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Tag: Kitchen benchtop

  • The Science Behind Layout and Practicality in the Modern Kitchen

    The Science Behind Layout and Practicality in the Modern Kitchen

    While having a beautiful, attractive, and aesthetically refined kitchen is of course important, looks can often overshadow performance, which is becoming increasingly relevant in today’s bustling modern household. Often playing second fiddle to outward appearances, the practicality of a kitchen entirely affects its usability. If appliances are the beating heart of a kitchen, then ergonomics are the circulatory system. Find out the science behind fine-tuning a kitchen, and why you should apply it.

    Layout: Within a kitchen, you’ll often find yourself bouncing between the three main working areas: the sink, cooktop, and fridge. This trifecta of pivotal roles forms the foundation of kitchen design and make up the aptly named “kitchen work triangle”. Make sure these spaces are 1.2 to 2.4 metres apart, with 4 to 8 metres as the total perimeter, without any other work paths infringing on its space.

    This triangle cuts down transition time drastically, while also ensuring that the space is free from any obstructions. As for entry, make sure you don’t have to walk the length of the kitchen just to enter it. This can be a problem with G-shaped kitchens if the entry isn’t positioned conveniently.

    Height: In the age of increasing heights and diversifying demographics, it can be rare to feel a perfect fit with a new kitchen. Since most benchtops aren’t adjustable like desks, taking some time to get it right can save you from a lot of backache. The typical working benchtop height is between 85 to 95 cm. See what’s suitable for your height below:

    • 150cm – 160cm = an 84cm high benchtop
    • 160cm – 170cm = an 88cm high benchtop
    • 170cm – 180cm = a 92cm high benchtop
    • 180cm – 190cm = a 96cm high benchtop

    A good rule of thumb is to put your palms flat on your benchtop and see if your elbows are resting at a 45-degree angle with your forearms. If so, then that height is a good fit. For placing shelves, keep them around 45-60 cm above the benchtop, or 65 cm above the cooktop, with essential shelves no more than 1.4 m off the floor. Proper shelving balances working space, accessibility, and cooktop clearance.

    Drawer Opening: It can be finicky having multiple drawers open, especially when going back and forth, bumping around the kitchen. At the same time, pushing them shut brings noise and possible damage. Consider self-close drawer slides to make closing worry-free, or soft-close systems, which dampen sound and minimise impact – all with just a gentle push.

    For lift-up cabinets, look for those with a stay-open mechanism so that you can retrieve goods with both hands. You can use the drawer size to sort goods: shallow drawers for cutlery, medium drawers for bowls, and deep drawers for pots and containers.

    Convenience Mapping: Unless you want to treat cooking like a marathon, aim at minimising the amount of movement needed to retrieve any and all goods. This includes your whiteware, appliances, and cooking tools. For example, keep your pans right by your cooktop at waist or shoulder height, keep your tableware cabinets next to your dishwasher, and avoid tucking away your favourites in bottom cabinet corners – your back will thank you for it.

    Having smart storage solutions can be a lifesaver in this instance: base cabinet pull-outs can provide easy access to pantry goods, while pull-out bins make short work of disposal with none of the smell. Consider putting your cabinet corner to work with a carousel unit for further space efficiency.

    Safety – When working around all sorts of sharp objects and hot surfaces, getting hurt is the last thing anyone wants. In addition to having drawers & doors closed, sound footing is also important. Check just how “non-slip” your flooring actually is, and how it works with footwear and socks.

    For nighttime working, consider installing task lighting such as under-cabinet LEDs for a focused work area. Toe kick illumination can be especially useful when left on after lights-off, providing you and your family with a guide and saving many a pinkie toe from those pesky stubs.

    Focusing on form over function is understandably popular, but it’s best to get a measure of your kitchen’s usability. While the effects of aesthetics are apparent immediately and fully, the effects of layout, height, and operability are often not discovered until later. Building your dream kitchen is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many, and getting it right is just as important as ever. Make sure you get the ergonomics you want and find the balance that’s just right for you.

