Kitchen Confidential
Designing a kitchen—the expert’s guide
In partnership with THE MAKER DESIGNER KITCHENS • Words ELIZABETH CLARKE • Imagery CRIB CREATIVE • Photo Styling THE DEANE STUDIO
Whether you're cooking, eating, or entertaining, the kitchen should be a space where you and your family love to spend time. Designing a kitchen is best done alongside professionals who can deliver your dream space exactly how you want it. To help you get started, The Maker Designer Kitchens, Australia’s largest cabinetry and stone manufacturer, provides a step-by-step plan and insider advice.
"It is essential to establish your renovation objectives from the outset," says Lincoln Trager, general manager of The Maker Designer Kitchens. "What are your needs and wants? For example, are you after more storage or bench space, or do you need a more functional layout?"
Create a wish list for your designer that includes all the must-haves, such as appliance choices, preferred cabinetry profiles, benchtop materials, work zone configurations, storage and lighting.
“A good brief allows our designers to understand how clients cook, what kitchen styles they like, the design ideas they have and the essentials they want in their new kitchen,” says Lincoln.
All are key elements to discuss during the planning phase. Curating a mood or Pinterest board of imagery and design elements is a great way to help communicate your thoughts and ideas. Otherwise, if you are unsure of what you want, take a tour of The Maker Designer Kitchens Showroom in Bassendean.
"Walking through different kitchens is a great way to start the planning process,” says Lincoln. “It helps the decision-making process to see and view different styles, creative cabinet designs, and the latest kitchen products and innovations on display.”
1. Numbers Game
"Managing a renovation budget can be stressful, so our designers’ top priority is helping you plan one that allows for everything you need while staying on track financially. The kitchen is arguably one of the most expensive rooms to remodel, so retaining control of your budget from the outset is essential.
"Room size won't always determine the budget; it’s other elements such as material selections that impact cost,” says Lincoln. “For example, profiled or Shaker-style cabinetry costs more than flat panel cabinetry. Our designers spend time working through the cabinetry and stone costings with clients to ensure their budget works for them and the outcome they expect.”
Factor in your appliances and fixtures, such as sinks and taps and any external works that also need to be completed. Prioritise the elements of your kitchen that are most important to you and allocate your finances accordingly.
“We collaborate with our clients to work within their budgets and find the ideal solutions for designing and building their dream kitchen, so understanding your spending from the start is crucial,” he says. “Once your budget is established, we can help you understand the key considerations and priorities for your project and the costs involved with specific material and aesthetic choices. This provides an initial estimate for the cabinetry and stone components of the renovation.”
2. Lay It All Out
How we cook, use and move around our space is critical when it comes to designing a kitchen layout. “Do you need seating along your kitchen island or want to display beautiful glassware as part of your overall kitchen design?” suggests Lincoln. “If you are a minimalist, you may prefer to conceal the working elements of your kitchen, such as your dishwasher, fridge and freezer, behind cleverly designed cabinetry. A custom kitchen designed and built specifically to your needs and home is the ultimate when renovating your kitchen."
For this Swanbourne kitchen design, the luxury island is the starring feature. "It has been specifically designed as a dedicated seating area for casual family meals and a social hub when entertaining,” Lincoln says. "Our designs prioritise adaptability, ensuring they meet your specific needs, wants and preferences seamlessly.”
The Maker Designer Kitchens custom design service ensures you work directly with your dedicated designer throughout the entire project. This personalised approach allows for seamless communication and collaboration, ensuring that your vision and preferences are fully realised in every detail of your renovation.
3. Chic Cabinetry & Countertops
Whether you want a modern kitchen, a minimalist look, or prefer the rustic charm of Shaker cabinetry, there are versatile cabinet ideas to suit everyone's taste. Walking through The Maker Designer Kitchens showroom with your designer provides the perfect opportunity for you to discover a range of stunning design inspirations. As you explore the space, you'll have the chance to see, touch and experience various styles, finishes and colour options firsthand. Not only will it help clarify your vision, it will allow you to explore how different elements can beautifully coexist for a kitchen design that reflects your style and needs.
