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kitchen renovation ideas

How To Find the Best Kitchen Renovation Ideas

How To Find the Best Kitchen Renovation Ideas 

Are you ready for a change and wondering how to find ideas for your kitchen renovations? This blog looks at some of the tools you can use to get inspired, including:

  • The Internet
  • Pinterest
  • Magazines
  • Travel
  • Open Homes
  • Kitchen Showrooms

The Internet

Of course, it goes without saying that the internet will be your first port of call. There is literally no limit to the ideas, designs, creativity, and funky innovations available to be discovered online.

Simply start off with your internet search engine and a few keywords of interest to you, such as “open plan kitchen” or “modern kitchen renovation ideas”, and watch yourself fall down the rabbit hole of infinite possibilities. We expect you’ll resurface. Eventually. 

Pinterest 

Yes – Pinterest does count as the internet. However, as one of the largest visual discovery engines available, it deserves a special mention. The great thing about pinterest is that it sorts images by keyword and category, so there’s no need for you to sift through pages of writing to get to the good stuff. The pictures! As the old adage goes, “a picture says a thousand words.”

Pinterest will also conveniently provide you with recommendations for similar search results that match your current “pins” – AKA things you like. So, if you’re going to town with your searches on kitchen trends and renovation ideas, Pinterest will bring you more and more research material to fuel your design inspiration.  

Magazines

A traditional favourite, magazines are easy to pick up at your local supermarket and convenience stores. From interior design to architecture, you’ll find a wide range of titles that will offer inspiration and ideas for your kitchen renovations.

It’s also a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon – flicking through a selection of magazines over a cup of coffee and snacks. You can mark up the pages and pictures of interest, or simply tear them out and create a vision board of ideas to pin up in your kitchen.  

Travel

Travel is a wonderful way to see how interior design differs between cultures and countries, and can plant some great ideas for your home decor. Perhaps you’d like to have your kitchen renovations reflect the beach and surf of Bali, or the bright and vivid colours of Mexico.

You might be amazed at the styles you fall in love with while travelling abroad. The beauty of modern accommodation options like house sitting and AirBnB, is that you get to intimately explore and experience your host’s home. 

Open Homes

Going to open homes can be an interesting, if slightly unconventional way to hawk ideas and do some stealthy kitchen renovation reconnaissance. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy having a nosy and seeing what other people have done in their kitchens?

Why not turn it into a game, and dedicate a weekend to checking out all the open homes in your area? Get into character as a pair of loved-up newlyweds, or a property investor. You can treat yourself to coffee and lunch to debrief and discuss your findings!

Kitchen Showrooms

Kitchen showrooms are a fantastic way to see a wide range of modern kitchen layouts and styles. They conveniently showcase the different styles of kitchen equipment you can choose from, such as ovens, stovetops, cupboards, and lighting. A showroom will also give you a good idea of what materials are available for your kitchen surfaces, including flooring, benchtops, and cabinets. 

Express Kitchens has a dedicated showroom for your convenience, located in Narangba, Brisbane. Stop by anytime to see our quality workmanship and chat to us about ideas for your dream kitchen renovation. 

Come & Visit Our Showroom Today!

FREECALL 1800 675 605  OR CONTACT US ONLINE

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Custom Kitchens

How Do We Build Your Custom Kitchens? Meet Our Trusted Suppliers

How Do We Build Your Custom Kitchens? Meet Our Trusted Suppliers

Express Kitchens proudly designs and manufactures your custom kitchens in our Brendale factory, Brisbane. In order to build the kitchen of your dreams, we have a range of trusted and valued suppliers on hand to provide us with a variety of top quality products and materials. In this blog, we’d like to introduce to you the trade partners that help us to deliver custom kitchens with:

Laminex

The origins of Laminex reside in the suburbs of Melbourne, 1934, where founder Bob Sykes first began creating decorative laminates. Since then, they have grown and diversified their range to include high-quality products such as:

  • Engineered stone
  • Modern laminates
  • Acrylic surfaces; and
  • Timber paneling 

As well as being proudly Australian owned and run, Laminex takes their environmental responsibility seriously, with:

  • Green Tag certification
  • Responsible forest management
  • Innovative recycling and reuse programs 
  • Timber and environmental certifications across manufacturing sites

Multiform

Multiform has been providing exceptional quality benchtop materials since 1986. Based in Carole Park, Brisbane, their factory is home to cutting-edge technology and equipment that guarantees the highest levels of quality assurance. Multiform is passionate about delivering stone, laminate, and solid surface benchtops that stand out from the rest – a great choice for your custom designed kitchen! 

Nikpol

As a 100% Australian owned and operated business, Nikpol supply hardware, decorative surfaces, and appliances to the renovation, recreational vehicle (RV), and construction industries. Since 1978, they’ve worked hard to establish a reputation for being among Europe’s finest design and innovation brands.

