Kitchen and laundry

The modern kitchen in New Zealand is a versatile, multi-functional space, often designed to work effectively in a myriad of ways, including as an entertainment area, as a place to work, and as a place to congregate and prepare food. In many cases, the kitchen also functions as part of a larger, open-plan space and sits centre stage in the overall interior design.

Small kitchens

Space limitations no longer mean a lack of options in terms of creating a successful kitchen. In fact, limited space often leads to more innovative solutions for both layout and function. Designing small kitchens in New Zealand can be a challenging but ultimately satisfying experience and one where a clear line is drawn between necessity and superfluous, often leading to a more minimalist style.

Smart storage solutions are generally paramount in smaller kitchens, and in terms of cabinetry, there are many options that harness every corner of available space effectively.

For all type of kitchens, there should be a bin. Kitchen bins are essential household containers, often designed with lids and foot pedals for hands-free operation, used for disposing and managing everyday waste generated during cooking and meal preparation.

Renovating a kitchen

The kitchen remodel is a task renowned for its expense, but also for its value. A renovated kitchen in New Zealand often significantly increases the value of a house and can last a lifetime if designed with the future in mind. If the layout of a kitchen will change in a renovation, costs can escalate and consent may be required. However, if the planned renovation is more of ‘facelift’ with the layout and significant elements of the kitchen staying the same, costs can often be minimised while still changing the entire look and feel of the kitchen.

Simply changing the cabinetry door fronts can have a dramatic impact and create an entirely new aesthetic.

Kitchen benchtops and splashbacks are often a focal point in the kitchen and a part of the room where significant budget is generally allocated. The options are numerous and are generally only limited by budget, with everything from marble to vinyl an option.

Tapware

Tapware in the kitchen can be an area of creativity and focus, or it can be entirely the opposite, with pared-back, simple and unobtrusive tapware. At the high end of the spectrum, tapware can be specified that operates both functionally and as a form of art; objects that act as a centrepiece of the kitchen design.

Kitchen appliances & countertops

The kitchen is one of the appliance hubs of the home in New Zealand, and while the main appliances such as the fridge, and cooking appliances are often the biggest decisions, smaller kitchen products and accessories can be just as vital to creating a kitchen that works seamlessly. Butler’s pantries are a popular way, if space allows, to conceal smaller appliances and cleaning areas away from the main focal point areas of the kitchen. Often, the most successful kitchens incorporate well designed, clutterless spaces with a considered selection of appliances stored in easy-to-reach places. 

In many cases, the inclusion of a butler’s pantry in homes in New Zealand allows for an array of appliances to be left out on countertops all the time while remaining hidden from the main kitchen. A butler’s pantry is also a popular spot for an additional kitchen sink and the dishwasher; a separate space where mess can be cleared away and shut behind closed doors while entertaining, giving the illusion of a clean kitchen. Many of butler’s pantries also incorporate extensive storage allowing for the organisation of kitchen accessories.

Laundry products

The laundry is an important area of the house in New Zealand, primarily in terms of its functional aspects, but it is also often space where selecting the right products and appliances will make the difference between an easy-to-use space and one that is difficult to use. Most laundries include a sink or tub, tapware, bench space, and, if space allows, storage solutions.

In larger homes, the laundry can often be used as a significant storage area. In smaller spaces, storage solutions remain an option with everything from overhead storage to carousel corner cabinets, making the most of all available space. In many cases, laundry benches, taps and sinks are specified in similar or the same materials as the kitchen or bathroom fitouts to create a natural flow and connection between rooms.