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Tag: Kitchen materials

  • 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

  • Minimum Disruption. Comprehensive Kitchen Upgrade.

    Minimum Disruption. Comprehensive Kitchen Upgrade.

    With very particular requirements set for this suite of four kitchen upgrades, BoxMakers worked hard to not only realise a highly professional result, but to do so discreetly, and with minimal disruption to a live environment.

    Tempered Durability

    Being part of Westbridge Residential School, our work had to partially take place during active hours, and the kitchens themselves had to be purpose-built to endure heavy use. To achieve this, BoxMakers employed careful area cordoning, signage, and top-level communication so as to not disrupt the ebb and flow of the school. Our measures and precautions allowed the daily school ongoings to proceed as per usual.

    The kitchens themselves were designed around a contrasting pair of sporty blacks and mellowing whites. This visual use of clair-obscur invokes a dynamic display of depth, thanks to Meltaca’s Bullet Pearl finish. Against the white splashback and pale walls, these black & white kitchens are designed for professionalism and elegance.

    Premium Features

    With premium runners by Häfele, each drawer is designed to withstand heavy student use – and still remain smooth afterwards. Likewise for the handles – elegant brushed nickel bow profiles from Stefano Orlati. Fine details can be found in the benchtops, finished with Laminex’s Nero Grafite, which brings sophistication in the form of graceful streaks. Inversely, the Paris White splashback tiles feature a white base with marblelike details of smoky veins.

    As far as practicality goes, each kitchen offers dozens of storage options, between drawers, overheads, and under-bench options – ensuring that every piece gets its place.

    Thanks to the staff and coordination processes, we had a phenomenal experience working with the school. Our non-invasive methodology meant that we were able to finish these lovely kitchens all while the students went about their day. With these new upgrades, we can’t wait to see what they achieve!

    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]

  • Built for Efficiency: Modern Massey Kitchen & Wardrobe

    Built for Efficiency: Modern Massey Kitchen & Wardrobe

    Sitting beside blossoming Westgate in Massey, BoxMakers delivered a stellar kitchen & wardrobe job for this sloped-site home. With long-term value being key to the client’s requests, we aimed to deliver a solution that anticipated growing traffic and use over time.

    As part of a brand-new home build, our team were called in to design and install a modern, L-shaped kitchen. Since it was the cornerstone of the home’s open floor plan, this kitchen was planned with the goal of being accessible, seamless, and unobtrusive. Its split-level nature distinguishes it as truly a room of its own.

    BoxMakers were chosen because we knew the objective well, and that we could co-ordinate effortlessly with our construction division to ensure the home was a cohesive whole, rather than parts distinctly put together. This was a decision that facilitated flow, accuracy, and efficiency, tying in to the kitchen’s core themes.

    Simple but Powerful

    This strikingly simple modern kitchen produces a direct statement. Featuring truffle-finished MDF panels, shiny bar-pull handles, and a snowy white benchtop, every surface glistens with fresh efficiency. Behind, the marble-look splashback weaves in a touch of sophistication. Of note is the particularly wide rangehood accommodation, in anticipation of heavy cooking duties thanks to the region’s ever-expanding palette.

    Smart Bathroom Work

    BoxMakers’ work also extended to the bedrooms, where we performed the cabinet work for all three, including the master suite. The two regular bedrooms saw a triple-bar arrangement with dual cubbies and drawers. The master bedroom features a walk-in wardrobe with closet rods extending the full length of the space alongside a doubly expanded cubby section.

    Our work on this Massey kitchen compresses our values into their simplest form: beauty, efficiency, and offering enough cabinetry to carry you well into the future.

    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 Seriously Sweet & Special Kitchen

    A Seriously Sweet & Special Kitchen

    Capping off our 2025 year, we applied the finishing touches on our brand-new kitchens in Mount Albert. As part of our multi-home joinery work, lot 3 showcases a tailor-made set of entry cabinets, a special modern-minimalist kitchen, as well as a sneaky upstairs laundry space.

    On the ground floor, the owners’ visionary idea for their entryway & kitchen was brought to life. In tackling all of their storage needs, BoxMakers designed and installed a custom set of cabinets, shelves, and displays, complete with a small workspace. The Nordic Oak MDF benchtop is complemented with handleless cream cabinetry above and below. The accompanying 17-shelf dual-door cabinet is opened with ergonomic lip pull handles by Mardeco.

    Custom Entry Cabinetry

    The true star of the show, however, is the 6-shelf glass display cabinet for the family’s resident figurine collector. Featuring an elegant glass door, secure shelving, and under-shelf LED strips, this delightful display is sure to shine bright. Its tasteful accent lighting will make any display the centre of attention.

    An Airy and Welcoming Kitchen

    Just past the entryway, featuring nurturing colours and an open, airy feel, the minimalist kitchen serves as a staple of clean and simple design. With handleless cabinetry in a smooth French Cream by Melteca, these delicious face panels breathe a saccharine aroma into the room.

