Are under-bench ovens still popular in Sydney? (Kitchen | Appliances & Fixtures)

Short answer? Yes. Long answer? Absolutely yes—and probably even more than you think. Under-bench ovens in Sydney homes are a bit like the humble flat white: classic, reliable, and still ordered every single morning despite all the flashy new options on the menu. They’ve survived design trends, lifestyle changes, and even the rise of the air fryer revolution. Why? Because under-bench ovens strike the perfect balance between practicality, ergonomics, and good old-fashioned common sense.

Let’s break it down and look at why under-bench ovens continue to hold their ground across Sydney—from Chatswood apartments to Northern Beaches family homes, from heritage terraces in Balmain to contemporary builds in Kellyville.

1. Under-bench ovens suit Sydney’s mixed home styles

Sydney is a wild mix of architecture: century-old terraces, post-war brick veneers, 90s fibro knockdowns, and brand-new luxury builds. With that variety comes one universal truth—kitchen layouts are never identical. Under-bench ovens fit this unpredictability beautifully.

They can be positioned anywhere along a run of cabinets, freeing designers to adapt to quirky walls, tight corners, or those “why is this beam here?” surprises that every Sydney renovator knows too well. Whether the kitchen is U-shaped, L-shaped, galley, or squeezed between two load-bearing walls, the under-bench oven just sneaks right in and behaves itself.

2. They help maximise valuable bench space

If you live in Sydney, you already know bench space is gold. And if you live in an apartment… it’s practically diamond grade.

By keeping the oven tucked under the bench, the entire wall area remains open for full-height cabinets, feature splashbacks, dramatic rangehoods, or the real hero—more preparation space. This is especially important in small kitchens where every 10mm matters. People don’t talk about millimetres in everyday life… until they start renovating in Sydney. Suddenly 30mm becomes a life-changing number.

3. They help create cleaner, more streamlined kitchen aesthetics

Sydney’s design direction in the last decade has moved heavily toward clean lines, minimal clutter, and galleries of cabinetry that look like they’re floating on invisible clouds. Under-bench ovens fit right into that story.

Instead of placing the oven at eye level (which visually cuts the kitchen in half), designers often use the under-bench model to keep the horizontal lines uninterrupted. The kitchen ends up looking sleeker, calmer, and more cohesive—like one of those kitchens you see on Instagram where everything seems suspiciously perfect.

4. Great for families with kids (and short people, too)

Let’s be honest: eye-level ovens look premium, but not every household has a team of tall basketball players roaming around.

Under-bench ovens are kid-friendly because they eliminate the hazard of hot trays being removed at face height. Everything happens comfortably at hip level, and it’s easier for kids to learn safe cooking habits.

And for many adults (especially shorter homeowners), under-bench ovens simply feel more natural. No reaching high, no awkward arm angles, no fear of tipping a roast chicken onto your shirt—just smooth sliding in and out, right at bench height.

5. They pair beautifully with cooktops

Sydney homeowners love pairing induction or gas cooktops directly above the oven. It keeps the cooking zone compact and helps maintain that classic combination we all grew up with: cooktop on top, oven below. It’s simple, functional, and intuitive.

Even though separated wall ovens are trendy, plenty of people still prefer the “everything happens in one spot” approach. It’s efficient, especially when cooking big meals—like a roast dinner for the extended family on a Sunday. You can stir the gravy, check the roast, flip the vegetables, and still keep the kitchen workflow tight.

6. They’re cost-effective in both purchase and installation

A fun reality of renovations in Sydney: every extra feature comes with an invoice attached. Wall ovens require tall cabinetry, additional structural support, and often more detailed electrical planning.

Under-bench ovens, on the other hand:

• slot straight into standard 600mm or 900mm base cabinets

• require less custom joinery

• keep electrical costs simpler

• and reduce the number of unusual measurements needed

All of this helps homeowners stay within budget—something every Sydney renovator is trying to do while juggling rising labour costs, material shortages, and that unavoidable takeaway dinner during demo week.

7. Still extremely popular in Sydney’s rental market

A huge portion of Sydney’s housing stock is rented, especially in suburbs like Mascot, Parramatta, Zetland, and Waterloo. Under-bench ovens are the favourites for investment property renovations because:

• Tenants understand them

• They’re durable

• They’re easy to replace

• They work with standard cabinetry

• They minimise maintenance quirks

If you’re renovating for rental returns, an under-bench oven is a no-brainer—your PM won’t call you complaining about someone “accidentally pulling the wall oven door off again.”

8. They’re evolving with modern technology

Don’t think the under-bench oven is old-fashioned. The new generation comes loaded with features:

• steam assist

• air-fry modes

• pyrolytic self-cleaning

• smartphone control

• soft-close doors

• telescopic runners

• even sous-vide capabilities in higher-end models

Sydney homeowners love gadgets, and the humble under-bench oven now behaves like a mini smart appliance hiding under your benchtop.

9. Under-bench ovens are ideal for island benches

Modern Sydney renovations often include a kitchen island, because everyone wants at least one of these three things:

1. extra seating

2. more storage

3. a giant workspace to chop veggies like a MasterChef contestant

Under-bench ovens fit beautifully into islands, freeing up wall space for more cabinets while keeping cooking central and social. If you like chatting with family while checking your lasagna, this layout is perfect.

10. They support safe and ergonomic cooking workflows

Under-bench ovens can be positioned strategically:

• close to the sink

• near preparation areas

• next to the cooktop

They create efficient working triangles, letting the cook move fluidly without backtracking around the kitchen. Sydney designers especially love placing them near the main prep zone to minimise handling hot trays across long distances.

So… are under-bench ovens still popular in Sydney?

Absolutely. In fact, they’re still the most widely installed oven style across Sydney. While wall ovens appeal to those wanting a high-end luxury look, under-bench ovens continue to win the majority vote for:

• practicality

• affordability

• layout flexibility

• child-friendly safety

• compatibility with modern appliances

• seamless contemporary aesthetics

Until something dramatically disrupts kitchen design (like levitating ovens… which honestly would be pretty cool), under-bench ovens will remain a go-to choice for Sydney homeowners.

Visit www.mb9.com.au to find out more information about kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation and laundry room renovation services from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.