Kitchen renovations are big investments. If you're not planning to live there for a long time or you're renovating to sell, you'll want to consider how much the renovation can add to the resale value of the home. It's therefore a good idea to prioritise the things that can boost the value of your home over things that may sound exciting but don't add much in the long run. We've put together a list of the 5 things that we believe can make the biggest difference in a kitchen renovation and can therefore help boost the value of the home the most:
1 | Layout and storage
Often clients will tell me that they want to keep the existing layout because it will cut down costs associated with moving plumbing and electrical points. However, I think that creating the best layout is the most important part of maximising the value of your kitchen renovation, even if it means making it a slightly larger investment. Just updating the finishes is not going to make a huge difference in the long run if the existing layout is not practical. Things to consider are:
Maximising the storage where possible - think about drawers over doors, corner mechanisms, etc.
The flow between the kitchen and the surrounding areas - an island bench is often best to improves the flow between the kitchen and dining
Seating at the bench - if your existing layout has no seating in the kitchen, the adding an overhang to one side of the bench will likely make the kitchen a lot more attractive to potential buyers
Clearance - make sure that all sections of the kitchen are comfortable to use with enough clearance space so no one is bumping into each other
If you'd like to read more about this, we have a blog post with tips to help you create the best layout for your kitchen:
2 | Quality materials
When selecting the materials for your kitchen, consider how well they will wear and whether they are suitable for the intended purpose. However, this doesn't always mean going with the most expensive option. While we recommend a stone, porcelain or solid surface benchtop over a laminate benchtop, laminate cupboards could be best for young families over a 2pac finish which chips a lot easier.
3 | Appliances
The size, type and brand of appliances that you purchase can make a huge difference to how the kitchen functions. For example, a 600mm cooktop and single 600mm oven will likely not be enough for a large family or someone who loves to entertain. Most people are now including 900mm cooktops and 2 x 600mm ovens as a minimum if there is sufficient space to allow for this. Similarly, most people have large fridges and will need a fridge space to suit. We recommend allowing at least 1000mm for a freestanding fridge. We also find that including a dishwasher is must for most families so we always recommend adding one even in a small kitchen.
4 | Colours and finishes
Select colours and finishes that are easy to maintain and that are timeless. Neutral tones are often a safe option and they can be enhanced by adding texture through profiled cabinetry, interesting hardware and tiled splashbacks. If you're wanting to add a splash of colour we would advise keeping it to small highlight areas (eg. Our Brighton Residence in the image above) or sticking to more popular colours such as blues and greens for larger spaces like cabinetry. We also recommend staying away from really glossy finishes that can easily show scratches and fingerprints.
5 | Lighting
Good lighting can make a huge difference in a kitchen. We suggest ensuring the kitchen has even ambient lighting, as well as dedicated task lighting over the workbenches. We love adding LED strips to the underside of overheads and feature lighting right over island benches to ensure there are no shadows on your counters. Natural light can also make a huge difference! If it's not possible to add large windows without compromising the amount of storage you can fit, you can consider splashback windows that sit between the bench and overheads and/or adding a skylight above.
I hope these tips have been helpful! If you want to find out more about how we can help you with your project, get in contact with us below:
Have a wonderful week!
Nina xx
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