Kitchen

All the ingredients for kitchen and entertaining success

We crush ice for breakfast with Ninja’s latest blender

Five things that are dating your kitchen – and what every kitchen needs this year

Five recently released cookbooks we’re salivating over

Casserole dishes in almost every colour under the sun

In the first of our eight-part series on adding value to your home, our expert looks at the importance of kitchens.

Because cooking should never be a grind

We've cast our eye over global trends to predict what's hot right now

Bold and bright, or pretty in pastel, these colourful kitchens are a show of spectacular imagination.

The Haier appliances in Liam Messam’s Hamilton home are making his life a little easier, with the help of the clever SmartHQ app

Slow cookers can help even the most novice home cooks whip up delicious meals at the touch of a button. But which one is best for your kitchen?

Connect with the appliances that will enhance your home life

From courageous colour to clever tech, here's what's hot in 2025.

Let your eyes drink in the bold, beautiful colour choices in this couple’s kitchen and wine cellar

Over the past four months, we’ve asked readers to select the nation’s favourite interior products. Here’s what’s hot in kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom spaces.

Here's the best spring cleaning tips to give your house a thorough refresh to usher in a new season.

Are pantry moths plaguing your home or office? These expert tips will help you to banish them for good Up there with flies and mosquitoes, pantry moths (or Indian meal moths) have to be some of the peskiest insects of all time. Unfortunately, they are also the most common. These little creatures are like Newman […]

The colder months are here and we’re really feeling it! So to remedy our frozen bones, we’re turning to our Dutch ovens to help us prepare the best comfort food possible. Prepare a cosy serving of one of your go-to comfort foods – we’re currently obsessed with this slow cooked pulled beef brisket – in […]

Update your space with these trending looks and easy hacks to breathe new life into tired kitchens You don’t have to break the bank to fall in love with your kitchen again. Whether it’s with a lick of paint, a terracotta tile or a new kettle, simple changes can go a long way to giving […]

Venetian plaster finishes are on-trend at the moment, so why not recreate this look at home and cover that unsightly rangehood at the same time? Hiding a dated rangehood is a cheaper option than replacing a perfectly functioning unit that may be ruining the look of your kitchen. Rangehood covers are also having a moment. […]

Whip your kitchen into shape with this essential kitchen cleaning checklist. We all love the idea of coming home to a perfectly clean kitchen, but the reality is, taking the time to properly give the heart of your home a thorough clean can be such a chore. To help you get through it, we’ve pulled […]

From shaker to tongue-and-groove, the possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing your kitchen cabinet door style. So which one is right for you? Kitchen cabinets, tapware, benchtop surfaces, splashback tiles. If you’ve ever considered renovating your kitchen, you will know that there are a lot of decisions to be made, and the choices […]

A kitchen renovation can take months and thousands of dollars, but a quick revamp is low-cost and near effortless. It’s the “I just woke up like this” of makeovers that will transform this busy space overnight Update your appliances (or hide them away) Appliances like a toaster or kettle see a lot of daily wear […]

The experts weigh in to settle an age old debate The neat freaks, cleaning obsessives and organisation gurus amongst us will understand the pure horror that ensures upon opening a dishwasher that is a total hodge-podge of cutlery, utensils, bowls practically stuck together and – god forbid – non-stick pans. Admit it, the urge to […]

Creating the kitchen of your dreams can be easier than you think! As we spend more and more time at home, it’s becoming far more important that we create a space that is both inspiring and rejuvenating.  Updating your kitchen cabinetry can be a fantastic way to give your kitchen an entirely new look and […]

Designer Annique Heesen from Gezellig Interiors offers advice for killer kitchens Be it small and unassuming or large and glamorous, the kitchen’s importance as a gathering point, a hub and the heart of the home remains the same. With open-plan spaces soaring back into popularity, the kitchen’s role has expanded so it now needs to […]

It’s a necessary feature, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be design-conscious and stylish too. Here’s how this undermount sink can elevate your kitchen look When it comes to the kitchen, every element should work in unison to ensure a beautiful cohesive design. Your granite or marble benchtop should be a stand-out feature in the busiest […]