Nikpol believes in providing customers with interior solutions that reflect environmental care, awareness, and the need for sustainable solutions. They are both FSC and Green Tag certified, to demonstrate their commitment to social and environmental responsibility.    

Silestone

When it comes to high fashion and style, Silestone is a globally recognised brand. Silestone by Cosentino is a compound made from 90% quartz, known for its high durability, strength, and wide range of colours and textures. 

Of course, who says beauty can’t be practical as well as aesthetically pleasing? With excellent stain resistance, Silestone provides a beautiful and practical choice for kitchen benchtops, bathrooms, floors, and wall cladding. 

Polytec

Polytec is a distributor of cabinet doors, panels, benchtops, and laminates, as a subsidiary of Australian owned company Borg Manufacturing. In addition to quality materials and craftsmanship, Polytec is known for its customer service, innovation, and the use of avant-garde technology and computer manufacturing systems. With such dedication to providing the finest quality, you can rest assured that your custom kitchen will be made of only the best materials!

Nover

Another fantastic Australian owned and operated business, Nover supplies the kitchen and joinery industry throughout Australia. Founded in 1954, Nover has a whopping 60+ years in the industry, and is known for their: 

  • Convenience
  • Range
  • Quality; and
  • Service

With a huge range of more than 25,000 products in 17 categories, Nover are a trusted source of materials for Express Kitchens when building your custom designed kitchen.

Smartstone

Smartstone brings you the best of both worlds with its high-tech engineered quartz. Manufactured with a minimum of 93% quartz, Smartstone quartz combines natural stone with pigments and resins to produce a highly durable surface. Since their establishment in 2002, Smartstone has made a name as a trusted Australian distributor of engineered quartz surfaces – and has recently expanded its distribution to the US, Singapore and New Zealand markets.

Smartstone quartz surfaces can be used in virtually any residential or commercial indoor surfacing application, and thanks to its non-porous quality, is a great choice for: 

  • Kitchen benchtops 
  • Splashbacks
  • Bathroom vanities
  • Bath surrounds; and 
  • Wall panelling 

Hettich

Hettich is a German company that design and produce a variety of fittings to be used for any number of functions when it comes to building custom kitchen cabinetry and other furniture. These include: 

  • Hinges
  • Drawer systems & runners
  • Sliding & folding door systems

At Hettich, they believe that “good furniture needs good solutions” – which is why they combine intelligent technology, functionality, and design to make high-quality, effective products. Whether it’s DIY or professional construction, Hettich offer their significant expertise and advice to get the job done right. 

Caesarstone

Who knew stone better than Ancient Rome? Founded in 1987 near the ancient Roman city of Caesarea, Caesarstone brings a taste of the exotic with its high-quality, premium quartz surfaces. Considered to be a global leader and pioneer in its field, Caesarstone prides itself on its ongoing commitment to research & development, innovation and the highest quality standards.

Caesarstone can be used in residential and commercial interiors, including:

  • Kitchen benchtops, 
  • Splashbacks
  • Bathroom vanities
  • Wall panelling; and
  • Furniture

Formica

Formica are passionate about providing quality, service, and innovative product lines for maximum customer satisfaction. As the world’s largest manufacturer of High Pressure Laminate (HPL), Formica offers a huge collection of laminate, including: 

  • 120 on-trend plain colours 
  • 65 popular woodgrains; and 
  • 62 authentic patterns

These are combined with innovative textures to transform interiors, and are suitable for most applications, such as:

  • Doors
  • Contract furniture; and 
  • Wall panelling. 

Flex Corporation

Flex Corporation are proud to bring local, community values to their customers. As a growing, family-owned Australian business, Flex Corporation are highly focused on delivering quality, trusted products and services to the kitchen industry. They prioritise:  

  • Competitive pricing
  • Great service
  • Offering a wide range of quality products

Flex Corporation specialise in producing innovative and creative melamine products for the cabinetmaking industry. Some of their core products include: 

  • Decorative melamine doors & panels
  • Routered MDF doors
  • Commodity board; and 
  • Laminate benchtops

At Express Kitchens, we believe in delivering only the highest quality of materials and craftsmanship. As you can see from this blog, that’s why we work with only the best! 

Ready to Discuss Your Custom Designed Kitchen?

FREECALL 1800 675 605  OR CONTACT US ONLINE

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For Sophisticated Benchtops, Have You Considered Laminate?

For Sophisticated Benchtops, Have You Considered Laminate?

Laminate products today come in a spectacular array of designs and colours, they are high-tech, durable, easy to clean AND very affordable. When customers ask us why laminate benchtops? We say, why wouldn’t you?

Let’s take a look at the following: 

  • Why Laminate Benchtops? 
  • What Makes Laminex a Top Tier Product? 
  • Which Laminate is Right for You?

