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Key Considerations When Designing a New Kitchen

The kitchen is known as being the heart of the home, so there is a lot of pressure to get a Melbourne kitchen design right. Having a kitchen design layout that is as functional as it is beautiful is important when it comes to having a long-lasting kitchen. The best way to ensure that your kitchen ticks both boxes is ample planning.   Any Melbourne kitchen design can be an overwhelming process. That’s why we at Zesta Kitchens have put together a quick list of top considerations to be made when planning your new kitchen layout.   1. Functionality   The functionality of your kitchen should be at the core of every step of your Melbourne kitchen design. A functional kitchen will address all of your needs, including: Appliances and their placement (including their dimensions) Storage (shelving, cabinetry, drawers, etc.) Benchtop space Organisation options (including cabinetry and drawer options) Water, [...]

Key Considerations When Designing a New Kitchen2019-07-17T12:57:30+10:00

Will Black Kitchens Make Your Space Look Smaller?

As any Melbourne Kitchen Designer will tell you, dark and dramatic kitchen cabinetry has seen a surge in popularity lately. From giving kitchens a stylish contemporary vibe to helping define spaces and providing a dramatic backdrop for vivid shades, the demand for black kitchen cabinetry is on the rise. But here’s the challenge: do dark colours make spaces look and feel smaller than they actually are? If so, shouldn’t they be avoided in a small kitchen? The Short Of It: Yes, Black Cabinets Can Visually “Shrink” a Space. Unlike lighter tones and colours, dark colours absorb light rather than reflect it throughout a space. This can cause a room to feel more cramped. The important part of the last sentence is the word “can”. Yes, black cabinetry can make a room feel more confining than it actually is. But colour techniques, design concepts, lighting and more can trick anyone’s eye [...]

Will Black Kitchens Make Your Space Look Smaller?2019-07-17T12:55:17+10:00

Kitchen Pantry Systems: Pros and Cons

Pantries have come a long way in the past decade. Once essentially a large cupboard for storing food, major innovations in the kitchen design industry have led to vast improvements in how we can store and organise our ingredients.   Navigating your choices can be a bit tricky, so we’ve put together a guide that we hope will help you determine which of the five pantry systems will be best for your new or renovated kitchen.   Pull-Out Baskets   The Good Requiring minimal cleaning, this pantry option puts everything you need front and centre. Homeowners will also appreciate the ease of the pull out with the ease of pull out so that you can view pantry contents easily.   The Bad Some may argue that they look cheap. Do your research as there are an array of pull-out baskets available of varying quality and features. The ones we sell [...]

Kitchen Pantry Systems: Pros and Cons2019-06-13T11:53:27+10:00

A Spotlight on Black Kitchens: Pros and Cons

There are so many things to consider when designing your new kitchen. Durability, layout, and features all top the list. The other element which homeowners struggle with is the colour of their kitchen. There are some classic colour selections out there which rarely go out of style. Then there are other colour options – like black kitchens. The colour of your kitchen is going to affect the look and feel of the entire space. To help you decide whether a black kitchen is right for you, we’ve put together a quick list of pros and cons.   The pros of owning a black kitchen   An on-trend colour option for your space Black is starting to become a cutting edge trend in kitchen design. Getting in on the colour trend now means that you’ll be ahead of the curve.   A slick and modern colour Grey tones have been a [...]

A Spotlight on Black Kitchens: Pros and Cons2019-06-13T11:25:23+10:00

Where to Get Inspiration for Your Kitchen Renovation

Are you considering a kitchen renovation in Melbourne? Then you’re likely on the hunt for a fresh helping of kitchen inspiration. If you’re not sure where to look, here’s a quick rundown of where you can find fresh ideas for your new kitchen.   Websites   The internet is a treasure trove of kitchen design inspiration. Here you’ll find almost any thinkable – as well as unthinkable – design idea which can get the gears moving on your own kitchen project. There are many websites out there to draw inspiration from, like Houzz, Instagram, and Pinterest. Just be aware that when you start a kitchen design search online that you may suddenly find yourself looking up from the screen to discover that hours have slipped by.   Home and garden magazines   Magazines are loaded with gorgeous images showcasing the best kitchen designs and layouts. The benefit of looking through [...]

