Hey there, Bryce here. So you’re thinking about giving your kitchen a bit of a refresh? Smart move. I’ve been in enough kitchens to know that sometimes you don’t need to tear the whole thing down… you just need the right materials to make it feel brand new again.
Let me walk you through what actually works when it comes to kitchen facelifts. And trust me, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the “oh dear god what were they thinking.”
## **The Cabinet Game-Changers**
First things first – your cabinets. They’re basically the face of your kitchen, right? Here’s what the pros are using these days:
**Laminate** is still king for a reason. It’s tough, it comes in about a million different looks, and it won’t blow your budget. We’re talking wood grains, solid colors, even stuff that looks like marble. The new laminates? Nothing like what your grandma had.
**Vinyl wrap** is having a moment too. It’s basically a giant sticker for your cabinets but way more sophisticated than that sounds. Heat-applied, durable, and you can get textures that feel pretty darn close to real wood.
Then there’s **2-pack polyurethane**. This is the fancy option. Spray painted on, smooth as silk, and comes in literally any color you can dream up. Want cabinets the exact shade of that sunset you saw in Bali? Done.
## **Benchtops That Actually Work**
Okay, benchtops. This is where people either nail it or… well, let’s just say I’ve seen some interesting choices.
**Laminate benchtops** have come a LONG way. The stuff they’re making now? Some of it I have to touch to believe it’s not real stone. Plus it’s way more forgiving when you drop that coffee mug at 6am.
**Caesarstone and engineered stone** – if you’ve got a bit more budget, this is where it’s at. Looks like marble or granite but without the maintenance drama. No sealing, no stressing about red wine spills.
**Timber benchtops** are making a comeback too. But here’s the thing – you gotta be ready to take care of them. Oil them, love them, baby them a bit. Worth it if you want that warm, organic feel.
## **The Little Things That Make a Big Difference**
Now here’s where most people stop thinking, but these materials can totally transform your space:
• **Splashbacks** – Glass is huge right now. Printed glass, colored glass, mirror glass. Or go with subway tiles if you want that classic look that never really goes out of style
• **Handles and hardware** – Brushed brass, matte black, or good old stainless steel. New handles are like jewelry for your kitchen
• **Kickboards** – Yeah, those things at the bottom of your cabinets. Swap out damaged ones with matching laminate or even stainless steel for that pro kitchen vibe
## **What About Paint?**
Look, sometimes the best material is just good quality paint. But not just any paint…
You want **kitchen-specific paint**. The stuff that can handle steam, grease, and that time you tried to flambe and things got a bit exciting. Dulux Wash & Wear or Taubmans Endure – these paints can take a beating.
## **The Reality Check**
Here’s what I tell everyone: the best material is the one that fits your life. Got kids who treat the kitchen like a science lab? Maybe skip the high-gloss white. Love cooking big Sunday roasts? You’ll want benchtops that can handle hot pots.
And honestly? Sometimes mixing materials is where the magic happens. Timber-look laminate doors with a stone benchtop. Matte cabinets with a glossy splashback. It’s your kitchen – make it work for you.
## **Quick Tips From Someone Who’s Been There**
1. **Get samples**. I mean it. That color looks different at 2pm than it does at 7am
2. **Feel everything**. Textures matter more than you think in a space you use every day
3. **Think about maintenance**. That high-gloss finish looks amazing but shows every fingerprint
The team at Kitcab knows all this stuff inside out. They’ve been doing kitchen facelifts around Melbourne long enough to know what actually works in real homes, not just in magazines.
Give your kitchen the facelift it deserves. Use materials that’ll stand up to real life. Because at the end of the day, the best kitchen is one you actually want to cook in.
Need to chat about your specific kitchen? The folks at Kitcab are pretty good at translating “I want it to look less… tired” into an actual plan.
Cheers,
Bryce
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