Essential Kitchen

Ideas Book
“Every tip you need to know
before buying a new kitchen”
The serious kitchen book if
you’re serious about kitchens
Living without a kitchen for even a matter of days
is a nightmare which is why this Essential Kitchen
Ideas book will help protect you from getting burnt
when buying a new kitchen.
Kitcheners has a proven track record of designing
tailor made kitchens where we work together step
by step and the customer knows exactly what
to expect and when to expect it. Now everyone,
not just our customers, can benefit from our vast
knowledge base.
So whether you cook for a living like Iain ‘ Huey’
Hewitson, or you simply love to cook, this book
will ensure you create a kitchen that is the scene of
beautiful meals for many years to come.

“Don’t get burnt by your new kitchen”

Huey

This priceless
book covers
Design Tips
Colour & Lighting
Products & Components
Quality
Timelines
Warranties
Safety
Payment
Company Backgrounds
Meeting Expectations
Installation
Avoiding Pitfalls
and so much more

1
www.kitcheners.com.au
Kitchen Design - what do
you want, what do you need
and what can you afford?
Before you commence, you’ve hopefully done
your research. Bought magazines, spoken to
friends and experts and maybe even done some
research online. Then you will have some idea
about the style of kitchen you want, as well as
what special features you desire.
You must also decide what existing appliances
you wish to keep plus whether or not you’ll have
enough space for all your cooking utensils and
essential appliances?

Kitcheners Kitchens - plan non contractual

Consider the following...

KIM ANDERSON - - 23/07/2007
- - 46A3FC27_0408_01.scn

• Do you have use for a breakfast bar
instead of a dining table?
• Try to maximise your bench space.
• Do you need to separate your waste with
a recycling bin system?
• Does the kitchen merge into other spaces?
Perhaps you can merge the style of the
kitchen with that of adjoining rooms.
• Do you have enough lighting?
• Avoid finishes that are prone to dirty marks
and fingerprints.
• The main components that add up to
make your new kitchen are the cabinets,
benchtops, appliances, splashbacks and
all the tradespeople to make it happen. So
consider these when creating a budget.
• You will need a plumber and an
electrician to connect your appliances.
• You may need a tiler for the splashbacks.
• The finishes in your kitchen will greatly
affect your budget; EG, choosing stone
or laminate benchtops.
• Some companies will allow you to deal
with your own tradespeople which could
save you some money.
• Keep it simple, you can always add to
it later. The more detailed the kitchen the
bigger the price tag.
• Does the company provide a full design
service by qualified designers?
Just some of the invaluable questions you
must consider before going down any path!

2
www.kitcheners.com.au
Designing The Space
A kitchen designer will help you design your ideal space however
it may help if you have some idea of what type of doors, handles,
shelves, flooring, lighting and benchtops you desire.

Colours, tone and light will affect your

moods and the way you enjoy a space.
Before designing your new kitchen,
remember some of the following:
• Ask to see large samples of benchtops, doors
and paint colours. Colours will often be bolder
when applied on a larger scale. When painting,
it’s advised that you test with a sample pot.
• If using dark colours in small spaces use a
lighter tone, otherwise it will make the space
appear smaller. Light, cool and neutral colours
create a sense of space as they make walls
appear to recede.
• Think about the direction of the room. Use
dark warm colours for south facing rooms and
cool colours for north facing rooms.
• If you want the walls & ceilings to match, tint
the ceiling paint only 50% of the wall paint. This
is because the ceiling receives less light and will
otherwise appear darker than then walls.

3
www.kitcheners.com.au
A hint of this and
a dash of that...
• Matt paint hides bumps and ruts so is
most suitable for rough surfaces.
However, gloss and satin can be more
practical in the kitchen.
• Try to stick to more neutral themes
and colours as fashion trends change
rapidly; you don’t want your kitchen
to look outdated in one year. You can
always change your accessories and
the paint colour easier than changing
the cabinetry and bench.
• Keep wall cabinets away from
windows - natural light is important.
• A kitchen should have good lighting,
especially in working areas. Halogen
down lights are best for work spaces.
• You can illuminate the bench space
more by adding lights underneath the
overhead wall cabinetry.
• Ask if your kitchen company provides
lighting options designed especially for
the kitchen.

You can have warmth and style

4
www.kitcheners.com.au
Products and Components
It’s all about availability,
quality and guarantee
Choose a company like Kitcheners, where
we complement our designs by only
associating with the world’s most loved
suppliers including Bosch, Blum, Corian®
and Caesarstone®. What follows is
construction of the highest standards with
the most resistant materials, guaranteeing
that your beautiful new kitchen will be the
scene of splendid meals for years to come.

