Kitchen Renovations Kensington
Kensington Kitchens,
Built to Last
Delivering outstanding kitchen renovations in Kensington and across Melbourne for over 20 years. Family-run, fixed pricing, no hidden costs.
Your Kensington Kitchen, Done Properly
At Smarter Home Renovations, we’ve been delivering outstanding kitchen renovations in Kensington 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 Kensington Homes
Kensington’s older streets are packed with workers’ cottages and single-fronted terraces on narrow blocks, while Kensington Banks, built in the 1990s on former abattoir and army depot land beside the Maribyrnong River, adds rows of townhouses, and apartments sit along the suburb’s edges. In the cottages, the kitchen is usually in the rear lean-to, narrow and dim, with the only light coming from a small window or the back door.
Common kitchen projects here are rebuilding a lean-to kitchen as a bright galley or L-shape with a skylight, making the most of every centimetre with tall storage, opening the kitchen to a small courtyard, and modernising townhouse kitchens with new benchtops and appliances. Parts of Kensington are under heritage overlays with the City of Melbourne, so external changes may need a planning permit, and apartment work goes through the owners corporation.
Kensington at a Glance
- Postcode
- Kensington VIC 3031
- Council
- City of Melbourne
- From the CBD
- About 4 km north-west
- Typical Homes
- Victorian and Edwardian workers’ cottages
- Brick and timber terraces
- Kensington Banks townhouses from the 1990s
- Apartments
- Property Market
- Median house price$1,094,000
- Median unit price$505,000
- House rent$750 a week
- Unit rent$615 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 Kensington
Layout
Opening Up Townhouse Kitchens
Many Kensington Banks townhouses have the kitchen tucked into a corner of the ground floor, with the laundry or stair behind it. Moving the kitchen, removing a short wall or turning a bench into a peninsula can link it better to the living area and courtyard. We check what each wall carries, as some support the floor above.
Storage
Storage in a Single-Fronted Cottage
Kensington cottages rarely have a pantry, and the lean-to kitchen may be only a couple of metres wide. Cupboards that run right to the ceiling, deep drawers instead of base cupboards and a pull-out pantry beside the fridge add storage without crowding the room. Open shelving is kept away from the cooktop, where grease collects.
Electrical
Upgrading Old Switchboards
Older Kensington homes may still have ceramic fuses or a small switchboard that cannot run an induction cooktop, oven and dishwasher on separate circuits. A kitchen renovation is the right time to upgrade the board and add power points along the bench. Our licensed electricians issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety for all the work.
Heritage
Rear Changes in Heritage Streets
The City of Melbourne’s heritage controls in Kensington are mainly concerned with what can be seen from the street. A new kitchen at the back of a cottage, a rear window or a skylight is usually less of an issue than changes to the front, but the overlay can still require a permit for external works. We check the grading of your house first.
Access
Using the Rear Lane
Many Kensington cottages back onto a narrow lane, which helps when the old kitchen comes out and the new cabinets and benchtops arrive. Lanes are shared, so deliveries are timed to avoid blocking neighbours’ garages and gates. Where there is no lane access, everything comes through the front door and hallway, and we protect the floors along the way.
Get a Free Kitchen Estimate in Kensington
Two quick steps. We’ll be in touch within one business day to arrange a visit to your Kensington 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 Kensington
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 Kensington 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 Kensington
Kensington (3031) is about 4 km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, and well within our regular service area. We renovate kitchens in Kensington 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 I move the kitchen to the back of my Kensington cottage?
Usually, yes, as part of a rear extension or a lean-to rebuild. Moving the sink and dishwasher means new drainage, and a gas cooktop needs its line extended, or capped if you switch to induction. We check the drain falls to the sewer connection, which in Kensington is often near the rear lane, before designing the new position.
Do I need owners corporation approval for a Kensington Banks kitchen?
If your Kensington Banks townhouse is part of an owners corporation, internal kitchen work often needs no approval, but changes to external walls, rangehood ducting through the roof or anything affecting shared walls or common property usually do. We check your owners corporation rules early and prepare the drawings and details it asks for.
Is a galley or L-shaped kitchen better for a Kensington lean-to?
It depends on the width and where the doors are. A galley with runs on both sides suits a Kensington lean-to that is also the walkway to the back door. An L-shape works better where the kitchen sits in one corner of a new rear room, leaving space for a table. We sketch both for your floor plan.
What does a rental kitchen in Kensington need under Victoria’s minimum standards?
Victorian rental minimum standards ask for a dedicated area to cook and prepare food, a sink with hot and cold water, and a stovetop with two or more burners. Most Kensington kitchens already have these, but an old freestanding cooker, a chipped sink or swollen cupboard doors can let a cottage down. Replacing worn parts before leasing or selling is often more practical than a full redesign.
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.