• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • 4A9A4190Outhouse makeover: from dated and purple to stylish studio
    • AFTER loungeBefore & after: Dated brick wall becomes star of 1980’s reno
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • BarNew Business Chicks HQ dripping in colour and print
    • BathroomIntrim style series: Naomi Findlay’s new ‘Modern Country’ reno
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • Hali-Rugs-x-Jason-Grant-0374Recycled bottles feel so soft in new rugs by Hali & Jason Grant
    • Screen Shot 2022-04-22 at 3.17.55 pmHow to achieve a sophisticated yet relaxed interior
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • 5-dining1-mirrorimage-smacstudioDesigner creates showstopping duplex with New York hotel vibes
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • Screen Shot 2022-03-15 at 4.05.51 pmFoodie Friday: Pineapple and rosemary gin & tonic
    • Isla-MotelHip new motel renovation on NSW South Coast
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Kitchen reno timeline: Exactly what to expect!

November 20, 2019 Leave a Comment

Facebook0Pin00Email0Tweet0

Unless you’ve undertaken a kitchen renovation, it can be difficult to understand just how many steps are involved, and just how long they take. But this is where the experts come in and today, interior designer Sarah Nolen, of Birdblack Design, gives us an in-depth look at what to expect.

A Birdblack Design project
A recent Birdblack Design kitchen. Photography: The Palm Co

First steps
The first port of call when looking to renovate, or build, is to determine your inspiration and preferred styles. Scrolling through Instagram, scouring website galleries and perusing interior designer YouTube channels can assist in discovery. Some basic questions may be: What colours do you like? Are you after a sleek, contemporary kitchen, or a traditional ornate Hampton’s inspired kitchen? Or, do you prefer a fusion of styles?

It is important to highlight likes and dislikes as this will come in handy later on when you think about functionality and practicality. Another trick of the trade is to consider storage requirements – structure and organisation can make your dream home a reality!

Another Birdblack Design kitchen renovation
A Birdblack Design kitchen renovation

Sourcing an interior designer
Like any other profession, interior designers are required to study in order to gain qualifications. Their profound knowledge and industry experience are not to be equated with reading kitchen renovation articles every weekend.

As qualified professionals, interior designers are going to be able to advise you in many ways. They will provide answers for questions you haven’t even thought of before; they will have a wealth of experience under their belt in terms of spatial planning, entrances, wasted spaces, dead corners and creating functionality. Their creativity and knowledge will be well utilised in ticking off wish-list items, sourcing quality materials, and creating cohesion across your space in terms of textures, pattern and colour. By engaging a professional designer, you are guaranteed minimal surprises and a final result that you adore.

The relationship between a client and interior designer can be quite intimate – after all, you are inviting them into your home and into your mind, so that the result will be a true reflection of you and your personality. After all, you will be the one living there, after the job is done! Find a designer you click with – you will be spending a decent amount of time in communication and on-site together. Trust is imperative between designer and client.

Be sure to check their portfolio and social media to ensure they produce the standard and style you are after.

Helpful hint: Meet with your interior designer prior to signing up, simply to familiarise yourself with the design process.

This Birdblack Design kitchen renovation included window seating to take in the coastal view
This Birdblack Design kitchen renovation included window seating to take in the coastal view. Photography: The Evoke Company

Client briefing/site measure
Every interior design firm will have different processes. There should always be a client briefing. It’s in this first briefing that the overall style will be identified. Your designer should ask a list of detailed questions, ensuring all the client’s needs are met and every detail is considered at this very first brief.

A site measure should be undertaken for renovation projects. Your designer should take note of surrounding rooms. More often than not, a simple wall change could result in more functional space without compromising the overall home layout.

Spatial planning/elevation detailing
Interior designers are experts at spatial planning. Oftentimes, new and fresh layouts are presented to clients, broadening their horizons for what can actually happen within their home. Once clients have settled on a particular layout, elevation detailing takes place, including custom joinery design.

Finishes, fixtures & fittings selection
Shopping! Woo-hoo! The next step is taking excursions to showrooms and suppliers in order to select your tiles, tapware, handles and joinery finishes. This process can often be overwhelming when there is no guidance, though the process can be exhilarating with a professional by your side, guiding the shopping expedition for overall cohesion and continuity.

