Martina Hayes

Standard dimensions for Australian kitchen design

When you intend to reno­vate your kitchen, you wish to work towards the standard dimensions for Australian kitchen for optimum ergonomics and functionality.

Please find your expert guide for optimal kitchen design measurements below.

Kitchen Design Lower North Shore Sydney
Standard kitchen dimensions ensure functionality and sophisticated looks  

Benchtop

Height

Standard benchtop height is 900mm. However, depending on your stature it can range from 850mm to 1000mm.

Depth

Standard depth of a benchtop is 600mm. But have a look at your fridge’s depth first. If you don’t want the fridge to protrude out of your kitchen row, adjust the depth of your benchtop accordingly. See standard fridge dimensions below.

Thickness

The most popular benchtop materials in Australia are engineered stones (e.g. Caesar­stone, Quantum Quartz, Essastone, Smartstone) and laminate finishes. The average thickness of the latter one is around 33mm, whereas engineered stone usually comes in 20mm or a multiple thereof. If you wish to choose an engineered stone, our recommendation was to go with a thickness of 40mm as this looks well-proportioned and classy.

Island Bench

Distance

Galley kitchens with an island bench are still going strong in 2020. If you wish to install one, allow for approx 1200mm between the kitchen row and the island bench. If this space is too narrow, it becomes awkward when more than one person is working in the kitchen or the kids are running around your legs. If the distance is too wide, the kitchen becomes less efficient to work in.

Width and depth

The size of your kitchen island bench can be as large as your space allows. The only restriction is the width of the slab, if you opt for an engineered stone. A standard slab size is 3060mm by 1440mm, but some suppliers offer oversized jumbo slabs which eliminate the need of an unsightly joint between two slabs.

A good island width to work with is 1200mm, especially if you plan to place some barstools on the other side. In this case you wish to accommodate for the necessary leg room.

Leg room

An island bench is a great place to sit on bar stools while having your breakfast or a snack. Allow for 300mm of leg room underneath the benchtop to sit comfortably. You need to check with your kitchen manufacturer how big an unsupported benchtop overhang can be based on your chosen material.

Walkway

Plan for 1000mm walkway either side of the island bench. This will allow enough space for people to move around without having to turn sideways.

Fridge

The sizes of fridges vary significantly. For a single door fridge allow around 800mm width and 780mm depth. A double door fridge is around 1200mm wide and 850mm deep. If you have selected a fridge, check its required ventilation space in the manual to incorporate this space into your planning.

Oven

Whether you go for a wall or under bench oven, the standard width is 600mm. For large families and for entertainment standard options include 700mm and 900mm.

Overhead cupboards

Clearance between benchtop and overhead cupboards to be a minimum of 600mm. However, if you wish to install a gas cooktop, you need to allow for at least 650mm. Read the manual of the cooktop and rangehood manufacturers and follow their requirements. If uncertain, please check with a licensed electrician for the safety of your family.

Dishwasher

Dishwashers and dish drawers are usually 600mm wide, but they also come in 450mm suitable for an apartment or studio.

Sink

Sinks come in all shapes and sizes. For a double sink allow for a length of around 800mm and a width of 480mm plus drainage area on the benchtop. The depth of the sink is around 200mm.

If you wish to plan your kitchen sink with a single bowl allow for a length of 550mm and a width of around 500mm.

Kickboards

Kickboards height is usually between 90mm and 150mm and set back from the cabinet’s carcass by around 50mm.

We hope these information help you with the design of your new kitchen. You can get a pdf version emailt directly to you to be printed out. Please type in your name and email address below:

If you have a question or need help with your kitchen makeover, please send an email to martina@martinahayes.com.au or call 0434 498 450. Alternatively, you can use this contact form.

Kitchen finishes for your home

The kitchen is the heart and hub of the home and choosing the right kitchen finishes will make all the difference of how the space functions and looks. The kitchen is the place for family and friends to gather together for meals, conversations and great entertainment. A kitchen is what makes a house a home.

