A new kitchen is one of the biggest changes you can make to how a home works. It is also a project with a lot of moving parts, and most of the stress comes from not knowing what happens next. This guide walks through a custom kitchen renovation the way we run them at KO Cabinetry, so you know what to expect, what to decide and when.
1. Start with what is not working
Before you look at colours, spend a week noticing how you use the kitchen you have. The answers shape the design far more than any Pinterest board.
- Where do things pile up? Clutter on the bench usually means storage in the wrong place.
- Where do people get in each other's way when two of you are cooking?
- Which cupboards do you avoid because things get lost in the back?
- Which appliances do you use every day, and which could live out of sight?
- How much bench space do you really need beside the cooktop and the sink?
Write the list down and bring it to your design consult. It is the most useful thing you can give a designer.
2. Decide whether the layout stays or goes
Keeping the sink, cooktop and dishwasher roughly where they are saves time and money, because the plumbing, gas and electrical stay put. A new layout of doors, panels, stone and lighting can still transform the room on the same footprint, as our dated-to-light renovation shows.
Moving things is worth it when the current layout genuinely does not work, for example an island that blocks the path to the back door, or a fridge that opens into a walkway. Taking out walls or moving windows is building work, so it brings in a builder and may need approvals. We will tell you honestly what is worth changing.
3. The free design consult and measure
We come to your home, measure the room and talk through how you live. Helpful things to have ready:
- Photos or screenshots of kitchens you love, and a few you do not
- Your appliance list, including the fridge width and whether you want integrated appliances
- Any plans or drawings if you are building or extending
- A rough idea of timing, and any dates you are working towards
4. Drawings, 3D views and revisions
Nick draws every KO kitchen in CAD and shows you 3D views before anything is made, with a round of revisions included. This is where you check the details that are hard to picture on a floor plan: where the bin goes, how far the island overhangs for stools, and whether the pantry doors clash with the fridge.
If you want a head start, you can play with layouts, doors, colours and benchtops in our 3D kitchen designer and send your design straight to us.
5. Choose your materials
The big three decisions are door finish, benchtop and hardware.
- Doors and panels: boards from Australian suppliers such as Polytec and Laminex are durable and come in hundreds of colours and woodgrains. 2-pac is a sprayed paint finish that suits shaker profiles and bold colours. Timber veneer brings real timber grain.
- Benchtops: engineered stone was banned in Australia from 1 July 2024, so the options have changed. Our guide to benchtops after the engineered stone ban explains what you can choose now.
- Hardware: soft-close drawers and hinges are worth it in a kitchen that gets used hard. Handles, or handle-free details such as sharknose door edges, make a big difference to the look.
We bring samples to your home so you can see finishes in your own light, which on the Sunshine Coast can look very different from a showroom.
6. Quote, contract and licence
You should receive a clear, itemised written quote that spells out what is included: cabinetry, benchtops, hardware, installation, and anything that is your responsibility, such as plumbing or electrical connections. In Queensland, building work valued over $3,300 must be done by a contractor with the right QBCC licence, and you can check any licence on the QBCC website. There is more on this in how to choose a cabinet maker.
7. Final check measure and production
Once the design is signed off and any building work is finished, we check measure the room. This final measure is what your cabinetry is made to, so walls, bulkheads and plumbing need to be in their final positions. Your panels are then precision machined locally, assembled and checked before they come to site.
8. Installation
As a guide, most kitchens are installed about four to six weeks after the final check measure. The install itself usually takes days rather than weeks. Stone benchtops are templated once the cabinets are in, then cut and fitted, so allow a little extra time before the sink and cooktop are connected.
From the first chat to a finished kitchen, the whole journey is usually two to four months. Design decisions, benchtop lead times and your builder's program can move that either way, and we give you a schedule for your project.
Living without a kitchen for a few days
- Set up a temporary kitchen in the laundry or dining room with the microwave, kettle, toaster and a power board.
- Pack the kitchen a week ahead and keep a small box of everyday plates, cups and cutlery.
- Plan easy meals for install week. A barbecue earns its keep.
- Clear the path from the driveway to the kitchen so the installers can work safely.
Ready to start?
Book a free design consult and we will come to you, measure up and talk it through. You can also read how a KO project works or browse our recent projects.
