The Block 2025 Kitchens has once again achieved some wow factor kitchens. But beyond the looks there are real concerns for future buyers over fridge placements, rangehood heights, oversized islands, compromised storage and awkward positioning of the main bedroom directly off the kitchen.
Here we outline each team’s kitchen, what worked, what didn’t and the lessons you can use for your own kitchen renovation.
House 5: Robby & Mat (equal first)
Oak style Shaker kitchen with bronze handles, off white benchtops and tiled splashback.
Pros: Grand scale to suit large gatherings. Light timber look and splashback tiling is lovely and will appeal to many buyers.
Cons: Using the wall for artwork instead of cabinetry along the wall means less storage and no bulkhead above to finish off the space. The open shelving/cabinetry with styling impractical to open into main bedroom.
Recommendation: Design the space with full cabinetry to include pantries, appliance cabinet and clever corner solutions to maximise the space like the Wantirna South Kitchen Reno.
House 3: Britt & Taz (equal first)
Cream and Oak matt style cabinetry with marble benchtops and splashback topped with brushed nickel handles.
Pros: Large entertainer kitchen with loads of appliances and island bench.
Cons: Oversized island bench wasting space and poorly located fridge right in front of dining space lacks functionality and flow. The overall colour looks vanilla/yellow.
Recommendation: Design a kitchen with a smaller island bench and reposition fridges away from main dining space to balance the room for better function and form. See design layout in our Thornbury Kitchen Reno.
House 4: Sonny & Alicia (third place)
Blue Hampton kitchen cabinetry with bronze handles topped with marble vein benchtops and splashback.
Pros: Bold colour in both cabinetry and benchtops in this Hampton style kitchen.
Cons: This kitchen creates a unique colour space compared to other kitchens. Kitchen design has minimal bench space near cooktop and oven for meal preparation.
Recommendation: In a large kitchen, the design should incorporate practical storage such as pull out pantry, appliance cabinetry and functional design for everyday use not just colour like our Oak Park Kitchen Renovation.
House 2: Han & Can (fourth place)
White Hampton style cabinetry with oak feature and brushed gold handles and marble benchtops and backsplash.
Pros: Erogonomic dishwasher which saves from bending. Neutral colour palette will appeal to a wider buyer.
Cons: Rangehood has been installed way too low and poses a safety issue. Much smaller island bench due to curves meaning less usable storage.
Recommendation: Statement pieces like the rangehood need to be designed with legal requirements for rangehoods and safety of cooking in the kitchen. Alternatively consider hiding the rangehood to create a seamless effect like Greensborough Kitchen Renovation.
House 1: Emma & Ben (last place)
Dark moody timber look Shaker style kitchen with bronze handles and marble benchtops and splashback.
Pros: Feels earthy with dark timber cabinetry, very Daylesford. The positioning of island bench works perfectly with neighbouring dining. Lovely bench seating that works well in this design.
Cons: Fridge positioned directly outside the main bedroom and away from main preparation areas. Too much wasted space on bar area instead of appliance or additional storage.
Recommendation: Ensure the design encapsulates the kitchen triangle placing the fridge, sink, cooktop in zones that are within easy reach of each other like our moody Maribyrnong Kitchen Renovation.
The Main Bedroom right off the kitchen?
One big elephant in the floorplan this year is the bedroom positioned directly off the main kitchen. Although the footprint maybe compact the noise, cooking smells and lack of privacy is an issue in every home.
Our suggestion: We would suggest if this if the layout, designing a small scullery or linen zone to act as a barrier from the main kitchen area.
Key Design considerations for kitchen renovators
Fix the fridge: access to fridges is key in a kitchen design so ensure it is away from main walk throughs (such as the bedroom) and position according to the kitchen triangle best design considerations.
Safety first: Rangehoods should always be designed for adequate clearance and walkway clearances need to be considered before the Look.
Consider curves: Arches and curves may look great in photos, the reality is they take up more space and create less usable cabinetry storage.
Prioritise everyday functionality: Pull out pantries, deep drawers, appliance cabinets to keep benchtops clear will be more important in the design rather than just the look.
If you’re ready to create a functional kitchen that’s designed for real life then speak to one of our Kitchen Shack experienced designers. They know how to design an affordable kitchen always with functionality and storage front of mind to ensure it looks great too!
Let’s work together book your free in-store design or give us a call today!
