Transform your dining and kitchen into a seamless, social hub with expert planning, custom cabinetry and compliant installation. Explore our kitchen design Perth services. As a WA specialist in kitchen renovations, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes, Joyce Kitchens helps homeowners create beautiful, durable spaces that work for everyday living and entertaining.
How to Plan a Dining and Kitchen That Works
The best dining and kitchen designs make meal prep, eating and entertaining effortless. Start with your household’s flow: how you cook, dine and gather. Then choose a layout and storage plan that supports it.
Core insights for a combined dining room kitchen
- Zones first: Prep, cooking, cleaning, serving and dining should each have a clear zone. Use an island bench to separate prep from dining.
- Traffic and safety: Keep the cooktop out of main thoroughfares. Allow 1000–1200 mm clear walkways, more if you host often.
- Bench space where it counts: Prioritise landing areas either side of the cooktop and around the sink. A 300–450 mm “plating” bench near the dining table is ideal.
- Storage depth: Mix deep drawers (pots, small appliances) with overheads (glasses, dishes). Soft-close drawers and quality hardware (e.g., Blum) improve everyday use.
- Lighting layers: Task lighting to benches (LED strip lighting under overheads), pendants over the island, and warm ambient lighting in the dining zone.
- Ventilation: A correctly sized rangehood (at least as wide as the cooktop) prevents odours drifting into the dining area.
Local considerations for WA/Australia
- Appliance sizing: Popular sizes include 600 mm and 900 mm ovens/cooktops, 600/900 mm rangehoods, 450/600 mm dishwashers. Allow ventilation clearances around fridges and wall ovens per manufacturer specs.
- Heat and UV: WA sun can be intense. Choose UV-stable finishes and consider heat-resistant benchtops near windows.
- Compliance: Electrical work must meet AS/NZS 3000, gas to AS/NZS 5601, and cabinetry to AS/NZS 4386. A registered builder/installer ensures compliance and safety.
Our Renovation Process
Joyce Kitchens manages the journey from concept to completion, coordinating design, trades and installation across kitchens, dining areas, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes.
- Design consultation and site measure: We discuss your goals, budget and style, then measure your space and assess services (plumbing, electrical, gas).
- Concept layouts and 3D renders: Options for a galley, L-shaped with island, U-shaped or a scullery/butler’s pantry are presented with materials and colour palettes.
- Selections: Cabinetry (melamine, two-pack polyurethane, timber veneer), benchtops (porcelain/sintered stone, laminate, solid surface, natural stone), splashbacks, flooring and handles.
- Approvals and scheduling: If removing walls, we liaise with structural engineers and your local council/building surveyor for the necessary approvals.
- Manufacture and installation: Custom cabinetry WA-made to fit your home precisely. We coordinate electricians, plumbers, tilers and painters.
- Handover and aftercare: Final checks, care instructions and warranties for peace of mind.
Materials and Finishes
Materials define the look, maintenance and lifespan of your dining and kitchen. Below are the most popular options our Perth clients choose, including budget-friendly and premium finishes.
Benchtops
- Porcelain/sintered stone: Highly heat, stain and UV resistant; excellent near windows. Great alternative to legacy “engineered stone”.
- Laminate benchtop: Cost-effective with improved realism; ideal for rental or investment properties and families on a budget.
- Solid surface: Seamless joins and repairable; warm touch and hygienic.
- Natural stone: Unique veining; requires sealing and mindful maintenance.
Engineered Stone (legacy) vs Laminate – Comparison
| Feature | Engineered Stone (legacy) | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look/Feel | Stone-like appearance; wide patterns | Vast designs incl. stone/timber looks |
| Heat/UV Resistance | Good, but avoid direct heat shock | Moderate; use trivets and avoid hot pots |
| Maintenance | Low; non-porous | Low; avoid abrasive cleaners |
| Typical Cost (installed) | N/A for new installs due to 2024 ban | $200–$450 per linear metre (edge profile dependent) |
| Compliance & Health | Nationally prohibited for new supply/installation from 1 July 2024 | Compliant; safe to fabricate and install |
| Best For | Existing/legacy installations only | Budget-conscious family kitchens and rentals |
Note: For a stone-like finish compliant in Australia, choose porcelain/sintered stone or other approved materials. We’ll guide you through current regulations and alternatives.
Cabinetry and hardware
- Melamine cabinetry: Durable, value-driven; extensive colourways.
- Two-pack polyurethane: Premium painted finish; suits shaker kitchen or contemporary flat-panel styles.
- Timber veneer: Warm, natural texture that pairs beautifully with a dining table.
- Hardware: Soft-close drawers, integrated bins, pull-out pantries and corner solutions to optimise storage.
Splashbacks and flooring
- Tiles or porcelain slabs: Highly durable; easier to clean with larger-format tiles or slab splashbacks.
- Glass splashback: Sleek and reflective; brightens compact spaces.
- Hybrid flooring: Waterproof, quiet underfoot and family-friendly across kitchen and dining areas.
Layouts and Styles for Your Kitchen Dining Area
Popular layouts
- L-shaped with island: Ideal for open-plan living; the island doubles as a breakfast bar and serving station for the dining room kitchen connection.
