As of October 2026, a mid-range renovation of a small Sydney kitchen (a galley or U-shape under about 10 m²) costs about $23,000 to $40,250, typically around $32,200, according to What’s The Damage. A cosmetic refresh that resurfaces doors and repaints costs about $9,200 to $23,000, and a flat-pack budget kitchen about $13,800 to $28,750. The biggest saving is keeping the sink, cooktop and dishwasher where they are.
- A small Sydney kitchen at mid-range spec costs about $23,000–$40,250, typically $32,200 (What’s The Damage, October 2026).
- A cabinet respray, wrap or resurfacing alone costs about $2,300–$11,500 in Sydney.
- Cabinetry is often 30–40 per cent of a kitchen budget and labour 25–30 per cent (CO-architecture, cited by Canstar, July 2026).
- Engineered stone benchtops have been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024. Laminate, natural stone, timber, stainless steel and resin-free porcelain are still available.
- Moving plumbing, gas or power adds licensed trade work, so keeping the layout is the biggest single saver.
How much does a small kitchen renovation cost in Sydney?
A small kitchen renovation in Sydney costs about $23,000 to $40,250 at mid-range spec, typically around $32,200, according to What’s The Damage (verified October 2026, prices including GST). It defines a small kitchen as a galley or U-shape under about 10 square metres. You can spend much less if you keep the cabinets and refresh the surfaces.
| Budget band | Indicative Sydney price | What it usually buys |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $9,200–$23,000 (typical $16,100) | Resurfaced or resprayed doors, paint, new handles, maybe a new laminate benchtop. Layout stays the same. |
| Budget renovation (flat-pack) | $13,800–$28,750 (typical $20,700) | New flat-pack cabinets, laminate benchtop, tiled splashback and basic appliances. Plumbing mostly stays put. |
| Small kitchen, mid-range | $23,000–$40,250 (typical $32,200) | Custom or semi-custom cabinets, a better benchtop, new appliances and some electrical or plumbing changes. |
| Mid-range renovation, any size | $28,750–$51,750 (typical $40,250) | Custom cabinetry, premium benchtop, new lighting and power, and possibly layout changes. |
Source: What’s The Damage, Sydney kitchen renovation cost guide, verified October 2026. Canstar (July 2026) quotes a national average of $15,000–$40,000 from hipages data, and Three Birds Renovations tiers of $15,000–$25,000 (budget), $25,000–$35,000 (mid-range) and $35,000–$40,000+ (luxury).
The Sydney figures run higher than the national ones. Use both as a guide only. For full-size kitchens, see our Kitchen Renovation Cost Sydney: 2026 Price Guide.
What can you do with a small kitchen budget?
Start with what bothers you most: tired looks, poor storage or a layout that does not work. Each needs a different budget.
Refresh, roughly the bottom of the range:
- Respray, wrap or resurface the doors and panels. What’s The Damage puts this at about $2,300 to $11,500 in Sydney.
- Swap the benchtop for laminate, which it prices at about $920 to $2,875 as a lump sum.
- Add a tiled splashback, at about $460 to $2,875.
- Change handles, paint the walls and add under-cabinet LED strips, wired by a licensed electrician.
Rebuild on a budget, roughly the middle of the range:
- Fit flat-pack carcasses in the same layout, and spend on drawers and hinges.
- Replace wall cupboards with open shelves on one wall to cut cost and make the room feel larger.
- Run a tall pantry to the ceiling. In a small kitchen, height is the cheapest storage you have.
Mid-range upgrades, the top of the range:
- Custom cabinets that use every corner, such as blind-corner pull-outs and toe-kick drawers.
- A porcelain, granite or timber benchtop.
- Better lighting and more power points, which need a licensed electrician.
What layouts work best for small Sydney kitchens and apartments?
The best layout for a small kitchen is usually the one you already have, improved. Moving the sink, cooktop or dishwasher means new plumbing, drainage, gas or circuits, and in an apartment it may need strata approval.
| Layout | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Galley (two parallel runs) | Terraces, semis and older walk-up apartments | A narrow walkway; keep drawers and dishwasher doors from clashing |
| One-wall | Studios and open-plan apartments | Limited bench space; a mobile island or table can help |
| L-shape | Open-plan living areas | The corner cupboard; use a corner pull-out or drawers |
| U-shape | Small enclosed kitchens | Can feel boxed in; light colours and good lighting help |
| L-shape with peninsula | Rooms too small for an island | Leave enough room to walk past when the oven door is open |
Many inner-Sydney terraces and semis have narrow galley kitchens at the back of the house, and many 1960s and 1970s walk-up apartments have small U-shapes. In both, a pull-out pantry, deep drawers instead of base cupboards and a slimline dishwasher can add useful storage without moving walls.
Where does the money go in a kitchen renovation?
