Kitchen Renovations Hawthorn
Hawthorn Kitchens,
Built to Last
Delivering outstanding kitchen renovations in Hawthorn and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Hawthorn Kitchen, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we’ve been delivering outstanding kitchen renovations in Hawthorn 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 Hawthorn Homes
Hawthorn ranges from grand Victorian and Edwardian homes to 1930s flats and modern apartments near Glenferrie Road and Swinburne University. Period homes often have kitchens tucked away at the back in a former service wing, away from the main living areas, while many flats and apartments have compact galley kitchens.
That shapes most of our Hawthorn kitchen renovations: creating a kitchen that suits a period home without losing its character, or making the most of a small apartment kitchen with clever storage and integrated appliances. For apartments we coordinate with the owners corporation on access and noise, and for houses we check any City of Boroondara heritage requirements.
Hawthorn at a Glance
- Postcode
- Hawthorn VIC 3122
- Council
- City of Boroondara
- From the CBD
- About 7 km east
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian homes
- Interwar flats
- Apartments
- Townhouses
- Property Market
- Median house price$2,632,500
- Median unit price$572,500
- House rent$1,100 a week
- Unit rent$570 a week
Source: CoreLogic via Your Investment Property, prices to July 2026, rents to September 2026
Before You Start
Before You Renovate a Kitchen in Hawthorn
Layout
Moving the Kitchen Out of the Service Wing
In many larger Hawthorn homes the original kitchen sits in a narrow rear service wing, separate from the formal rooms. Relocating the kitchen into a new rear living area, or opening the service wing up, is a common goal. Load-bearing walls and chimneys in this part of the house need checking before the layout is settled.
Ventilation
Galley Kitchens in Flats
Kitchens in Hawthorn’s interwar flats and 1960s and 1970s walk-ups are often narrow galleys with limited bench space. Full height cabinetry, an integrated fridge, a slimline dishwasher and a better rangehood can transform them. Exhaust ducting is often the hardest part, as many buildings limit new penetrations through external walls.
Apartments
Owners Corporation and Building Rules
In Hawthorn apartments, owners corporation rules usually cover working hours, noise, lift use and changes to plumbing or ducting. Some buildings also need floor coverings that limit noise to the flat below. We prepare the information the owners corporation requests and plan the work within its rules.
Heritage
Heritage Controls at the Rear
Boroondara’s Heritage Overlay generally requires a planning permit for extensions and external changes, even at the back. A kitchen renovation that stays inside the house usually doesn’t, but new rear doors or a kitchen extension may. We check whether your house is in a precinct such as Grace Park and Hawthorn Grove, or individually listed.
Design
High Ceilings and Joinery
Hawthorn’s Victorian and Edwardian homes often have ceilings well over three metres. Kitchen joinery can either run to the ceiling for storage, with a ladder rail or bulkhead, or stop lower with open space above. Either works, but the decision changes cabinetry cost and lighting design, so we settle it early.
Get a Free Kitchen Estimate in Hawthorn
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Hawthorn 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 Hawthorn
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 Hawthorn 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 Hawthorn
Hawthorn (3122) is about 7 km east of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate kitchens in Hawthorn and its neighbouring suburbs, with the same team, the same fixed pricing and the same attention to detail.
Kitchen Renovations MelbourneNearby suburbs we service
Can you renovate a kitchen in a Hawthorn apartment?
Yes. We coordinate with your owners corporation on approvals, access, lift bookings and working hours, and plan the work around existing plumbing stacks and ducting where possible. Compact apartment kitchens benefit most from integrated appliances, full height storage and good lighting.
Do I need a permit to extend my kitchen in a Hawthorn heritage area?
Usually, yes. In Boroondara’s Heritage Overlay, extensions and external works generally need a planning permit, and council considers how the work affects the heritage significance of the house or precinct. A kitchen renovation that stays within the existing walls usually does not. We check your property’s grading before design.
Can a modern kitchen suit a Victorian home in Hawthorn?
It can. A common approach is to keep the formal front rooms intact and put a clearly modern kitchen in the rear living area, where it does not compete with period detail. Materials like timber, stone and painted cabinetry with simple profiles often bridge the two styles well.
Can we stay in our Hawthorn home during a kitchen renovation?
Most people do. We contain the work area, protect floors and keep dust away from the rest of the house, and a temporary kitchen in another room helps a lot. In larger renovations that also involve the rear of the house, moving out for part of the build can be easier.
What should I do with the kitchen in my Hawthorn flat before leasing it?
Hawthorn’s interwar and art deco flats often have small, closed kitchens with original cabinets, limited bench space and few power points. Victoria’s rental minimum standards require a dedicated cooking and food preparation area, a working sink with hot and cold water, and a stovetop with two or more burners. Tenants generally value working appliances, good storage and a rangehood that vents properly. Keep the layout where it is to avoid owners corporation approvals for moving plumbing.
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.