The kitchen is the heart of any home, and prospective buyers will usually spend more time there than in any other room during a viewing.
Discerning buyers will check out the age and quality of appliances, the workflow of the preparation areas and even open cabinet doors to judge the storage available.
It’s no surprise then that the kitchen attracts the most renovation dollars when homeowners decide it’s time to sell and they want to upgrade their property to achieve the highest possible price.
Of course, not every owner wants to do this work or go through this expense. Some are prepared to accept the price offered based on their kitchen in its current condition and will leave it to the next owner to upgrade.
If you’re the buyer who inherits that situation – or an owner who’s ready to go all-out to get the best price – below is advice on how to renovate a kitchen successfully.
A golden rule of kitchen design is called ‘the triangle’. This describes how you should position your refrigerator, stove and sink in relation to each other so they’re easy to reach. If you get this right, then you’re on the way to creating a fantastic space that will be the true heart of your home.
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- Great layout – A kitchen without a readily identifiable flow to its design will look odd and will probably be dysfunctional. Apply the ‘triangle’ rule so it’s easy for more than one person to work in the kitchen. Think about how you prepare food, cook and ultimately clean up afterwards.
- A good entertainer – If you love entertaining, then you’ll quickly find yourself joined in the kitchen by willing helpers. So, it’s vital that you have sufficient space, and your work areas are organized appropriately for more than one cook!
- Appliance cluster – Don’t put all your appliances together. The triangle rule suggests the refrigerator, stove and sink should be nicely spaced apart but still in easy reach.
- Socket to them – The placement of electrical outlets for your gadgets is fundamental. Map out where you want to position your most-used appliances. Be aware that it’s no longer cool to leave gadgets out on the kitchen bench. Put them away in a storage area so the kitchen looks clean and uncluttered.
- Make storage sense – There are many critical aspects to a successful kitchen, and one of those at the top of the list is storage. Make sure you have sufficiently large cabinets and drawers to stow pots and pans, which are awkward to stash away. A generous pantry is a real winner, too.
- Dull lighting – Don’t underestimate the value of great lighting. Make sure there’s sufficient illumination for the food prep areas, the stovetop and the sink area. If you use an expert installer, investigate all the possible lighting options in your price range. If you don’t get this right, it will drive you crazy!
- Cabinet capers – Your best investment is to select cabinets that are durable and will tolerate occasional rough treatment and hold weight. Pick a neutral colour as fashionable colors date your kitchen within a few years. Consistent, classical designs and palette are the best, especially if you’re considering selling in the future.
- Head for heights – Wall cabinets should be installed near the ceiling line – not at the line, or too low below it. A large space between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling will look awkward and be a magnet for dust and dirt. A fantastic hack is to place baking paper on top of these cabinets to make cleaning quick and simple.
- Make a splash – Backsplashes, together with cabinetry, set the aesthetic tone. Again, be conservative with color because fashion will change quickly, and then your kitchen dates your home.
- Do countertop homework – It’s easy to fall in love with a beautiful countertop, but make sure it can handle the workload. Some surfaces will stain easily. Even quality choices can mark if red wine, citrus and vinegar is spilt on them and not removed quickly. Surfaces like quartz and granite will handle the job, plus Laminate at the lower end of the price range.