Kitchen Renovation: Do's and Don'ts

A well-designed kitchen encourages you to cook more and makes entertaining a breeze. Start here with our guide.

Your HDB kitchen is more than just a place to cook—it’s the heart of your home, where loved ones are nourished, and culinary adventures (and the occasional misadventure) come to life. When it’s time to renovate, every decision deserves careful consideration. Get it right, and you’ll have a space that’s both functional and stylish, making cooking a joy rather than a chore. But dive in without a plan, and you might be setting yourself up for a disaster—just ask anyone who’s shared their renovation regrets online. Before you swing that sledgehammer, check out this list of do’s and don’ts to save yourself from years of “Why didn’t I think of that?” moments.

Do:

1. Optimise your layout

The golden triangle—your fridge, sink, and stove—isn’t just designer jargon; it’s the backbone of an efficient kitchen. By minimising the distance between these key zones, you create a seamless workflow, whether you’re grabbing ingredients, washing vegetables, or perfecting your wok hei. But it’s not just about convenience—a poorly planned layout can lead to cross-contamination if your sink, where raw food is handled, is too far from the stove or prep area. Keeping the golden triangle tight reduces the risk of spills and drips, ensuring a cleaner, safer workspace for meal prep.

For your peace of mind, Caesarstone’s non-porous surfaces host no bacteria, mould, or mildew, making them an ideal choice for keeping your worktop sanitary.

Do:

2. Coordinate built-ins and appliances

Most homeowners shop for appliances after the renovation, but here’s a tip: plan your built-ins around them from the start so everything fits—whether it’s a front-load washer that slides in effortlessly or a microwave perched perfectly at eye level. With water dispensers and robot vacuums becoming household must-haves, don’t forget to strategically place powerpoints and water-points too.