Kitchens on the peninsula
Weekender cottages. Fibro and weatherboard homes around Woy Woy, Blackwall, Booker Bay and Ettalong. Kitchens are narrow galleys or small rooms at the back, sometimes with a lean-to laundry behind.
Post-war and 1970s homes. Brick and veneer homes through Umina Beach with a separate kitchen and meals area.
Villas and townhouses. Common across Woy Woy and Umina. Compact kitchens, often L-shaped, with 1990s finishes.
New duplexes and rebuilds. Modern open-plan kitchens, sometimes with basic builder-grade cabinetry that owners want to upgrade.
Opening up a cottage kitchen
The most common change in peninsula cottages is removing the wall between kitchen and living area. That can involve:
- Checking for asbestos in wall linings before anything is cut.
- Engineering a beam if the wall is structural.
- Floor repairs, since old timber floors under a kitchen can have water damage from leaking sinks.
- Upgrading wiring to meet current standards once walls are opened.
The result is usually a galley or L-shaped kitchen with a peninsula bench facing the living room, lighter finishes and far more storage.
Small kitchen strategies
- Tall cabinets to the ceiling for storage without extra footprint.
- A slim pull-out pantry beside the fridge.
- Integrated or compact appliances, such as a 600-millimetre dishwasher and slimline rangehood.
- Light, reflective finishes with a glass or gloss tile splashback.
- A peninsula instead of an island where floor space is tight.
- Good task lighting under wall cabinets.
Villa and townhouse refreshes
For strata villas, owners corporation approval may be needed, particularly for anything affecting common walls or plumbing. Many villa kitchens suit a kitchen makeover, keeping the carcasses and replacing everything you see.
Sandy, salty and humid
Being close to Brisbane Water and the ocean beaches means damp air. Moisture-resistant boards, sealed edges and a rangehood ducted outside all help cabinetry last. Durable, easy-clean floors handle sand tracked in from the beach.
Nearby areas
We also work in Kariong, Point Clare, Pearl Beach, Patonga and across Brisbane Water to Gosford.
Costs
See the 2026 cost guide for makeover and full renovation ranges.
Call 02 4307 6053 or send your kitchen details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
Can a small cottage kitchen feel bigger?
Yes. Opening the wall to the living area, running cabinetry to the ceiling, choosing lighter finishes, adding a compact island or peninsula and using drawers instead of cupboards all make a small kitchen more usable.
Do peninsula cottages have asbestos?
Many fibro cottages built before about 1990 contain asbestos cement sheeting in walls, eaves or old floor coverings. It is sampled before demolition and removed by a licensed asbestos removalist.
Is a makeover a good option for a villa or townhouse?
Often. Many 1980s and 90s villas on the peninsula have workable layouts with dated finishes. New doors, benchtops, splashback and tapware on sound cabinets can make a big difference for less.
What does a kitchen renovation cost on the peninsula?
As a 2026 guide, peninsula kitchens commonly range from $12,000 for a makeover to $45,000 for a full renovation that opens up a cottage kitchen, with asbestos removal and structural work extra.