Kitchen Renovations Canterbury
Canterbury Kitchens,
Built to Last
Delivering outstanding kitchen renovations in Canterbury and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Canterbury Kitchen, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we’ve been delivering outstanding kitchen renovations in Canterbury for over 20 years. Established in early 2002, our family-run business is proud to provide friendly, fast, fair, and efficient home renovation services across metropolitan Melbourne.
What Our Clients Say
5.0 out of 5 stars, based on 25 reviews
Outstanding Service
“Tony and Milan redid my tired old-looking floor and skirting in the whole kitchen area. Their attention to detail, prompt, friendly, value for money and service is A+. It's good to see that they take your job as if it's their own home they are renovating. LOVE YOUR WORK GUYS AND THANK YOU. I highly recommend.”
Kitchen and outdoor renovations
“Fantastic service and fantastic price. We had our outdoor area fully tiled and our kitchen renovated. They talked me through the process step by step, did what they promised in the time they promised, were always on time and so very friendly. They even went out of their way with additional extras, running around Melbourne buying everything I needed to take the pressure off me. Would recommend you give them a try. The pricing is very reasonable and affordable, and nothing was too big for them to do. Father and son service, fantastic team.”
Kitchen Renovation
“I was very happy with the high quality service provided by Tony and his team. He was professional, skilled and was focused on delivering a high quality result within our budget. Tony was always available to answer my questions and addressed all concerns promptly. The kitchen looks amazing. I highly recommend Smarter Home Renovations.”
Renovating Kitchens in Canterbury Homes
Canterbury is known for its leafy streets, the Maling Road shops and substantial Federation, Edwardian and interwar homes on large blocks. In many of these houses the original kitchen sat at the back of a long hallway, separate from the main rooms, and earlier renovations often left it in a narrow middle room, while the best light and garden views are at the rear.
Kitchen projects here usually involve moving the kitchen into a new rear living space or reworking an older extension, adding a butler’s pantry or scullery behind the main kitchen, designing joinery that respects period detail, and opening onto the garden with large glazed doors. Interior work rarely needs a planning permit, but parts of Canterbury are in heritage precincts, so we confirm external changes with the City of Boroondara.
Canterbury at a Glance
- Postcode
- Canterbury VIC 3126
- Council
- City of Boroondara
- From the CBD
- About 10 km east
- Typical Homes
- Federation Queen Anne and Edwardian villas
- Late Victorian houses
- Interwar homes
- Townhouses and apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$3,260,000
- Median unit price$1,050,000
- House rent$1,295 a week
- Unit rent$695 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
What to Plan For in a Canterbury Kitchen
Layout
The Middle-Room Kitchen
Where a Canterbury kitchen ended up in a middle room between the original house and a later addition, it often has no window and little bench space. Moving it to the back, or removing the wall to the rear room, gives it light and a garden view. Structural walls need an engineer’s design and a building permit, which we arrange.
Storage
A Scullery Behind the Kitchen
Large Canterbury homes suit a scullery or butler’s pantry behind the main kitchen, with a second sink, dishwasher and appliance bench, keeping preparation mess out of sight of the living area. Placing it next to the laundry or side entry lets the shopping come straight in. We plan both rooms together so they share services.
Design
Edwardian Detail in a New Kitchen
A kitchen that opens into Federation or Edwardian rooms can pick up their detail with panelled doors, a stone benchtop with a profiled edge or a timber island. Joinery heights that line up with door heads and picture rails tie the old and new together. Some owners prefer a clear contrast in the new rear wing instead, which can work just as well.
Windows
Large Glazed Doors to the Garden
Canterbury’s deep rear gardens are best enjoyed through wide sliding or stacking doors from the kitchen. Large openings need a properly sized beam over them, and north or west-facing glass needs shading to avoid overheating in summer. Double glazing keeps the kitchen comfortable in winter. We size the openings with the engineer early in design.
Heritage
Heritage Precincts and Rear Additions
Parts of Canterbury are in heritage precincts, including Maling Road and its residential surrounds, the Griffin Estate and the Balwyn Road residential precinct. A rear kitchen extension there usually needs a planning permit, and a design that stays below and behind the original roof is generally easier to support. We check your address before drawing.
Get a Free Kitchen Estimate in Canterbury
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Canterbury home.
- 1Tell us about your project
Two quick steps. It takes about two minutes.
- 2We call you back
Tony will be in touch within one business day to talk through your ideas.
- 3Free on-site consultation
We visit, measure up and listen to how you want the space to work.
- 4Fixed-price quote
A detailed, itemised quote. What we quote is what you pay.
No obligation, no pressure
Family-run since 2002. Your estimate is free and your details are never shared with third parties.
Your Kitchen Renovations in Canterbury
Custom Cabinetry
Designed and built to your exact dimensions, with a finish and hardware selection that suits your taste.
Benchtops & Splashbacks
Stone, engineered quartz, or laminate, paired with tiled or glass splashbacks that tie the room together.
Appliance Integration
We source and install quality appliances that fit seamlessly into your cabinetry for a clean, cohesive look.
Plumbing & Fixtures
Sink, tap, and under-bench plumbing handled by licensed plumbers. We also install dishwashers and filtration systems.
Electrical & Lighting
Pendant lights, under-cabinet LEDs, and power point placement designed around how you actually use your kitchen.
Design & Planning
A dedicated designer works with you to finalise the layout, finishes, and timeline before a single tradesperson arrives.
Your Canterbury Kitchen in 5 Steps
Meet & Greet
We get to know you and your specific needs. And you find out more about us to make sure we are a good fit.
Consult & Design
We ask lots of questions to understand your ideal outcome for your project. We discuss layout, budget, colours and more.
Quote
A comprehensive quotation outlining all the details, costs and timelines to complete your project.
Construct & Manage
Time to get to work with all our suppliers and trades to construct your project and deliver it as promised.
Deliver
We strive to deliver your project on time and on budget. We believe in 100% customer satisfaction from start to finish.
Kitchen Renovations In and Around Canterbury
Canterbury (3126) is about 10 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate kitchens in Canterbury and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Kitchen Renovations MelbourneCan we move the kitchen to the back of our Canterbury home?
Usually, yes. The kitchen can move into a new rear living area or a reworked older extension, with the old kitchen becoming a scullery, laundry or study. New plumbing and drainage runs are needed, and an extension needs a building permit, plus a planning permit where a Heritage Overlay applies to the property.
Do we need a planning permit for a new kitchen in Canterbury?
Interior kitchen work generally doesn’t need a planning permit from the City of Boroondara. External works in a heritage precinct, such as a rear extension, new windows or a rangehood flue visible from the street, may need one. Plumbing, gas and electrical work is done by licensed trades with compliance certificates.
How long does a kitchen renovation take in a Canterbury period home?
A kitchen on the same footprint is mainly limited by cabinetry and benchtop lead times, since benchtops are measured after the cabinets go in. Moving the kitchen into an extension depends on permits and the building work. We give you a written schedule and help you set up a temporary kitchen in another room.
Is a new kitchen needed before selling our Canterbury home?
Not always. If the kitchen is sound, new benchtops, doors and appliances, better lighting and a fresh splashback refresh it without moving walls. Buyers of Canterbury period homes often look at whether the living areas connect to the garden, but changing that is a bigger job with permits and lead time, better suited to owners planning to stay.
Ready to Start Your Renovation?
No matter the project, our team has the right solution. Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote, and let's get your renovation underway.