The kitchen in this Algester home was long overdue for an upgrade. It was an enclosed, dimly lit space with orange–toned cabinetry and patterned flooring. While it had served its purpose, it no longer suited the homeowner’s lifestyle and taste. They were after something brighter, more open, and practical. A kitchen that’s modern with better flow and functionality. This renovation was all about opening things up and creating a cleaner, more inviting space at the heart of their home.
Before: The Problem with the Old Kitchen
In its original form, this Algester kitchen felt more limiting than inviting. Enclosed and cut off from the main living areas, it lacked flow and made the space feel smaller than it was. The narrow layout restricted movement, and the room was weighed down by the orange-toned timber cabinetry, heavily patterned benchtops, and dated flooring. Although there was plenty of storage, the overall design felt cluttered and visually overwhelming. The tiled splashback clashed with the exposed brick wall, and the finishes as a whole lacked cohesion. With limited natural light and no modern touches. Perhaps the biggest drawback was the tucked-away nature of the kitchen meant it didn’t serve as a central gathering point of the home.
Project Details: How We Transformed the Kitchen
Improving Layout and Functionality
To open up what was once a narrow, enclosed kitchen, we made significant structural changes. A dividing wall on the left side was removed, allowing us to integrate the kitchen with the surrounding living spaces. This gave us freedom to introduce a large central island which is a key design feature that enhanced the workflow and connection to the rest of the home. The back wall of the kitchen, which was previously an entryway, was reconfigured to become the new cooking zone with a cooktop and oven, creating a more functional work triangle.
Modern Finishes and Smart Storage
We replaced the heavy timber cabinetry with streamlined, handle-less white joinery to lighten the overall feel and give the kitchen a clean, modern finish. Storage was rethought from the ground up. Rather than scattering cupboards across every wall, we installed deep drawers, full-height cabinetry, and a walk-in pantry beside the main prep area. This provided a centralised, clutter-free storage solution.
Updated Fixtures and Materials
The kitchen now featured white stone benchtops, a neutral-toned tile splashback, and matte chrome brushed nickel fixtures. A double-bowl undermount sink was paired with a chrome gooseneck mixer from trusted supplier Reece, known for high-quality tapware and kitchen fittings. The appliances, such as the cooktop, oven, and dishwasher, were all integrated to maintain a seamless look. The flooring was also replaced with durable timber-look vinyl planks, instantly warming up the space and tying in beautifully with the soft neutral palette. If you’re planning a renovation, choosing the right flooring options for wet areas can make all the difference
Enhancing Light and Flow
With the removal of walls and introduction of bright white finishes, the space felt instantly more open and lighter. The connection to outdoor areas through large windows boosted natural light during the day. Modern recessed LED downlights helped illuminate darker areas of the room at night and in lower light conditions.
Overcoming Structural and Styling Challenges
One of the key challenges in this kitchen renovation was reworking the layout without compromising structural integrity. Removing the dividing wall on the left side opened up the kitchen beautifully, but it required careful planning to ensure proper support. Another consideration was the repositioning of the cooking zone. Transforming what was originally a doorway into a full cabinetry with a cooktop and oven meant rerouting power and ventilation to suit the new design.
The addition of the walk-in pantry also required us to be clever with space, meaning we had to work within the existing footprint while still making the storage feel generous and functional. Finally, updating older materials like exposed brick, dated wiring, and uneven wall surfaces meant paying attention to detail behind the scenes. These small but important upgrades ensured the new fit-out met today’s safety standards while delivering a polished final look.
Get a free renovation consultation & Quote
Whether you’re in Algester or in any suburb across Brisbane southside, our team is here to help bring your dream kitchen to life. We design and build all kinds of renovations from kitchen and bathroom renovations in Browns Plains to whole home renovations in Highgate Hill we’re the trusted home renovation builders Brisbane Southside homeowners can trust for custom solutions perfectly suited to your space and executed without the regular renovation hassles. Get in touch today for a free consultation and quote and let’s create a space that suits your lifestyle, beautifully and practically.
