10 Kitchen Upgrades That Really Make a Difference
When your kitchen budget's tight, you need to spend wisely. Here are 10 things experts agree are worth splashing out on
Georgia Madden
12 March 2021
Planning a new kitchen? Knowing where to spend and where to save is one of the toughest parts of the process. To help make it easier, we asked three kitchen-design experts to reveal their must-have inclusions and upgrades.
Graeme Metcalf, multi-disciplinary designer at Dan Kitchens Australia, says:
1. Bin drawer
Keep waste under control by upgrading to a pull-out bin drawer.
A bin drawer is ideally placed near the sink and typically has loose bins inside it for waste and recycling, but can also contain bins for soft plastics and compost too. A bin drawer can either be retrofitted to an existing kitchen (space permitting) or designed into new kitchens.
The design options are greater in new kitchens and, as such, they tend to be more practical. For instance, a new kitchen can have a bin drawer fitted with a touch-to-open system so you can open the drawer with the bump of a knee, leaving your hands free to place items in the bin.
This upgrade ranges from quite cheap (such as the retrofitted option) to more expensive.
1. Bin drawer
Keep waste under control by upgrading to a pull-out bin drawer.
A bin drawer is ideally placed near the sink and typically has loose bins inside it for waste and recycling, but can also contain bins for soft plastics and compost too. A bin drawer can either be retrofitted to an existing kitchen (space permitting) or designed into new kitchens.
The design options are greater in new kitchens and, as such, they tend to be more practical. For instance, a new kitchen can have a bin drawer fitted with a touch-to-open system so you can open the drawer with the bump of a knee, leaving your hands free to place items in the bin.
This upgrade ranges from quite cheap (such as the retrofitted option) to more expensive.
2. Waterproof kickboards and sink cabinets
When it comes to insurance claims involving kitchens, water damage is the biggest cause. This can be due to flooding, accidents, storms, faulty plumbing or appliances.
Kitchens are primarily made of panels with a substrate of MDF board and particle board, which when exposed to water repeatedly or over a length of time will expand and become damaged.
Upgrading your new kitchen to include waterproof board to at-risk panels, such as kickboards and sink cabinets, will save you a tonne of pain in the unlikely event you have one of the water issues listed above. Waterproof board is not cheap – expect to pay many times the cost of regular substrates – but it’s well worth the expense.
Dreaming of a new kitchen? Find a local kitchen designer on Houzz to help make it happen
When it comes to insurance claims involving kitchens, water damage is the biggest cause. This can be due to flooding, accidents, storms, faulty plumbing or appliances.
Kitchens are primarily made of panels with a substrate of MDF board and particle board, which when exposed to water repeatedly or over a length of time will expand and become damaged.
Upgrading your new kitchen to include waterproof board to at-risk panels, such as kickboards and sink cabinets, will save you a tonne of pain in the unlikely event you have one of the water issues listed above. Waterproof board is not cheap – expect to pay many times the cost of regular substrates – but it’s well worth the expense.
Dreaming of a new kitchen? Find a local kitchen designer on Houzz to help make it happen
3. Wine and beverage storage
Wine needs to be kept within a strict temperature range (depending on the variety) for best preservation, and you won’t achieve this by storing it in the pantry or in pigeon holes in the kitchen. A wine fridge is the next best thing to having your own private wine cellar.
Wine fridges come as built-in, under-bench and tall units. Many feature dual-temperature zones, typically separating your reds and whites, but can also include provisions for beer and other cold drinks, giving them added utility.
I usually place small an under-bench wine fridge at the kitchen island, in a spot that is away from direct view of adjoining spaces. Taller fridge-sized units can be installed in laundries, sculleries or dedicated wine cellars. Wine fridges are not for everyone, but have their place in the modern home.
Wine needs to be kept within a strict temperature range (depending on the variety) for best preservation, and you won’t achieve this by storing it in the pantry or in pigeon holes in the kitchen. A wine fridge is the next best thing to having your own private wine cellar.
Wine fridges come as built-in, under-bench and tall units. Many feature dual-temperature zones, typically separating your reds and whites, but can also include provisions for beer and other cold drinks, giving them added utility.
I usually place small an under-bench wine fridge at the kitchen island, in a spot that is away from direct view of adjoining spaces. Taller fridge-sized units can be installed in laundries, sculleries or dedicated wine cellars. Wine fridges are not for everyone, but have their place in the modern home.
Blake Riley, director at Blakes of Sydney, says:
4. Soft-close drawers and full-extension runners
Soft-closing doors and drawers are extremely functional and well-worth installing. They close smoothly and softly without banging shut like standard doors and drawers do.
If you’re interested in soft-closing doors and drawers, be sure to plan early; they need to be factored in at the costing stage to ensure you get the correct pricing.
Full-extension runners are another worthwhile investment. The drawer pulls right out towards you so you can fit more into it and you don’t have to reach into the back to find items.
Soft-closing drawers and full-extension runners used to be a costly luxury, but not anymore. You’ll find all sorts of options at different price points on the market. One I’d recommend is Blum’s Antaro soft-closing runner range – it’s an amazing system that won’t break the bank.