White kitchen finishes
Classic white kitchen

We worked alongside our clients, a young couple from North Ryde to create a stunning classic white kitchen in the contemporary interior design style.

Contemporary interior design: refers to interior styles developed in the latter half of the 20th century. It’s colour palette consisting of browns, taupe, cream, and pure white.

The classic white kitchen design is popular but can be differentiated and varied. The main goal is to be timeless, smooth and fresh. White cabinetry, fair stone tops, and sleek flooring help to bring the design to life.

The Kitchen Finishes selected

The Benchtop

In this kitchen we selected a Caesarstone quartz stone that emulates the look of marble Calacatta. This is the main feature of the entire kitchen. The waterfall, which is the continued stone down the sides of the island, adds a huge sense of luxury to the entire room.

Splashback and Tiles

Our clients chose a glass splashback as one of their kitchen finishes. It reflects the beautiful and rich cappuccino colour that lays beneath the glass. In this kitchen design for the tiled areas, we favored the gloss look. Therefore both the splashback and floor tiles gleam. Additionally, the large scale floor tiles measuring 600 x 600mm create the illusion of a larger space.

White Kitchen
Glass splashback in cappuccino colour

Cabinetry

The cabinetry kitchen finishes are very sleek, modern and contemporary in design and layout. The polyurethane cupboards, shelves and drawers are finished in the Dulux colour “ghosting”. No handles are included in this design as to cohesively stay in touch with the minimalist contemporary style.

A bulkhead is a great kitchen finish that is both functional and aesthetic. Hence, no dust, dirt or grime will be collected in the spare space, leaving your kitchen beautiful and clean. A bulkhead enhances the scale of the kitchen visually as it goes right to the ceiling filling all the space drawing the eye up to the ceiling.

Our clients chose a canopy rangehood for this kitchen design, as well as an inbuilt wall oven.

Tapware

When it was about choosing the taps, our clients preferred a classic chrome tapware. They look modern and sleek as well as being easy to clean so your kitchen always looks polished and luxurious. On the island bench, a zip tap provides instant boiling water; this was selected in matching chrome.

All these finishes are complimentary and cohesive with the rest of the home. We assisted our clients in selecting finishes for multiple rooms including kitchen and bathrooms. See their bathroom here.

If you find it overwhelming choosing finishes in a new built or home renovation, we’re happy to help. Please call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au.

If you prefer, you can also use this contact form.

Bathroom Finishes for you!

The right bathroom finishes can either make or break your space. The finishes that you decide, have a great effect on how your space will feel as well as developing its personality. Choosing your bathroom finishes is an exciting part of your renovation project as in this stage you really see your space come to life.

Contemporary bathroom white & timber
Contemporary bathroom design

A bathroom is a space that is served several times each day so it’s important to choose bathroom finishes that are well functioned as well as making you feel good each and every time you use the interior space. We achieved this for our client, a young couple in North Ryde, where we designed multiple spaces in their home, including bathrooms and kitchen. Have a look at their kitchen here.

Candles decor bathroom
Candles add atmosphere to your bathroom

Little decor items such as in the image above add character and your own personal touch to your bathroom.

The Bathroom Finishes we chose

The bathroom renovated for our clients was designed with the contemporary interior design style in mind as this is the look they desired to create through their home.

Tiles

Tiles cover the majority of the open surface area in your bathroom. Floor tiles and wall tiles are very important bathroom finishes that work at creating the vibe and feel of the space. It also determines the final colour scheme you choose for the bathroom.

Our client’s bathroom is quite large in scale, therefore providing us the opportunity to choose a large square floor tile. Sourced from Amber Tiles in Chatswood it measures at 600 x 600mm. The colour is a deep and luxurious cappuccino colour, creating a modern and sleek contemporary design.

The wall bathroom finishes are also in the modern contemporary style as to tie the bathroom design together cohesively. The wall tile we chose is one whose design emulates the marble Calacatta look. Grey veins run through the tile’s design footprint.

Tapware

Tapware is a bathroom finish that has the potential to add a lot of character and genuine style to your interior space. It’s also a simple way to make your bathroom feel more luxurious. As we were designing this bathroom in the contemporary style we decided to use classic but stylish chrome tapware.

