Planning a Kitchen Renovation? Pinky Promise You Won't Be Boring?

You've finally convinced your SO to redo the kitchen. Now, kitchen renovations don't happen every day. So when you get a chance to spruce up the most expensive room in your house, I can understand you feeling a little nervous.

Don't stuff this up.

I can sense your instincts telling you to go with white. Play it safe, they say. Pesky instincts. Clearly broken by every makeover show ever, white-washing every surface. I'm looking at you, Tara Dennis *gives formidable side-eye*.

But you know what? White kitchens are like bums. Everyone has one.

Your kitchen renovation is finally happening. And you are a unique individual. Don't allow your kitchen to look identical to everyone else's. Here's how to do your kitchen renovation right (and not entirely white):

Reflective gold surfaces and furniture made from oriented strand board make Cubby House feel fun and playful
Joinery, Black Tapware, Concrete Floors, Staircases, Timber Kitchens, Kitchens, Dining Areas

Try sealed OSB and reflective brass kitchen cabinets as seen at this cubby house for adults.

Victoria Road House
Kitchens, Clerestory Windows

Or more shiny things and a round island bench at this colourful renovation.

Garth House
Timber Floors, Pendant Lighting, Timber Kitchens, Kitchens

Timber kitchens always look great. And this is no exception (happy family not included).

Hello House by OOF! Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)
Joinery, Plywood Kitchen, Plywood, Concrete Floors, Exposed Rafters, Kitchens

Or plywood. Because, plywood.

Flinders Lane Space Efficient Apartment detail of the plywood kitchen
Plywood Kitchen, Plywood, Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchens, Planters

Plus, using plywood for your kitchen cabinets means you can have fun finger holes instead of handles.

Cubo House by PHOOEY Architects (via Lunchbox Architect)
Concrete Floors, Timber Kitchens, Kitchens

Or reuse an old stair balustrade for a kitchen cabinet handle like PHOOEY Architects.

With Translucent Walls This Minimal Home Melts into the Landscape
Timber Deck, Kitchens, Polycarbonate

Heck, why have cabinet fronts at all when you can have curtains instead?

Eclectic Marrickville House 2 by David Boyle Architect (via Lunchbox Architect)
Kitchens, Bold Colours

You could have a whacky colourful printed splashback.

Dowel House
Timber Houses, Joinery, Timber Floors, Timber Kitchens, Kitchens

Mirror the base of your island bench to give the illusion of more space.

Tonimbuk Modern Farmhouse by Maxa Design (via Lunchbox Architect)
Brick Houses, Reverse Brick Veneer, Timber Floors, Kitchens

Or go full Gordon Ramsay with a design ripped straight from a commercial kitchen.

Double Life House
Kitchens, Dining Areas

Better still, mimic your local cafe for an at-home buzz like these introverts. Because, ew, people.

Also note, if you can survive with a cut-down fridge and pantry (because let's face it, you eat out virtually every night anyhow), you can really open up the kitchen by keeping them below the counter.

Rosanna House
Kitchens, DuPont™ Corian®

Create an homage to the era of your home like they have done in the renovation of this '60s stunner.

Planning a Kitchen Renovation? Pinky Promise You Won't Be Boring?
Smeg

And while we're on that track, a classic FAB fridge by Smeg would look right at home in your retro kitchen. FAB just turned 21, so he's all grown up now and comes in a range of different sizes to suit any kitchen. But the thing that makes FAB super fabs? The colour-range.

Planning a Kitchen Renovation? Pinky Promise You Won't Be Boring?
Smeg

Team it with the new Smeg Portofino freestanding cooker in sunshine yellow, olive green, coral red or burnt orange (pictured) and you'll have a kitchen that will transport you to the Italian Riviera and make your friends (olive) green with envy.

The Exploding! Shed House
Black Kitchens, Plywood Kitchen, Concrete Floors, Kitchens, Subway Tiles

More and more people are choosing to leave beautiful objects on display in their kitchen, rather than shutting them behind cupboard doors. This clever kitchen was cut off-site and assembled by the owner - a more sophisticated alternative to an IKEA flat pack. No guarantees it was easier to put together though.

Can a House Help to Prevent (or Cure) Mental Health Problems?

See, everything's on display here, too. Also, yellow.

Footscray Apartment
Concrete Floors, White Kitchens, Pendant Lighting, Kitchens, Dining Areas, Concrete Houses, Bold Colours, DuPont™ Corian®

If you must go all-white. Throw in some dusty pink (or another colour of your choice) and some arches to break up the starkness.

Cat Macleod and daughter Celeste enjoy drink and a chat in their modern kitchen in their home Polygreen
Joinery, Plywood, Timber Floors, Kitchen Cabinets, Pendant Lighting, Kitchens, Bold Colours, Dulux

But honestly, wouldn't you rather go with zesty, refreshing green?

Local House by Make Architecture (via Lunchbox Architect)
Black Kitchens, Concrete Floors, Kitchens, Tiles

Or go to the dark side?


There is so much fun to be had with kitchen renovations. Don't let your reno be stymied by a lack of imagination. Or, worse still, courage. Have fun with your kitchen design, and it'll make even cleaning up a treat. Or at least a little more bearable.

Which kitchen is your fave? Let us know in the comments below.


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