    Sandwiched between is the benchtop and splashback, which came in matching White Carrara engineered stone. Lightly veined in tones of milk, cream, and honey, this tasty finish extended to the kitchen island for a matching look, which is bathed under the supple glow of a unique swirling pendant light.

    Häfele were chosen for the extrusion handles, mounting, and drawer slides – the silent champions of smooth operation. As far as smart kitchen storage goes, we used Vibo’s Galaxy series of bottle organisers, and Fit NZ’s Simplex pull-out bins. This custom kitchen also features loads of custom storage, including a 6-tier pantry, pull-out shelves, and plenty of overhead room with tactile push-to-open mechanisms.

    Bosch were the go-to brand for our appliances this time, featuring their cooktop, oven, rangehood, and dishwasher – all high-performance and ready to make the most delectable of meals.

    A Hidden Upstairs Gem

    Upstairs, the clients had a very special idea for their laundry needs. Hidden away behind an unassuming set of closet doors is a full-fledged laundry space, complete with a sink, worktop, and a generous attachment of cabinetry. The silvery sink and tap by Omison pairs perfectly with the white of the bench, splashback, and cabinets, whose arrangement was carefully curated to accommodate an over/under washer-dryer combo.

    It was a pleasure to work on this treat of a kitchen. We can just tell it’s going to be perfect for discussing, dining, and of course, dessert.

    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]

  • 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.

  • Realistic Timeline for an Auckland Kitchen Reno

    Realistic Timeline for an Auckland Kitchen Reno

    Renovating your kitchen is an exciting journey that can breathe new life into your home. Depending on your scale and ambition, the process as a whole can get quite lengthy. Here’s a quick guide to get you up to speed on what you can expect out of your kitchen renovation’s timeline.

    Design & Consultation

    When you first begin, you’ll likely be looking for a trusted designer who can deliver everything you want out of your new kitchen. Visiting different designers and weighing their catalogues, selections, and quotes can be a great way of finding a good fit, but being reliable, experienced, and trustworthy is important too. When you’ve chosen your designer, working with them to determine the scale of work, kitchen design, layout, and more can last a few weeks but largely depends on the rate of communication between you and the designer. You can expect site visits and measurements during this phase.

    Material Selection & Ordering

    Here you’ll be finalising the materials used for your kitchen, including everything from the benchtop and cabinetry to fixed appliances such as the oven, cooktop, and rangehood. Once they’re locked in, the designer will order them. The ordering itself typically only takes 2 weeks, but finalising materials has the potential to drag out a renovation job. Constant communication and settling topics quickly can speed up the timeline. During this phase, you can spend the time getting your home ready for the kitchen work, such as setting up a temporary kitchen, protecting the floors, and making room for the tradespeople to move.

    Demolition

    When all is decided and the major components are ready, demolition can begin. This is when the old kitchen is removed, along with any other parts, such as flooring, walls, or columns. The used kitchen parts are typically dismantled and recycled, but good condition parts can be sold or repurposed for another room. Demolition usually only lasts a week, but could be longer if more than just your kitchen needs to be removed.

    Fabrication

    For designers that provide custom cabinetry (such as ourselves), they take time to manufacture your tailor-made cabinets in-house. This typically takes place after the design and renovation is locked in, and can take place concurrently with on-site efforts such as demolition and preparation. Fabrication involves taking the chosen cabinet materials and custom cutting them to match your home’s dimensions, leading to a much better fit compared to flat-pack or premade cabinets. This includes personalised accommodations for appliances and in-cabinet storage solutions. Fabrication typically lasts around 3 – 4 weeks.

    Site Prep & Rough-in

    This is when the old kitchen has been removed, and the tradespeople are preparing the room for the new kitchen. The process typically involves readying the electrical and plumbing systems with new wires and pipes. This phase can be long or short depending on the scale of your project. Notably, if your kitchen layout is planned to change, then the service connections will need rerouting, which requires more time. Complex renovations may require more than a month.

    Installation

    When the site is prepared and ready for your new kitchen, putting the parts together is the final phase of your renovation. This includes installing the cabinetry, benchtop, flooring, and hardware such as hinges, handles, and drawer systems. After, the splashback and fixed appliances are installed, with everything properly connected to your home’s services. Finally, the finishing touches are applied, followed by the final inspection and clean-up. Installation typically lasts 2 weeks.

    Design & Consultation: Weeks to months depending on communication.

    Material Selection & Ordering: 2 weeks, longer if more deliberation required.

    Demolition: 1 week.

    Fabrication: 3 – 4 weeks.

    Site Prep: Highly varies depending on the layout and the scope of the project

    Installation: 2 weeks.

    Overall, you can expect your kitchen to be out of commission for around 1 – 2 months, while the whole process may last several months depending on how much consultation is required and how complex the project is. While the process itself can be quite involved, it is a highly rewarding experience and an opportunity to make your kitchen truly yours.