4. Soft-close drawers and full-extension runners
Soft-closing doors and drawers are extremely functional and well-worth installing. They close smoothly and softly without banging shut like standard doors and drawers do.
If you’re interested in soft-closing doors and drawers, be sure to plan early; they need to be factored in at the costing stage to ensure you get the correct pricing.
Full-extension runners are another worthwhile investment. The drawer pulls right out towards you so you can fit more into it and you don’t have to reach into the back to find items.
Soft-closing drawers and full-extension runners used to be a costly luxury, but not anymore. You’ll find all sorts of options at different price points on the market. One I’d recommend is Blum’s Antaro soft-closing runner range – it’s an amazing system that won’t break the bank.
5. Butler’s pantry
Having a pantry is worth it because it gives you a dedicated area to make breakfast, tea and coffee. A walk-in butler’s pantry is the crème de la crème of pantries – it gives you maximum functionality and screams high-end kitchen.
Position your butler’s pantry at the far end of the kitchen, ideally with a matching joinery door on a pivot system. Include bench space to house appliances so you can free up surface space in your kitchen.
As with any pantry, you’ll need to incorporate a butler’s pantry at the design stage so you get the functionality correct.
Having a pantry is worth it because it gives you a dedicated area to make breakfast, tea and coffee. A walk-in butler’s pantry is the crème de la crème of pantries – it gives you maximum functionality and screams high-end kitchen.
Position your butler’s pantry at the far end of the kitchen, ideally with a matching joinery door on a pivot system. Include bench space to house appliances so you can free up surface space in your kitchen.
As with any pantry, you’ll need to incorporate a butler’s pantry at the design stage so you get the functionality correct.
6. Appliance niche
If you don’t have the space for a separate butler’s pantry, consider installing an appliance pantry or niche – it’s not only practical, but great for adding wow factor to your kitchen.
It looks like a normal pantry, but when you open it – either with bi-fold or pocket doors, depending on your budget – the inside is a dream space with internal drawers below, shelving above for glassware/mugs, and bench space for appliances, such as the toaster, kettle and juicer.
An appliance niche is cheaper than a butler’s pantry, but upgrading it with internal drawers and pocket doors is still an expensive option compared with a standard pantry.
I would recommend positioning an appliance pantry next to the fridge, which is normally the second cabinet inside the kitchen. This way the person using it won’t get in the way of others who are using the kitchen to cook and clean.
See more images of beautifully designed Australian kitchens on Houzz
If you don’t have the space for a separate butler’s pantry, consider installing an appliance pantry or niche – it’s not only practical, but great for adding wow factor to your kitchen.
It looks like a normal pantry, but when you open it – either with bi-fold or pocket doors, depending on your budget – the inside is a dream space with internal drawers below, shelving above for glassware/mugs, and bench space for appliances, such as the toaster, kettle and juicer.
An appliance niche is cheaper than a butler’s pantry, but upgrading it with internal drawers and pocket doors is still an expensive option compared with a standard pantry.
I would recommend positioning an appliance pantry next to the fridge, which is normally the second cabinet inside the kitchen. This way the person using it won’t get in the way of others who are using the kitchen to cook and clean.
See more images of beautifully designed Australian kitchens on Houzz
7. Integrated appliances
Freestanding appliances, such as the fridge, need to stick out past the line of your joinery in order to open properly, which can create a cluttered look. Instead, consider integrating your fridge and dishwasher so you can create a flush, streamlined wall of joinery – ideal for an entertainer’s or open-plan kitchen.
Look to position your integrated fridge at the end of the kitchen run for easy access and so it won’t interrupt the functionality of the kitchen when it’s in use.
An integrated dishwasher should be positioned next to the sink.
Be aware that these elements – as well as a wine fridge, if you wish to include one – need to be incorporated at the design phase since they affect your kitchen’s layout. Most integrated fridges on the market also require extra depth in the joinery, which will greatly impact the design of the space.
Also be aware that integrated fridges can be much more expensive than standard freestanding styles as the joinery manufacture is very detailed and customised. They can also be quite hard to replace.
Integrated dishwashers, on the other hand, aren’t an expensive upgrade as they simply require a joinery panel on the front. They are usually easy to replace.
Freestanding appliances, such as the fridge, need to stick out past the line of your joinery in order to open properly, which can create a cluttered look. Instead, consider integrating your fridge and dishwasher so you can create a flush, streamlined wall of joinery – ideal for an entertainer’s or open-plan kitchen.
Look to position your integrated fridge at the end of the kitchen run for easy access and so it won’t interrupt the functionality of the kitchen when it’s in use.
An integrated dishwasher should be positioned next to the sink.
Be aware that these elements – as well as a wine fridge, if you wish to include one – need to be incorporated at the design phase since they affect your kitchen’s layout. Most integrated fridges on the market also require extra depth in the joinery, which will greatly impact the design of the space.
Also be aware that integrated fridges can be much more expensive than standard freestanding styles as the joinery manufacture is very detailed and customised. They can also be quite hard to replace.
