We know first-hand that renovating a kitchen is often costly, especially when your goal is a high-end finish. But it is possible for a budget kitchen renovation to look luxe, and in this article, we reveal the secret ingredient to making it happen!
Budget kitchen renovations can be pretty intimidating for several reasons. Firstly, there’s the fact that the kitchen is the heart of the home and there’s a lot of pressure to get it right! Next comes the fear of not achieving a desired look within the budget and whether it’s even possible in a climate of ever-rising prices. Finally, there are those niggling worries about the quality and longevity of certain materials when trying to cut costs.
It’s a lot to think about – and a lack of experience often amplifies these concerns.
However, fresh off the back of a huge renovation, we’ve found the answer to a successful kitchen reno on a budget, and that is kaboodle.
Why kaboodle?
At a time when building materials were limited and costs were skyrocketing, kaboodle was an affordable kitchen solution that ticked every box for us.
Not only were we able to eliminate design costs by using the online 3D kaboodle planner, but we also saved cash by incorporating as many standard cabinets and cupboards from the kaboodle range as possible.
But the best bit? By saving on cabinets, drawers, shelves, butler’s benches and accessories, we could afford to splurge on a few luxury pieces. We’re talking marble benchtops and brushed copper tapware, luxurious elements that create a high-end finish.
“This family had their hearts set on a functional and super stylish kitchen – but we had a limited budget. kaboodle was the answer to a luxe look for less, and it gave us scope to splurge on some special extras!”
Nikki, Making HOME Production Team
Multiple Installation Options
Many people assume you must assemble a kaboodle kitchen yourself – this isn’t the case. There are actually a few options available to you when it comes to installing a kaboodle kitchen. Let’s take a look:
Use a certified installer
Want someone else to take care of everything? The fully trained and experienced team at Bunnings has you covered. They will come out to your home, evaluate the space, and walk through designs with you. From there, you receive a written quote and an estimated installation time.
Because kaboodle’s certified installers have a relationship with Bunnings, you have lots of contact points throughout the process.
Ask your builder to install it
If your builder is going to install your kitchen for you, the process couldn’t be easier. The 3D planning tool makes ordering easy and allows you to download and print out step-by-step instructions for your builders. Every cabinet goes together like a dream and the precision in their manufacturing processes means the result is stunning.
DIY it!
If you are keen to give assembly a go, kaboodle has a heap of helpful resources, guides and videos to help you through the whole process. This will also help you save on installation costs! Just remember to check your 3D plans every step of the way so you’re on track from beginning to end.
Our Budget Kitchen Renovation With kaboodle
Below, we walk you through each of the kaboodle elements used in this stunning kitchen renovation. Find out why we chose certain elements, how we added functionality to the space – and what the team thought of each product!
Cabinetry
As part of our contemporary spin on the Farmhouse aesthetic, we desperately wanted to embrace dark cabinetry for this kitchen, and thankfully, kaboodle had the perfect finish for us: licorice twist.
Licorice twist has a beautiful texture just like real timber. It’s also beautifully matte and brings a moody elegance to any space. It’s gorgeous in a kitchen, but just as stunning for TV cabinets, built-in bars or walk-in robe shelving. Licorice twist is also part of kaboodle’s local product range, where the melamine sheets are cut, edged and customised in Somerton, Victoria.
“kaboodle was the key to completing this kitchen renovation to budget. And by looking at it, you’d never guess this cabinetry came flat-packed!”
Liz, Making HOME Production Team
The premium melamine doors are available in a modern profile which is a flat door with a perfect square edge with a 1mm edging. This creates a stunning backdrop for our cabinet hardware and appliances.
“For fast turnaround, kaboodle is tough to beat with so much available off the shelf at Bunnings. For higher-end finishes, it takes a little longer – but we had all the cabinetry for our kitchen delivered within a few weeks, labeled and ready to go.”
