Tag: Cabinet maker

Sleek, Beautiful, and Highly Functional — Sandringham Kitchen Renovation
This recently completed Sandringham kitchen renovation transforms a compact second-storey space into a sleek, modern hub designed for both style and functionality. The homeowner’s vision called for a striking Kombu green and stainless steel colour palette, paired with an array of smart kitchen storage solutions, and BoxMakers delivered every detail with precision.
Overlooking the scenic suburbs of Sandringham, this modern kitchen combines clever design with practical storage. The base cabinets feature a Kesseboehmer dual-level pull-out set and Tanova Simplex dual pull-out bins, keeping daily essentials organised and easily accessible. Häfele extrusion handles and drawer runners were selected for a clean, professional finish that complements the kitchen’s contemporary look.
A standout feature of this project is the custom fridge-side cabinet, designed to match the height of the fridge enclosure. This tall pantry unit includes a combination of open shelves, mid-size drawers, and large handled drawers — 2 of each — using Harn Ritma drawer kits supplied by Fit NZ. This design allows for multiple storage options in a convenient, central location, perfect for everyday kitchen use.
The kitchen’s Melteca Green Slate Pearl cabinetry is paired with a stainless-steel benchtop from Classic Stainless, measuring 25mm in thickness. Rare in contemporary kitchens, this professional-grade benchtop offers heat resistance, durability, and hygienic performance while adding a sleek, industrial touch that complements the two-tone design.
With its combination of bold colours, intelligent storage solutions, and professional-grade materials, this modern Sandringham kitchen balances aesthetic appeal with unmatched functionality. It’s a space designed for the ambitious household chef — stylish, efficient, and built to last.
October 30, 2025
Storage Solutions with BoxMakers
Running out of kitchen space is a familiar feeling for most homeowners: whether it’s crammed cupboards or a crowded benchtop, no one likes to see a kitchen littered with pots, cans, and groceries.
At BoxMakers, we’ve continually stayed on top of every new development in the kitchen storage space. In decades past, solutions such as pull-out pantries were expensive to implement and often featured a tedious amount of custom design work. Nowadays, storage systems can be installed in every corner of your kitchen, with incredible performance and affordability.
Tiered Corner Unit
We all know about awkward kitchen corners and especially how easy it is to get lost in there, knocking down bottles and pans. Thankfully, there are numerous solutions purpose-built for tacking the corner problem. As featured in our Remuera kitchen renovation, tiered corner units can be used to double the amount of practical space, with operation that brings forth everything that’s tucked away. For that, Fit NZ’s Giamo Magic Corner Unit made an appearance.
Pull-Out Pantry
Full-size pull-out pantries function similarly to a fridge, but feature intricate rail and extension systems that brings everything towards you upon opening. Our Murray’s Bay renovation featured this to address storage concerns. With Kesseböhmer’s Tandem Arena unit, BoxMakers are confident that those storage woes are thoroughly assuaged.
Pull-Out Bins
Sight and smell are your worst enemies when it comes to chucking away kitchen waste. Under-bench pull-out bins are perfect for tucking away all those unpleasantries, and they come in all shapes and sizes. BoxMakers have been frequently impressed with Fit NZ’s Tanova series, which we recently used in our Sandringham project.
Under-Bench Units
Make every inch count with an under-bench pantry unit. With different sizes to accommodate spices, bottles, and everyday groceries, these convenient units typically come in 1 or 2 tiers. Our Mount Roskill kitchen renovation featured a Sige Infinity Pullout Bottle Rack, supplied by Enko, which was perfect for complementing kitchen storage.
Lazy Susan Corner Unit
Another smart corner addition is the Lazy Susan style of storage units. Also known as carousels, these corner units feature rotational operation to ensure easy access, regardless of where your goods are. Supplied by Häfele, Kesseböhmer’s Revo 90° corner unit is a great example of this, and we recently used in our Mt Roskill project.
Storage solutions aren’t limited to the above either – new innovations are always being developed and BoxMakers are here to make sure that your kitchen has the perfect space-saving solutions tailored just for you.
October 24, 2025
Subtle European Influences in a Modern Kitchen Transformation
For this kitchen renovation in Murray’s Bay, the end result is completely unrecognisable! Having inherited mediterranean influences, the home featured several indoor archways in both the kitchen and living spaces, but was long due for an overhaul.
The primary reason for renovation was aging hardware – in both style and performance. It was clear that the walls and floors were in rough shape from decades of use, and the open shelf cupboards were practically bursting at the seams. Citing clutter and wear, the client called for a modern, clean, and practical kitchen. One of the most notable changes required was the removal of the mediterranean brick-style arch that doubled as the kitchen entryway. This provided a seamless connection to the neighbouring room and allowed for an extra end of the kitchen bench to be usable.
