A premium kitchen renovation in Dubai usually costs about AED 160,000 to AED 280,000 or more, and the real difference from a standard kitchen lies in planning, not only brands. In a tower, check first what the building allows for the hood, gas and walls. In a villa, plan a show kitchen and a working kitchen together. Then choose appliances before cabinets, because cabinets are built around them.
In short:
- The Dubai Building Code wants domestic hoods ducted outside, but allows ductless hoods when installed to the maker’s instructions and mechanical ventilation is otherwise provided.
- Many towers do not allow gas, so ask before you buy a gas range.
- Emaar lists wall removal and moving MEP as not permitted in its apartments, which limits open-plan conversions.
- Decide appliances first, then joinery, then stone. Slabs are templated only after cabinets are installed.
For full budgets, read kitchen renovation cost in Dubai. For cabinet materials, read kitchen cabinets in Dubai. This guide covers what those leave out: tower rules, layouts and what “premium” should mean.
What makes a premium kitchen renovation in Dubai different
| Element | Standard kitchen | Premium kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Follows existing pipes | Planned around how you cook, with proper aisles and landing space |
| Carcass and doors | Moisture-resistant MDF, laminate | Moisture-resistant core with lacquer, veneer, or a European system |
| Hardware | Soft-close hinges and runners | Full-extension drawers and internal organisers, from named makers |
| Worktop | Quartz, 20 mm | Sintered stone, quartzite or marble, with matched veining and mitred edges |
| Appliances | Freestanding or mid-range built-in | Integrated, panel-ready and quiet, with a proper ventilation plan |
| Lighting | Downlights | Layered: task under wall units, accent in cabinets and pendants at the island |
| Services | Reused | New circuits, tested waterproofing and hidden sockets |
Tower kitchens: check these three rules first
1. The hood
The Dubai Building Code (H.4.12.14) says domestic range hoods discharge outside through a sealed metal duct with a backdraft damper. It also says that ductless hoods need not discharge outdoors where installed to the maker’s instructions and where mechanical ventilation is otherwise provided. So the real limit in a tower is usually the building. A ducted hood needs an existing extract riser or a facade opening, which management may refuse. Recirculating hoods filter grease and some smell, but they do not remove humidity, and charcoal filters need replacing every few months. The US NKBA guidelines recommend a correctly sized ducted system. Ask your building first, then choose the hood.
2. Gas or induction
Property Finder reports that many towers in Dubai Marina, JLT and Downtown do not allow gas, and it cites induction as sending up to 90% of its power into the pan, against 40 to 60% for gas. There is no official public list by tower. Where central gas exists, moving a gas point needs an approved contractor and inspection. For most tower kitchens, a premium induction hob is the practical answer, with less heat and less to extract.
3. Walls and open plan
Under Law 6 of 2019, non-support internal walls are part of your unit, but that does not mean you may remove them. Emaar’s fact sheet lists removal of walls, and removal or relocation of MEP and fire-fighting systems, as not permitted in apartments, while kitchen renovation itself is allowed with an NOC. Other towers may differ. Opening a closed kitchen also affects smoke and heat detectors, ventilation and fire safety, so have the wall type checked against approved drawings and get a written answer from management before design.
Open kitchen or closed kitchen?
People often ask whether an open kitchen is good or bad. It depends on how you cook.
| Choice | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Fully open | Light cooking, entertaining, small apartments that need to feel larger | Smell and humidity, and everything stays on show |
| Glass or sliding partition | Owners who want the view but cook heavily | Check detectors and ventilation in the closed position |
| Closed | Heavy cooking, families with staff | Code minimum of 5.4 m² and 1.8 m clear dimension |
| Open show kitchen plus closed working kitchen | Villas and large apartments | Needs space and a second set of services |
Show kitchen and working kitchen in a villa
Many Dubai villas pair a show kitchen, with integrated joinery, with a working kitchen behind it for daily cooking and staff. To plan both well:
- Make the working kitchen the real one: strong extraction, durable tops, parallel layout, near the service entrance.
- Connect them with a pantry or sliding screen, so serving never crosses the living room.
- If you have a majlis, plan a pantry or coffee station on its service route when the room is designed.
- Follow villa ventilation rules: the Code asks for exhaust in kitchens, and says LPG cylinders are not permitted indoors unless there is no other option and Civil Defence permits it.
- Check height: the Code’s villa minimum for living spaces is 2.7 m, which limits how much ceiling you can lose to new ducts.
