Most kitchens in established Melbourne homes weren’t built for the way people cook and live today. Benches that are too low, storage that runs out fast, layouts that make daily tasks feel harder than they should. That’s where a lot of Ashwood homeowners find themselves.
A kitchen remodel changes more than the look of the room. It changes how the space actually works. We specialise in kitchen renovations in Ashwood and surrounding suburbs, designing and building new kitchens around the way you live now.
For Ashwood homeowners, the nearest The Kitchen Design Centre showroom is at 143 Whitehorse Rd, Blackburn VIC 3130, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
It’s also the best place to start if the direction still isn’t clear. You’ll find full-size kitchen displays, materials you can touch and compare, and designers who ask the right questions rather than push a particular look. Easy to reach from Ashwood, Chadstone, Burwood, and the surrounding suburbs, it’s a practical first step that makes everything else feel more manageable.
TKDC is privately owned by registered builders Michael Simpson and Peter Schelfhout, who bring over 60 years of combined experience to every kitchen renovation service they deliver. Design, manufacturing, and installation are all handled by one team, under one roof.
That matters more than it sounds. Most home renovation problems come down to handovers. When too many separate trades are involved, details get lost, and timelines slip. Our integrated approach to project management keeps everything on track. The joinery you approved in the showroom is the joinery that gets built and installed in your home.
Every cabinet in a TKDC custom kitchen is measured, built, and finished for the specific space it’s going into. Unlike flat-pack or modular options, there are no fillers and no compromises on fit.
Our cabinet makers work out of our own factory in Bayswater, which has been producing high-quality cabinetry in Australia since 1994. Before anything leaves the factory, every component is tested for fit and function.
That process keeps the installation clean and the finish consistent. Custom kitchen cabinets built this way are made precisely for your home, and that’s what gives them real durability over the long term.
A fully custom kitchen renovation is a significant investment. A $10,000 budget won’t cover a bespoke design, build, and installation, but understanding what drives cost helps you plan with more confidence. The main factors include:
All costs are confirmed in full during your 3D design walkthrough before the build begins.
Every renovation project follows a clear, six-step process at TKDC. You’ll always know what’s happening, what comes next, and who to contact.
Our design team brings over 60 years of combined experience across contemporary, classic, light joinery, dark joinery, and timber styles. Whether you want modern kitchen design with clean lines or something that suits the character of an older home, the right choice comes down to your architecture, natural light, and how the kitchen needs to be functional.
For full kitchen makeovers or more considered updates, we help you select kitchen styles and modern designs built to hold up over time. Projects like Collis, with Carrara marble and integrated appliances, and Denman, with dark joinery working at scale, show what those decisions look like in practice. Layout options to discuss with your designer:
Your 3D walkthrough lets you see the full scheme, including finishes and tiling, before committing to your dream kitchen.
TKDC’s Blackburn showroom at 143 Whitehorse Rd, Blackburn VIC 3130 is the closest location for homeowners across Ashwood, Chadstone, Burwood, Ashburton, Box Hill, and Mount Waverley. Call 03 9894 7445 or simply drop in Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
Walk through real kitchen displays, feel different benchtops, and speak with a designer who can help shape your renovation into a real plan. Beyond kitchen renovations, we design and build cabinetry for bathrooms, laundries, living rooms, home offices, wardrobes, and outdoor patio areas. The same team handles every space, bringing the same storage solutions, finishes, and quality across all three Melbourne showrooms in Blackburn, Essendon, and Eltham.
Do I need council approval for a kitchen renovation in Ashwood?
In most cases, no. Standard kitchen renovations carried out within the existing footprint of your home don’t require council approval. If your project involves structural changes, extensions, or significant plumbing alterations, permits may be required. Your designer will advise you on what applies to your specific project from the outset.
How long does a kitchen renovation typically take?
Timelines vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. As a general guide, the design and approval stages take several weeks, followed by the build and installation phases. Throughout the process, your dedicated client manager keeps you updated on progress and what to expect at each stage.
Do I need to move out during a kitchen renovation?
Most clients stay at home during their renovation. Our installation team works to minimise disruption and leaves the space clean at the end of each day. The period without a functioning kitchen is typically limited to the installation phase, which your client manager will walk you through well in advance.
What does a cabinet maker do differently from a standard builder?
A qualified cabinet maker specialises in the design, construction, and fitting of cabinetry and joinery. At TKDC, our cabinet makers build every kitchen component to precise measurements in our Bayswater factory, then install it by hand in your home. That level of specialist skill is what separates a custom kitchen from a standard renovation.