

Badel Kitchens and Joinery has been the leading kitchen designers in Sydney for years. Get in touch with us today and begin discussing plans on your dream kitchen.

Kitchens have always been one of the most popular selling points of houses. In fact, studies show that
80% of home buyers decide on a purchase based solely on the kitchen!

If you’re looking to sell your house in the near future, consider investing in a kitchen makeover. Home
and kitchen renovation experts in Sydney have all agreed that a kitchen renovation is a great way to
boost your home’s market appeal and attracts more potential buyers.

Here are some ways your kitchen can influence a future buyer.

Helps you Stand Out

Potential buyers go through dozens of homes each day so you really have to stand out! An
updated kitchen with easy living features such as soft-close Blum hinges or eco-friendly
appliances can easily make a difference when it comes to closing that deal.

If you have the space and the money, kitchen islands are a safe investment as it is still one of the
most sought-after kitchen features. Have great tiling installed not just for your backsplash but for
your floor as well!

Shows Signs of Home Management

Future homeowners will be on the lookout for homes that require only minor renovations and
have been maintained well by the previous owner. Since kitchens are typically the most used
room in the house and are often the most expensive ones to repair, potential buyers will use
kitchens as a means of judging the rest of the house.

When buyers see worn flooring, they’ll think of all the money they have to shell out for repairs and
maintenance not just in the kitchen but possibly everywhere else in the house. An organised and
well-maintained kitchen gives them a good indication about the condition of the rest of the
house.

Gives an Idea About Future Family Life

For most people, the kitchen is the centre of the home. As such, it’s what sets the tone and
establishes how family life will be. A warm, inviting kitchen with lots of open spaces and natural
light will definitely be a good place for the family to spend time in whereas a dated, dim kitchen
will generally be avoided.

Increase your home’s property value by giving your kitchen a quick makeover! Our dedicated team of
experts can make anyone’s dream kitchen come to life. Give us a call to discuss your ideas for your
new kitchen and put your trust in the best custom joinery and kitchen renovators in Sydney.

These days, the kitchen serves more than just a place to prepare food.  It’s become an interactive space where families can unwind and spend time together as they prepare and enjoy a meal. Because of this, more and more homeowners are shifting towards creating child-friendly kitchens to promote family bonding.

The problem most kitchen renovations in Sydney face, however, is how to marry functionality with aesthetics. If you’re planning your own kitchen renovation, don’t fret! Here’s what you should keep in mind when creating your own child-friendly kitchen.

Incorporate flexibility
Perhaps the biggest obstacle homeowners and kitchen designers face is building a kitchen that grows along with the children. Your kids won’t stay young forever and a good kitchen renovation lasts 10 years on average so you’ll need a custom kitchen design that works with your family no matter your kids’ ages.

Custom joinery is a great way to address this concern. Having base cabinets installed is a quick fix as it gives you a place to put items within your children’s reach while they’re young (such as sippy cups, snacks, etc) and can be used for miscellaneous storage as your children age.

Think about accessibility

Accessibility is dual in nature. You’ll want to think about what your child should have access to (such as snacks, kids’ dishes and utensils, etc) and what they shouldn’t (fragile china, certain appliances).

Strategically think about varying heights when it comes to planning your kitchen. We suggest planning a “kid zone” which serves as your children’s designated area and an “adult zone” for older members of the family. Your adult zone should have a higher prep area, like a kitchen island, that’s reserved for tasks such as chopping or housing appliances like coffee makers.

Designate a kiddie area
At the end of the day, your child should feel like a welcomed member in your kitchen! Dedicate an area that’s just for them.

Your kid zone can include a study nook and a lower prep area, such as a pull-out counter, so they can help out with small tasks such as mixing and washing the vegetables.

Using chalkboard paint on your walls or cabinets is also a great way kids can express their creativity while offering a unique point-of-interest in your kitchen.

