Home Love Part 2: My kitchen and laundry reveal
See my kitchen and laundry transformation in full. It’s one of the biggest reveals of the entire investment property renovation, and the difference between before and after is huge!
If you’re joining the journey here, welcome! Part 2 of Home Love is all about the hardest‑working rooms in the home: the kitchen and the laundry. These spaces needed to be practical, stylish and ready for everyday family life.
Inside the heart of the home: Wendy Moore’s budget‑savvy kitchen and laundry transformation
The kitchen and laundry are the hardest‑working rooms in any home, and when you’re renovating on a budget, they’re also the spaces where smart decisions deliver maximum impact. Many of you know me from Selling Houses Australia, where I’ve seen again and again how the right updates can completely reshape the way a home feels and functions.
In this chapter of my Home Love series, I’m sharing the transformation of the kitchen and laundry in my investment property, a makeover driven by practicality, durability and a fresh, coastal‑leaning aesthetic.
Designing a kitchen that works hard (and looks beautiful)
The original kitchen was dark, closed‑in and lacking flow. I wanted to create something bright, open and family‑friendly, a space that would feel welcoming from the moment you stepped in.
To make the budget work, I focused on finishes that deliver the look of a high‑end renovation without the price tag. Those high-end, beautiful blue cabinets? They’re Kaboodle Alpine Vinyl Wrapped MDF Cabinetry in Kaleo – a modern, clean profile with the durability needed for everyday use. I just love the rich colour, and can hardly believe it’s actually a flatplack kitchen. You can get this kitchen at Bunnings! Because this is a renovation on a budget, the kitchen had to be flat‑pack, and yes, I installed it myself (with a little weekend help from my friends, including Dennis!). It’s the kind of strategic swap I recommend often: invest in what you touch most.
Brushed Rose Brass L866/64 & 32 BRB#2 handles from Kethy add a subtle warmth that ties the palette together.
I upped the glamour factor with a mineral benchtop in 5105 Calacutta Dreamwave from Caesarstone – the soft veining that brings a calm, refined feel and really elevates the space. And, you might have noticed the interesting detail on the island. That’s actually an inexpensive white MDF primed scallop lining panel from Bunnings.
Underfoot, it’s Sandsong engineered oak timber flooring in Marigold from Flooring Xtra – my hero finish that grounds the entire space with coastal character.
Blinds and curtains from Veneta are perfect for softening the natural light while adding a tailored finish. And I chose paint in Calcium CW 3.3 from Wattyl - a lovely warm white that sets just the right tone.
And I have to mention the gas-strut servery window and bi-fold doors from Alidoor, which allow light to flow beautifully throughout the space. Just divine!
The laundry: small space, big purpose
The laundry needed to be simple, functional and family‑ready. Even in a compact footprint, good planning makes all the difference.
I focused on durable cabinetry and benchtops for heavy daily use, smart storage that maximises every corner and a practical layout that’s easy to navigate.
To visually connect the laundry with the kitchen, I carried through the same brushed brass details, fresh paintwork and soft coastal palette. The aim was cohesion, not identical finishes, but thoughtful continuity.
A cohesive coastal interior palette
Even though the kitchen and laundry serve different roles, flow between them matters, especially in an investment property with long‑term renters in mind. The coastal interior palette sets a relaxed mood across both rooms, with warm timber, soft neutrals, brushed brass accents, streamlined lines and bright, tailored window furnishings from Veneta. Every choice supports the next, creating a home that feels calm, modern and easy to live in.
Before and after: purposeful, not pricey
A thoughtful floorplan update can transform how a home works without major structural spend. In this case, a small new addition on the back of the house (knocking down an old lean-to) opened it up to the north facing backyard and created clarity, light and better flow to the adjoining spaces. Stay tuned to the series to see more on the increased indoor‑outdoor flow thanks to this choice.
Next up: the bathroom reveal — and it’s a big one!
