Independent Melbourne planner — not a contractor. General information only. Confirm licences, waterproofing, permits, and quotes with qualified trades and the Victorian Building Authority.
Joinery
Kitchen renovations: layout, duct, then walnut
The working Melbourne kitchen is a services problem first. Then it is a materials problem.
At a glance
Lock early
Appliance models before cabinets are cut
Aisle
Plan for two open doors, not a brochure island
Replace vs refresh
Carcass square? Services stay? Then doors may be enough
Materials
See choosing benchtops
In this hub
Start with a child page, not a catalogue
FAQ
Direct answers
What are kitchen layout basics in a Melbourne house?
Galley and L-shape fit most terraces and interwar rooms. Islands need an aisle you can still walk when the dishwasher and oven are open. U-shapes eat corners. Peninsula layouts often suit open-plan 1970s rooms better than a floating island.
When should I replace versus refresh a kitchen?
Refresh doors and benches if carcasses are square, services stay, and the layout still works. Replace when you are moving the sink, adding a dishwasher circuit, or the particleboard has swollen. A refresh is not a waterproofing analogue — kitchens fail on services, not membranes.
Internal ledger
Keep reading
Next step
Take a written brief to a licensed trade
We do not quote, design, or install. Pair the cost-framing assumptions with the waterproofing questions, then verify the practitioner on the VBA register.