"This year, modern Shaker-style kitchens remain extremely popular with our clients – think of modern Shaker as the evolution of traditional Hamptons-style design, where shaker panels are used in bolder and more eclectic ways," Lincoln says. "If you're looking for a kitchen that combines texture, depth and elegance, this style delivers exactly that for your home. Since all of our kitchens are completely customised, we find that each client brings their flair and personal touches, making their luxury kitchens uniquely their own."
Trending design elements in kitchen aesthetics can emphasise the exquisite detailing of cabinetry, particularly with premium options such as Polytec Steccawood. This material offers a rich texture and depth that can elevate the overall look of your kitchen. Our designers are ready to help you integrate these luxurious selections into your custom kitchen design, ensuring a unique and stylish space tailored to your taste.
"These details enhance elements like rangehoods and can help you create luxurious curves in your kitchen design," Lincoln says. "Incorporating these details transforms a simple kitchen into a luxurious, tactile space."
4. Perfect Palette
In 2025, colour is making a vibrant comeback in kitchen design, bringing rich, bold tones that add personality and warmth. Shades of green and blue are gaining popularity, providing a fresh alternative to neutrals. These colours are most impactful when applied throughout a kitchen or in standout features such as a contrasting island.
“Another standout colour is Florentine Walnut, a luxurious colour that pairs beautifully with styles ranging from Mid-Century Modern to Scandinavian,” says Lincoln.
5. Dreamy Hidden Extras
A dream kitchen isn’t limited to those with deep pockets. With careful planning and an emphasis on functional upgrades, your space can be tailored to reflect your vision, including items from your wish list. “We have the skills and expertise to design the ultimate dream kitchen; no concept is too out there for us,” says Lincoln. “We’ve even created a one-of-a-kind retractable Caesarstone kitchen bar design that lowers to reveal a hidden whisky bar! We can accommodate the most innovative elements customised to fit your lifestyle, allowing you to create a kitchen that is both functional and a true reflection of your taste.”
6. Island Life
From meal prepping to casual dining and additional storage, a kitchen island can do it all while adding an eye-catching focal point. Kitchen islands enhance your kitchen's functionality and create a welcoming atmosphere, serving as a gathering spot for family and friends. Designing your island to meet your cooking needs is essential, and The Maker offers custom kitchen islands tailored to your family's requirements, whether it’s breakfast on the run, kids doing homework or weekend entertaining.
When deciding on design, it's essential to ask some key questions that will help you create a space that complements your cooking style and lifestyle – how do you typically navigate your kitchen? What tasks do you prioritise? How do you picture using your new kitchen island? The answers will help you define its working zones, helping you position vital elements such as your sink, appliances, pantry and meal preparation areas.
Kitchen islands provide great storage opportunities on all sides. Consider adding spacious drawers at customised heights for organising spices, pots and pans. Accessible cupboards and double-sided storage can enhance family usability and maximise space. With custom design specific to your needs, your kitchen island will become a hub of efficiency and organisation.
7. Custom-Designed For You
The Maker’s custom design service creates a personalised kitchen plan that incorporates the latest trends while reflecting your style and lifestyle and fitting in with the unique character of your home. Once the design is finalised, The Maker’s expert craftsmen create your cabinetry and benchtops using premium materials, paying close attention to detail to ensure durability and aesthetic appeal.
“Before installation, we pre-assemble each kitchen in our Bassendean factory, allowing your designer and our site manager to conduct thorough inspections,” says Lincoln. “This pre-assembly approach helps ensure all components are right before we install them at your home – it’s a unique but vital step in our custom design and manufacture process.”
The entire Maker team, from design to construction, works together to ensure your design results in the highest quality kitchen. Focusing on the intricacies of both manufacture and installation, each element is executed with precision. This guarantees that your new kitchen will not only enhance your home but also stand the test of time, marrying functionality with stunning aesthetic appeal.
Showroom open weekdays 8:30am-4pm & Sat 9am-1pm
12 Dyer Rd, Bassendean | (08) 9270 0000
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