Kitchenette Buying Checklist for NZ Apartments, Offices and Rentals

A kitchenette can be a practical choice for an apartment, office, rental, sleepout, studio or secondary living area. The room may be small, but the buying decision still needs accurate measurements, confirmed appliances and a complete list of what is—and is not—included.

Use this checklist before comparing packages or placing an order.

1. Define how the kitchenette will be used

An office tea point may need only a sink, refrigerator, microwave and basic storage. An apartment or rental kitchenette may need to support regular cooking, food storage, waste and a wider range of appliances.

Write down:

who will use the room;
how often food will be prepared;
the appliances required;
what needs to be stored;
cleaning and waste requirements; and
whether the kitchenette shares space with a laundry or living area.

This prevents paying for features that will not be used or leaving out storage and services that are difficult to add later.

2. Measure the complete room

Record wall lengths at more than one height, ceiling height, doors, windows, architraves, corners and the finished floor level. Mark plumbing, power, extraction, switches, vents and any obstruction that could affect cabinets or benchtops.

Use the KC&S kitchen measuring guide and keep a copy of the measurements with the final order.

3. Confirm the exact appliance models

Do not plan from nominal appliance widths alone. Use each manufacturer's current installation instructions to check the opening, ventilation, connection and door-clearance requirements.

Confirm the refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, cooktop, microwave and rangehood where applicable. In an office or studio, also plan safe locations for the kettle, coffee machine and other benchtop appliances.

4. Choose a practical layout

A straight one-wall kitchenette is often the simplest option. An L-shaped arrangement can provide more storage and worktop space when the corner and walkway remain usable.

Draw every cabinet, drawer and appliance door open. Check the main route through the room and ensure an open refrigerator, dishwasher or oven will not create an unsafe obstruction.

Read the complete small-kitchen and kitchenette planning guide for layout and clearance checks.

5. Compare the package component list

The product title and overall width do not confirm everything supplied. Review the listed cabinets and components one by one.

Check whether the package includes:

base, wall and tall cabinets;
doors and handles;
hinges and drawer runners;
end panels, fillers and toe kicks;
a benchtop and any cut-outs;
a sink and tap;
assembly or installation; and
delivery or collection arrangements.

Do not assume an item is included unless it appears in the current product description or order.

6. Check the hardware option

KC&S now offers one Premier cabinet system, with the selected cabinet-door style changing the appearance. Premier cabinets are moving to DTC soft-close hinges and DTC soft-close drawer runners as the standard-price option where applicable. Some current stock may still contain Blum hinges during the transition.

Customers can pay extra to upgrade suitable cabinets to Blum branded hinges and runners. Confirm the hardware for the specific order before purchase.

7. Allow for panels, fillers and toe kicks

The sum of cabinet widths may not equal the final installed width. Visible cabinet ends may need finished panels, while walls and corners often need fillers so adjacent doors and drawers open correctly.

Review the KC&S guide to fillers, end panels and toe kicks before finalising the component list.

8. Check building and tenancy responsibilities

Apartments, offices and rentals can have additional approval, access, noise, waste or building-management requirements. A landlord, body corporate, property manager or building owner may need to approve parts of the project.

Use suitable trades for work that requires licensed or qualified people. Confirm responsibilities for plumbing, electrical work, extraction, delivery access and disposal before installation begins.

9. Plan delivery, collection and installation

Check vehicle and building access, stairs, lifts, parking and the available storage area before delivery. Keep cabinets dry and protected until installation.

Collection is from 9–11 Aetna Place, Henderson. Small orders can generally be collected during opening hours. For orders of more than five cabinets, KC&S recommends one to two days' notice so the team can prepare the items and reduce waiting time.

Use the cabinet installation checklist to prepare the room and installation sequence.

10. Complete the final order check

Before paying, confirm:

the room measurements;
appliance models and instructions;
every cabinet and component;
door style, handles and hardware;
panels, fillers and toe kicks;
benchtop, sink and tap arrangements;
assembly, delivery and installation responsibilities; and
the current stock and lead time.

Browse the current kitchenette packages or contact KC&S with your measurements, appliance information, photographs, suburb and preferred timeframe.

Reviewed August 2026. Product specifications, hardware and availability can change; verify the current product description and order details before purchasing.