can you hack it?

Add a touch of flair to your home with these functional and trendy DIY design hacks!

Want to add design features to your kitchen, but don’t know where to start? We have come up with a few DIY hacks so you can create beautiful and functional features at home. Read on to get up to speed on these handy ideas.

hack one: island extension

A big trend straight from Europe is the layering of benchtops. These can either be layered in a table formation or as an island extension. Try mixing timbers into a design that features solid colours to add texture, warmth and design flair.  

What You Need?

  • 1x vic ash benchtop

  • 50mm screws

  • Wood glue

How to hack It? Check out our island extension step-by-step guide for all the details.

Island benchtop extension

hack two: open shelving between drawers

Open shelves can be made at any size with some clever thinking outside the box (literally)! You can adapt this design to the size you need, or install them between drawer cabinets as we’ve done! 

Open shelving between drawers

What You Need?

  • Double-sided multi-purpose panels

  • 2x 1 Drawer Cabinets

How to hack It? Check out our open shelving step-by-step guide.

hack three: inset cabinets

Inset cabinets are a hot trend right now, adding depth and layering to kitchen designs. Follow these easy steps to design a kitchen with this trendy wall cabinet feature.

Inset cabinets

What You Need?

  • Slimline Cabinets

  • Double-sided multi-purpose panels cut to your desired depth and length in your choice of colour

  • Doors and handles to your taste

  • End panels (if required)

How to Hack It?

  1. Attach lower slimline cabinets (a) to the wall so the bottom of the slimline sits at 740mm down from the top of the pantry end panel (b), or at your desired height.

  2. Install the double-sided multi-purpose panel (c) so the front edge sits to the desired depth of your top layer of cabinets.

  3. From this nominated front edge, measure back and mark 320mm. This is where the back of your slimline cabinets (d) will sit. Then, measure the distance from this mark to the wall (x) of which  you will need to construct a frame or box so the back of the slimline cabinets (d) are supported.

  4. Fix the frame / box to the wall then install the slimline (e) to sit flush with the panel, and fix to the box/frame behind.

  5. Install the slimline cabinet door and handles, and finish off with end panels if required.