Kitchen Electrical Planning Guide
A kitchen renovation is exciting, but the electrical work needs careful planning before any demolition begins. Getting this right ensures your new kitchen is functional, safe, and future-proofed.
Start with a Kitchen Electrical Plan
Before your cabinetmaker starts designing, consult with your electrician. You'll need to plan power point locations, lighting layout, appliance circuits, and switch positions. Changes after walls are closed up are expensive and disruptive.
Power Point Placement
Think about where you'll use small appliances: kettle, toaster, coffee machine, mixer, food processor. Plan power points at bench height (usually 150mm above the benchtop) and space them every 600-900mm along your bench runs. Don't forget power for inside pantries and island benches.
Dedicated Appliance Circuits
Modern kitchens need dedicated circuits for: oven (usually 32A or 40A), cooktop (32A or 40A), dishwasher, rangehood, and microwave. Your electrician will ensure your switchboard can handle the total load.
Lighting Design
Good kitchen lighting uses layers: ambient (ceiling downlights), task (under-cabinet LED strips), and accent (pendant lights over an island). Dimmer switches let you adjust the mood from bright workspace to relaxed dining.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
LED strip lighting under overhead cabinets illuminates your workspace and eliminates shadows. This is best planned before cabinets are installed so wiring can be concealed neatly.
Rangehood Wiring
Your rangehood needs a dedicated power point, usually concealed behind or above the unit. If you're upgrading to a more powerful rangehood, check that the electrical supply matches the new unit's requirements.
Island Bench Power
If your renovation includes an island bench, plan for power points and potentially a pop-up power tower. Running power to an island requires floor channelling, which must be done before flooring is laid.
Timeline Tip
Involve your electrician at the design stage — not after cabinets are ordered. Electrical rough-in happens after framing but before plaster, giving you the most flexibility and keeping costs down.
About the Author
Written by Josh from All Field Electrical — a licensed electrician with over 15 years of experience serving Newcastle and Port Stephens homeowners. We believe in honest advice, quality workmanship, and treating every home as our own.