Working with a tiny little kitchen doesn’t mean compromising on function or style. With thoughtful planning, compact appliances and custom cabinetry made for WA homes, your small space can look bigger, work better and add real value.
Joyce Kitchens designs and renovates tiny kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes across Perth and regional WA. Below you’ll find proven layouts, materials, costs and a step‑by‑step renovation process tailored to Australian homes.
Core small-kitchen insights that make a tiny little kitchen feel big
- Design to zones: Keep prep, cook and clean zones tight to reduce steps. A galley kitchen or compact L-shape often beats a cramped U-shape in a tiny kitchen.
- Think vertical: Run overhead cabinets to the ceiling for extra storage, add a slim pull‑out pantry, and consider kickboard drawers for trays and baking sheets.
- Use integrated and compact appliances: 450 mm dishwashers, compact 45 cm ovens, 600 mm or 700 mm fridges with integrated panels keep the visual line clean.
- Light and bright: Pale doors, a reflective splashback and continuous LED strip lighting under overheads make small spaces feel open.
- Declutter the benchtop: Choose an undermount sink, rail storage, and internal organisers with soft‑close drawers and quality hardware (e.g. Blum).
- Optical tricks that work: Slim benchtop edges, handleless or finger‑pull rails, and minimal grout lines elongate sightlines.
- WA practicality: Prioritise heat and UV resistant finishes for Perth summers, and plan proper extraction for coastal humidity and cooking.
A door and drawer style using finger‑pull rails or push‑to‑open mechanisms to remove protruding handles. Great in tight walkways and modern apartments.
For a separate WC, explore very small toilet room ideas that maximise storage, light and circulation in tight spaces.
Our renovation process (Perth & WA)
1) Measure & consult
We visit your home to measure precisely (down to services and skirtings) and discuss how you live and cook. For strata or apartments, we review lift access and delivery routes.
2) Concept design & layout options
We’ll present 3D designs and layout choices – such as a single‑wall with island bench trolley, a compact galley layout, or space‑saving L‑shape – balancing storage, flow and appliance sizes that suit Australian standards.
3) Selections: cabinetry, benchtops, splashbacks
Choose from WA‑made custom cabinetry, durable benchtops suited to local conditions, and hard‑wearing splashbacks. We’ll advise on thermolaminate, two‑pack polyurethane, laminate, porcelain (sintered stone) and more.
4) Detailed documentation & compliance
We document plans, elevations and specifications to align with AS/NZS standards (e.g. AS/NZS 4386 for domestic kitchen assemblies, AS/NZS 3000 electrical, AS/NZS 5601 gas). We can work under a HIA style contract and coordinate licensed trades.
5) Manufacturing & installation
Your cabinetry is manufactured for a precise fit in WA. Typical installation takes 3–10 working days for a tiny little kitchen, depending on services relocation and splashback type.
6) Handover & aftercare
We check all doors, soft‑close action and alignments, and share care guides tailored to your finish (e.g. porcelain vs laminate). We can also match finishes across your bathroom, laundry and wardrobe for a consistent home look.
A decorative vinyl film heat‑pressed over profiled doors to mimic painted or timber looks at a lower cost. Modern thermolaminates are durable in Australian kitchens when installed with proper heat shielding near ovens and dishwashers.
Materials and finishes for tiny kitchens
In compact spaces, finishes do double duty: they must be durable and help the room feel larger. Here’s a quick comparison of two popular benchtop choices used in Perth small kitchens.
Benchtop comparison: Porcelain/Sintered Stone vs Laminate
| Feature | Porcelain / Sintered Stone (Ultra‑compact) | High‑Pressure Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Heat & UV resistance | Excellent; suited to Perth heat and sunlight | Good; use trivets to avoid heat damage |
| Look & edge | Stone, concrete, marble looks; slim edges (12 mm) enhance space | Wide range of décors; 20–33 mm profiles; modern square edges |
| Maintenance | Low; non‑porous, stain resistant | Very low; wipe clean, avoid harsh abrasives |
| Typical price (tiny kitchen) | $$$ (premium) | $ (budget‑friendly) |
| Best for | High‑end, handleless kitchen or contemporary minimal styles | Rental, family‑proof upgrades, fast refreshes |
A man‑made ultra‑compact surface created by sintering minerals at high heat and pressure. It offers excellent heat, stain and UV resistance for Australian conditions.
Quartz “engineered stone” products containing crystalline silica have been banned nationally from July 2024. We guide clients to safe, beautiful alternatives (porcelain/sintered stone, solid surface, laminate, timber). See Safe Work Australia’s guidance.
Door and drawer fronts that suit tiny spaces
- Two‑pack polyurethane: Seamless paint finish, ideal in light colours to visually expand space.
- Thermolaminate (vinyl wrap): Cost‑effective profiles including Shaker kitchen looks for a Hamptons/coastal style.
- Melamine boards: Hard‑wearing, budget‑friendly with realistic woodgrains.
Hardware and storage
- Soft‑close drawers & hinges: Smooth operation and better use of corner or narrow spaces.
- Internal organisers: Cutlery, spices, bin pull‑outs, and tray dividers reduce benchtop clutter.
- Lighting: Continuous LED strips under overheads and inside pantries improve visibility.
Best layouts and styles for a tiny little kitchen
Layouts that earn every millimetre
- Galley kitchen: Two parallel runs; ideal in apartments with 900–1000 mm walkway. Keeps the triangle tight.
- Compact L‑shape: Works in small open‑plan spaces; add a mobile island or slimline breakfast bar.
- Single‑wall: Great for studios; integrate a 45 cm oven and 2‑zone induction to reclaim bench space.
- Micro U‑shape: Only where room allows 1000 mm+ between runs; otherwise it can feel cramped.
A classic framed door with a recessed centre panel. In tiny kitchens, specify slim rails (e.g., 60–70 mm) to keep profiles light and modern.
Style cues that make small rooms sing
- Shaker, coastal or Hamptons: Suits Perth’s light; pair white or dune tones with satin brass or matte black taps.
- Contemporary handleless: Finger‑pull rails and porcelain tops for a sleek, easy‑clean look.
- Scandi compact: Pale timber accents, open shelves (only where dust won’t be an issue), and integrated appliances.
Two quick WA case examples
- Subiaco apartment galley (2.2 × 2.8 m): We ran overheads to the ceiling, added a 450 mm dishwasher, 2‑zone induction, and an integrated 705 mm fridge. Porcelain benchtops with a mirrored splashback increased light by ~25%.
- Fremantle workers’ cottage L‑shape (2.6 × 2.6 m): Thermolaminate Shaker doors, laminate top, pull‑out pantry and kickboard drawers added 15% storage. A butler’s pantry-style tall cabinet doubled as a mini scullery with a benchtop appliance garage.
Perth costs, timelines and approvals
What does a tiny kitchen renovation cost in Perth?
- Refresh (keep layout): From $12,000–$20,000 for new doors, panels, laminate benchtop, sink/tap, and minor electrical/plumbing.
- Mid-range: $20,000–$35,000 adding new cabinetry, premium laminate or porcelain top, quality hardware, glass/tiled splashback, compact appliances.
- Premium: $35,000–$60,000+ with custom WA cabinetry, porcelain/sintered stone, integrated appliances, LED lighting and bespoke storage.
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