BoxMakers chose to keep the same U-shape layout as it was still a highly efficient way of arranging the kitchen and maximising space. This allowed for the easy connection of new appliances, such as the rangehood and cooktop. We noted that the original kitchen suffered most from a dearth of storage space, which shaped our decision to create a storage-oriented kitchen. This, of course, called for an abundant supply of cabinetry, including numerous floor-to-ceiling units.
The cabinets were MDF, finished in white melamine – a theme that was kept consistent across the entire kitchen. In place of the open cupboards, BoxMakers installed a full-height shelf unit covered by an elegant bifold door solution. Perpendicular to it, the fan favourite Kesseböhmer Tandem pantry unit made an appearance, right beside the fridge. Allowing for a gargantuan level of storage, the unit is complemented by additional cabinets and drawers.
The benchtop was decided in close collaboration with the owner – Uniquartz’s Calacatta Grigio, a grey-based cut of engineered stone. It features a striking arrangement of stoney colours from marble white to dark slate. The patten is notable for resembling rippling waves against a temperamental backdrop of achromatic lightning – a particularly detailed piece evocative of the stormy Mediterranean Sea, which ties in perfectly with the home’s original style and the iconic Italian Carrara marble from which Calacatta Grigio is inspired by.
In keeping with the clean, modern aesthetic, Mardeco’s extrusion handles were selected, finished in simple white. These allowed for handleless designs across almost the entire kitchen, completing its unobtrusive appearance. Below the bench, Artia supplied the Italian-made Sige pull-out corner unit, while Häfele supplied the Kesseboehmer base pull-out set. For the appliances, the owner chose Asko, another European brand. This extended to the dishwasher, oven, and cooktop.
BoxMakers delivered on a highly capable modern kitchen that featured an incredible variety of storage solutions that is capable of sorting out any level of clutter. In close direction with the owner, we were able to install purpose-built drawers to contain what they wanted, where they wanted. While it may look like a simple modern kitchen at a glance, the renovation is packed with advanced storage solutions throughout, carefully interwoven with European influences.
October 23, 2025
What Affects the Cost of a Kitchen Renovation More, Layout or Materials?
Knowing where to invest your kitchen budget can be invaluable to both cost saving and maximising performance. Two of the most significant cost-affecting areas of a kitchen renovation are its layout and materials, but in most residential renovations, it’s the materials that tend to move the price tag more.
So How Does Layout Affect Cost?
Your kitchen’s layout defines the positioning of all your fixtures, furniture, and appliances. It dictates the ebb and flow of your kitchen, making sure that everything you need is placed smartly, efficiently, and conveniently. Typical kitchen layouts include: single wall, galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, peninsula, and island.
The more benchtop area used, the more expensive a kitchen is typically going to be; as it doesn’t simply demand more benchtop material, but also the unit’s cabinetry and hardware.
However, for most home renovations, layout changes alone don’t cause dramatic budget jumps. Many homeowners choose to retain their existing layout, which keeps costs manageable by avoiding plumbing or electrical rework. Even when redesigning the space, the expense of moving services or breaking walls can often be contained compared to what premium materials might cost.
What About Materials?
Here’s where the numbers can really start to climb. Choosing high end materials can make even single wall layouts fetch hefty price tags. The two major areas that can eat up your budget are the benchtop and cabinetry, but smart selection and efficient planning can cut down costs while looking akin to more premium offerings. Elsewhere, the floor, splashback, and accessories can also vary in material price.
Chiefly among renovators’ minds is the kitchen benchtop. Often seen as the centrepiece of one’s kitchen, it comes as no surprise that a hefty amount of the budget is dedicated to the bench. Laminate benchtops are the cheapest and provide excellent value for money. Engineered stone is a popular mid-range choices that may require maintenance. Porcelain and real stone, though undeniably stunning, can easily double or triple the material cost, especially in large kitchens.
Cabinetry also has the potential to quickly drive up costs. Here, materials typically come in the form of the core material and the finish. For the core, MDF strikes a good balance between durability, price, and finish variety. At the high-end, real wood is a pricey yet premium option. For the finish, melamine is affordable with a good range of aesthetics. A shift from white melamine to real wood veneer, for example, can dramatically elevate the look and the cost.
The splashback also has a diverse number of options, with tile being the cheapest yet perhaps the most versatile. Even within tile options, price can still vary drastically depending on material. Glass, stainless steel, and engineered stone are all valid mid-range choices. Porcelain makes another appearance as an expensive choice here. Elsewhere, the little things such as handle materials and cabinet systems can slowly add to the price.
