Six ways to save on your dream kitchen

Jeremy Houston, building manager at Dale Alcock Home Improvement, shares his tips to keep your budget from boiling over.

“It’s easy to spend upwards of $50,000 on fitting out a new kitchen but, with some smart design decisions, it’s possible to get a stunning result for about $20,000,” Mr Houston said.

“Functionality first should be your mantra. Some of the best kitchens are actually quite simple in design.”

KITCHEN DESIGN INSPIRATION

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How to create your dream kitchen while staying on budget

1. Decide on a hero piece. An island bench is perfect. You can opt for a chunky benchtop on the island, for example, then stick to standard thickness for the benchtop in the rest of the kitchen.

2. Brick walls are cheaper than floor-to-ceiling laminate panels. This is good to know when it comes to designing the pantry and fridge/freezer recess.

3. Open cabinetry is more expensive than straightforward cupboards as there is more work involved when the insides are on display.

4. Engineered stone comes in standard lengths. Work to these so you don’t have to buy material that will end up being wasted.

5. Pick appliances from a trusted, well- priced manufacturer instead of falling for expensive high-end brands.

6. Laminate has come a long way. It looks great, is hard wearing and durable, and offers endless colour options.