Cabinetry is usually the biggest single cost. Canstar, citing CO-architecture, says cabinetry often makes up 30 to 40 per cent of the budget and labour 25 to 30 per cent. What’s The Damage gives these typical Sydney line items:
- Custom cabinetry: about $13,800 to $40,250
- Appliance package (oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher): about $3,450 to $11,500
- Plumbing rough-in: about $1,725 to $5,750
- Electrical rough-in: about $1,725 to $4,600
- Strip-out and disposal: about $1,150 to $4,600
- Flooring: about $46 to $140 per square metre
In a small kitchen, many of these costs do not shrink with the room. You still need a plumber, an electrician, a full set of appliances and a strip-out. That is why the cheapest small kitchens keep the services in place and spend on cabinets and surfaces.
Which benchtops can you still buy after the engineered stone ban?
Engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs can no longer be made, supplied or installed in Australia. SafeWork NSW confirms the prohibition started on 1 July 2024, because cutting the material releases crystalline silica dust that causes serious lung disease.
If you already have an engineered stone benchtop, SafeWork NSW says it poses no safety risk while it stays undisturbed. Removing, repairing or modifying it is still allowed under strict controls, so tell your kitchen trade what your benchtop is made of before demolition starts.
Products with less than 1 per cent crystalline silica are excluded from the ban, and porcelain and sintered stone are excluded only if they contain no resin. Ask your kitchen maker to confirm in writing that your product is compliant. What’s The Damage lists these typical Sydney benchtop prices per square metre:
- Laminate: about $345 to $645
- Timber: about $630 to $1,375
- Granite: about $690 to $1,600
- Stainless steel: about $805 to $1,725
- Porcelain or sintered stone: about $1,100 to $1,775
- Marble: about $920 to $2,875
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A cosmetic refresh takes about one to two weeks, according to What’s The Damage. A full renovation takes about 10 to 14 weeks from design sign-off, with two to three weeks of work on site. The same guide also gives three to six weeks from demolition and a custom cabinetry lead time of either 8 to 12 weeks or 4 to 8 weeks, so ask each trade for their own schedule. Plan how you will cook and wash up while the kitchen is out of action.
Do you need approval or a licensed trade for a small kitchen?
Most like-for-like kitchen renovations inside a house do not need council approval. Removing a load-bearing wall or changing the structure is different, and may need an engineer and a complying development certificate or development application.
- Licences: in NSW, a contractor licence is needed for residential building work over $5,000 including GST. Kitchen, bathroom and laundry renovation is its own licence class. Plumbing, gasfitting and electrical work needs a licensed trade at any price.
- Contracts: jobs over $5,000 need a written contract, the deposit can be no more than 10 per cent, and jobs over $20,000 need Home Building Compensation cover.
- Apartments: NSW strata rules treat kitchen renovations, such as installing or removing cupboards, as minor renovations that need approval at a strata meeting.
- Asbestos: older homes may have asbestos in walls, floors or splashbacks. Have suspect materials tested before demolition.
How do you save money on a small kitchen without cutting corners?
- Keep the sink, dishwasher and cooktop where they are.
- Spend on hinges, drawer runners and the benchtop, which take the most wear. Save on door style.
- Choose standard cabinet sizes over fully custom where they fit.
- Order appliances early so the trades are not kept waiting.
- Get itemised quotes, so you can see what each one includes.
- Keep a contingency for surprises behind old cabinets, such as rotten floors or old wiring.
Get quotes for your small kitchen renovation
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Frequently asked questions
Is a galley kitchen cheaper to renovate than an L-shape?
Often, because a galley kitchen has no awkward corner cupboard and its services are usually close together. The price depends more on the cabinet length, the benchtop material, the appliances and whether you move plumbing or power than on the shape. Ask for quotes that list cabinetry by metre and each trade’s cost separately.
Can I keep my old appliances or benchtop to save money?
Yes, if they are in good condition and fit the new design. Give the kitchen maker the exact appliance models and sizes before cabinets are made. An existing engineered stone benchtop is safe while undisturbed, but reusing it means cutting or moving it, which SafeWork NSW only allows under strict controls.
Can I live at home during a kitchen renovation?
Usually, yes. Set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere, such as a microwave, kettle and sandwich press in the laundry or dining room. Ask your trades for a schedule that shows when water, power and the sink will be off, and plan meals around the two to three weeks of work on site.
What parts of a kitchen renovation can I do myself?
Painting, assembling flat-pack cabinets and some demolition are common DIY jobs. In NSW, plumbing, gasfitting and electrical work must be done by licensed trades at any price. Do not cut, drill or remove old wall sheeting or splashbacks until you know they do not contain asbestos.
Does a small kitchen need a rangehood?
A rangehood removes steam, smoke and cooking smells, which matters more in a small kitchen or an open-plan apartment. A ducted rangehood that vents outside generally works better than a recirculating one. In an apartment, check your strata by-laws before cutting any duct through an outside wall, because that can affect common property.
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