Dimensions that make a kitchen work
These are from the US NKBA planning guidelines and the Dubai Building Code.
| Item | Guide |
|---|---|
| Work aisle, one cook | At least 1,067 mm |
| Work aisle, several cooks | At least 1,219 mm |
| Walkway | At least 914 mm |
| Work triangle | Each leg 1.2 to 2.7 m, total no more than 7.9 m |
| Landing beside the hob | 305 mm and 381 mm either side |
| Landing beside the sink | 610 mm and 457 mm |
| Between counters (Dubai Building Code) | At least 1.2 m of manoeuvring space |
Brands and showrooms
Premium European kitchen brands reported in Dubai include bulthaup, SieMatic, Scavolini and Boffi | DePadova. Appliance brands you can see locally include Miele, Gaggenau and Sub-Zero and Wolf, according to Sotheby’s Dubai journal. Availability changes, so call ahead. M&A is an independent contractor: we are not a dealer for these brands, and we can build around whichever you choose, or make bespoke joinery to your design.
Check claims too. Blum says its LEGRABOX drawers are tested for 100,000 cycles. Miele’s 20-year test simulates household use, and the maker says that is not a durability guarantee. Ask what the warranty actually says, and who services it in Dubai.
What a premium kitchen costs
| Level | Indicative budget, before VAT |
|---|---|
| Standard apartment rebuild | AED 70,000 to 120,000 |
| Premium or luxury bespoke | AED 160,000 to 280,000+ |
| Premium appliance set (Miele, Gaggenau or Wolf) | AED 60,000 to 120,000 of the total |
| Standard appliance set (Bosch or Smeg) | AED 18,000 to 35,000 |
| Villa kitchen, standard rebuild | AED 120,000 to 200,000 |
These come from our kitchen cost guide. A villa with both a show and a working kitchen sits above these figures. Plan about 10% contingency, and allow 6 to 10 weeks for imported appliances.
What not to do in a kitchen remodel
- Do not order cabinets before you choose appliances.
- Do not move the sink or hob without checking drainage falls and risers first.
- Do not skip waterproofing behind the sink or under a dishwasher.
- Do not choose a hood before asking where the air goes.
- Do not pick stone from a small sample: see the slab, and read our guide to marble, porcelain and sintered stone.
- Do not forget lighting and sockets until the cabinets are made.
- Do not close walls before you test every water and gas point.
How to start a kitchen renovation
- Measure, and photograph existing services and risers.
- Ask your building about the hood, gas and walls, and get the NOC process.
- Choose how you will cook, then the appliances.
- Design the layout and see it in 3D.
- Approve finishes with samples in your own light.
- Agree one price with a list of every item.
- Build, test, install stone last, then snag.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a premium kitchen renovation cost in Dubai?
Plan about AED 160,000 to AED 280,000 or more for a premium or luxury bespoke kitchen in 2026, before VAT, and above that for a villa with both a show and a working kitchen. Appliances alone can be AED 60,000 to AED 120,000.
Can I have a ducted hood in a Dubai apartment?
Only if the building has an extract route you are allowed to use. Ducting needs an existing riser or a facade opening that management approves. Otherwise a recirculating hood is usually the answer, and the Dubai Building Code allows ductless hoods where mechanical ventilation is otherwise provided.
Can I install a gas stove in my Dubai apartment?
It depends on the building. Many towers are electric only, and others have central gas. Ask building management before you design, and use an approved gas contractor for any change.
Do luxury homes in Dubai have two kitchens?
Many do: a show kitchen with integrated joinery for entertaining, and a working kitchen behind it for daily cooking and staff. It suits villas and large apartments, if extraction and services are planned for both.
Can I remove the kitchen wall in my apartment?
Sometimes. Emaar’s published list says wall removal is not permitted in its apartments, and other towers have their own rules. Get the wall type checked against approved drawings, and ask management in writing before you design.
Which is the best kitchen renovation company in Dubai?
There is no official ranking. Look for finished kitchens you can see, a written specification for hardware and materials, real knowledge of tower rules and one person responsible. Our guide to spotting the best company lists the checks.
Checked in November 2026. NKBA figures are US guidelines converted to millimetres. Building rules vary, so confirm with your management. Budgets are indicative market ranges, not quotes.
Planning a premium kitchen?
We will check your building’s rules, plan the layout around how you cook and show it to you in 3D before anything is ordered. See apartment renovation and villa renovation, read how to spot the best company, or book a free site visit.
