Your Guide to Budget Kitchens in Melbourne

Your Guide to Budget Kitchens in Melbourne

The idea of a Budget Kitchen Renovation can seem out of reach at times, but with some savvy planning and smart choices it is achievable.

With costs of materials and appliances, it can become one of the most expensive spaces to renovate. That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to your budget kitchen with the options available for Melbourne homeowners.

Here we’ll explore 5 topics:

👉 Setting Your Budget
👉 Importance of Good Design
👉 Selecting the Right Materials & Finishes
👉 DIY or Trades
👉 Appliances & Fixtures

No doubt you’ve heard the saying ” Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes.” Most experts believe a new kitchen could add 5-15% to the value of your home, however we recommend homeowners shouldn’t invest more than 5% of a home’s total value.

According to reealestate.com.au the 2024 median house price in Melbourne was around $780,000, so it’s not surprising the average cost of a kitchen renovation according to HIA is approximately $30,000 -$45,000. The good news is you can renovate your kitchen under the golden 5% mark, especially at Kitchen Shack for as little as $10,000.

Setting your Budget Kitchen Renovation

Know the value of your home in its current state, this may mean getting a professional appraisal. Start with a guide of 5% of the value, then decide if you can afford to spend that amount. Make sure to consider the total cost of the kitchen, including appliances, trades, lighting and if you need to re-do your flooring.

Once you have an agreed on a realistic budget, it’s time to do the groundwork, visit showrooms and gather as many quotes as possible for comparison.

Don’t be deterred by a small budget, just be smarter and research all your options. There are numerous kitchen companies in Melbourne offering budget solutions so it might be daunting to know where to start.

If the idea of a flat pack renovation isn’t lighting your fire, then consider a pre-assembled kitchen. You can read the advantages of flat pack versus assembled here.

The importance of Good Design and Planning

Good design is all about attention to detail.

Working with an experienced designer is the best way to create a space that will work for you and your lifestyle.

Start the design process with a clear picture of what your kitchen will look like, and how you intend to achieve it. It’s a good idea to create a mood board with images of kitchens you love and features you would like to include.

Whether it is more bench space, better storage, a walk-in pantry, or a large island bench, be clear on what you want and realistic about what you can afford.

Working within a budget doesn’t have to be too restrictive, in fact it often encourages greater creativity.

With a clear understanding by the designer of what doesn’t work in the existing kitchen and how it could be resolved within their budget, creates amazing designs.

The key to success is good planning. Have a realistic timeline for your project and book your trades in advance to avoid any delays.

Know how much of the project you are willing to take on yourself and what you are going to leave to the experts. Weigh up the cost of spending more time on the project yourself or paying trades to complete it sooner.

Selecting the Right Materials and Finishes

Designing a new kitchen on a budget doesn’t mean you throw style out the window.

We only have to turn our attention to EuroCucina 2024 in Milan to see laminates take centre stage on the trends forecast. That’s great news for the Budget Friendly Kitchen Renovators.

It’s great to be on trend, but we also need to be mindful of selecting finishes that suit our budget and lifestyle.

Timber laminates look great on both cabinets and benchtops, like our Excel style that is available in a range of Australian laminate colours. Our customers often select the Excel style as an open shelf feature or highlight overhead cabinetry in their kitchen.

Alternatively, keep it simple with a matte white laminate, a great choice to conceal fingerprints from sticky hands! White laminate kitchens are still popular especially for investment properties as they appeal to a broader audience. With Kitchen Shack a simple L-shape layout in White Laminate will cost as little as $4,800.00.

If you are wanting a more traditional look then it’s hard to go pass the Shaker Style Kitchen. It’s certainly one of the most popular in our vinyl range. This style of kitchen is timeless and well suited to a traditional home or a charming beach shack.

The recessed cabinet fronts are wrapped in a high quality-vinyl. It’s durable, moisture resistant and a great budget alternative to the expensive 2 pac finish – best of all it won’t chip. To see one of our beautiful Shaker style kitchen renovations check out the DIY Kitchen Renovation Macleod.

Laminates are also a great choice for benchtops, and we’ve seen an increase in popularity of our laminate range this year. The benefits of laminate are the great price and its’ hard-wearing capabilities.

Laminate benchtops are easy to clean and stain resistant, making it a budget choice for couples and families alike.

If you have a little extra in your budget then go the distance with a Silica free stone benchtop, available at Kitchen Shack. More durable than laminate and available in an impressive range of natural-look stone made from recycled materials. Super resilient and able to cope with the wear and tear of daily life.

DIY or Professional Trades

Are you prepared to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty or would you rather hand it over to the experts?

Here’s an area you can certainly save a few dollars by getting involved, but know your limits. The last thing you want is costly mistakes or a drawn-out project that leaves everyone tired and stressed.

No matter where you stand it’s important to book certified electricians and plumbers to have the utilities connected to your new kitchen.

Most budget kitchen companies will have recommended trades who can install your kitchen or laundry. The designers at Kitchen Shack have a good understanding of their clients budget restrictions, and can help advise on where money can be saved on your kitchen renovation.

Consider taking on tasks like painting walls, sanding floorboards or tiling your splash back. How much of the renovation you take on will depend on how much time you have to spare but it can save your budget. For those with young children under foot this could be a major headache, with more money spent on babysitters than money saved on trades!

Appliances and Fixtures

Before you get excited about lots of shiny new things, take a look at what could be salvaged from your existing kitchen. This is where the best laid budgets can come unstuck.
Can you re-use your oven or dishwasher? Or have you budgeted for new ones?

Some kitchen companies will offer appliances in the kitchen design and quote, ensuring the perfect fit on the final installation. But these days buying new appliances is worth shopping around to get the best price. You can get impressive mark-downs on floor stock from companies like The Good Guys, E&S Trading or Harvey Norman.

Otherwise start hunting at their Outlet stores and trawling Facebook Marketplace for a real bargain. Let’s face it, money saved on appliances could mean a new Butler’s pantry!

Selecting the right fixtures can take a basic kitchen to a showstopper. Your kitchen designer will be able to guide you with product accessories like the all important bin combination to suit your design. Handle selection is also critical and you don’t need to spend a fortune. Whatever your choice, make sure it’s consistent with your style.

Adding feature lights is another great way to add some personality to your kitchen.

Pendant lights work well over an island bench, often hung as a set of 3 for even lighting. You can find an impressive range of lights at Beacon Lighting or Discount Lighting, and the key here is to find a light that suits the style and finish of your kitchen. It pays to shop around to see what’s on sale.

Remember, the goal is to design a kitchen on a budget but that reflects your personality, whilst staying timelessly appealing and functional.

When embarking on a budget friendly kitchen renovation, knowing how to select the right materials and appliances is crucial for balancing cost, functionality, and style. Working with an experienced kitchen design is the best way to achieve your objective.

Let’s design your budget friendly Kitchen or Laundry renovation by booking your free instore design and quote below at one of our five Melbourne Showrooms.