    Sources:

    Applying the science of ergonomics in high-end kitchens

    https://www.nakedkitchens.com/blog/kitchen-ergonomics-make-your-kitchen-more-efficient

  • An Accommodating Kitchen Pantry Unit

    An Accommodating Kitchen Pantry Unit

    Among our more modest kitchen upgrades, our BoxMakers renovation in Bucklands Beach saw the addition of several cabinets and drawers. These included new internals such as hinges and runners, to improve the overall look and operation of the kitchen.

    The bulk of our work involved the centre cabinet collection, which required more room to accommodate a fridge, as well as new appliances. BoxMakers carefully designed a new set of cabinets around the central need of having fridge housing. This resulted in a distinct three-stage layout, featuring (from left to right) the appliance column, refrigerator, and pantry.

    Beautiful Panels

    Our panel selection came in Quarter Thorndon Cream from Prime Panels: a slick melamine on MDF combination that serves as a fitting partner for the fridge’s glossy cool white. Starting from the left, the unit features a dual-drawer layout with an overhead cabinet. The oven was also replaced, coming in Bosch’s 8 Series.

    Central to the unit is the fridge housing, which offers large enough dimensions to accommodate a variety of modern refrigerators. Overhead is a horizontal cubby, perfect for storing kitchen rolls and coffee capsules. The fridge itself is a triple-tier multipurpose unit from Mitsubishi Electric.

    On the right is where the bulk of the cabinetry rests. Featuring a double door pantry with Häfele hinges and 4 tiers of shelving, it offers accommodations for all sorts of groceries and sundries. Below rests a triple assortment of drawers, carefully put together with Häfele’s Luxe handles and their drawer system for silky smooth handling and a flush, handleless exterior.

    This new cabinet unit interacts exceptionally well under the existing skylight, since natural light is perfect for rummaging through both the fridge and pantry

    BoxMakers are confident that this new unit provides excellent appliance accommodations without sacrificing storage space, thanks to our efficient design and smart use of internal hardware.

    Looking for new cabinetry or thinking about a kitchen renovation? Call us on 09 827 1177, or chuck us an email at [email protected]

  • A Fully Handleless Minimalist Kitchen

    A Fully Handleless Minimalist Kitchen

    For our very special homes in Mt Albert, BoxMakers worked hard to create specially tailored, form-fitting, high-performance kitchens suited for a wide range of needs. Our work in Lot 2 was aimed at answering all of a typical family’s requirements in a sleek and functional solution.

    A Sleek Island-Style

    The layout took the form of a slim L-shaped design with an island. This arrangement allowed for practical intensive cooking sessions with all major working areas mere steps away from each other, while also giving extra room for family convening and dining. The main kitchen area shows two distinct depths: the outer cabinetry is distinguished by its Melteca Storm Pearl finish, which blends the lines between brown and dark blue, and inner cabinetry came in simple white melamine. The white cabinetry is recessed on the bench overhead, matching the vein-streaked splashback and icy white benchtop.

    Modern minimalism is the name of the game for kitchen style. Featuring handleless cabinets and stainless-steel fixtures, this kitchen prides itself on smooth lines and accessible function. This was achievable thanks to Fit NZ’s push-to-open mechanisms and Häfele’s Luxe hidden handles. Every cabinet from the VIBO bottle organiser, to the corner cabinet and Tanova pull-out bin offered handleless operation.

    LEDs & Appliances

    With numerous LEDs, power points, and stainless-steel appliances, this modern and effective kitchen sports a stylish triple-colour combo. The suspended pendant light adds further aesthetic character with its unique double helix design. Its intertwining nature provides both ambient and local lighting.

    This kitchen offers the full experience while presenting it in a sleek, minimalist package; all with instantaneous access to the dining and living rooms.