Anticipate accident-zones
Kitchen-related accidents are nothing new but they can be avoided. Think about potential risk factors and plan around it.

Store “dangerous” items like sharp knives and cleaning agents in your top cabinets. To minimise burns and scalds, we suggest investing in an induction-type burner. Unlike conventional gas burners, induction hobs only heat up directly beneath pots and pans, creating a smaller danger zone for you and your young children.

Plan for easy clean-up

Cooking with kids will always mean spills – that’s part of life! But the stress of cleaning up doesn’t have to be. Opt for easy-to-maintain kitchen countertops like quartz, corsian or Smartstone. Porcelain tiles, both for flooring and for backsplashes, are a smart choice as they’re easy to wipe down and clean. For upholstery, consider leather or adding slip-covers for quick washing!

Make your kitchen a family-first area and create beautiful memories with your kids they’ll surely treasure. Talk to one of our kitchen designers today and begin work on your child-friendly kitchen.

The beginning of the holidays brings about more get-togethers with friends and family! Whether you’re entertaining your guests at home or preparing dishes to bring to someone else’s, your kitchen will surely be seeing an influx of activity!

Here are some Sydney kitchen renovations and improvement projects you can squeeze in before the holiday festivities.

New countertops
Christmas is often synonymous with desserts, especially Christmas cookies! Make baking and prep work a breeze by giving your kitchen countertops a much-needed upgrade.

If you love cooking and use your kitchen frequently, it’s a good idea to invest in a countertop that will withstand the constant wear and tear from frequent use. Opt for a sturdy countertop that’s resistant to heat and stains such as quartz or engineered stone like Caesarstone.

Talk to a professional kitchen renovator and discuss which countertop material is best for your personality and lifestyle.

Fresh paint  
Paint does a great job at giving kitchens a fresh look! Amp up the sunshine in your home and go for brighter, lighter colours which also help create the illusion of a bigger space. White is always a good paint choice but if you’re more adventurous, light yellows and greens can help bring life and character to any kitchen.

Stylish light fixtures
An easy way to dramatically change the look of your kitchen is to install new light fixtures. Pendant lights that hang above your kitchen counter do more than just add style – they help illuminate the counter, aiding in your prep work and cooking.

Upgraded cabinet hardware
Give your kitchen joinery a quick makeover by changing your cabinet hardware. If you haven’t already, switch out your old cabinet and drawer hinges with soft close ones (such as these ones from Blum) which prevent your doors from slamming shut.

State-of-the-art appliances
Christmas is perfect to spoil yourself with the appliances you’ve had your eye on for a while now! Get that new blender or juicer, invest in a good mixer or upgrade to a bigger refrigerator. With the holidays just around the corner, you’re sure to be using them more frequently.

Eye-catching backsplash
Make your backsplash your kitchen’s new focal point and have your kitchen renovator quickly install a new backsplash. With so many materials, patterns and colours to choose from, it’s bound to be a great way to inject your personality into your kitchen.

Squeeze in these quick kitchen renovations and improvement projects before the holidays and wow your guests during your Christmas get-togethers. Talk to one of our kitchen renovators and discuss your ideas today!

Looking to invest in a kitchen renovation? The experts at Badel Kitchens and Joinery can help you maximise your kitchen’s effectivity and space.

Before beginning your kitchen renovation, take note of some of these tried and tested kitchen guidelines!

1. Door frame
Since the 1970s, open floor plans have been taking over homes across the globe. While most kitchens have done away with the need for a physical door, a doorframe or entryway is still essential.

As a general rule, the minimum width for doorway entries is 86.5 cm. If doors are installed, they must not interfere with any appliances and must provide ample clearance to avoid any potential damage done to the appliances or door itself.

2. Triangle of work
The most essential rule in any kitchen is the Triangle of Work. This refers to the distance between your three common work stations: the refrigerator, the cook top and the sink.