The Verdict
While layout changes certainly impact cost, particularly if you’re knocking down walls or moving plumbing. In most residential kitchen renovations, it’s the materials that make the bigger difference.
A change from laminate to porcelain, or from melamine to real timber veneer, can easily outweigh the expense of reworking your layout. That said, the final cost always depends on your project’s scale, style, and priorities.
The best approach? Start with a clear vision of what matters most, functionality, finishes, or both, and plan your renovation around that balance.
October 22, 2025
Saving Your Kitchen with Smart Storage
Nobody enjoys seeing bottles, boxes, and pans taking up precious benchtop space. A crowded kitchen isn’t just a practical nuisance – it can also be embarrassing when hosting guests. If you’ve fallen victim to loss of space – fear not! In 2025, it’s easier than ever to find advanced, yet affordable solutions to tackle clutter and tidy your kitchen to make it good as new.
Over time, you may have experienced seeing less of your benchtop and more of your sundry kitchen goods. Gradual mess can become the bane of a kitchen’s existence, but kitchen planning and storage solutions can handily remedy that. Cabinet tech has been one of those silent innovators that have evolved quicker than people may realise. It used to be that going custom was the only way to get pull-out pantries, hidden bins, and intricate corner systems. Today, these capable kitchen add-ons are available from numerous retail and hardware stores, thanks to advances in materials, manufacturing, and global supply chains.
One of the biggest misconceptions about amassing storage space is that it’s all about having as many cabinets as possible. In truth, it’s all about making the space you have work for you, and using it as efficiently as possible. Now, pull-out pantries, integrated bins, and modular shelving are all easy to obtain and install, providing multiple levels, divisions, and angles of access.
BoxMakers have worked with trusted brands such as Häfele, Fit, Blum, Enko, and more to deliver high quality kitchen solutions that look good, feel good, and have plenty of room for everything. Cabinets and drawers can all be upgraded with smooth operation mechanisms such as soft-close hinges and runners, and modern corner units can feature revolving shelves, multi-level operation, and advanced retraction mechanisms.
Using smart storage isn’t just efficient – it’s trendy. Pulling out your pantry solutions is a fast way to impress guests and retrieve kitchen essentials, all without obscuring your benchtop. You already have the space – now make the most of it.
Resources: https://linkmix.co/45465289
October 17, 2025
5 Forms of Kitchen Lighting and How They Enhance Your Space
It comes as no surprise that the kitchen sports incredible potential for diverse lighting arrangements. Often the centrepiece of one’s home, it’s vital to get the right lighting setup if you want to make the most of your kitchen.
Each piece contributes to layered lighting through a trinity of purposes: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting provides general light, task lighting provides more focused light for particular roles, while accent lighting highlights details and adds drama. Here are five popular kitchen lighting fixtures, and how they contribute to your kitchen.
Pendant Lights
Typically hung over islands or dining areas, pendant lights provide both accent and task lighting. Perhaps the most eye-catching form of kitchen lighting as the focus isn’t just the light itself but the fixture in which they reside. They can come in any form: from simple bulbs and globes to intricate crystal arrangements and stylised clusters that are more akin to chandeliers.
Toe Kick Lights
Installed at the base of cabinets, toe kick lights highlight the profile of your cabinets and provide nuanced illumination in dark environments. An elegant form of accent lighting, it provides a subtle complement of light that doubles as a navigational aid while also adding drama and complexity to your cabinets.
Under Cabinet
Mounted just under overhead cabinets, these provide lighting for your benchtops and workspaces – a convenient form of task lighting. Under-cabinet lights are ideal for food preparation work and often work well independent of general ambient lighting. Another effect of this lighting is that is highlights your benchtops and splashback, which is perfect for showing off gorgeous arrangements,
Recessed Lighting
One of the many forms ambient lighting can manifest in a kitchen, recessed lighting resides within the ceiling cavity itself, and offers a flush, uniform look to your ceiling. It pairs well with modern themes and low-ceiling kitchens to provide general illumination for your kitchen. A 3000K colour temperature is typical for a warm and inviting kitchen.
Cabinet Interior
Primarily serving as accent lights within glass cabinets, these inner-cabinet fixtures can come in a surprising number of forms. From LED strips, to puck lights, to mini spotlights and more, this diverse genre of decorative lighting serves perfectly to accentuate and highlight your displays.
Whether you’re after bold new pendant lights or practical and reliable ceiling lights, find the perfect balance between ambient, task, and accent for a smart, layered kitchen.
October 8, 2025