    Designed by: Mona Simathamchai

    Looking for new cabinetry or thinking about a kitchen renovation? Call us on 09 827 1177, or chuck us an email at [email protected]

  • A Stellar Dual-Function TV Cabinet & Guest Renovations

    A Stellar Dual-Function TV Cabinet & Guest Renovations

    The second act to our Tāwharanui Peninsula project, this luxury home saw a stellar TV unit, wardrobe, and bathroom vanity by BoxMakers. Coming in the same vein of dark yet graceful midnight-themed cabinetry, this mysterious living room unit offers more than what meets the eye…

    Brooding silently at the end of a decadently spacious lounge, this cool and collected TV cabinet holds a few more secrets than it might seem. Clad in the armour of night, this bespoke unit effortlessly flaunts StyleLite’s Carbon series in TruMatte – a hypnotic black teeming with thick atmosphere. The thick outer panels emphasise its strong, silent nature while also limiting glare for the TV inside. Below, a subtle triplet of cubbies allow for convenient media storage.

    The cabinet doors are composed of a modern arrangement of vertical slats. Plytech supplied their Maestro Latt series, a premium panel which we selected in Pepper Oak on Black – an airy timber reprieve with a contrasting dark underlay for definition and effect. The two-tiered rail allows the entire until to be concealed, but the real mystery isn’t the panels themselves – it’s what behind them…

    Sliding over the door, the slats reveal a full kitchenette, complete with a sink, splashback, and mini-fridge. Needless to say, yes, it came in black. Featuring Silestone’s Night Tebas18, the benchtop is a captivating star-specked spacescape, whose details are only observable under close scrutiny.

    Shifting through the deepness of space is the splashback, which features undulating tones of wavelike stone and a pattern evocative of a gas giant’s stormy shell. With the same black matte panels and glossy onyx handles, this mesmerising midnight enigma offers galactic levels of convenience and storage, especially with Häfele’s drawer systems. It even has a local ice giant (a mini fridge).

    The guest bedroom also saw a blacked-out addition in the form of a wardrobe. With smooth sliding doors, accommodating cubbies, and ample hanger space, this wardrobe is perfect for handling guest storage. Enko was our choice for the drawers here as their Slimbox system was perfect for handling large capacities with smooth operation.

    Elsewhere, the guest bathroom features a modern natural aesthetic. To deliver definition against its light wooden tones, BoxMakers installed a bathroom vanity of the same black scheme with a few key differences: the face panels reintroduced Dezignatek’s fluted design, while the basin resembled the hollowed-out half of a meteorite. Its raw, natural curves pair perfectly with the bathroom’s natural aesthetic, while the floating vanity adds a touch of modernity. With a smartly disguised kitchen and TV space, large wardrobes, and modern vanities, this project is out of this world. Featuring premium materials fit for its luxury location, this multi-faceted BoxMakers renovation delivered functional upgrades across the guest suite, thoroughly dripping with atmosphere. Also, they’re incredibly cool.

  • Dazzling & Warm: A Sunlit Glenfield Kitchen

    Dazzling & Warm: A Sunlit Glenfield Kitchen

    As part of a larger home renovation, this special Glenfield residence called for a kitchen to match. Citing aging hardware with mismatched appliances for their needs, the owner was keen to see a full BoxMakers makeover.

    Being the home’s pièce de resistance, special attention was paid to crafting this brilliant modern kitchen. Sporting a G-shape layout, this kitchen offers nearly 360 degrees of functionality, with an incredible amount of modern hardware and cabinetry, all with a perfectly positioned entry point for convenient access to the rest of the home.

    Colours & Themes

    The colours and themes revolve around the existing timber ceiling, which offered rich orange hues. To complement this, we chose a light colour palette across the board. The MDF cabinetry proudly features a light and breezy combination of Spanish White Velvet and Bleached Maple Woodgrain finishes from Prime Panels. Collaborating with Stone Space, the benchtop is a beautiful cut of Calacatta Bianco engineered stone, swimming with delicate flashes of gold and grey. When sunlight hits the room, the kitchen is positively glowing!