Why Laminate Benchtops?

Laminate has had to work pretty hard to shake off its tacky 60’s image; but we think it’s fair to say it’s more than succeeded. When you consider that laminate products were originally developed for insulation purposes, their evolution in recent years is all that more surprising. So what are laminate benchtops like now? Think sophistication, elegance and photo-realistic, think the marble look without the marble price tag!

Let’s take a closer look at why so many people are choosing laminate for their benchtops:

Built to last

Quality laminate products manufactured to exacting Australian standards, can last 20 years and even more, if properly cared for. The laminate products of today come with fire resistant and anti-microbial properties. They are also 100% water resistant and the latest products, from trend-leaders like Laminex, even have scratch resistant properties!

The attractive price tag

A typical laminate benchtop is made from a combination of engineered wood and melamine. While the designs look very classy, the materials used are eminently more affordable than stone or timber. When you appreciate that you can pay anything up to $2000 per square meter for a natural stone benchtop, laminate benchtops start to make a lot of financial sense!

Speedy install 

If you’re concerned about getting your kitchen back quickly, then laminate benchtops are your friend. Unlike say stone or timber, laminate can simply be cut onsite and installed with minimal delay. At Express Kitchens we can install your laminate benchtops, plus the rest of your kitchen, in a single day as part of our signature all-inclusive one day kitchen install.

What Makes Laminex a Top-Tier Product?

At Express Kitchens we choose to source Laminex products for our customers’ laminate benchtops for a host of reasons including: 

  • Laminex is renowned for producing high-tech, laminate products with exceptional durability properties, including scratch resistance and even fingerprint resistance in some lines
  • Laminex has pushed the boundaries in terms of creating an extensive range of contemporary designs with a photo-realistic edge
  • Laminex prides itself as the first business of its kind to achieve Global GreentagCertTM Certification – Global Greentag works to certify products which meet its stringent eco-friendly criteria
  • Laminex was established in Melbourne more than 80 years ago and its products are designed to withstand Australian conditions and to appeal to Australian aesthetics 

Which Laminate is Right for You?

When it comes to choosing a laminate for your kitchen benchtops it can feel a little overwhelming! It can help to consult a kitchen designer and to break your decision making process down into a couple of key criteria: 

Finish 

Laminate benchtops come in a range of finishes including matte, gloss and metallic. Matte finishes tend to be popular in traditional kitchens and are best for concealing scratch marks, while gloss and high gloss finishes are designed to reflect light, creating a more luxurious and brighter feel. The downside to gloss finishes is that they do need more regular cleaning and scratches can be more apparent. Metallic finishes are proving popular for those wanting to make a statement.  

Mimicry

As we discussed above, laminate benchtops come in a wide range of photo-realistic designs, effectively mimicking stone and timber. To the untrained eye it can be hard to spot the original from the mimic! Whether you’re after a warm timber, a classic marble or industrial concrete look, brands like Laminex have you covered. 

Colour 

Your choice of colour will likely be heavily influenced by the colour palette in the rest of your kitchen as well as the colour scheme across your entire house. Don’t be afraid to consider a bold splash of colour. Laminex has a range of flat colours in eye catching shades which can add energy to your kitchen. Whether you’re after something soft and unobtrusive or vibrant and cheeky, there’s a laminate out there for you! 

Want New Laminate Benchtops in One Day?

FREECALL 1800 675 605  OR CONTACT US ONLINE

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kitchen makeover ideas

8 Ideas to Get Your Kitchen Makeover Started!

8 Ideas to Get Your Kitchen Makeover Started!

Designing your kitchen makeover is incredibly exciting – and daunting! Since you’ll be using your kitchen every day, it’s important to make sure you get things just right. Here are 8 ideas to help get you inspired.

  1. Coffee Bar 
  2. Pot & Utensil Racks
  3. Waterfall Benchtops
  4. Kitchen Island & Cooktop
  5. Smooth Glide Drawers
  6. Farmhouse Sink & High-Top Faucet
  7. Butler’s Pantry

1.  Coffee Bar

Ah, coffee. This exquisite beverage that provides the human race with liquid courage to face each day. What better idea than to include a dedicated coffee bar in your new kitchen makeover?

Why rush back and forth around your kitchen for ingredients and equipment, when you could design a coffee and drinks station that has everything you need in one spot!

2. Pot & Utensil Racks

We’ve all done battle with overfilled and cluttered drawers, as we desperately try to find the right utensil, or squeeze in yet another large pot. Not for long! A kitchen makeover is the perfect time to make your life easier with fantastic ideas, such as pot and utensil racks.

A great place to install your handy new racks would be above or next to the stove top – convenient, accessible, not to mention easy to clean!