Don’t let your dream kitchen turn into a disaster, here are the seven most common kitchen design mistakes – and how to make sure you avoid them Renovating or building a kitchen is a big, expensive job, so you want to make sure that whatever changes you make add value to your home and have […]

When it comes to your making a kitchen benchtop material comparison, do the research first. It’s one of the most hard-working surfaces in your home. Here’s help to choose your material wisely and get the best kitchen benchtop material for your needs. No longer shut away behind closed doors, modern kitchens not only where meals […]

Industrial style, a little French country and grunge luxe is mixed to perfection in this spacious family home in Masterton Building a house from scratch isn’t an easy endeavour, but after working on their first home and loving the process, Masterton locals Danielle (Dani) and Johnny Burkhart took a gamble the hot property market would […]

This kitchen plays on form and colour to create a space ripe for entertaining. See why its our second 2021 Resene Colour Home Awards here As a designer, Emily Legget sees a lot of white kitchens. In fact, she reckons they occupy 95 percent of her work. Her own kitchen is not white. “I like […]

Textured, contemporary, geometric or traditional? For colour, pattern and enduring tile style, here’s what’s hot for walls and floors Kiwis have traditionally used tiles for the wet areas of their homes, but these days they’re installing them elsewhere too. It’s a trend that’s growing as home and business owners look for attractive, durable and low-maintainance […]

The lowdown on the latest looks for the most important room in your home. Here’s all you need to know for your upcoming kitchen reno 1. Curves  Organic shapes and gentle curves give a more human touch than the hard lines of futuristic-looking kitchens. It’s been scientifically proven that rounded forms are linked to feelings […]

Customising the design for your kitchen reno has never been easier. Discover how this home achieved its bespoke makeover and find out how you can have one too Kitchen after. Longing to fix your kitchen’s annoying layout or change those dated finishes, but find the idea of renovating too daunting? The good news is that […]

Changing careers to start their own pantry organisation business came naturally to Amanda Stickland and Hannah Sullivan. They talk to us about their business, Simplify My Home Amanda Stickland and Hannah Sullivan are the founders of pantry organising service and online store, Simplify My Home. Here, they share their advice on how to get the […]

Being sustainable comes down to the choices we make. Take the guesswork out of eco-friendly living with these simple ideas When it comes to making decisions that are more environmentally-conscious it can feel a bit overwhelming knowing where to begin. As the heart and hub of our homes, we think the kitchen is a good […]

Want a kitchen that blends so beautifully into your home, it feels like part of the furniture? The new generation of kitchen tech is here to make your vision a reality

  Replacing the kitchen in this mid-century West Auckland home was all about balancing period detail with practicality Meet + greet Kristina Rapley, 32 (editor of Your Home & Garden, on maternity leave), Ashton Lines-Sherwood, 32 (Starleaton NZ country manager), and Tallulah, 1 month, plus Blue the Lab and Bell Belles the cat. Tell us about […]

Enlisting the help of a kitchen designer made all the difference for this family, who got their ideal bespoke space Budget $10,000 Total spend $17,000 Time frame 3 months What was wrong with your original kitchen? Sarah Ashton: Our kitchen was very small and stuck at the end of the house. I had a water […]

A 1990s kitchen was updated with chic black-and-white finishes and given a new, family-friendly layout Budget $45,000 Total spend $48,000 Time frame 3 weeks What was wrong with your original kitchen? Sarah Lee: The big thing we didn’t like about the original layout was that the gas hob was in the middle of the island, […]

A two-toned cabinet design combined with a hand-poured concrete benchtop give this kitchen a stylish X-factor Budget $22,000 Total spend $26,000 Time frame 4 months What was wrong with the old kitchen? Bridget Yeoman: It had a dated look and layout, poor use of space, and the appliances didn’t fit in the cabinets. The surface […]

It’s the heart of the home, so make sure it’s a space that’s suited to your family’s lifestyle. Here are five ways to customise your kitchen You’ve heard it before, but it doesn’t make it any less true; the kitchen is the heart of the home. This may be especially true for Kiwis. With a […]

