ARTICLE
Top Kitchen Reno Mistakes To Avoid
May 17, 2025-4 min read
A successful kitchen renovation starts with the appliances, layout and storage plan, not the benchtops and finishes. This article flags the biggest mistakes to avoid so you can build a kitchen that works well now and still suits your household later.
Key Takeaways From This Article
Choose appliances first so cabinetry and benchtops fit properly.
Buy appliances with future needs in mind to avoid outgrowing them.
Keep the sink, fridge and cooktop close for a smoother work triangle.
Add enough storage and take cabinets up to the ceiling where you can.
Use strong lighting and realistic space planning to avoid costly regrets.
So, you’re finally ripping out that old kitchen and installing the latest cooking and dishwasher appliances? How exciting! But before you get too starry-eyed picturing all those lazy Sunday mornings around that shiny new breakfast bar, there are some important practical matters to consider – to save you time, money (and tears) in the long run.
“When it comes to a new kitchen, you really do have to think function before form, and then bring it all together at the end,” says Lauren Pearse of Rylo Co. Interiors.
To help you create a kitchen that will be your pride and joy for years to come, we’ve identified the top reno blunders to avoid.
Image by Elouise van Riet Gray for Rylo Co
1. Not Putting Appliances First
Not making your new appliances top of the queue? Probably the biggest kitchen reno fail of them all. Take it from us, choosing cabinets and countertops to fit your new fridge or dishwasher is much easier than the other way around. “There is no point in designing a new kitchen if you don’t know what appliances you are using,” stresses Lauren. “If you design the space first, then try to find the products to fit, you will be compromising on your new appliances.”
2. Buying Appliances You’ll Outgrow
“When it’s time to start shopping for those new appliances that will be the centrepiece of your kitchen redesign, the goal should be ‘buy once, buy well’,” says Peter Simic, The Good Guys Buyer – Refrigerators. “Don’t make the mistake of cutting corners and buying appliances that you’ll soon outgrow as your household expands, or as technology advances, outdating your existing model. It’s a false economy.”
Image by Elouise van Riet Gray for Rylo Co
Shop Future-Smart Appliances For Your New Kitchen
Auto-dosing dishwashers - a dishwasher with the latest auto-dosing technology is a clever choice. They can help you calculate precisely how much detergent is needed for each load, plus many models even have Wi-Fi capability to start a wash from anywhere.
Quad-door fridges - a quad-door fridge with variable temperature zones will let you switch between fridge and freezer to maximise the freshness of your weekly shop.
Pyrolytic ovens - pyrolytic ovens often come with the whole package. You can enjoy the ease of a conventional oven and all the benefits of steam cooking in one cutting-edge appliance (it can even clean itself afterwards, too!)
Shop Kitchen Appliances:
Miele AutoDos CleanSteel Integrated Dishwasher
Bosch 605L Quad Door Refrigerator
Westinghouse 60cm Pyrolytic Oven
3. Ignoring The Golden Triangle
Some call it the “work triangle”. It’s that sacred pocket of the kitchen where you spend the most time – prepping, cooking, serving and cleaning up. “Park your stove too far from the fridge in your remodel, or the fridge too far from the sink, and you’ll seriously hinder your kitchen flow and be constantly pacing the floor. Where plumbing allows, follow best kitchen design practice and keep your cooktop, fridge and sink within easy reach of each other,” says Lauren Pearse.
Image by Elouise van Riet Gray for Rylo Co
Best Buys For Your Work Triangle
Induction cooktops - elevate your home entertaining with a sleek induction cooktop, the magnetic field-based heating delivers super-speedy and energy-efficient cooking.
Smart fridges - a smart fridge that connects to your smartphone is destined to make your life easier. Some models can suggest recipes based on your fridge’s contents (and even read them out!)
Don't forget, kitchen accessories like sinks and taps for a modern and minimalist touch.
Shop Now:
Electrolux 90cm Induction Cooktop
Samsung 636L AI Family Hub Refrigerator
Image by Elouise van Riet Gray for Rylo Co
7. Unrealistic Expectations
“It’s all well and good to want a large island. But a lot of renovations don’t allow for it,” says Lauren. “People aspire to this look without acknowledging the space they actually have. They end up with a design that looks amazing, but just doesn’t function the way it needs to for their family.”
8. Going It Alone
No matter how DIY-capable you are, consult a kitchen design expert before starting your project. An expert can help finetune your plan, prevent any costly setbacks (hello, plumbing disaster), and might even recommend something you hadn't thought of.
Planning a new kitchen? Talk to the design experts at Kinsman, then visit us online or in store for expert advice, the biggest appliance brands and the best prices.