Nikki, Making HOME Production Team
Bespoke Features
One of the things we love most about kaboodle is being able to create special bespoke moments. It’s easy to order additional panels for any colour finish or profile to craft some additional features.
“The beauty of kaboodle was being able to step outside of the box – and yes, you absolutely can do that with DIY kitchens! It’s as simple as ordering cut to measure panels.”
Liz, Making HOME Production Team
Using licorice twist multipurpose panels cut to size, we crafted a ‘platter stacker’ as a contained unit and installed it above the microwave. Then, we added a length of 4mm copper refrigeration piping to keep the platters from sliding. We couldn’t be happier with the result and love how it makes a feature of beautiful tableware.
“This kitchen is made for entertaining so I really wanted heaps of practical storage options. The platter storage is a story of function and fabulous! It looks great and protects platters from chipping.”
Nikki, Making HOME Production Team
Integration
Many renovators assume that with a ‘flat pack’ or DIY kitchen, integrated appliances would be off the table. But with kaboodle, it’s as simple as selecting a door profile that allows ‘cut to measure’.
“To dial up the luxe in this kitchen, we wanted as many appliances fully integrated as possible. With kaboodle, this couldn’t have been easier.”
Nikki, Making HOME Production Team
‘Cut to measure’ means it’s possible to add a panel of almost any size. So all we had to do for our integrated fridge/freezers and dishwasher was order a panel to the size specified by the appliance manufacturer and then assemble with the manufacturer’s instructions.
“We achieved a budget kitchen renovation with three fridges and a dishwasher … and thanks to integrated cabinetry, you’d never even know were there!”
Liz, Making HOME Production Team
Accessories
Functionality was one of the most important elements in this design brief. The multigenerational home had to work functionally for all ages and stages, so smart accessories were essential. From the pull-out bins and metal-sided drawers to the brilliant soft-close hinges and corner cabinet pull-outs, kaboodle had us covered.
“The true magic of this kitchen lies in the little details and kaboodle contributed greatly to them.”
Nikky, Making HOME Production Team
We really wanted to make sure our kitchen worked triple time. When every little nook and cranny is designed with ultimate functionality in mind, your kitchen will be a dream to work in.
We had so much fun discovering all the accessories in the kaboodle suite. Honestly, they have thought of everything!
“I have to admit I’m completely obsessed with the corner pull-outs – I want them for my own kitchen!”
Liz, Making HOME Production Team
Benchtops
With a strict budget, we knew we’d save a bundle if we opted for a benchtop material other than marble in the butler’s pantry. Kaboodle’s american oak benchtop was a perfect fit for our Modern Farmhouse aesthetic, and significantly cheaper!
“The butler’s benchtops installed so fast – blink and you’d miss it! These came made to order and all we had to do was drop them into place, secure with supplied hardware and seal.”
Liz, Making HOME Production Team
American oak is a versatile and tough hardwood with a coarse texture and distinctive appearance. It’s a modular product, which means it’s available straight off the shelf from most Bunnings stores and comes in a 2400mm or 3600mm length and 600mm or 900mm widths. It can also be painted or stained for the perfect finish to any project.
We included american oak benchtops in our planning phase and they arrived at the same time as our cabinetry. Once installed, the benches were limewashed for tone and water resistance.
Shelving
We loved the benchtops so much that we cut them down to use as shelving in the butler’s pantry. We added copper rails to match the platter stacker and added a spot of personality with wallpaper backing.
“American oak is not just hardwearing, but rustic and earthy and ultimately the perfect touch for our butler’s pantry. The shelves are a highlight of the kitchen!”
Nikki, Making HOME Production Team
Making HOME is working with kaboodle to bring you this article. The home of DIY kitchen renovation solutions, kaboodle takes Australian dreams and turns them into something real. From modern kitchens to laundries, it’s the answer to a luxe look for less.
After more renovation inspiration? Dive into the Making HOME Renovation Series for more!
