How to plan a kitchen renovation in Melbourne

A practical kitchen plan moves from needs and constraints to layout, services, cabinetry, materials and delivery. Starting with finishes can create expensive conflicts later, particularly when an appliance, sink, power point, wall or doorway does not work with the proposed layout.

1. Define the renovation brief. List what does not work in the existing kitchen, what must improve and which items are non-negotiable.
2. Assess the existing space. Confirm room dimensions, windows, doors, ceiling conditions, existing services and any obvious structural constraints.
3. Resolve the layout. Decide where the main work zones, tall units, preparation surfaces, sink, cooking appliances and refrigeration should sit.
4. Coordinate plumbing and electrical requirements. Confirm whether services can stay in place or whether the preferred layout requires changes.
5. Specify appliances and fixtures. Dimensions and installation requirements can affect cabinetry, clearances, power, ventilation and plumbing.
6. Develop cabinetry and storage. Plan drawers, cupboards, pantry space, waste storage and frequently used items around everyday workflow.
7. Select surfaces and finishes. Choose benchtops, splashbacks, flooring, cabinet finishes, handles and lighting after the functional design is stable.
8. Confirm approvals, trade requirements and documentation. Requirements vary with the property and the scope of building, plumbing, electrical or structural work.
9. Finalise the scope before work starts. The drawings, selections, responsibilities and exclusions should be clear enough for the project team and homeowner to work from the same information.

Start with function, not finishes

The most useful renovation brief describes how the household uses the kitchen. A family that prepares several meals at once has different needs from a household that mainly needs efficient storage and quick weekday cooking. A landlord may prioritise durable, serviceable finishes, while an owner-occupier may place more emphasis on customised storage, entertaining and long-term usability.

Before considering style, write down the recurring problems in the current room. Common examples include insufficient preparation space, poor access to pantry items, awkward traffic through the cooking zone, limited power points, inadequate task lighting, a dishwasher blocking circulation, or a refrigerator door conflicting with surrounding cabinetry.

Also identify what already works. Keeping a functional element can reduce unnecessary changes and help focus the renovation on the problems that matter most.

Make the layout decision before choosing cabinetry

Layout is one of the highest-impact decisions in a kitchen renovation. It determines circulation, storage potential, appliance positions and how many services may need to change. Galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, peninsula and island layouts can all work well, but the right option depends on the room rather than the trend.

Check how people enter, move through and leave the kitchen. Consider whether an open appliance door blocks a walkway, whether two people can work without competing for the same space, and whether an island improves the room or simply makes circulation tighter.

If the kitchen connects to dining or living areas, plan those relationships at the same time. A visually impressive island is not useful if it interrupts a primary traffic path or reduces comfortable access to storage and appliances.

Decide early whether plumbing and electrical services need to move

Changing the position of a sink, dishwasher, cooktop, oven, refrigerator water connection or lighting can affect the technical scope. Moving plumbing is not automatically a problem, but it should be considered during layout planning rather than after cabinetry has been designed.

In Victoria, plumbing work must be carried out by an appropriately registered or licensed plumbing practitioner for the relevant class of work, and some plumbing work requires a compliance certificate issued by a licensed plumber. Electrical installation work must be completed through appropriately licensed electrical practitioners and contractors. These requirements make early trade coordination important when the preferred kitchen layout changes existing services.

For projects where plumbing forms part of the renovation scope, review the relevant plumbing services at the planning stage rather than treating plumbing as a late installation task.

Specify appliances before the cabinetry is final

Cabinetry should be designed around confirmed appliance dimensions and installation requirements. Refrigerators, wall ovens, cooktops, rangehoods, dishwashers and built-in microwaves vary in size and clearance requirements. Even products that appear similar can require different openings, ventilation or service locations.

Record the exact model or a confirmed dimensional specification before cabinetry reaches final documentation. If a product has not been selected, allow for that uncertainty in the design rather than assuming a generic size will fit later.

This is also the stage to consider future replacement. A highly customised opening can look integrated, but it may narrow replacement options if the appliance eventually changes.

Plan storage around tasks and frequency of use

Good storage is not simply the maximum number of cupboards. It places the right items near the tasks where they are used. Everyday cookware is more useful near the cooking area than across the room. Waste and recycling storage should support food preparation and clean-up. Frequently used dishes should be easy to reach without interrupting someone working at the cooktop.

Drawers can improve access to deep storage because contents come to the user rather than being hidden behind items at the front. Tall pantry storage can use vertical space efficiently, but internal access still matters. Corner solutions should be assessed for usable capacity, not just theoretical volume.

Before approving cabinetry, check where small appliances will live. If the toaster, coffee machine and air fryer remain permanently on the benchtop, the plan should allow adequate usable preparation space around them.

Choose materials for the way the kitchen will be used

Benchtops, cabinet fronts, splashbacks, flooring, handles and tapware should be compared on more than appearance. Consider cleaning, resistance to everyday wear, repairability, moisture exposure, heat exposure where relevant, and how easy an item may be to replace or service later.

