If given the chance to renovate one in four Aussies would start with the kitchen, research shows.
A realestate.com.au survey found 26% of Aussies would prioritise kitchen renovations over any other kind of renovation.
So if we’re so keen to re-do our kitchens, do homes with killer kitchens sell for more?
Kitchens must have function and form to win buyers.
The kitchen features that matter
More than half of Australian property seekers want lots of storage and bench space in their kitchens, according to the realestate.com.au survey.
Almost 40% want natural light and 27% want open-plan layouts and appliances included.
Natural light is important to property seekers, tap fittings are not.
On the other hand, appliance cupboards and tap fittings were seen as least important in the kitchen, with only 4% of Australians preferring these features. Australian property seekers want lots of storage & bench space in their kitchens
Top 5 tips for renovating kitchens
Roberts says renovators should invest in a kitchen that fits the value of the home – and do it right. “If your renovation is over the top, people won’t necessarily pay the premium that you’ve outlaid.”
So what elements should you invest in for a timeless kitchen?
Travis Dean, Director of Melbourne kitchen design, manufacturing and installation company Cantilever, says there’s no reason why a kitchen shouldn’t last and look great for decades.
These are Dean and Stavers’ top five tips for getting maximum buyer appeal out of your kitchen renovation.
1. Classic surfaces
“Reconstituted stone bench tops or quality white laminate with ply edging are durable, stylish options for different budgets,” Dean says.
Staver agrees that surface quality tops the list of importance for buyers. “It’s about aesthetic first and foremost – the type of surface will define the whole look.”
2. Adaptable aesthetic
White surfaces are timeless. Add colour with accessories.
Dean recommends whites and neutrals – complimented with natural materials like stainless steel splashbacks – to increase saleability over the long-term.
“Everyone’s tastes are different, so it’s important that the kitchen design provides a canvas for the buyer’s individual style. A neutral colour palette and open shelving allows any buyer to make the kitchen their own.”
3. Craftsmanship
Dean says finish options can vary to accommodate entry, middle or high-end budgets, but attention to detail and quality of the materials and the hardware should never be compromised.
“Cabinets that are millimetre perfect and the use of consistent shadow lines to create features from breaks in materials can make a big impression on how a well kitchen does or doesn’t sit in a space.”
4. Quality components
In-built wine cellars are a practical storage solution.
Dean says to look for pragmatic designs which show a degree of thought behind them, for example:
- Swing-out pantries
- Corner cupboards
- Storage systems that use lost space
- Organisation inserts
Staver says there are plenty of quality appliances out there, but buyers always have their favourites. “You’ll get devotees of Miele and Smeg – people barrack for their brands, not unlike football teams.”
5. Special features
Whether it’s display shelves or a butler’s pantry – a little something extra in your kitchen might give buyers that extra push on sale day.
The golden rule is: Don’t sacrifice usability for luxury features!