3. Waterfall Benchtops

If you love to showcase beautiful materials, and enjoy a modern style with clean lines – a waterfall benchtop could be just what you need. Unlike traditional benchtops that are limited to the horizontal counter surface, a waterfall benchtop flows down the vertical line of the bench until it meets the floor. This creates a smooth continuity of the benchtop, and can be used as a focal feature in your kitchen.

You can choose from a range of materials, including: wood, polished concrete, stainless steel, and natural stones of your choice. 

4.  Kitchen Island & Cooktop

If you love to entertain guests while you cook, a key idea for your kitchen makeover would be an island cooktop. Instead of being stuck in a separate room cooking, or standing at the stove with your back to guests, you can use your kitchen island and cooktop to prepare and cook food while having a great time with friends.

5. Smooth Glide Drawers

Does the sound of slamming drawers make you cringe every time you hear it? Are you fed up with drawers left half open by your family? Smooth glide drawers are an effortless solution to this problem – your new drawers can be designed to be both soft-closing and self-closing for your ease and convenience.

6. Farmhouse Sink & High Style Faucet

Let a tiny kitchen sink and awkward taps be a thing of the past by adding a farmhouse sink to your kitchen design. Large, deep, and easy-to-clean, a farmhouse sink and high style faucet will give you plenty of room for all kitchen activities – from filling large pots with water, to washing dishes.

7. Butler’s Pantry

A lack of kitchen storage space can be a major source of frustration – especially in this day and age of decluttering and organisation trends. That’s why the butler’s pantry is making such a comeback to modern kitchens!

A butler’s pantry is a great place to store kitchen appliances so they don’t clutter up your benchtops, and can even be used as a food prep station that can be conveniently closed off and hidden from guests. 

Ready for Your Dream Kitchen?

Now that you’ve done the hard part of choosing your favourite kitchen makeover ideas, Express Kitchens make the rest easy! Our designers will come to you for a free in-home consultation and use comprehensive 3D design technology to create the blueprint for your dream kitchen.

And the easiest part of all? Our 1 Day Kitchen Installation! No need to live in a construction zone for weeks, our professional tradespeople have your brand new kitchen ready to roll when you walk back in at the end of the day.  

Get Started on Your Kitchen Makeover Today!

FREECALL 1800 675 605  OR CONTACT US ONLINE

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installing kitchen cupboards

Installing Kitchen Cupboards – DIY or Professionals?

Installing Kitchen Cupboards – DIY or Professionals?

To DIY or to dial a professional? It’s important to consider your options before making your final decision. Installing kitchen cupboards may sound straightforward, but as we’ll discuss below, that’s not necessarily the case! Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both options to help you decide what’s right for you.

  • The Pros and Cons of Professional Help  
  • The Pros and Cons of Installing Kitchen Cupboards Yourself
  • The Deciding Factor

The Pros and Cons of Professional Help

Pros

For many people, the decision to hire professionals is based in large part on the desire for a hassle-free, quality installation. Basically you want your kitchen back – and in perfect order – as soon as possible!

At Express Kitchens we get this, which is why we offer a streamlined 1 day complete kitchen install for smaller kitchens and laundries. It’s likely, you won’t have to put up with:

  • The inconvenience and cost of staying with family and friends, or renting 
  • The cost of buying meals out for breakfast, lunch and dinner 
  • Renovation dust and mess for days, weeks or even months 

Hiring professionals for installing kitchen cupboards also means you get: 

  • Perfectly aligned, impeccable cabinetry 
  • Any accidents or breakages replaced at no expense
  • A quality and durability guarantee – At Express Kitchens we are pleased to offer a six year guarantee on all workmanship 

Cons 

Of course there can still be downsides…Installing kitchen cupboards takes skill, knowledge and experience. If you hire a ‘professional’ who’s not qualified for the  job, you could end up with more headaches than when you started.

That’s why it’s important to look around for a trusted kitchen installation specialist, rather than choosing ‘that guy with the crazy cheap quote’!

Even when you do hire a quality professional kitchen installer there’s still one drawback and it is of course: 

  • Cost – yes you’ll be paying for a professional’s time so it’ll likely cost you more than a DIY job, unless you botch the DIY job of course!

The Pros and Cons of Installing Kitchen Cupboards Yourself

The biggest reason homeowners opt to DIY is to save money. As we mentioned above, installing kitchen cupboards yourself CAN save you money, so long as you get the job done right.

Let’s take a look at a few of the other positives of DIY:

Pros

  • Sense of satisfaction – There’s nothing quite like the buzz of stepping back and admiring your own handiwork! That’s if you have done an okay job.
  • Transferable skills – While your goal might simply be to install kitchen cupboards; it’s likely you’ll learn new skills in the process which you can then use in your next project
  • Fixability – Installing kitchen cupboards yourself helps you understand their workings. If ever your cupboards need repair, your prior experience means you’re well placed to do them yourself

Looking for a DIY solution for your kitchen cupboards? Check out our 100% Australian-made range.

