If you're anything like me, your kitchen reno moodboard would likely balloon beyond your budget during the reno process. As someone who has been there and done that, I put together a quick list of what you should splurge on and what you can actually save in your kitchen. Everyone's needs are different obviously, but this should serve as a good guideline to get you started on thinking about your own kitchen! 

Splurge: Hinges, runners, slides

Moving parts wear out. Go for reputable brands like Blum since they have the track record for a reason. I've personally used their hinges for five years without issue.

I also like extras like soft-close hinges/runners since they reduce wear on your frames and keep noise down. If you’re planning to install pull-outs, consider wide-angle hinges so you can make the most of your storage.

These mechanisms are a pain to swap out after, so spend a little more upfront.

Save: Internal storage organisers

As someone who cooks and bakes, I am not immune to the appeal of a pull-out spice rack or a baking tray organiser fantasy. But the truth is, these add-ons can get pricey (unless thrown in by your ID for free!) and often reduce usable cabinet space and quite rarely fit your actual collection of oddly-sized baking pans as neatly as the IG inspo suggests.

Simple drawers with dividers work just as well and give you more flexibility when your kitchen habits change.

Splurge: Countertop

Non-negotiable splurge. Your countertop deals with heat, chopping, grease, spills and daily cleaning. It IS the hardest working surface in the kitchen.

Quartz, sintered stone and stainless steel are decent durable, lower-maintenance options, but know the trade-offs: light-toned quartz can yellow over time with prolonged sun exposure, sintered stone can chip on heavy impact and stainless steel shows scratches.

Save (a little): Sink and faucet

Probably controversial: Brand name matters less here than fit. A mismatched sink and faucet combo leads to splashing + awkward reach, no matter how branded they are. Size is everything with sinks. Too shallow and water goes everywhere, too deep and it strains your back, too small and washing a wok becomes a workout.

Faucet spout height and reach should land close to the sink drain. Pull-out or gooseneck designs help with this. You genuinely do not need to spend top dollar to get this right. Just measure and match properly.

Save: Anti-fingerprint laminates

Love ‘em, less so the price premium for anti-fingerprint laminates.

The easier and cheaper alternative is to go matte, opt for a lighter tone, or choose a laminate with a lightly textured finish. These are almost as forgiving on fingerprints and smudges without the cost markup.

Splurge: Task lighting

Massively underrated and almost always an afterthought. You need even, stable light exactly where you work and not behind you where it just casts your own shadow onto everything.

Under-cabinet LEDs are your best bet. The critical part is to tell your designer where you want them before cabinets go up, so electricals can be pulled first. Once the carpentry is in, it becomes messy and expensive to sort out later.

Toe-kick lights on the other hand? Adds a nice aesthetic but not 100% necessary. But worth to think about if you’re adding under-cabinet lights anyway.