Kitchen renovation

Frequently asked questions

What are some budget-friendly ways to renovate a kitchen?

Keep the sink where it is ($450 to $850, not $0) and choose flat-pack cabinets at $400 to $1,200 per metre. A silica-free mineral benchtop is $270 to $600 per metre. On 3 m of cupboards, about 8 m² of floor, that whole job is $7,270 to $18,110. Moving the sink across the room or through the slab is $2,500 to $3,500 and is the change that pushes the price up.

What kitchen trends will be outdated in 2026?

Trends are a matter of personal taste, and there is no single look that becomes outdated everywhere in 2026. Highly specific finishes, overly uniform designs and choices made only for short-lived trends may feel less current over time. Choose materials and colours you enjoy, and consider using easily changed details for bolder trends.

What is a reasonable budget for a kitchen renovation?

A reasonable starting point is the calculator default: 5 m of cupboards, semi-custom laminate, a laminate benchtop and the sink left in place, at $11,540 to $24,190. Archicentre publishes a standard fit-out at $23,000 to $49,000 including GST, excluding appliances. Do not treat $23,000 as a minimum. The small flat-pack job is $7,270 to $18,110, and the large custom job with a sink moved through the slab is $25,430 to $47,940. Buying the appliances is extra.

Can you remodel a small kitchen for $5000?

Not as a full itemised renovation. The smallest job in the calculator, 3 m of flat-pack cupboards with a silica-free mineral benchtop and the sink left in place, is $7,270 to $18,110. That already includes strip-out, vinyl flooring, a tiled splashback, appliance installation, electrical, the sink and mixer, and painting. $5,000 sits below that total. Buying the appliances is not included either.

What is the most expensive part of redoing a kitchen?

Cabinets are the line that grows fastest with the run. Custom cabinets are $1,500 to $2,500 per metre, so 9 m is $13,500 to $22,500 before the benchtop. Porcelain or sintered stone on that run is $3,780 to $8,640. Moving the sink across the room or through the slab is $2,500 to $3,500. On that largest job the whole total is $25,430 to $47,940. Buying the appliances is not in that figure.

What popular kitchen trend is dying right now?

There is no single kitchen trend that is universally declining. Some homeowners are moving away from designs that feel overly coordinated or difficult to personalise, while practical layouts and durable materials remain useful considerations. Choose a style that suits your home rather than relying solely on what is currently popular.

What makes a kitchen look outdated?

A kitchen may feel outdated if its finishes are worn, its lighting is poor, storage is inefficient or the layout no longer works for the household. Dated colours and hardware can also affect its appearance, but style is subjective. A few targeted updates may refresh the room without a complete renovation.

What is the new color trend for kitchens?

There is no one colour trend for every kitchen in 2026. Warm neutrals, natural timber tones and muted greens or blues remain options many homeowners consider, but the best choice depends on your home, light and preferences. Samples can help you see how colours look in your space before committing.

What are the trendy kitchen designs for 2026?

Kitchen designs for 2026 continue to balance function and personal style. Homeowners may consider practical storage, layered lighting, natural-looking materials, warm neutrals and individual colour accents. Trends vary, so focus on a layout and finishes that work for your household and budget.

How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets?

Supply and install is $400 to $1,200 per metre for flat-pack, $900 to $1,700 per metre for semi-custom laminate, and $1,500 to $2,500 per metre for custom. Five metres of semi-custom laminate is $4,500 to $8,500 for the cabinets alone. The benchtop, plumbing and the other trades are separate lines. A full 5 m semi-custom kitchen with a laminate benchtop and the sink left in place is $11,540 to $24,190.

Is it cheaper to replace kitchen cabinets or paint them?

Replacing cabinets is the priced job here. Flat-pack is $400 to $1,200 per metre and semi-custom laminate is $900 to $1,700 per metre, supply and install. Five metres of semi-custom laminate is $4,500 to $8,500 before the benchtop. Painting the kitchen walls and ceiling is a separate line at $600 to $1,500. Painting the cabinet doors themselves is not in the calculator, so do not treat that wall-and-ceiling figure as a cabinet respray.

What cabinet color is outdated?

No cabinet colour is automatically outdated. Strongly trend-led colours may feel less current over time, but suitability depends on the rest of the kitchen and your personal taste. If you want a lasting look, consider versatile colours for large surfaces and add bolder tones through details that are easier to change.