• Check that there are warrantees on
kitchen components & products. These
will vary depending on the product.
• What type of board does the company
use in their cabinetry? It should be
moisture resistant and above medium
density. The denser the board, the less
chance there is of screws coming loose in
later years.
• Be aware of how the cabinets are put
together. Cabinets should be screwed
together. Some manufacturers only use
staples which do not provide suitable
rigidity or strength.
• If possible, check the bare cabinets
without doors and benchtops to check
for rigidity and sturdiness. The cabinets
should have solid backs, sides and bases.
• Check what type of drawer system the
company uses. Metal lasts much longer
than plastic or particle board drawers.
• Keep in mind that gloss laminate
benchtops scratch easily. There are
alternatives such as textured laminates
which are one of the most durable
benchtops available today.
• Gadgets like Lazy Susans do not use
space efficiently.
• Adjustable legs are important in kitchens
to keep the cabinetry off the ground, and
can be levelled out on uneven floors or
adjusted for changing benchtop heights.
A quality kitchen won’t
have a use-by-date

5
www.kitcheners.com.au
Safety
Smart design to ensure that food
isn’t the only thing that could burn

• Placing cook tops near windows is a fire
hazard and should be avoided.
• Electric cook tops should indicate
POWER ON.
• Flame failure features should be
considered for gas cook tops.
• Make sure there is sufficient set
down space for hot pots and pans near
microwaves, ovens and stoves.
• Keep cook tops at least 300mm from
tall items to keep heat away from other
surfaces and to give space for pot handles.
• A fire extinguisher and first aid kit should
be stored in the kitchen.
• Slippery floors can be dangerous. Ask if
your designer has any suggestions for safe
flooring materials.
• Cabinets to the ceiling can be dangerous.
Consider this when designing the cabinets.
• Try to avoid sharp edges and corners on
benches to prevent injuries.

Keep the whole family

safe and secure

6
www.kitcheners.com.au
Installation
Don’t undo great design
with shoddy workmanship
When it comes to the building of your
new kitchen, ensure you have a team
of specialists in each relevant field.

• The measurements should be

checked a minimum of 2 times.
• Do they do site surveys or site
checks before manufacture?
• If you wanted to make any changes
to your kitchen plans, when is it
possible to do this?
• Make sure your installers are
licensed and make sure that you have
their contact numbers.
• Before the old kitchen, is removed
empty it.
• Leave any tiling and painting until
the kitchen is installed.

The team you’ll

need on board
Designer

Site checker

Installers

Electrician

Plumber

Tiler

7
www.kitcheners.com.au
Payment
Your recipe to financial security

Before you commence any • If you don’t understand anything in your

work, you should have a
firm budget in which to keep
to. Naturally your budget
will depend on the features,
fixtures and finishes you
choose.
Let the designers know your
exact budget as that is the
only way they can give you
the best advice.
contract terms and conditions always ask for
help.
• You’re usually required to pay 10% deposit
when you purchase a kitchen.
• Ask your designer about any special offers
and financial packages available.
• Progress payments are often required
before your order goes into production.
• The balance of your kitchen may need to
be paid by cash, VISA or bank cheque.
• Be wary of companies who want you to
pay 100% before delivery.

Make sure your kitchen doesn’t

spring any ugly financial surprises

8
www.kitcheners.com.au
The company
What do you know about them? Will you get what you want?
A new kitchen is a large investment, so you
want to know you’re putting your money
into something worthwhile and you want to
be sure that your company can do this.
• Ask the company to see customer
feedback and their dates to help you get
a feel of their attitude to their service and
how satisfied their customers are.
• How many of their customers are either
repeat customers or referenced from past
customers.
• How long have the staff worked for the
company. High staff retention’s a good
sign.
• Ask what it is that makes them more or
less expensive than other companies.
• How long has the designer worked in the
kitchen industry? You will want to be sure
that they know what they’re doing.
• Has the company or its staff won awards?
• Are the cabinets supplied fully assembled
or as a flat pack? Can you install it yourself?
• If the company has its own installers, ask
for their licence numbers.
• If they don’t have their own installers, ask
for any suggestions.
• Ensure you have your designer’s mobile
number.
• Be cautious of companies that push
for very fast delivery and payment as this
can be a sign that they have cash flow
problems.

“As a chef I know how important it is to have a kitchen which looks great
but above all is cleverly designed and functional,” Iain ‘Huey’ Hewitson said.
“Kitcheners Kitchens creates custom made kitchens that make life easy when
whipping up those special meals. Their well-trained staff take the time to get to
know their customers and find out what they really need. They will then advise
on stylish, high quality and cost effective design and finishes in any shape, size
or colour that will work best for the space.”