Cons 

Of course DIY has its shortcomings, if it didn’t, would anyone watch The Block?! You can encounter problems like:  

Safety risks – There’s always the chance you’ll hammer your thumb instead of the nail, but more importantly, removing and installing kitchen cupboards yourself could expose you to harmful substances like asbestos.

Relationship breakdowns – According to a survey by Houzz, 12% of couples consider divorce when renovating. Renovating, especially a vital part of the house like the kitchen, can place a lot of stress on people and on their relationships especially when things don’t go right.

Budget blowouts – Yes, doing it yourself SHOULD save you money but if you order over-priced cabinetry in the wrong size, or have to reorder parts due to damage and need to buy numerous tools to get the job done, it can end up costing you more than engaging a professional!

A second-rate end result –  Sometimes that task that looks super easy on YouTube can be a nightmare in real life. If you don’t have the experience and skill you could end up with a wonky cabinet install that actually detracts from your kitchen. 

The Deciding Factor!

At the end of the day, your decision will likely come down to these two critical factors… your level of experience and belief… or, in other words, whether or not you believe you have the skills to pull off the job. And, your willingness to endure the extra hassle!

To help you out we’ve put together a summary of the key skills you’ll need to possess: 

  • Measuring and Design Skills – You need to be confident in taking precise measurements so your cabinetry will fit seamlessly together and mould around existing appliances. It also helps to have a good sense of design; s the style of cabinetry appropriate for the space? Will the cabinetry layout boost the functionality of your kitchen?
  • Assemblage Know-how – If you struggle to assemble flat pack furniture, then assembling kitchen cabinetry may not be for you!
  • Installation Skills –  Installing kitchen cupboards requires knowledge and skill and tasks need to be done in the right order. Did you know for instance that you can actually split your cabinets if you fail to pre-drill holes? You can also risk damage to your walls if you overload a wall that lacks the structural strength to support the weight

Save Hassle with Express Kitchen

FREECALL 1800 675 605  OR CONTACT US ONLINE

Installing Kitchen Cupboards
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Time to Revamp Your Kitchen? Here’s How!

Time to Revamp Your Kitchen? Here’s How!

Are you feeling bored with your current kitchen design? If you’re craving something different, a great way to revitalise a kitchen is to update your kitchen cupboard design. As we change over time, so too does our style, needs, and preferences. So, it makes sense that we want our home environment to evolve with us. Given the amount of time we spend in the kitchen on food preparation and meals, not to mention socialising, it’s no wonder that home renovations usually begin here.

While the idea of renovating your kitchen might be appealing, many people feel overwhelmed with the fuss and inconvenience of a construction site in the house. However, revamping your space with a new and improved kitchen cupboard design is an easy way to breathe new life into your kitchen. If you want to enjoy a change without having to undertake major renovations, new cupboards are a  wonderful cosmetic application that has a significant impact on the look and feel of your kitchen. If you’re not sure about how you want to transform your kitchen, here are some ideas to get you started!

Traditional Kitchen Cupboard Design

To create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your kitchen, you can’t go wrong with a traditional wooden kitchen cupboard design. Not only are wooden cabinets extremely long-lasting, they can also be paired with a wide range of home decor. With a wonderful variety of wood colours, patterns, and shades to choose from, you can design beautiful wooden cabinets that will perfectly complement the style of your kitchen. To add extra flair to your cupboards, have customised handles made from leather, or metals such as aged brass and brushed copper.   

Sleek Kitchen Cupboard Design for Modern Vibes

If you enjoy sleek, clean lines in your kitchen, opt for a handleless kitchen cupboard design. Without the clutter of handles to distract the eye, handleless cupboards bring a simple and minimalist feel to any kitchen shape or style. Furthermore, they boast the additional benefits of being safer and easier to clean. With no handles in the way, you won’t be sporting any bruises from an unfortunate run in with your kitchen drawers. It also leaves flat, unobstructed cupboard surfaces that are easy to wipe down, without the hassle of trying to clean around / between handles.

Feng Shui Your Home With Kitchen Cupboard Design

An ancient Chinese art, feng shui looks at how the arrangement of objects and subsequent flow of energy in a space can impact the inhabitants. For example, think about a time when you’ve been in a room that is dirty and full of furniture / belongings – for most people in this situation, it doesn’t feel good. Then think about how good you felt after you cleaned and rearranged this space – suddenly the energy of the room feels so much lighter and spacious than before!

