Step 1: Determine Your Budget (boring, I know)

The first and most important step is to determine your budget. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend will guide all your decisions moving forward.

It’s easy to get carried away with ideas and options, but a clear budget helps you stay grounded and focused.

Don’t forget to allocate some funds for unexpected expenses—there are always a few surprises during a renovation! We can help you down the track work to this budget or explain why it might not be enough (or maybe it’s too much for what you want) but having a ballpark figure to work with is a great starting point to ensure you don’t overspend or start to feel unconformable with the process.

Step 2: Find and Hire a Designer

Once you have a budget in place, the next step is to find and hire a designer—like me!

A professional designer can make a world of difference in your kitchen renovation. We can help you with layout designs, choosing the right materials, and ensuring your space is both functional and beautiful.

Designers also have a network of trusted sub-trades, so we can point you in the right direction for hiring electricians, plumbers, and other professionals needed for your project. If you're in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand like myself, hiring a local designer who understands the regional style and suppliers can be particularly beneficial (wink wink, nudge nudge).

Step 3: Assess Your Current Kitchen Layout

Before diving into the fun part of selecting colours and styles, take a step back to assess your current kitchen layout. What works well, and what doesn’t?

Think about the workflow and how you use your kitchen daily. Are the appliances conveniently located? Is there enough counter space? A good designer will help you address these questions and come up with a layout that maximises efficiency and meets your needs.

Step 4: Gather Inspiration

Now comes the fun part—gathering inspiration! Browse through the likes of magazines and Pinterest to get ideas. Create a mood board or a digital folder with images that capture the look and feel you want for your new kitchen.

Sharing this with your designer will help them understand your vision and translate it into a cohesive design plan.

Step 5: Plan for the Essentials

Consider the essentials you need in your kitchen. Think about storage solutions, types of appliances, lighting options, and materials for benchtops and cabinets.

Make a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves. Your designer can help you prioritise these elements based on your budget and space.

Step 6: Schedule a Consultation

Once you’ve gathered your ideas and have a rough vision in mind, schedule a consultation with your designer. During this meeting, discuss your budget, your inspiration, and any specific needs or concerns.

The designer will provide feedback and start developing a plan tailored to your space and preferences.

From there comes the design development, finalising the design, hiring the sub-trades, purchasing appliances, new windows, whatever you need to make it happen, but the main starting point truly is honing in your budget and hiring the right designer.

If you're wondering how to hire the right designer I have a great blog post on that, click here to read.