This cost-conscious couple designed, built and decorated an open-plan kitchen themselves using kitset cupboards Budget $15,000 Total spend $14,000 Time frame 3 months What was wrong with your original kitchen? Sophie Cocks: It received no sunlight, it was very small, the old lino was dated and peeling back, the cupboards wouldn’t close properly and there […]

  A plan to bring more light into this kitchen transformed it into a brighter, more open space with minimal change to the layout Budget Up to $8000 (not including joinery for back door) Total spend $6000 Time frame 5 weeks What was wrong with your original kitchen? Jamie Durrant: The cork tiles were old and […]

A crafty couple freshened up the kitchen of their art deco home using a little bit of paint and vinyl – and lot of ingenuity Kitchen renovation budget: $2000 Total spend: $1500 Time frame: 1 month What was wrong with your original kitchen? Maiko Nagao: The benchtop was brown Formica and the space was too […]

Discover how this kitchen’s dramatic art-deco inspired design was made possible thanks to thoughtful planning and clever storage Every good kitchen designer knows great design is all about form and function. So, when this homeowner approached Joanne Godding of Bespoke Kitchens about transforming her small, cramped kitchen Joanne knew exactly what she needed to do. […]

These expert tips for pantry organisation and storage will stop your food from going bad, but will also make it a more aesthetically pleasing space Matching different foods with the appropriate receptacle, such as glass, plastic, ceramic or metal, is the key to creating optimum conditions. Clear plastic containers are an excellent storage basic as […]

Soft buttery shades are a delicious choice in the kitchen. Mix in some retro appliances and a dash of creamy ’50s-style ceramics for a baking day flavoured with nostalgia SAVE OR, SPLURGE Styling by: Catherine Wilkinson. Assisted by: Melle van Sambeek. Photography by: Wendy Fenwick.

Bring some calm to your kitchen chaos with the help of these simple (and satisfyingly stylish) tips Kitchen drawers and countertops can be a recipe for cluttered chaos. But, it doesn’t matter if you have a tiny corner kitchen or a space fit for a chef, with the help of clever storage you can keep […]

Encouraged to go bold this week on The Block NZ, the teams took some risky choices for their kitchen designs. Did they pay off? Check out the room reveals below After last week’s disastrous, and hard to watch, scoring, the judges decided to stage an intervention with the teams this week. They emplored them to […]

Open plan living has changed the dynamics of family life and how we entertain. Here’s what you need to consider when creating a functional, integrated kitchen

Be inspired by these four design trends, whether a kitchen renovation is on the cards, or you’re simply looking for stylish updates 1. French country heritage Painted cabinetry allows you to completely customise your palette as the options are far less restrictive than melamine, formica or stained timber when it comes to colour. To enhance […]

Connection is key in this modern kitchen in Remuera, designed by Shane George. See how they achieved this sleek, clean look below Designed to cater for a busy family, a beautifully proportioned modern kitchen played a pivotal role in the major renovation of this large bungalow in the Auckland suburb of Remuera. The owners’ brief […]

This family beach-house kitchen was in dire need of a modern update, and a Kaboodle kitchen proved to be the perfect solution Who lives here? Pat, 58 (architect), Lynette, 56 (office administrator), Joseph, 27 (IT professional), plus Stella the miniature schnauzer. When did you purchase your home? What did you like about it? Pat: We purchased […]

Busy households this list is for you! Cut down on chores and leave more time for fun with the family with the help of these clever kitchen appliances When it comes to the everyday routines of running a busy household, it’s the little things that make a big difference. A well-designed kitchen stocked with smart […]

A kitchen should last at least 15 years, so it’s essential to make sure it’s planned correctly from the word go. Proper preparation will help you to make sensible decisions, from beautiful design to practical daily use. Here are some tips to ensure your kitchen will be right for you, now and in the future […]

From old and tired to bold and contemporary. Here’s how a kitchen that was on its last legs got a new lease on life There were a lot of things wrong with this kitchen in its original state. The wall colour was “unappealing”, the fridge too small and the space was inefficient for a busy family […]

Cool, quirky and customised, the owners of streetwear brand Federation have designed a home where family can come together and let their true colours shine For Jenny Joblin and Ben Dundas, their search for a home started as a long list of ideals. But that list was swiftly cut down to size by a booming […]