A key principle of good feng shui in the kitchen is to keep it free from clutter. A great way to declutter your kitchen is to have a kitchen cupboard design that supports this goal. Namely, your cupboards should have enough space in them to store your kitchen utensils, in addition to the plethora of gadgets that cover the surface area of most kitchens. When designing your cabinets, it’s also recommended to consider how easy or difficult they’ll be to clean. Choosing a simple design that allows easy access means you won’t be cursing awkward locations when you are cleaning them in future.

A Kitchen Cupboard Design That Works for You

If you’d love to fit your kitchen with a customised kitchen cupboard design, or engage a complete renovation, Express Kitchens Brisbane have the solution you need. How do you get started? It’s easy! Contact us today to book your free 1 hour consultation, where our designers will make a home visit to discuss your needs. Based on the requirements of you and your home, we use 3D design technology to create a customised kitchen, which is then manufactured locally at our Narangba factory.

We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, and dedicated to providing quality products and services to our customers. This includes our 1 day installation service (*Conditions Apply), aimed to save you from the inconvenience of being without a functional kitchen for any length of time. With Express Kitchens Brisbane, we make sure that when you arrive home for the day, your kitchen is ready for action!

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kitchen makeover ideas

DIY or Experienced Kitchen Installers?

DIY or Experienced Kitchen Installers?
How To Determine the Best Option For You

With the rising popularity of home improvement shows that feature crafty DIY projects, more people are braving the DIY option for kitchen renovations as opposed to hiring professional kitchen installers.

While this can certainly be a fun, exciting, and oftentimes cheaper route for experienced DIYers, there are certain times where this option can end up causing more headaches, costing more money, and doing more damage than the alternative.

So how do you know when DIY is appropriate, and when you need to hire professional kitchen installers?

In this article we share everything you need to know so you can avoid a costly DIY disaster!

When Do You Need Licensed Kitchen Installers?

Quite often, the successful DIYers are the ones who actually hold licensed trade qualifications themselves. When it comes to plumbing, electrical wiring, appliance handling or cabinet making, a successful DIYer will either hold licenses in at least one of these major areas, if not more, and/or have licensed tradespeople they can call on if they run into trouble.

You may think that your kitchen renovation project is minimal enough that you do not require licensed kitchen installers. However, this could end up being a costly assumption. Why?

Quite simply, you may think certain tradespeople won’t be required, however more often than not, you will come across challenges you hadn’t anticipated that go beyond your expertise. When this happens, you will need to call an external tradesperson to help you deal with this problem… which can end up costing more money and delaying your project if you haven’t pre-planned or pre-budgeted for this… more so than if you had just hired expert kitchen installers in the first place.

Also beware, if an unlicensed person tinkers with plumbing or wiring in your kitchen and something goes wrong, your insurance won’t cover it… not to mention, you put you and your family’s safety at risk.

At Express Kitchens, we believe safety should be your number one priority. If you are inexperienced or don’t hold any formal trades qualifications, don’t risk it. Hire experienced kitchen installers to do the job for you, or at the least, make sure you have pre-organised all the necessary tradespersons to be ready to go if and when you should need them.

If you are determined to go the DIY option and have lots of experience doing home renos, then we highly recommend you’ve gone through a detailed planning process. Make sure you plan for anything and everything that could possibly go wrong, in addition to everything you anticipate needing.

Which Option Saves More Money?

Most people are under the impression DIY is cheaper… and while this can sometimes be the case if you are experienced and know what you’re doing, this assumption can also be misleading.

Without the right experience and advice, DIY jobs can often be of much lower quality, which means the job won’t last as long. You may end up spending more money overtime trying to achieve your dream kitchen then if you had just hired experienced kitchen installers upfront.

Short-Term Solution or Long-Term Gain?

If you are looking for a solution that’s going to stand the test of time, we always recommend hiring experienced kitchen installers who have a track record for quality kitchen renos.

If you only require a temporary fix with the intention to pursue a longer term renovation solution later on, then DIY could be a good temporary option.

Just make sure your short-term fix doesn’t risk covering up damage that gets worse over time… as this could end up costing more to fix when you finally decide to pursue a longer-term solution.

At Express Kitchens, we offer Brisbane residents, and coast to coast, affordable kitchen renovations, including our 1 Day Kitchen Install, all carried out by experienced kitchen installers *Conditions Apply.

At Express Kitchen we aim to be the go-to experts for experienced kitchen installers in Brisbane and surrounds, helping you create your dream kitchen quickly at a price you can afford. Call us today for your FREE in-home consultation. After all, every great kitchen begins with a great design.

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It’s Time To Clear Out Your Kitchen Cabinets

It’s Time To Clear Out Your Kitchen Cabinets

What is the current state of your kitchen cabinets? Truthfully now – do you enjoy a tidy, spacious and well-organised kitchen that’s quite simply a pleasure to be in? Or is your kitchen submersed in a state of chaos and confusion that you avoid at all costs? It’s safe to say that when navigating your kitchen is an unpleasant activity, now is the time to make a change!