Final detailing of drawing and selections schedule
After shopping decisions are complete, all the selections are scheduled in and final drawings are confirmed. This is essential as it will be these final drawings that the builder and all the tradespeople will work from. Accuracy and precision are paramount.

Select a builder/project manager & lock them in
Now that all your documentation is ready for quoting, make contact with builders and project managers. Together, consider the works you are requiring to be undertaken.

As interior designers, we completely take care of this stage for you. Working with tradespeople daily allows your designer to select the best fit in terms of builder and tradies for your individual project. As they say, sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know. In our case, though, it’s both!

Demolition
First on your builder’s agenda is to inspect the existing space and determine what materials it was built from. During demolition, the installation of structural beams to support wall changes or new windows will also take place. Of course, the timing of this will vary, depending on the scope of the work involved.

The demolition process can be rather scary!
The demolition process can be rather anxiety-provoking!

Plumbers & electricians ‘rough in’
Once the bare structure is established by the builder, your plumbers and electricians can get involved. They will begin their ‘rough in’ of the plumbing points in the walls and floor, and the wiring for the electrical work.

Sheeting
The walls and ceiling are ready for sheeting and this process commences.

Flooring
What did you decide regarding flooring? Are you going ahead with new flooring or is your existing flooring experiencing a new start in life?

Joinery measure
Once all your walls are sheeted, your joiner will be ready for the on-site measure. This step is crucial in the joinery process. During construction, dimensions slightly change in comparison to drafted drawings. Keep in mind the difference between a drawing and real life. Every millimetre counts!

Joinery installation
After a few weeks of manufacturing in the workshop, your brand-new kitchen is ready for installation. This may take multiple days, depending on the size of your kitchen and the availability of your joinery company. Your kitchen will now look like a kitchen!

Joinery installation
Joinery installation

Benchtop measure
Once your joinery has been installed, now is the time for a benchtop measure. Likewise with the joinery measure, every millimetre is crucial. Whether you have opted for stone, concrete, or terrazzo, all surfaces require measuring. The final locations of stone joins require confirmation. The last thing you want in your brand new kitchen is a stone join which unpleasantly draws the eye!

Benchtop installation
Hurrah! The installation of benchtops is a nail-biting process to watch! The details and precision are impeccable.

Splashback tiling (if required)
When tiling splashbacks, be certain your grout colour suits your tile selection. The wrong grout colour has the ability to change the overall look of the tile.

Electrical & plumbing ‘fit off’
It is all starting to come together! With the connection of GPO’s, appliances and lights come to life. Additionally, you now have running water and gas!

Painting
The final layer: the colours you chose! This will include all your walls, ceilings, doors and trims.

With all this in place, is time to invite your family and friends over and time to get cooking. Enjoy!

For more on Birdblack Design | Australian kitchen trends: Spring 2019 edition

How long does a bathroom reno really take and why?

Facebook0Pin00Email0Tweet0

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Designer creates showstopping duplex with New York hotel vibes
  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • Room reveal: my new lighter, brighter master bedroom + shop it!
  • Hard to sell house transformed into forever home

Follow us on Instagram

How's that for a pool?! This Noosa riverfront ab How's that for a pool?! 

This Noosa riverfront abode just won Home of the Year in the 2022 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards. 

Take the tour and find out why. On the homepage now via linknin bio.

#poolsofinstagram #poolhome #swimmingpooldesign #houseoftheyear #riverfronthomes 

@jwconstructions @shaunlockyer @christopherfrederickjones
(WIN!) It's not the weather to have damp washing e (WIN!) It's not the weather to have damp washing everywhere!

Let's make your life easier with this amazing laundry prize from @hillshomeliving 

One lucky winner will get a bamboo concertina, a bamboo sorting centre and 3 bamboo foldable baskets worth almost $250.

For your chance of winning follow us and @hillshomeliving and tag a friend below by midnight Sydney time next Friday 27 May. One entry per person.

The concertina and sorting centre are available at Big W and the baskets at Bunnings.

Open to Australian residents only. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Instagram.