Gorgeous good looks and proven durability are equally important when choosing benchtop surfaces for your kitchen. We ask Kate Deakin-Bell from leading producer and supplier Cosentino how to avoid common design mistakes 1. What are the most important things to consider when choosing benchtops? Think about your family situation and how you use your kitchen. In […]

Need some inspiration and a bit of guidance for your kitchen renovation? We ask an expert for his advice on the latest practical trends to help you get started During 30 years in the business, John van Doormaal from Innovative Kitchens has seen a big change in the way we use our kitchens. “It’s not […]

Moving the kitchen into the heart of the living area made this 1920s New Plymouth home feel open and fresh. See more of this Kitchen Awards finalist below Meet + greet Heath Ashton, 35 (builder), Sarah Ashton, 32 (pharmacy technician), and Leonardo, 4, plus Isabella the dog and Lily the kitten. Key Trades/suppliers Plumber Mike Wimsett […]

The Baldwin family’s new kitchen is the heart of their modern new-build in Cromwell, Central Otago. See how this Kitchen Awards finalist uses ply and stainless steel in the best way Meet + greet Ellen Baldwin, 35 (stay-at-home mum), Shaun Baldwin, 38 (roofer), Stella, 4, Deacon and Jed, 2 and a half, plus Beth the […]

This Tauranga kitchen was a finalist in Your Home & Garden’s Kitchen Awards, in association with Blum. Read about how it achieved its fresh look on a budget Meet + greet Erica Wilson, 32 (photographer), Colin Wilson, 36 (ultrafast fibre technician), Kyla, 9, Leon, 7, and Mahli, 1, plus dogs Luna and Min. Key trades/suppliers […]

This Hastings kitchen, which was a finalist in Your Home & Garden’s Kitchen Awards in association with Blum, was designed for maximum enjoyment with friends Meet + greet Hayden Houghton, 34 (financial advisor), and Victoria Houghton, 31 (primary school teacher), plus Nala the cat. Key trades/suppliers Builder Sam & Shelley Lamborn from Dundeal Building Electrician […]

Installed as part of a new-build, the winner of Your Home & Garden’s Kitchen Awards, in association with Blum, was the judges’ favourite for its warm feel and clever use of materials Meet + greet Katie Harris, 29 (hand therapist and Optic Build’s administrator), Daniel Harris, 30 (builder and owner of Optic Build), and Olive, […]

We reveal Your Home & Garden’s five Kitchen Awards finalists and discover the overall winner, who wins a home prize package worth more than $6000! Your Home & Garden kicked off their inaugural Kitchen Awards this year, with the help of overall sponsor Blum. They asked their readers to send in their recently completed kitchen projects and, […]

Meticulous planning is the key to creating a new kitchen that looks great and functions efficiently John van Doormaal from Innovative Kitchens has learned a thing or two about kitchen design during his more than 30 years in the business. He shares his top tips for creating a super-successful new kitchen: 1. Research Do as […]

Their original kitchen had “too much storage”, so with warnings from family members falling on deaf ears, they chose a new kitchen design that was small and modular, and with less storage Background Where do you live? Otahuhu, Auckland. Why did you decide to purchase your home? We were looking for more space and a […]

It’s never too early in the home design process to start planning your dream kitchen and laundry – and choosing your appliances should be at the top of your to-do list Whether building or renovating, selecting your appliances should be one of the first steps when designing your kitchen and laundry. This ensures you get […]

Designer Natalie Du Bois took an awkward, cramped 1980’s kitchen and turned it into a modern, streamlined space perfect for a growing family This kitchen by Du Bois Design proves family-friendly living can be stylish With a toddler walking around on shaky legs and another baby on the way, updating the small, awkward 1980’s kitchen, which […]

Whether it’s a complete kitchen makeover or simply painting your front door, these interior tips will make you happy and boost your home’s value in the process How to spruce up your interior (and increase your home’s value) While the thought of completely transforming your home is pretty exciting the reality of the cost, time […]