Kitchen cabinets are extremely handy – without them, where else would you frantically hide the culinary clutter before visitors arrive? Unfortunately, when they’re dirty, untidy and jam-packed with junk, using your kitchen quickly becomes an unwelcome experience.

Yet for many of us, the very thought of conducting any kind of clear-out invokes heart palpitations. And let’s be honest, nobody enjoys the task of cleaning their kitchen cabinets! Nevertheless, there are some definite benefits to be had when you work up the courage to give your kitchen cabinets a much-needed overhaul…

What’s Living In Your Kitchen Cabinets?

This can be a tough question to answer when you can’t see past the first few items in any of your kitchen cabinets! Taking the time to organise this space provides a fantastic opportunity to inventory your kitchen stock. You may discover equipment, cutlery, utensils, and food items that you had entirely forgotten. Consequently, there’s a distinct possibility that you’re in possession of a variety of duplicates – or is your ownership of three cheese graters deliberate?

When you remove everything from the kitchen cabinets so as to give them a proper clean, you may need more spray’n’wipe than anticipated. Your cupboards may be ‘alive’, thanks to accidental food spills and leakages in a warm / damp environment – the perfect conditions for mould to flourish. Especially in those dark and awkward corners that always manage to escape the occasional cursory wipe-down. Vanishing this unwanted tenant is an important part of maintaining good health and hygiene in your home.

Despite the uncomfortable side of housekeeping, cleanliness is indeed next to godliness, and a sparkling clean kitchen is no exception. Not to mention the immense satisfaction of finally checking that chore off your household to-do list!

Feng Shui Your Kitchen Cabinets

The ancient art and science of feng shui teaches how to use and arrange your space to effect the greatest level of health, wellbeing and prosperity. Feng shui considers the kitchen to be the most important room as the heart of the household which provides the nourishment of life. The practice of feng shui dates back over 6,000 years in Chinese culture, and is becoming increasingly renown and utilised in the western world.

An example of this is Marie Kondo, bestselling author of “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” and creator of the KonMari Method. Inspired by feng shui, the popularity of her teachings with audiences around the world makes it clear that she’s on to something! Having a tidy and well-organised home (your kitchen cabinets included) can bring increased joy in life as part of the practice of mindfulness and introspection.   

Preparing For Your Kitchen Renovation

Last but not least, if a kitchen renovation is on the cards, clearing out your kitchen cabinets is the perfect preparation. Not only will it make moving into your new kitchen much easier, but it also gives you the chance to let go of any kitchen clutter that you no longer need. Instead of throwing things out, you can donate the unwanted items to your local goodwill store where they can be reused and recycled.

If a kitchen renovation has been on your wishlist forever, Express Kitchens Brisbane have the solution you need! Our kitchens are custom designed to fit your available space, and are built in our local Narangba factory. With more than 2 decades of industry experience, we have honed our craft in order to provide superior quality at affordable prices.

To learn more about how Express Kitchens can help turn your dream kitchen into a reality, contact us today on 1800 675 605 to book your free consultation.

Image source: Jose Soriano

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Modern Kitchen Makeovers

What To Look For When It Comes To Getting Modern Kitchen Makeovers

What To Look For When It Comes
To Getting Modern Kitchen Makeovers

So you’ve just opened your favourite home renovation magazine, and are flicking through the modern kitchen makeovers section for inspiration. Perhaps you’ve been looking at getting your kitchen renovated for some time, but you’re not sure what style or design will best suit your space. Perhaps you have a design in mind, but are not sure what kitchen renovation company to go with.

Whatever the case, we’ve broken down some of the key things to look for when it comes to modern kitchen makeovers, so you can get the dream kitchen you’ve always wanted!

Keep It Consistent

One of the major rules when it comes to modern kitchen makeovers is to keep the design consistent with the rest of your home.

For example, if you’re living in a Queenslander style home with dark wood floorboards, then chances are you’re not going to want to go with a sleek design that won’t suit the look and feel of the rest of your home. You may opt for a modern design still, but one that utilises more natural components, such as natural looking tiles or glass, stone bench tops, stainless steel appliances and cream walls to offset the dark flooring in other parts of the house, as an example.

If your home is spacious and airy, you want your kitchen to feel spacious and airy as well. If your home has a sleek, clean inner-city feel, you’ll want your kitchen to emanate this aesthetic.

All of this is especially important to consider if you plan to sell your home at any point in the future. You want to be sure that the time and money spent on modern kitchen makeovers is going to maximise the value of your property and appeal to potential buyers long-term.

Make Sure It’s Practical

Yes, aesthetic is very important when it comes to modern kitchen makeovers, but so is functional design. In fact, too many people emphasise the aesthetic, and forget about making the kitchen practical!

