With an average kitchen renovation now costing between $18,000 and $25,000, a local building expert said new home builders could save themselves thousands by learning from others mistakes and building bigger kitchens.
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Research with more than 1000 Australians who had built a home in the past 10 years revealed 27.1 percent wished they’d built a bigger kitchen.
G.J. Gardner Albury owner Chris Moscher said a well-planned, decent sized kitchen could add immense value to a home and could make or break a sale.
“Kitchens are now considered the hub of the home and if the kitchen is too small, the layout is poorly designed and has a lack of storage space and substandard fittings, this can greatly reduce the number of people who will consider a property when it comes times to sell,” Mr Moscher said.
“The style and functionality of a kitchen set the benchmark for the rest of the property. While aesthetic look and feel is extremely important in a home’s design, the key to good kitchen design is keeping it simple and functional.
“It’s important to think about not only what you need now but what you might need at other life stages. By doing this, you’re also considering what the next buyer might want,” he said.
Mr Moscher said one of the key considerations in kitchen design was maximising its functionality by limiting the amount of walking and reaching needed between the cooktop, sink and refrigerator.
He also said adequate storage space was critical in a kitchen and one of the hot ticket items in modern kitchens was a butler’s pantry.
“Including a butler’s pantry to the side of the kitchen will maximise storage space and help hide bulky appliances like dishwashers,” he said. “This results in a clutter-free kitchen, which is really important in the open-plan house design that is so popular these days.”
Well-designed cooking appliances were also part of the resale equation with customers wanting state-of-the-art appliances in their new kitchens.
“Shows like MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules have spawned a movement in at home cooking that demands good quality products. We have responded to that need by sourcing the best appliances from Neil Perry Kitchen by Omega.”
Until February 28 new home builders that sign a contract will receive an upgrade to a Neil Perry Kitchen valued at $7500. Neil Perry said the appliances were designed and tested over a three-year period, to bring the very best to the domestic cook who wants to perform like a chef. More details about Neil Perry Kitchen by Omega can be found at www.gjgarder.com.au
