Sponsored by Freedom Kitchens
Most of us don’t have the luxury of an endless budget for home renovating but there are several ways to bring a high-end look to your home without the high price. Get started creating your dream kitchen with these tips from Freedom Kitchens.
Be inspired
Browse magazines, showrooms, home design blogs and sites like Pinterest or Houzz to gather inspiration. Take note of the kitchens that catch your eye and what it is that you like most about the design.
HOT TIP: Start a list of what you think are the ‘must haves’ versus the ‘nice to haves’.
Cabinetry solutions
Bespoke, high-end kitchens will feature custom cabinets, however you can achieve a similar look at a fraction of the cost. For example, Freedom Kitchens offers flexibility with its extensive range of door styles, colours and finishes and will create a kitchen to suit any style.
HOT TIP: Stick to cabinets rather than drawers. This is much more cost-effective and will leave some extra cash to spend on other luxuries within the kitchen.
On the surface
How you use your kitchen will determine the benchtop you use. Avid entertainers may place more emphasis on achieving an aesthetic centrepiece, whilst an investor may see value in choosing a more economical yet hard-wearing surface.
The most common styles are outlined below:
- Solid Surface – allows for a seamless finish and is hygienic, non-porous, and resistant to stains and heat. It comes in many different colours and is available in matte, semi-gloss and high-gloss finishes.
- Caesarstone – is the most durable stone benchtop. It has the look of natural stone and is highly resistant to staining. Quartz surfacing is low maintenance, non-porous and very hygienic.
- Laminate – is a durable and economical alternative available in a wide range of colours, finishes and textures many of which replicate the current stone colours and timber tops available on the market today.
HOT TIP: Get a designer look by combining two contrasting benchtop colours, materials, heights or thicknesses. The variation will pique interest whist providing the opportunity to include that feature top if it’s on your must have luxury list!
Customise with colour
Create visual interest and make your kitchen look bespoke by adding some colour. Whilst a white kitchen is safe and timeless, play around with a few colour combinations on Freedom Kitchens Kitchen Customiser and see how swapping sections of white cabinetry to black, woodgrain or a bright coloured will take your kitchen from white to WOW.
HOT TIP: Interesting pendant lighting or decorative tiled splashbacks will bring in colour, letting your personality and style shine through.
Get professional help
It’s easy to be tempted with extras during the kitchen design process, so work with a professional designer to set and manage the budget. They can help determine areas to invest and where to cut back. They will help you create the most efficient and spacious layout, as well as offering economical ways to replicate any coveted luxury looks.
–As you can see, there are many ways to trim back by mixing lower-end with upper-end materials without sacrificing your dreams or savings account! To view the latest product range and kitchen displays, visit your local Freedom Kitchens showroom. For a free, in-home kitchen design appointment, visit freedomkitchens.com.au or call 1800 113 733.
2 replies on “Kitchens: get the designer look for less”
Getting professional help is always a good idea! That way, you can work with someone who knows what they are doing, and who has an eye for decorating and renovating. You can hopefully end up with a kitchen you love!
I believe the majority of counter tops that I have had were caesarstone. I am really interested in learning more about laminate benchtops. We are going to be remodeling our house soon, and I just want it to be perfect.