Remember, the kitchen is the heart of the home. When done right, you can get the best of both worlds; a sleek, modern looking kitchen that has the right aesthetic appeal, and is also completely functional.

We always recommend consulting an expert when it comes to the design and layout for modern kitchen makeovers. Why? Quite simply, an experienced designer can flag potential problem areas you may have overlooked, such as where the fridge is located, the height of the benchtops, where the cabinetry is located, or how ventilation is flowing.

Consult An Expert

With the rising popularity of so many home improvement shows, it’s easy enough to think that you can do your kitchen renovation yourself. While small jobs may be possible, here’s the danger… often, kitchen renovations require licensed experts, such as:

  • Plumbers
  • Electricians
  • Licensed Builders
  • And more

Without the use of licensed, experienced professionals – you risk making major mistakes that could potentially cost you more time and money in fixer uppers long-term.

When you choose an experienced, licensed professional to work with, you know you’re fully covered for workmanship and the various moving parts.

Looking to consult an experienced, professional designer on modern kitchen makeovers? Express Kitchens specialises in transforming Brisbane kitchens from old and outdated, to modern and functional – all done quickly and cost-effectively to ensure you get the modern kitchen makeover you desire. We offer complimentary, no obligation consultations with one of our qualified kitchen designers. To book your Free session, simply submit an enquiry online.

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Brisbane Northside Kitchens

Calling All Brisbane Northside Kitchens – It’s Your Time To Impress!

Calling All Brisbane Northside Kitchens
It’s Your Time To Impress!

For many of us, our kitchen is our haven! The kitchen is arguably the room in the house that sees the most activity – for singles, couples, and families alike. Whether yours is one of the south Sydney, northern Cairns, or Brisbane northside kitchens, we all want our kitchen to be a spacious and flowing place that feels good. No tripping over the dishwasher, or having to constantly sidestep family members to get to your coffee machine!

If you’re a Queenslander with your dream kitchen in mind, lucky you – you can sit back and relax while many others do battle with their kitchens daily. Any Brisbane northside kitchens that are in sad need of a renovation, you’ll probably have intimate experience with some of the problems we cover in this article.

Brisbane Northside Kitchens Built Sometime Between the 1950’s – 1990’s

With increased numbers of immigrants and baby boomers, Brisbane experienced a growth spurt from the late 1940s – 1950s. Many houses were built during this time, dictating the style and layout for kitchens throughout Brisbane and other areas as the city limits stretched outwards. So, unless your kitchen has been renovated in the last decade, it’s any wonder it may no longer be meeting the needs and lifestyle of today’s hectic living standards.

Some of the less appealing styles over the years include small kitchen spaces tucked away from living areas, with poky cupboards and interesting wallpaper to say the least. Or perhaps you get to enjoy faded linoleum with “funky” patterns that remind you of when you were a kid?

While everybody loves a good fancy dress party, and retro is always a fun theme – when it comes to our kitchens, we want sleek and modern. Let’s be honest, if your Brisbane northside kitchens look like you’re stuck in a time warp from the “swinging 60s” – a new kitchen is just what the doctor ordered.

There’s Just Not Enough Space!

Thanks to the joys of technology, we all love our gadgets that make culinary life a breeze. Just one problem – space! If you’re suffering from a kitchen that is cramped and poorly designed, you’re kitchen is probably hopelessly cluttered.

Do you dare to dream of the day you can fit your blender, coffee machine, food processor, and toaster seamlessly on the bench all at the same time? Do you find yourself daydreaming of a kitchen where you have enough space for your food, crockery, cutlery, and cooking implements? If the thought of cleaning awkward-to-reach storage cupboards brings you to tears, it’s time for a kitchen remodel!

Brisbane Northside Kitchens With Poor Workflow

Is there anything more frustrating than a kitchen with a terrible workflow? It’s a ‘real’ dilemma for some of us who have to traipse back and forth around the kitchen just to get from the sink to the prep bench, then back to the oven. Not to mention having to squeeze past others in the kitchen thanks to narrow walkways and an inefficient layout.

Even in small houses, a kitchen can be well-designed to perfectly fit the space available – and Brisbane northside kitchens can be designed this way, no exception. Perhaps it means knocking out the wall between the kitchen / living room, putting in an island bench, or changing the style of your storage cupboards.

There are numerous ways that layout can be adjusted to create a kitchen with maximum flow, convenience and space. A fabulous kitchen that you love doesn’t have to be a distant dream – you’ll be amazed at what an improved design and skilled renovation can achieve!

For all the weary souls frustrated by their Brisbane northside kitchens and ready to experience the kitchen of their dreams, get in touch with us today for a free renovation consultation. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about our customised design kitchens – from the 3D design technology used by our professional designers, to the express 1 day kitchen installation *Conditions Apply.

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