10 Ways With $10,000

Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to cost a fortune – if you spend wisely you can create incredible impact, even on a low budget

- Kylie Jackes

We all covet a beautiful kitchen, yet if your space needs a significant overhaul, the dream can seem out of reach. “Often kitchen renovations are put on the back burner because people think it’s too hard, expensive or inconvenient,” explains Jess Hunter of Jess Hunter Interior Design. But it doesn’t have to be. With a budget under $10,000 it is possible to reinvent the space if you know what to change and where to spend, says Jess. To help inspire your own kitchen makeover we’ve rounded up expert ideas to address problem areas and stretch your budget to create revitalising change.

1 ADD DINING

Chris Ruffe of Bondi Kitchens suggests capitalising on a trend towards informal kitchen dining by exploring the possibility of creating a breakfast bar. Expand the island top or create a generous peninsula overhang to comfortably accommodate stools below (as seen here).

2 ENHANCE SURFACE APPEAL

For a fresh look, replace the splashback with new tiles (right) or a stone feature (above), suggests Chris of Bondi Kitchens. “A plain island bench can be enhanced with a new face panel in marble tile, a large piece of engineered stone or Porta Contours timber lining boards, which adds depth, texture and visual interest,” he says. “Just ensure that when you’re choosing any feature materials, you also budget for the installation too.

3 HIT THE FLOOR