2026 HIA Hunter Region Kitchen of the Year: Designed Around a Statement Island
This kitchen by Planit Kitchens, delivered in partnership with Executive Building Group, has been named the 2026 HIA Hunter Region Kitchen of the Year in the $50,000 to $60,000 category. It follows our 2025 HIA Hunter Region Kitchen of the Year win in Saratoga, giving Planit back-to-back Kitchen of the Year awards in the Hunter Region.
At the Belford Residence, the kitchen sits at the centre of the home. The brief called for a highly practical layout that could handle everyday cooking as well as entertaining, with a look that felt relaxed but still distinctive.
The oversized island is the focal point. It’s finished in porcelain stone with bold veining, and it houses both the cooktop and a concealed downdraft extraction system. Building both into the island required careful coordination and precise installation, keeping the extraction out of sight and the benchtop clean and uninterrupted.
Deep-toned cabinetry runs along the back wall and rises into a tall appliance wall, set against lighter benchtops and splashback for contrast and depth. The appliances are integrated into the joinery, and brass-toned hardware carries a consistent palette through the whole space.
The challenge was in the detail. Long runs of cabinetry needed consistent alignment from end to end, and the island had to be large enough to anchor the room without overwhelming its generous ceiling height. Getting both right gives the finished kitchen a balanced, resolved feel.
The result is a custom kitchen that works hard every day and still makes a statement when guests arrive. See more of the layouts and finishes we design on our Kitchen Styles page.
Planning a kitchen in a similar budget range?
Inspired by this award-winning Belford kitchen? Our team at Planit Kitchens can design a kitchen around the way you live and entertain, whether you’re building new or renovating.
Visit our Central Coast Showroom to see our materials and craftsmanship up close. To start your project, request a free kitchen quote through our Contact page, or see more of our work across Newcastle and the Hunter.