- Galley with dining at one end: Efficient for apartments and narrow blocks; keep pathways clear.
- U-shaped with pass-through: Encloses the cook zone with ample storage, with a pass to the dining zone.
- Kitchen plus scullery: For entertainers, hide dishwashing and small appliances away from the dining area.
Style cues Australians love
- Shaker kitchen / Hamptons kitchen: Two-pack doors, classic profiles, subway tiles, pendant lighting over an island.
- Coastal or Scandinavian: Light timbers, white-on-white, matte finishes and integrated appliances.
- Contemporary: Handleless cabinetry, integrated fridge, induction cooktop, waterfall edge to the island.
For cohesive kitchen dining area ideas, echo benchtop or timber tones in your dining table, and choose complementary chair fabrics or pendants to tie the spaces together.
What Does a Dining and Kitchen Renovation Cost in Perth?
Costs vary by size, structural changes, materials and appliances. Indicative ranges for kitchen renovations Perth homeowners typically invest in:
- Compact refresh: $20,000–$30,000+ (retain layout, melamine cabinetry, laminate benchtops, new splashback, updated appliances)
- Mid-range: $30,000–$50,000+ (layout improvements, two-pack doors or timber veneer features, porcelain/sintered stone benchtops)
- Premium: $50,000–$90,000+ (structural work, scullery, integrated appliances, feature lighting and premium finishes)
Allow for trades (plumbing, electrical, tiling, painting), appliance packages and contingency. We’ll provide a fixed, itemised proposal after your design consultation and site measure.
WA Case Studies
Applecross Entertainer
A 1970s home opened a wall to create an L-shaped kitchen with a 2.7 m island facing the dining area. Porcelain benchtops, shaker doors in soft white, timber veneer accents and matte brass pendants created a Hamptons-inspired look. A scullery hides the microwave and toaster, keeping the island pristine for serving.
Joondalup Family Hub
An investment in durable melamine cabinetry and a hard-wearing laminate benchtop delivered a low-maintenance, budget-friendly kitchen dining space. Hybrid flooring runs continuous from the entry to the dining room kitchen, and a 900 mm oven/cooktop combo makes midweek meals and weekend entertaining easy.
Pre-Renovation Checklist
- Define your must-haves: island seating, butler’s pantry, integrated bins, appliance garage.
- Measure your dining table and chairs to confirm clearances and circulation.
- Decide on appliance package sizes (600/900 mm) and whether to integrate the fridge/dishwasher.
- Consider natural light and where task lighting is needed.
- Shortlist materials: porcelain/sintered stone vs laminate; two-pack vs melamine.
- Plan ventilation: correct rangehood size and ducting path.
- Check structural implications if removing walls; engage a structural engineer as needed.
- Set a realistic budget range and contingency.
- Book a design consultation with Joyce Kitchens to firm up layouts and costs.
Compliance and Helpful Australian Resources
- Housing Industry Association (HIA) – homeowner guides and contracts.
- WA Building and Energy – licensing, building approvals and consumer information.
- Safe Work Australia: Engineered Stone – national prohibition and alternatives.
Technical standards referenced: AS/NZS 3000 (electrical), AS/NZS 5601 (gas installations), AS/NZS 4386 (domestic kitchen assemblies).
Ready to Design Your Dining and Kitchen?
Book a free design consultation with Joyce Kitchens. Our Perth-based designers will tailor layouts, storage and finishes to your home, manage approvals and coordinate all trades for a smooth, timely renovation.
FAQ
What is the best layout for a combined dining and kitchen?
The best layout supports your flow and the room’s dimensions. In most Perth homes an L-shaped kitchen with an island works brilliantly, separating prep from dining while keeping conversation easy. Galley layouts suit narrow spaces; adding a scullery keeps clutter off the main benches. Aim for 1000–1200 mm walkways and place the cooktop away from main traffic paths.
How much does a kitchen and dining renovation cost in Perth?
As a guide, compact refreshes start from $20,000–$30,000+, mid-range $30,000–$50,000+, and premium $50,000–$90,000+ depending on structural work, cabinetry, benchtops and appliances. After a site measure and design session we’ll provide a fixed, itemised proposal tailored to your space and selections.
Can I still choose engineered stone benchtops in Australia?
Australia introduced a national prohibition on engineered stone from 1 July 2024 due to silica-related health risks, so it’s no longer available for new supply or installation. Compliant alternatives include porcelain/sintered stone, solid surface and natural stone. We’ll help you select a safe, durable option with a similar look and feel.
Do I need approval to remove a wall for open-plan living?
Yes, if the wall is structural you’ll need engineering and a building permit through your local authority. Electrical and gas works must comply with AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 5601. We coordinate structural engineers, approvals and licensed trades as part of our turnkey service.
What appliance sizes suit Australian kitchens?
Common choices are 600 mm or 900 mm ovens/cooktops, 600/900 mm rangehoods and 450/600 mm dishwashers. Allow ventilation clearances for fridges and wall ovens per manufacturer specs, and plan power/water/gas points early to avoid rework.