To ensure maximum efficiency, the distance between your three work areas should not be more than 7.9 metres, with each leg between 1.2 m to 2.75 m.

3. Aisle
Aisles and walkways should always be free from obstruction, both for safety and efficiency reasons. When planning your kitchen renovation, think about how many cooks will be working in the kitchen. For kitchens with just one cook, 106 cm-wide work aisle is enough. Bump it up to 122 cm for multiple cooks.

4. Countertops
Countertops with harsh edges fell out of vogue in the early 1970s. These days, homeowners opt for rounded or clipped edges when choosing countertops for their kitchen renovation.

On top of preventing any bruises or accidents, countertop expert Jim Heaphy in an interview to Kitchen and Bath Design News says “Sharp square corners and edges can lead to a variety of long-term problems… I’ve written several times about how square inside corners in appliance cutouts can lead to an increased risk of countertop cracking, especially with relatively brittle, homogeneous products such as solid surface materials.”

Install a continuous countertop beside a sink to serve as your work/preparation area. A good rule of thumb to follow is that it should be 61 cm to 63.5 cm deep and should have a combined width of 4.8 metres.

5. Countertop Clearance
Before you begin your kitchen renovation, take note of the appliances you’ll be keeping on your countertop. Taller appliances, such as blenders and coffee makers, are taller and require more vertical clearance. Keep at least 38 cm of vertical height between your countertop and the bottom of any cabinets or joinery

6. Sinks
Following the triangle of work, your sink must be placed adjacent or across your cook top and refrigerator.
Remember to have your kitchen renovator install counters or “landing areas” beside your kitchen. Your landing areas should have a minimum of 61 cm on one side and 45 cm on the other to make preparations a breeze.

Kitchen measurements and computations may seem daunting but with the help of an expert kitchen renovator, your kitchen renovation can be done quickly and smoothly!

A custom designed kitchen is one of the biggest investments you can ever make. Ensure you get the biggest ROI by choosing the right upgrades that can add more value to your home.

Here’s our kitchen renovation checklist that’s sure to give you the best ROI.

1. Work with an experienced kitchen contractor

Invest in the services of a licensed and experienced contractor who can help you make the right kitchen investments. An experienced kitchen contractor knows the best materials and brands to use for a great kitchen. They can properly allocate your budget so you get the highest ROI.

2. Switch to open layouts

A custom designed kitchen with open-plan living and multifunctional spaces are rising in popularity in Australia. If you have the time, resources and budget, consider knocking down any adjoining walls to create a more open layout for your kitchen, dining room and living room.

Having a large kitchen island is best because it serves as a multi-functional piece where you can prep meals, have a meal or entertain guests.

3. Keep it classic

Making a kitchen too personalised can make it difficult for you to find a new buyer. Veer away from anything too trendy and stick with the classics. White always looks best in kitchens and is a favourite among potential buyers. Stick with neutral colours for backsplashes and countertops. To add a bit of colour, choose a bench top that is available in various textures and colours such as Caesarstone or quartz.

4. Install long lasting cabinetry

When it comes to cabinetry and joinery, quality always beats quantity. The best custom designed kitchen only uses only high-quality and long-lasting materials proven to withstand the constant wear and tear of daily use. Choose tasteful colours that complement the rest of your kitchen.

Custom cabinetry is always ideal as it allows you to fully utilise the given space and make sure everything is where it should be.

A small but worthwhile investment is soft-close hinges such as the ones from Blum. They’re an easy living feature future buyers will surely appreciate.

5. Finish it with high-end appliances

Appliances can easily make or break the entire kitchen. A buyer will surely purchase a home with quality appliances. Focus on the essentials such as a good refrigerator, dishwasher and cooktop/oven. There’s no need to spend on superfluous add-ons like an Italian coffeemaker or custom grill.

Follow our kitchen renovation checklist and maximise your ROI. If you want your own custom designed kitchen, talk to one of our experts today!