Integrated dishwashers, on the other hand, aren’t an expensive upgrade as they simply require a joinery panel on the front. They are usually easy to replace.
EVOline BackFlip power points
Helle Olsen, owner of Collaroy Kitchen Centre, says:
8. Power points with USB chargers
Today’s kitchens are used for more than just cooking – they’re where homework is done, emails are sent and families gather. Having sufficient power points with USB outlets makes practical sense.
Position power points at the end of your kitchen island, on your splashback, or consider a style that pops up from the benchtop when required and sits flush with the surface when not in use, such as EVOline BackFlip.
Helle Olsen, owner of Collaroy Kitchen Centre, says:
8. Power points with USB chargers
Today’s kitchens are used for more than just cooking – they’re where homework is done, emails are sent and families gather. Having sufficient power points with USB outlets makes practical sense.
Position power points at the end of your kitchen island, on your splashback, or consider a style that pops up from the benchtop when required and sits flush with the surface when not in use, such as EVOline BackFlip.
Blum HF bi-fold cabinet
9. High-fold cabinets
We find Blum HM bi-fold cabinets to be extremely practical for high and mid-level wall cabinets. They open smoothly, items are easy to access as there are no doors in the way, and when closed the cabinets create a long, sleek look. For added luxury, you can also upgrade to Blum Servo-Drive so the doors open with a light push.
These cabinets are more expensive than standard overhead cabinets, but so worth it.
9. High-fold cabinets
We find Blum HM bi-fold cabinets to be extremely practical for high and mid-level wall cabinets. They open smoothly, items are easy to access as there are no doors in the way, and when closed the cabinets create a long, sleek look. For added luxury, you can also upgrade to Blum Servo-Drive so the doors open with a light push.
These cabinets are more expensive than standard overhead cabinets, but so worth it.
10. Vertical storage
Storing cutting boards, trays and baking trays vertically makes them far more accessible than storing them horizontally – you simply pull them out when required. Plus, they’re easy to put back.
Vertical storage comes at a minimal cost, but needs to be incorporated in the design phase.
Storing cutting boards, trays and baking trays vertically makes them far more accessible than storing them horizontally – you simply pull them out when required. Plus, they’re easy to put back.
Vertical storage comes at a minimal cost, but needs to be incorporated in the design phase.
Your turn
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen more kitchen advice? Don’t miss this story – Kitchen Experts Reveal: 8 Dos & Don’ts of Designing an Island
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen more kitchen advice? Don’t miss this story – Kitchen Experts Reveal: 8 Dos & Don’ts of Designing an Island
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
The right designer can bring your dream kitchen to life – three kitchen designers reveal where to look and what to ask
Full Story
Kitchen Expert Advice
7 Common Kitchen Design Challenges & How Experts Get Around Them
From bad layouts to poor storage, here are seven issues pros come up against (and overcome) in clients' kitchen renos
Full Story
Kitchens
A Good Fit: 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Kitchen Designer
By lwkkitchens
A good designer knows which questions to ask about your kitchen project. But what should you ask them before you sign?
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Dos and Don'ts for a Well-Functioning Butler's Pantry
Having a little help behind the scenes is key to a pristine kitchen – here's how to create a functional butler's pantry
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
By Anne Ellard
Discover the correctly proportioned kitchen island bench dimensions so your space works as well as it can
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
10 Times You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer
These specialists can solve layout issues, save costs, update an older space and create custom design details
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Practical Is... Handleless Joinery?
Handleless joinery is popular in modern homes. But how suitable are cupboards that can only be opened with a touch?
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Most Popular
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
A Kitchen That Uses Special Elements to Punch Above Its Weight
This couple wanted a well-designed kitchen that incorporated their pre-bought furniture; this designer delivered
Full Story
Australians may not realise but Composters are also being developed for kitchen use. These effectively, heat food scraps over night (using electricity) such that it cooks/shrinks and turns into somethiing like sawdust, such that it can be deposited as garden mulch next day. I have only seen one product so far on Indigogo. But I am sure that product is not one-off.
Something that really bothers me about so many ads for so called High-End Kitchen Products is that many of the items being sold are from the "Factory to the World". Which means when you look at Alibab and Aliexpress you can buy the same thing at significant discounts to what retailers are offering. Please Note: Alibaba while it asks for Minimum Order Quanties will always sell you "one" as a sample for potential larger orders. That applies to such cases where it is not obviously sold on Aliexpress. Aliababa has NEVER, not taken my money. The key downside is that it comes via delivery services and does not walk out of a store so it has timing issues. But often times, with a little planning that has zero impact.
Generally, I find that so many Aussie Retailers are very price uncompetitive to this approach.
The best kitchen addition that I have seen is a vacuum intake vent integrated into the kickboard. If you are installing an integrated household vacuum, make sure you include it!
Then you just sweep towards the chute and touch with your foot and it sucks it away - so good!
Reconsider the USB outlet recommendation. USB could be replaced by USB-C or something else. You’ll always be able to connect a USB cable to a standard wall outlet adapter. Most people have a dozen of those adapters around the house already…
The best change we made during our renovation was converting most of our lower cabinets to drawers.