For investment properties and busy households, a finish that is straightforward to maintain may be more practical than a delicate surface chosen primarily for appearance. For owner-occupied homes, the decision may balance tactile quality, design character and long-term maintenance.

Ask for current product specifications where performance matters. Product ranges and manufacturer requirements can change, so selections should be checked against the current technical information for the actual product being installed.

Check permits and property constraints before demolition

Not every internal kitchen renovation needs the same approvals. Requirements depend on the proposed work and the property. A planning permit and a building permit are different approvals in Victoria, and a project may require one, both or neither depending on the circumstances.

If the renovation changes structural elements, openings, building work or other regulated parts of the property, confirm requirements with the relevant building surveyor, council or Victorian authority before work starts. Planning controls can also vary by property. Victoria’s planning property report and VicPlan can identify zones and overlays that apply to a specific address.

Apartment and owners corporation properties may have additional access, common-property, noise or approval requirements. These should be checked before ordering materials or locking in site work.

Older properties also require care during demolition. If materials may contain asbestos, do not disturb them until the risk has been appropriately assessed and the correct removal requirements are understood.

Create a scope that contractors can actually price and deliver

A useful renovation scope should be more specific than “new kitchen”. It should define what is being removed, retained, supplied, installed or changed. Where possible, include drawings, cabinetry details, appliance schedules, fixture selections, finish schedules and known service changes.

Clarify responsibility for appliance supply, demolition, rubbish removal, plumbing, electrical work, flooring, painting, splashbacks, permits where applicable and final making-good. Also document exclusions. Unclear boundaries create different assumptions between quotes and make meaningful comparison difficult.

Victorian building contract requirements vary with the type and value of work. Before signing, use current Consumer Affairs Victoria and Building and Plumbing Commission guidance to confirm what documentation and practitioner requirements apply to your project.

Kitchen renovation planning checklist

• Write a list of existing kitchen problems and project priorities.
• Measure the room and record windows, doors and major fixed elements.
• Decide whether the existing layout should stay or change.
• Confirm appliance models or dimensions before final cabinetry documentation.
• Identify proposed plumbing, electrical and ventilation changes.
• Plan storage by task, reach and frequency of use.
• Compare materials by maintenance and performance as well as appearance.
• Check property-specific planning, building, owners corporation and access constraints where relevant.
• Confirm who is responsible for each trade, supply item and approval.
• Review the written scope, selections and exclusions before construction begins.

Common kitchen renovation planning mistakes

Choosing finishes before the layout is resolved

Finishes are easier to change than room geometry, service locations and cabinetry. Resolve the functional plan first.

Designing around assumed appliance sizes

Small dimensional differences can affect cabinet openings, ventilation and clearances. Use actual specifications wherever possible.

Moving services without assessing the consequences

A new layout may justify moving plumbing or electrical points, but the decision should be based on function and feasibility rather than appearance alone.

Leaving trade coordination until construction

Cabinetry, plumbing, electrical work, flooring, tiling and painting have dependencies. The scope should show how these parts interact before site work begins.

Comparing quotes with different scopes

A lower figure is not directly comparable if it excludes work included elsewhere. Compare the same drawings, selections, responsibilities and exclusions.

When to arrange a professional kitchen assessment

A professional assessment is useful when you are considering a major layout change, moving plumbing, altering walls, integrating the kitchen into a larger renovation, or when the existing room has constraints that are difficult to resolve from measurements alone.

Everest’s current consultation process covers layout, style, budget, timeline and technical considerations such as structural, plumbing and electrical issues. For projects that extend beyond the kitchen, the broader renovation scope may also need to be coordinated with whole-home works.

To discuss a kitchen renovation in Melbourne, review the kitchen and bathroom renovation service and book a consultation for a property-specific assessment and project scope.

Frequently asked questions

What should I decide first when planning a kitchen renovation?

Start with function: the problems with the current kitchen, the household’s priorities, the preferred layout and any constraints that could affect services or building work. Finish selections should come after these decisions.

Should I keep the sink and appliances in their current positions?

Keeping services in place can simplify a project, but it should not automatically override a poor layout. Assess the functional benefit of moving an item against the additional technical work required.

Do I need a permit for a kitchen renovation in Melbourne?

It depends on the scope and the property. Planning permits and building permits are separate, and requirements can change when work affects structural elements or other regulated building components. Confirm the requirements for the specific address and proposed works before construction.

Can a kitchen renovation include plumbing changes?

Yes, subject to site conditions and the proposed design. Plumbing work in Victoria must be carried out by an appropriately registered or licensed practitioner, and compliance certificate requirements may apply depending on the work.

When should I choose appliances?

Choose or at least confirm appliance dimensions before final cabinetry documentation. Appliance size, ventilation, clearances and service requirements can affect the design.

What information should I prepare for a kitchen renovation consultation?

Bring photos or a video of the existing space, a list of problems and priorities, preferred layout ideas, known property information, appliance preferences and a realistic budget range. This makes it easier to assess feasibility and define the next steps.