We’ve more or less finished our dream kitchen after years of saving and slogging. These days I have acres of black granite bench top and lots of drawers and cupboards, but my earlier kitchens were far less glamorous – some were simply budget do-ups. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying or renting, saving or splurging, there are always solutions to your kitchen issues.

RENTAL REVIVAL

Q. We’re renting while we save to buy our own home and the kitchen is incredibly dull. Our landlord says we can paint it. Have you got any advice?

A. Keep things simple. If the kitchen units are shabby, you could hand-paint them, but the result won’t be as good as a professional spray job. Brighten things up by painting the walls or adding interesting accessories such as vintage linen, herbs in colourful pots or unusual old china.

BEING BOLD

Q. My partner and I have finally got ourselves on the property ladder and we can’t wait to stamp our personalities on our recently bought do-up. What do you think about using bold, bright colours?

A. If this is your first house, chances are you’ll move again within a few years. So resist choosing bright, bold colours for joinery – use them on walls or furnishings instead. That way, you can easily neutralise the space when you come to sell.

TERRIFIC TRENDS

Q. What are the latest, greatest trends in benchtops and splashbacks – and where do you find them?

A. Granite benchtops are expensive but you can get cheaper, man-made alternatives that are very durable – ask a kitchen designer for advice. Tiles, brushed aluminium and glass are popular for splashbacks. The glass can be painted to match your walls or joinery colours perfectly.

DOORS VS DRAWERS

Q. Is it still fashionable to include lots of drawers in a new kitchen? And what are their advantages over cupboards?

A. Ask anyone who’s had both and chances are they’ll scream, “Drawers!” Forget all that time spent fossicking at the back of dark cupboards. With drawers, everything is within reach and it’s easy to see what’s there. Modern runners are so smooth, your drawers will simply purr!

LIVING LIGHT

Q. Our new kitchen is on the dark side of the house and although we’ve included lots of downlights, we’re wondering if that will be enough. What else could we try?

A. Ideally, you don’t want electric lights on during the day – it’s much greener taking advantage of the sun. Installing a skylight can be expensive but it’s effective. A far cheaper option is a round “tunnel” that is inserted neatly into the roof and ceiling.

STRETCHING SPACE

Q. We had to condense our kitchen into a smaller area and we’re a bit short of built-in bench space. What other options are there?

A. There are many products that could fit the bill nicely. You could get an industrial-style trolley, for example  or a more rustic option is a butcher’s block. The beauty of furniture on wheels is it can be moved if you want a new look or to clean underneath.

HOT TIP

When using a kitchen builder or designer, be sure to get several quotes before you begin. It’s not unheard of for prices to vary by up to 50%.