Did you know that the kitchen contributes approximately 15% to the value of a home?
It is no wonder then that it’s one of the rooms where buyers pay so much attention, checking out storage, making sure the cupboards and drawers open and close smoothly, and inspecting all the appliances.
If your kitchen feels like it needs a bit of a refresh to the workflow, then these are our Top Tips to get you started:
Convenience is key
Store items where you need them. There’s no better place to put your plates, cups and cutlery than a cupboard next to the dishwasher.
Emergency measure
Don’t stash your fire extinguisher at the back of a cupboard. Make sure you can reach it within seconds.
Throw away packaging
Owners of super-tidy kitchens have a ritual after supermarket shopping. They’ll decant sugar, cereals, rice and other packaged products into marked, sealed containers. The popular ones should be the most accessible, like the biscuit tin. Put packaging into the recycle bin.
Clutter buster
Another discipline for a successful kitchen is a regime of decluttering. Throw out utensils that you have in duplicate or triplicate. Get rid of stained, nasty oven dishes, chipped coffee mugs, and anything else that’s seen better days. It’s unbelievable how much space you’ll create with this simple approach.
Open storage
A practical kitchen uses open shelving smartly. It’s an ideal location for your best wine glasses and decanter, an ornamental tea set or even a stylish Chinese bowl set. Keep it classy, and your shelves will always look great.
Vertical vision
Arrange the shelving in your wall cupboards strategically. Group large or tall items and make space for them by sacrificing a shelf.
Heavy duty
Store bulky items below eye level, especially big cooking pots and large frying pans. It enhances your safety, which must always be a priority.
Clear benchtops
Days of littering benchtops with a slow cooker, juicer, handbags, school work and even the mail should be well behind you. Try to restrict yourself to items used multiple times a day: a kettle, knife block and fruit bowl. All that other clutter should have designated spots.
Spice it up
This could be the biggest challenge of them all – organising the spice cabinet. Among the positives is that you’ll stop buying spices already in your cupboard.