Huey with Michael Kitchener

9
www.kitcheners.com.au
A few more things to remember
Don’t forget to...
• Always ask as many questions about the
company, the design and the products.
The only silly questions are ones that go
unasked.
• Don’t be afraid of revealing your budget.
It’s best to give the designers all the info
so they can help you as best as possible.
• Don’t feel like you need to fill up every
space with cupboards. Your designer can
determine your storage needs. Overfilling
the walls with cupboards will only make
your kitchens look cluttered.
• Kitchen islands are not always a sensible
idea and require at least 1 metre between
it and other items.
• Remember that fridges with ice
machines require plumbing.
• Consider wider and deeper drawers for
maximised use of space.
• If you are getting Caesarstone or solid
surface benchtops there is usually up
to a 10 day delay between the kitchen
installation and benchtop installation
because it requires a template after the
kitchen has been installed.
• How easy is it to replace a damaged
door? Is your range going to be available
in the future?
• Is it possible to add to your kitchen at a
later date? EG, more wall units.
• Many kitchen companies offer specials
and discounts on their first appointments.
If you are pleased with the design and
understand the contract on your first
appointment, you may benefit from the
discounts and specials offered.

Creating your new kitchen should

be an enjoyable experience. Try and
get involved as much as you can to
ensure you’re getting what you want.
Make sure you choose a company and
designer that shares your enthusiasm.

10
www.kitcheners.com.au
Your Kitchen Requirements
Fill in this comprehensive kitchen checklist before you commence
Personal requirements
Height: __________ The ideal benchtop height should be based on bent
elbow to floor.
Are you left or right handed? This determines the location of the sink drainer.
__________________________
Any special requirement or disabilities for you or your family?
______________________________________________________

Family requirements Other

Size: _____ adults _____ kids Do you do specialist cooking? ______
How many people cook in the What don’t you like about your existing
kitchen? ____ kitchen? __________________________
__________________________________

Dining Requirements Appliances

Number of seats _____ Wall oven or under bench
Breakfast bar Cooktop
Table Stove
Raised servery Fridge
Freezer
Other Equipment Hot water system
Rangehood
Phone/fax Washer/dryer
Radio/stereo Water filter
TV/video/DVD Other
Intercom Tap
Answering machine Microwave
Computer Sink - Single Bowl or Double Bowl

Cabinetry & storage

Trays Utensils
Tea towels Spices
Appliances Liquor
Pantry Saucepans
Baking Above fridge
Chopping boards Corner access
Kitchen tidy Cleaning equipment
China Iron & Board
Glassware Other: __________________________
Cutlery ________________________________

11
www.kitcheners.com.au
Materials
Cabinetry Decor Requirements
Laminate Door style and colour
Timber Glass doors
Timber veneer Handles
Timber look Open shelving
Vacuum form Flooring
Polyurethane Lighting
Glass Capping/moulding
Steel mesh

Benchtops Other Equipment

Engineered stones Radio/fax
Other solid surfaces Radio/stereo
Stainless steel TV/video/DVD
Granite Intercom
Marble Answering machine
Laminate Computer
Timber

Splashbacks Special Features

Tiled Entertainment
Glass Desk
Laminate Wine
Painted Noticeboard
Stainless steel Hobbies
Stone Other _______________________
Other solid surfaces _______________________

Removal of existing kitchen

Plumbing, tilers, electrical etc

Installation requirements
Self Installation (avoid unless experienced)
Recommended installer including
plumber, electrician, tiler etc

Flooring
Do you need a new floor?
What type of flooring do you want?
What’s the surface condition under current flooring?
Install new flooring before the kitchen.

12
www.kitcheners.com.au
 World class custom designs
at down-to-earth prices.
Blending quality ingredients
with superior craftsmanship.

Showroom at 56 O’Riordan St
Alexandria NSW 2015
Free Call 1800 826 144

PRINT & CUT OUT COUPON

* In a
d
Present this coupon to your Kitcheners designer & receive a: to an dition
y cur
Kitch re
eners nt
FREE SINK AND TAP* offer!
!!
’

Name
Address
Email Phone

*Must mention coupon when booking appointment, or visiting showroom, to validate offer. Offer is a MADISON 200 Suprema and
ABEY Tap PRM35. Products may change without notice. Offer is in addition to the existing offer at the time of purchase. Available to
customers who purchase Kitcheners Kitchens cabinets & laminate benchtops to the value of $6000 or more (ex glass splashbacks,
stone benchtops & trades). Offer valid while stocks last.