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Kitchen reno inspiration

Gearing up for a kitchen reno? Here’s fresh perspective on pulling together a style, layout and budget to suit you
Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens

Divide and conquer

The peninsula acts as a divider between the kitchen and dining areas, so treat it to a different finish. You can try a high-gloss chocolate brown laminate, then top it off with the same benchtop as the kitchen for a sense of continuity. If you’ve ample room, an oversized island provides storage, prep space and a spot for overflow seating.

Better Homes and Gardens

Industrial revolution

Visually expand a compact kitchen with clever storage and design tricks, such as bench-to-ceiling subway tiles, for an impression of height. The slate-grey grout adds dramatic punch. No room for an island? A casual dining table can double as a prep surface when needed.

Better Homes and Gardens

Bright colour makes the room sing!

When your kitchen and living areas are basically one big room, and you hanker for a space with industrial flavour, line your walls and ceiling with wood planks or panelling. Then save your hard-earned dollars by installing budget-friendly flat-pack cabinets, benchtops and stock standard white subway tiles. Consider refurbishing timber floors with grey paint, which you can paint over and over again. The grey ties in with modern stainless steel appliances and retro metal chairs. A few vintage pieces honour the past, while a hit or two of bright colour makes the room sing!

Better Homes and Gardens

Add personality

Add personality with noteworthy furniture, sculptural lighting and accents resembling works of art. Go for quality over quantity, drawing pieces from different periods and styles to build interest. Timber tongue and groove floors deliver natural texture and warmth. A corner window above the banquette opens up sight lines between the kitchen and adjoining screened-in outdoor room

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Better Homes and Gardens

Alfresco attitude

Look at ways to frame garden views – even if they’re not as expansive as these – and you’ll forge a strong connection with the outdoors and create a sense of openness. Just imagine standing here and whipping up your favourite culinary delights. As for a dramatic splashback, investigate oxidised copper sheeting, as here, or glass and oversized rectangular tiles in an almost-black charcoal. Mask the rangehood with an identical material, or paint it a shade similar to the splashback to make it blend. Loving the contrasting cabinetry.

Better Homes and Gardens

I see red

Red gloss cabinetry frames, shelves and island energise an otherwise neutral kitchen. Glass doors on upper cabinetry prevents the red from overpowering the space. Note to self: installing an oven in the base cabinetry preserves valuable space on the benchtop for food prep – you can never have enough!

Better Homes and Gardens

Linear equation

Glossy laminate cabinets shine bright! Framed within a grey plasterboard backdrop, the linear design of these high-gloss white cabinets is beautifully highlighted. If you’re a fan of open plan yet prefer a means of separation, check out the furniture-like peninsula and wood wall-covering, which cleverly delineates the dining room without obstructing sight lines.

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