5J Building explores Melbourne Kitchen Renovation Trends 2025: What’s In, What’s Out
Melbourne Kitchen Renovation in 2025? Whether you’re in a heritage Victorian in Brunswick or a sleek apartment in South Yarra, kitchen trends are shifting across Melbourne. Today’s most beautiful kitchens strike a balance between high function and relaxed sophistication. They’re designed to reflect how we actually live—cooking, gathering, working from home, and sometimes just standing around the island with a coffee.
From bold design moves to the subtle shifts that make your kitchen more liveable, we’ve rounded up the biggest trends Melburnians are embracing, as well as the features top designers say you should avoid entirely.
First, What’s On the Way Out
Even in stylish homes, some kitchen features just aren’t pulling their weight anymore. Leading designers—both local and international—agree that the following elements are officially outdated:
1. Built-In Desks in the Kitchen
Once seen as practical, these are now considered clutter traps. Melbourne designers are ditching the old “kitchen command centres” in favour of built-in coffee bars or cocktail stations. As Kylie K. Bass puts it, “They’re far more functional—and much less prone to mess.”
2. Raised Bar Counters
Remember the two-tiered island with a bar up top? That trend is out. Designers now favour sleek, single-level stone islands—often in dramatic finishes like Cippolino Rosso marble or warm Caesarstone—to encourage open flow and multifunctionality.
💡Melbourne tip: Local renovation experts note that streamlined islands make compact inner-city kitchens feel more spacious and cohesive.
3. Microwaves Over the Stove
This one’s a universal no. Plonking the microwave over the cooktop kills both the symmetry and style of your kitchen. Instead, tuck it in a base cabinet, appliance garage, or behind a pantry door. “It’s all about keeping utility without compromising beauty,” says Victoria Armour.
4. Stainless Steel Vent Hoods
Industrial is out, craftsmanship is in. Think custom hoods made of plaster, brass, or timber, adding softness and texture to the space. One Melbourne project recently featured a scalloped-edge brass hood that became the kitchen’s standout feature.
5. Sinks in Islands
Unless you’re truly tight on space, putting a sink in your island breaks its social potential. In open-plan homes, the island has become the heart of entertaining—best kept clean, styled, and clutter-free.
6. Open Shelving (Everywhere)
Open shelves are still Insta-pretty—but hard to live with. Local designers say they’re often impractical in real homes, especially with Melbourne’s dusty air in summer. If you love the look, limit shelves to one statement wall and rely on concealed cabinetry for the rest.
7. Pot Fillers
Once a luxury item, pot fillers are now seen as high-maintenance, low-reward additions. With more Melburnians choosing induction cooktops and spacious prep sinks, these are increasingly skipped altogether.
8. Double Islands
Unless you’re running a catering business out of your home in Toorak, double islands are overkill. Designers recommend investing in one hardworking island with storage, seating, and integrated tech instead.
What’s Hot in Melbourne Kitchens
Melbourne’s kitchen designs in 2025 blend European elegance with local practicality. Here’s what homeowners and designers are loving:
• Warm, Earthy Tones
Goodbye all-white kitchens. Hello terracotta, sage, warm timber, and ocean blues. Melbourne homes are favouring deeper, grounded palettes—especially in heritage renovations where colour adds soul.
• Sculptural Islands
The island is more than a worktop now—it’s a centrepiece. Local renovators are opting for bold veined stones, curved cabinetry, and even integrated wine fridges to turn islands into social anchors.
• Smart Storage That Works
Pantries with full-height joinery, pull-out spice drawers, hidden bins, and bench-level appliance garages are the norm. This trend helps reduce bench clutter and increases everyday functionality.
• Eco-Friendly Retrofitting
Melbourne is also seeing a rise in eco-conscious kitchen makeovers. Think reclaimed materials, no-demolition layouts, and energy-efficient appliances. One Carlton North couple recently upgraded their terrace kitchen without knocking down walls—raising their energy rating from 0.9 to 7.7 stars.
• Tailored Range Hoods
Instead of generic stainless, Melburnians are treating range hoods like artwork. Expect custom designs in plaster, concrete, or soft metals that blend into the cabinetry or become feature elements.
• Technology With Subtlety
Smart fridges, app-connected ovens, and sensor lights are being integrated—but quietly. The goal is always function without fuss.
Whether you’re doing a full kitchen gut or just refreshing the layout, 2025 is all about intention. Melbourne kitchens are embracing warmth, flow, smart tech, and design that celebrates both beauty and real-life usability. Skip the double island, ditch the open shelving, and lean into crafted textures, clever storage, and a palette that makes your home feel like your own.
Need help? Call 5J Building Group on (03) 9886 3731 or request an Instant Quote Online.
