WilloughbyModern Kitchen, Sydney

5. Watch your head!If you’ve ever leant forward to smell that delicious sauce simmering on the stove and bumped your forehead on the range hood, you’ll know how important it is to position wall-mounted appliances above your head height. The minimum clearance in Australia between stove and range hood is 600 millimetres for an electric stovetop or 650 millimetres for a gas stove, though most manufacturers recommend a distance between 700 and 750 millimetres, which can be increased. Likewise, consider reducing the width of wall-mounted cupboard doors so they don’t open too far beyond the bench, or install retractable hinged systems as in this Sydney kitchen.Find your dishwasher sweet spot

Push-to-open mechanisms (usually drilled into the carcass of your cabinetry) are a very simple and cost-effective way to open cabinet doors without handles.Find a kitchen designer in your areaTELL USWhat handles would you choose, or have chosen, for your new kitchen cabinets, and why? We would love to hear your stories and see some photos in the comments section.MOREPush and Pull: Kitchen Hardware That’s as Practical as It is PrettyClever Corner-Cupboard Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen Renovation8 Kitchen Additions That’ll Make Life a Little Bit Easier

6. Spring-clean your appliancesAsk yourself if you really need them all? And think of how uncluttered you could be if you didn’t have endless amounts of electronic appliances. If they’re old they might be inefficient and using more energy than necessary. If you have timber or concrete floors you could ditch the vacuum and take up the broom – it can be much more effective and you’ll even be fitter for it!

Corian Glacier White countertop, Calcutta backsplash

Here, Corian Glacier White on the counters is combined with honed Calacatta marble on the backsplash.

Armoires, comptoir et aménagement