This modern kitchen renovation is based around a 1950s home, but it’s sleek look with floor to ceiling wooden features and dark marble is anything but This streamlined modern kitchen is an entertainer’s dream Positioned between the main deck, a newly reclaimed courtyard and the interior dining spaces, this state-of-the-art kitchen hub on a north-facing […]

From structural and architectural to a dash of Moroccan inspo, here is how to shop the looks from “the best kitchens on The Block NZ so far” Shop the looks from The Block NZ kitchen and dining rooms “Kitchens sell houses” were the words ingrained into The Block NZ teams’ heads by host Mark Richardson […]

The houses are starting to come together on The Block NZ as the teams reveal their kitchen and dining areas. We get a closer look at their standout style The Block NZ teams reveal their impressive kitchen and dining rooms It’s true what they say: kitchens sell houses, which means this week’s room reveal on […]

Your Home and Garden take a look at some of the very best kitchens from their archives Your Home and Garden reveal why these 5 kitchens are the best 1. Best innovation  Kent and Olivia Fife’s outdoor kitchen area is the kind of place where you want to plonk yourself down on a hot summer’s […]

From appliances to benchtops to tiles and taps, these are the latest kitchen trends we can’t get enough of. Check out our trend report and discover how to style and shop the latest looks These are the new kitchen trends we can’t wait to try Appliances  Appliances don’t have to be purely functional – they […]

Renovating your kitchen doesn’t have to mean spending thousands – here are 10 easy ways to make the old feel new 10 inexpensive reno hacks that will make your old kitchen feel new 1. Bar stools A bit tired of your breakfast bar seating? New stools will give your kitchen an instant lift. Skinny metal […]

A specialist in kitchen hardware, Blum’s clever designs and innovative technology helped make this bold, black kitchen a sophisticated and practical space A striking black kitchen makes a stylish statement in this Auckland home For this home situated above Hobbs Bay in Auckland with views of the marina and Rangitoto, the brief was create a […]

This country home’s welcoming kitchen is worth congregating in, thanks to its thoughtful design This considered Karaka kitchen design is an entertainer’s dream. Most of us already know the challenge that comes with keeping guests out of the kitchen. A dinner party may be in the next room, but someone will always want to help […]

Enter the Your Home and Garden Kitchen Awards and you could take home a prize package valued at over $6000. We’re mad about kitchens here at Your Home and Garden and we want to find five of the most beautiful, innovative, fun and functional kitchens in New Zealand! The 5 finalists  (including the overall winner) […]

From bathrooms to kitchens, the matte interiors trend is proving to be extremely versatile. 7 ways to make a statement with stunning matte finishes This year is all about finishes with the matte trend continuing to make waves. Bidding farewell to glossy surfaces that once reigned supreme within kitchens and bathrooms, interiors are adopting matte’s […]

Take a look back at some of our favourite kitchen renovations for some reno-inspo.  1. 1920s bungalow kitchen  When renovating their kitchen, the owners of this bungalow wanted it to be in keeping with the heritage style of the rest of their home. So they had the cupboard doors and drawers made to match the original […]

From colours to textures and finishes these are the kitchen trends that are shaping interior style this year 6 inspiring kitchen trends you need to know about in 2018 The kitchen design forecast for 2018 is a little different than those in recent years, with a mix of trends that focus on practicality as well as style. […]

Old kitchens are full of character but can lack modern functionality. Fi shows us how to enjoy retro style and make the best of dated decor How to embrace retro style in your kitchen A few of us here at YH&G have vintage kitchens, and not entirely by choice. A cramped kitchen with small, awkwardly […]

Fed up with tired cabinets and dated decor? It’s easy to give your kitchen some sizzle with these on-trend style updates and mini makeover ideas 1. Modern luxe  This look is all about luxurious materials that feel amazing to touch and also create lots of contrast. Think statement marble, warm oak, glitzy brass, matte black […]

Discover how a clever new layout and plenty of TLC helped to bring this character-filled kitchen into the 21st century Snapshot Who lives here? Marc Becker, senior infrastructure engineer, Mirelle Simas, logistics manager. Who designed the kitchen? Susan Templer, Templer Interiors. Space cadet – Designer Q&A What was the idea behind the renovation? Susan: This […]