Wall-mounted Vanity

The gorgeous wall-mounted vanity features a dark and moody timber veneer finish. It features his and hers basins on the vanity’s stone top that is also in a deep and rich cappuccino colour. Having the vanity wall hung is another element in this bathroom that adds to the luxe look.

Above the bathroom vanity is a large rectangular mirror that is sleek, modern and contemporary in design.

Walk-in Shower

A beautiful feature of this contemporary bathroom design in North Ryde is the walk-in shower. It’s glass all around illuminating sleek lines. In the shower is a built-in niche just the right size to fit all your essential body washes, shampoos, and other toiletries. The showerhead sits on a rail to make it an adjustable element in this bathroom design.

Lighting

Adequate bathroom lighting is essential for any bathroom. It’s important for getting ready each and every day, so you’ll really want to get this bathroom finish right. For this design, we chose downlights as to illuminate areas that need the most lit up. We also included LED strip lights as to add a soft glow and ambiance.

This is our bathroom design in North Ryde complete with bathroom finishes that add style, character and flair to your space.

If you have any questions about your bathroom finishes and design in Sydney, please call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au.

If you prefer, you can also use this contact form.

Complete Home Renovations Sydney

Achieving a complete home renovation in Sydney

Complete Home Renovations Sydney, making the decision to completely renovate your home is a big deal. It involves a substantial financial committment, and without the correct knowledge and expertise it can be daunting and overwhelming.

No need to be worried though, because we will guide you through from the beginning planning stage to the construction phase and all the way to the final steps of the design. In addition, our own Budget Confidence process ensures that our solutions fit your budget whether being small, medium or luxurious.

complete-home-renovations-sydney
Optimising the layout of your interiors for better functionality

Read on to discover the steps in which to follow when completing a home renovation as well as the services we offer in the Sydney area to help you achieve your dream home.

The steps you need to follow to achieve a complete home renovation Sydney

Planning

Complete home renovations Sydney, a good renovation must start with thorough planning. This is the stage in which you make decisions that will affect the rest of the build and the overall conceptual design. It is in this beginning planning stage that you need to think about and set what it is you wish to achieve in your space, what is essential and what is nice to have.

In this step of the process we can help you with the design and how to best optimise your space.

Floorplan with pencil, scale ruler and colour swatches
A successful renovation starts with a good plan

Learn the potential of your space

We design and provide professional concept plans including realistic 2D and 3D visual representation showing you how your space has the potential to look like as well as function. This provides you with a very clear image of what you’re going forward with in your home renovation. We can start with options and then break them down to perfectly tailor it to your needs and desires.

Drafting Services 2D 3D

What we do for you

When carrying out a complete home renovation it can be overwhelming and with the fast paced lives of Sydneysiders it can be hard to fit everything into your schedule as well as thoroughly going through the process of your complete home renovation. What we can do for you is take the daily stress out of your home renovation. We look after and coordinate the process for you so that you can enjoy watching your dream space come together.

Services we offer to you:

  • Initial ideas on how to get the best out of your space
  • Conceptual visual 2D and 3D designs
  • Coordination of structural engineers, surveyors and other building professionals as required
  • Provision of drawings for council submission (DA) and and/or private certifier (CDC). Learn more on the NSW Planning Portal
  • Comparison of builders quotes. Selection and collaboration with builder
  • Expert kitchen and bathroom designs including detailed plans for joiners
  • Selection of finishes and furniture for your complete home renovation
  • finishes-home-renovation
    Beautifully matched finishes bring out the best of your house

When your renovation is underway we continue on the process by selecting finishes for all spaces including tiles for your kitchen and bathroom as well as the selection of furniture and decorative pieces that will add character to your space, making it truly feel your own. It’s what makes a house a home.

Budget confidence for your complete home renovation Sydney

The biggest concern for Sydney home owners undertaking a complete home renovation is to keep the costs under control. That’s why we have a well proven process in place that keeps track of your budget.

