The Reno Race Rookies, Dan and Claire are first time home owners and renovators. There are a lot of things they are taking on for the very first time - a mortgage, power tools, a renovation budget, a project schedule, hiring trades, making interior design decisions... to name just a few! But by far their most significant first was their kitchen renovation.

It was clear the kitchen needed some work, there was limited storage, the layout didn't work and the cabinets worn and damaged. We needed to create a kitchen that gave them improved working space, plenty of storage, space for a dishwasher and a combined laundry. All that looked like Claire's Pinterest board inspiration without a huge price tag. 

Our advice to the rookies when designing a kitchen on a tight budget was: Own your budget.

Our first renovation we had a budget of $15,000 for a whole house, so I know all about the feeling that comes from having a small budget! It is easy to be embarrassed, almost apologetic, of how little you have to spend. When you focus on your limitations, you loose sight of the fact that you own a home and have a budget to renovate with - that is something to be proud of, not hide away from. Your budget is your reality, and the sooner you own it, the sooner you will discover there are ways you can make your budget go a long way.  

As we talked with the team at Kitchen Mania to plan and design the rookies new kitchen, the question was asked "What is your budget?" - I watched Dan and Claire squirm a little bit. The question was never meant to make them uncomfortable, Kitchen Mania asked the question so they can give the rookies the best kitchen possible within the budget they have. 

The team at Kitchen Mania designed a kitchen for the rookies from their Maniac Range. The Maniac Range is a select range of pre-made cabinets all in white making it the most cost effective option. While you can save money and install yourself - the rookies went for the full design and installation service. After an onsite consultation and finalising the design at the Kitchen Mania showroom, we signed off on a kitchen design that exceeded the rookies expectations of what their kitchen could look like.

Our next piece of advice when it came to designing their kitchen was: Make it yours. 

There are layers to kitchen design, while the function of your kitchen is the priority - it shouldn't be where your kitchen design ends. It is the little details that completes the look and adds visual impact. For the rookies it meant going to the Archant Showroom and selecting upgrades for their benchtop laminate, handles and sinks. While you could save money with entry level products, adding these elements create a personal and unique look. Another layer to kitchen design is the splashback, Claire's love for subway tiles made their way to the kitchen splashback after getting them for a bargain - only $30sqm at Tile Clearance Centre. We decided to tile all the way up to the wall cabinets for maximum impact - and also so we had less painting to do!

The end result is something pretty special. To be honest - I kind of want it for myself! After the prettiness of the photos is a breakdown of all the costs and suppliers - because what is a project reveal without details! 

Cost Breakdown

Kitchen Cabinetry by Kitchen Mania (includes product, delivery and installation) $11,626

Benchtop Arborite Urban Night Laminate by (includes manufacturing and installation) by Archant $2,235

Handles Bell Matt Black Handle + U Turn Matt Black by Archant $362

Sinks Kitchen Sink Egmont 860-10 Nero + Laundry Sink Robiq 250-10, Satin by Archant $1,493

Taps Clark Black Kitchen Tap in Black by Caroma $390

Appliances Ariston 60cm Built In Oven, Ariston 60cm Ceramic Hob with Touch Controls, Ariston 60cm Free Standing Dishwasher, Ariston 60cm Flat Box Canopy Rangehood from Harvey Norman $2,765

Lighting LEDlux Moda Downlights from Lighting Direct $108

Splashback Pearl Ceramic Subway Tiles from Tile Clearance Centre (includes installation) $365

Blinds White Faux Wood 63mm Venetian Blind by Bargain Blinds $376

Flooring Original Tawa Hardwood Floors Sanded and Oiled by Active Floor Sanding $644

Total Cost: $20,364

This blog was brought to you by our favourite's in the kitchen industry, Kitchen Mania and Archant. While we may collaborate with them now, we started using their services well before we were Pearson + Projects. 

Kitchen Mania are a family business, who take care and pride in delivering quality kitchens that work within most budgets and design styles.

We don't recommend them because we have to, we recommend them because we want to. This is our fifth kitchen with Kitchen Mania, and it certainly won't be our last.