Thanks to a crisp, clean reno, this 1920s brick bungalow in Lower Hutt is now equipped for entertaining. Check out the impressive before and after pics This small Lower Hutt kitchen is unrecognisable after its fresh makeover Who lives here? Jo Westwood, client care coordinator, Dion Westwood, customer support manager, Ben, 11, and Lucy, 8. […]

A modest reno to their near-original 1920s bungalow kitchen has made daily life a little bit easier for this modern family Snapshot Scott Cassidy, owner of Cassidy & Co, Nerissa Cassidy, marketing project manager, Hamish, 10, Max, 8, plus Maggie the miniature poodle and Katie the cat. A 1920s bungalow kitchen has balanced modern living […]

A few final flourishes and personal touches was all that was needed to make this Wellington home the perfect fit for the Steven’s family Meet and greet Amanda Stevens, Ben Stevens, both real-estate agents, Matilda, 7, Cecelia, 5, and Charlotte, 3, plus Tallulah Bear the black Labrador. Why this sunny Wellington home on a flat […]

This Point Chevalier home proves that small changes can make a huge difference. Check out the before and after pictures and get inspired for your own kitchen project A simple splashback switch gave this home a refreshing new look Who lives here? Hannah, works in marketing, husband Andrew, and sons Hugo and Angus. Quick change […]

Whether you’re looking for a small on-trend update or you want to do a complete overhaul of your kitchen, we’ll help you break the process down into stages How to design a dream kitchen that you’ll love for years to come As the hardest working room in your home, your kitchen will be one of […]

This “reno-crazy” couple relied on DIY, with help from family and friends, to create a stylish open-plan kitchen in their 1950s New Plymouth home This kitchen renovation is all about functional style with a dash of glam Who lives here? Shay Starrenburg, web developer, John Starrenburg, construction foreman, plus dog Coco and cat Ebony. DIY […]

Kitchens and countertops are a recipe for cluttered chaos. We round up quick tips to help you figure out what to display and what to put away How to organise your kitchen countertop with Pinterest-worthy precision Put it away Deep drawers hide big pans and serving dishes perfectly. Consider kickboards that open up to accommodate […]

Roll up your sleeves because we’re tackling the dreaded under-the-sink area in today’s home-organising tip. Don’t worry! This won’t take long – here’s how… This dark and hard-to-access space can often end up being a mess of cleaning supplies, plastic bags and random items. Clutter can easily build up if there is a lack of […]

Follow these practical tips by Natalie Jane of Be Organised to control the chaos in your fridge and freezer Start in the fridge and work from top to bottom, pulling everything out shelf by shelf. Group similar items together. Do the same with door racks and vegetable and fruit drawers. Check expiry dates on items […]

Kitchen drawers and cupboards are notorious for accumulating clutter. Here are Natalie Jane’s, our resident expert, top tips on how to get organised Take a moment to think about what is working and what is not in your kitchen. If it’s working to keep your tea towels in the bottom drawer, keep them there. If […]

When it comes to doing your bit for the environment at the end of an unfinished meal, the answer could be right in front of you – in your kitchen sink. With the help of InSinkErator, we grind down a few myths about this surprisingly eco-friendly system for dealing with unwanted food scraps. Why this […]

The Evolution 200 is an environmentally responsible way to dispose of food waste. We have one to give away to one lucky person. Enter below! Win an InSinkErator Evolution 200 food waste disposer worth $1095 InSinkErator food waste disposers are not only convenient and hygienic, but environmentally responsible too. That’s because when your food waste […]

As home automation becomes more accessible, we look at some of the latest advances in the smart home field 7 ways we benefit from having smart home automation While there are many clever home-tech gadgets now on the market, today’s most advanced smart homes have all their automated features (such as lighting, heating, audio and […]

From sleek finishes to clever storage, these four clever design hacks will help you to to create small kitchen that’s big on style 4 simple style hacks you should use in your small kitchen 1. Add some personality Quirky essentials, both practical and amusing, throw some individuality into the kitchen mix, ensuring that downsizing needn’t […]