Houses made of dollar notes
Keeping the budget in check is crucial for a successful renovation
  • Advise us on the budget you wish to spend.
  • On this basis we provide at least 2 proposed options. One is your ‘dream design’ containing everything you dream about, the other option includes some compromises you’re happy to accept to keep a lid on the budget.
  • Before committing, we get both priced up for you to make an informed decision on which option to choose.
  • When it comes to furniture and finishes, our recommendations include their purchase prices. This gives you full cost transparency.
  • If you wish to cut back, we can point out areas where you could save some money and where you should not.
  • Only once you are confident with the overall cost, you commit yourself to moving ahead.
  • This way you won’t experience any unpleasant surprises down the track.

Complete home renovations Sydney wrapped up

We coordinate everything from start to finish for the entire renovation process. This takes a lot of pressure off you. Your main task is to decide on the recommendations we present to you.

If you have any questions about your complete home renovation in Sydney, please call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au. If you prefer, you can also use this contact form.

Open Plan Kitchen Design

Lifestyle of Open Plan Living

An open plan kitchen design is on top of many homeowners’ list to have. This is because open plan living is the new way of life, everyday living that brings your family congregating together.

What is Open Plan Kitchen Design?

Open plan kitchen design is being referred to when the kitchen is combined with the dining and living area creating one large space. The opposite is a kitchen that is tucked away in a separate room.

White open plan kitchen design
Open plan kitchen design with marble look benchtop in Ryde

Why is Open Plan Kitchen Design so popular?

Even being on kitchen duties, an open plan kitchen includes you into the family life. Allowing you to keep an eye on your kids while preparing meals makes this design very popular with families.

If entertaining is your favourite weekend activity, an open plan kitchen is a must. You can finalise the food preparation while chatting with your guests. More often than not the kitchen island bench becomes the centrepoint of the party where everyone congregates.

White-kitchen
White open plan kitchen with industrial touch in Mosman

How to achieve an Open Plan Kitchen Design?

Lucky you when your house has already a large kitchen-dining-living area. If not, you might wish to consider removing or relocating an existing wall to open up the space. If you need help with drawing up the plans check out our drafting services.

Open Plan Kitchen in Willoughby: Case Study

Grey-Open-plan-kitchen-design
A warm and welcoming open plan kitchen in Willoughby

Our clients in Willoughby wanted to create an inviting atmosphere in their home. So we developed an open concept kitchen in their desired style of simple, modern and sleek. The end result is a kitchen that promotes a warm and welcoming atmosphere while being functional and practical.

What makes an Open Plan Kitchen Design?

Kitchen Island Bench

In this kitchen design we made the island bench act as the focal point of the space. The space in which the eye is naturally most drawn to. The island bench is not only a feature to be looked at but very practical for everyday use. It acts as a preparation area, breakfast bar as well as creating space for additional storage underneath which comes in handy in this mid-sized kitchen.

Benchtop and Cabinetry

The benchtops in this particular kitchen design are made from Caesarstone. Caesarstone is a man-made manufactured quartz stone that is durable providing its surface with exceptional properties of heat, stain, scratch and chip resistance.

The cabinetry has a Polyurethane finish (also called two-pack) in a light grey and a charcoal tone for the island bench.

Practicality

As well as creating a beautiful kitchen design practicality must also be implemented. In an open concept kitchen, the elevated dishwasher goes easy on the back while packing and unpacking the dishes. Therefore creating a beautiful looking kitchen while also making an everyday task very simple.

Lighting

Pendant lights over kitchen bench

Kitchens can sometimes come across as hard and harsh due to the abundance of hard surfaces. All this means is that you need to create more atmosphere. In this design we added texture in the shape of Abaca pendant lights to hang above the striking island bench. They are a beautiful texture adding lots of warmth to the space. The light globe adds a soft glow as well as the organic shape of the pendants creating character in the form of free flowing art.

These are all great elements that go into creating a great kitchen design.

If you have any questions about your open plan kitchen design, please call me on 0434 498 450 or email to martina@martinahayes.com.au. If you prefer, you can also this contact form.

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