#laundryinspo #laundryideas #laundryday
We've entered an exciting phase in our home: non-s We've entered an exciting phase in our home: non-synthetic rug land!

With two young boys, I've always advocated for the synthetic and easily scrub-cleanable rug! Now they're a bit older and observing the shoes-off and no-food-in-the-living-room rules, I thought it was time! And I'm in love with our bold new @castleryau Lorenzo Wool Rug.

You can't beat the luxurious look and feel of wool and I've also stepped outside my comfort zone with a design that stands out rather than blends in. Get me!

Can someone remind the kids about the keep-the-toys-in-the-playroom rule though?!

Would you be brave enough to go for a cream wool rug in your house?!

This rug is on display at Castlery's popup at Moore Park SupaCenta until October. 

#athomewithcastlery #rug #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #statementrug #gifted
My kmart rattan bedhead hack🤗 And all the othe My kmart rattan bedhead hack🤗

And all the other cost-saving tricks I used as well as everything featured with links, on the blog today.

Our bedroom isn't perfect. A bed under the window isn't ideal. We don't have a walkin robe. It's a slightly awkward shape. But I really feel I've made the best of it and love its fresh new look and feel!

So glad to swap the carpet for laminate too. Are you team carpet or team hard floor in a bedroom? Please comment carpet or hard floor below!

With thanks to the cammellia hedge for fitting the colour palette perfectly 🤗😆

On the homepage now via link in bio.

#kmarthack #kmarthacks #masterbedrooms #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #laminatefloors #aluminiumwindow
This slideshow is just a snapshot 😯 Today's ho This slideshow is just a snapshot 😯

Today's home, a new build duplex in Sydney's Dover Heights, is nothing short of incredible. Bravo 28 year old interior designer Shona McElroy of @smac_studio 

See the rest, including the statement staircase, on the homepage now. Via link in bio.

#brasspendant #statementlighting
#colouredstone #featurestone #venetianplaster #powderroomdecor 

Pix by @smartanson | Styling @clairedelmar
Always dreamed of knocking down an old shack and b Always dreamed of knocking down an old shack and building two luxury town houses but held back by a lack of cash?

It's the reality for many but @emilyosmond
And her fiance Koden teamed up with their good friend Jake to do just that, pooling their finances.

Read how they did it and check out Emily and Koden's gorgeous home, which is currently up for sale (yes, they're going to do it all over again!), on the homepage now. Via link in bio.

#propertydevelopers
#propertydeveloping
#townhouseliving #townhousedesign #melbournetownhouse #knockdownrebuild
Fridays with Charlie 🥰 Tap for where things ar Fridays with Charlie 🥰

Tap for where things are from
Floor to ceiling tiles are not the only option! I Floor to ceiling tiles are not the only option!

I'm actually a big fan of the contrast you can achieve by only tiling part way as @naomifindlayofficial has here in her Carrington House reno. And she topped them with an @intrimgroup chair rail to give a finished look.

Read more about how Naomi used timber mouldings to achieve a consistent look, feel and flow between the original cottage and the modern extension on the blog now. Via the homepage (link in bio).

#greentiles #featuretile #bathroomtilesideas #chairrails #timbermouldings
Our new podcast is launching soon🙌🏻 The bas Our new podcast is launching soon🙌🏻

The basic premise is getting the experts to help with the interior challenges and questions faced by our readers. And on that note, I'd love to know what you struggle with when it comes to decorating or renovating? 

Please comment below and it could become a podcast episode!

#heartyourhomethepodcast #interiorsaddictheartyourhome
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

More from Kitchens

How to style your kitchen with everyday objects and add interest

Kitchen

Laminex woodgrains look super sophisticated in latest collab

Living room

Inside a creative’s colourful home in the Southern Highlands

Lounge room

Red brick Federation Sydney home now features pops of navy

White kitchen

How to add personality to your kitchen: 5 top tips

Just in Place

Unique one-stop bathroom & kitchen reno business in Sydney

The new Jones & Co ceramic tanks for a kitchen colour injection

Wattyl & Caesarstone make perfect pairings easy

Bondi Kitchens

Black kitchen inspired by Paris adds charm to Bondi apartment

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2022 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!