    Appliances & Hardware

    New appliances were a core component of this upgrade. With ambitious levels of cooking in mind, we installed a 500-Series Induction Cooktop from Haier and FOTILE’s EMG-Series rangehood. Both are incredibly capable choices with a sleek, modern design chosen for their powerful ability to tackle the most complex of meals. Likewise, the Omison sink, Domenic Tap, FOTILE oven, and Bosch dishwasher were all versatile options. It even features an InSinkErator food disposal system, completing this comprehensive suite of fixtures and appliances.

    Behind the panels, you can find an abundance of kitchen hardware. Fit’s Tanova hidden bins and Duplo corner unit go hand in hand with Häfele’s pull-out set. Combined with BoxMakers’ abundantly positioned cabinets, the owner would want for nothing when it comes to storage space. Fleshed out with stunning LEDs, handles, and Häfele’s silky smooth drawer systems, every aspect of this kitchen is made for the modern power user.

    Designed by: Mona Simathamchai

    Looking for new cabinetry or thinking about a kitchen renovation? Call us on 09 827 1177, or chuck us an email at [email protected]

  • Sleek, Beautiful, and Highly Functional — Sandringham Kitchen Renovation

    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.

  • Subtle European Influences in a Modern Kitchen Transformation

    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.

  • What Affects the Cost of a Kitchen Renovation More, Layout or Materials?

    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.

  • Saving Your Kitchen with Smart Storage

    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

  • A Covert and Minimalist Kitchen

    A Covert and Minimalist Kitchen

    Nestled away in the sunny Helensville countryside, this tranquil rural home recently saw a brand new BoxMakers kitchen. What was special about this project, however, was the roof it was under. Instead of being part of the main home, this was a unique kitchen tailored to fit a detached workshop.

    With convenience and versatility in mind, the client wanted an accessible way to prepare meals in the comfort of their own workplace. This meant no more back and forth travel or clashed occupancy of the main kitchen. The main themes of this kitchen were being utilitarian, covert, and minimalist. BoxMakers knew the assignment well, and aimed to strike a balance between professionalism and elegance, all while adhering to the surrounding purpose and themes.

    The owner wanted black to be the central colour of the kitchen, and BoxMaker delivered. With 16mm MDF as the core material, all of the bench cabinets were finished in Black Pearl melamine by Melteca – a midnight finish that strikingly swallows light, yet glistens under the right conditions. This clandestine cabinet collection contained a carefully curated composition of drawers, providing a striking resemblance to tool storage units, in running with the utility-centric theme.

    Häfele’s Luxe handles were chose for their hidden profile design, creating flush and uniform cabinet faces. Mardeco’s 2006 series handle was chosen for the larger cabinet. All of them, of course, came in black. Inside the cabinetry, you can find Häfele’s signature drawer hardware, as well as Enko’s Uni-Bin Soft Close Waste bins for disguising waste.

    The focal point of this kitchen is the benchtop. In close collaboration with the owner, we decided on a finish that matched the stealthy aesthetic while weaving in some of the colour of the floor’s dark wood. UniQuartz’s Brown Forest was chosen – streaks of golden-brown woven against a mesmerising obsidian grey backdrop.

    The client’s fixtures and appliances were meticulously chosen to reflect their vision. Carysil’s Enigma sink was chosen for its true-to-name mysterious yet modern appearance while Casa’s sink mixer made for a perfect minimalist pairing. A compact 2-zone cooktop by Vogue continued the dark, minimalist trend.

    Taking in design cues from utility-oriented storage, BoxMakers delivered a highly modern single-benchtop kitchen that is just as capable as it is dark. The room’s warm overhead lights make each cooking session a bold cinematic experience.