Where to Get Inspiration for Your Kitchen Renovation2019-05-23T09:44:55+10:00

Lessons Learned from over 6,000 Kitchen Renovations

Since starting kitchen renovations back in 1946, we’ve learned a thing or two about kitchens. Today we’re going to share some of the most important lessons which will benefit anyone planning a kitchen renovation, starting with:   Take time when choosing your cabinets   An organised and functional kitchen needs to have quality cabinets. There are many styles available on the market today, which can make the process quite overwhelming for some. Start by deciding whether you prefer a modern or a traditional look, and then start shopping for styles. Think about the size of your kitchen and how the cabinetry will work with your space (for example, if you have a smaller kitchen, look into some space-saving options like carousel corner cabinets). Next, choose the right material for both your budget and your expectations.  You may like gloss cabinetry, however gloss can display marks when the light enters your [...]

Lessons Learned from over 6,000 Kitchen Renovations2019-05-23T09:42:12+10:00

Five Sure-fire Signs It’s Time to Renovate Your Kitchen

If your home is like many others in Australia, it was built anywhere from 20 to 40 years ago – and the kitchen is likely to be just as old as the home. But does that necessarily mean that you need to renovate that space? Here are five surefire signs your kitchen is crying out for an update, starting with the first:   You hate it and hate using it   If your kitchen is falling apart, ugly, or so outdated you can’t stand setting foot in it, it’s time for a renovation. While your friends love you for who you are, you still find the room so embarrassing that you feel uncomfortable bringing your most trusted friend or family member into the space.   There isn’t enough room   You know you don’t have enough space in your kitchen if: Your cabinets are packed and kitchen items are being [...]

Five Sure-fire Signs It’s Time to Renovate Your Kitchen2019-04-24T15:58:16+10:00

A Realistic Look at How Long It Takes to Build a Kitchen in Melbourne

How long do you think the average Melbourne Kitchen Renovation takes? Two weeks? A month? A Zesta Kitchen Renovation in your home typically takes less time than other kitchen renovations. But it’s still important to set realistic expectations of how long your kitchen renovation will take, particularly if you have future plans which may interfere with the process or if you have a certain date you plan on having potential home buyers over to view the property. The first and most important step typically takes the longest, and it’s hard to say exactly how long it will take:   Choosing your perfect kitchen   Time: 2 to 8 weeks This can take months, if not years, if you haven’t seriously been considering a kitchen renovation. If you choose to work with one of our Kitchen Designers, you will need to take into account the time you’ll spend meeting with them [...]

A Realistic Look at How Long It Takes to Build a Kitchen in Melbourne2019-06-12T21:00:04+10:00

Renovating Your Kitchen: The Case to Improve Rather Than Move

When spaces start to feel a bit cramped, the question as to whether to “move or improve?” begins to tickle the minds of homeowners. While moving may seem like the “best” solution, the fact remains that you can’t buy a great neighbourhood. Here in Australia, there’s another factor to take into consideration: declining housing prices. Just a couple of years ago the money you may be able to scoop for your property likely won’t come close to what you’d get now, and many homeowners may even be left in a deficit if they sell.   Survey Says: Housing Prices on the Decline A recent National Australia Bank (NAB) survey of 2,000 Australian consumers found that the majority of respondents don’t think that this year is the year to sell their personal or investment property. On average, respondents believed that the price of housing would fall 2.1 per cent over the [...]

Renovating Your Kitchen: The Case to Improve Rather Than Move2019-03-26T16:36:49+10:00

Five Reasons to Visit a Kitchen Showroom

With nearly everything being online these days, it may be tempting to go ahead and book a quote for goods and products through the convenience of a website rather than head out into the real world. When it comes to planning and designing your kitchen, however, if you live in Melbourne, we recommend that you visit a kitchen showroom before making any final decisions. Here’s why:   1. To experience the craftsmanship   Being able to touch and see the cabinetry, benchtops, and other features of your soon-to-be kitchen is important. You want to be able to assess the quality first-hand so you know that you’re getting the best value for your hard earned money. Visiting a showroom gives you the opportunity to feel, view, and engage with your potential new kitchen. You can slide your hand across the benchtops, open and close the cabinet doors, and slide the drawers [...]

Five Reasons to Visit a Kitchen Showroom2019-03-21T10:17:26+10:00