Five Ways To Add The Most Value To Your Kitchen Renovation

Undertaking kitchen renovations involves substantial financial commitments. Whether you have short-term plans for residing in the property or are renovating to sell, it's crucial to assess the potential impact of the renovation on the home's resale value. 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

Frequently, clients express a preference for retaining the current layout to minimize expenses related to relocating plumbing and electrical connections. Nonetheless, we firmly believe that crafting an optimal layout takes precedence in maximizing the value of your kitchen renovation, even if it entails a slightly higher investment. Simply refreshing the finishes won't yield substantial long-term benefits if the existing layout lacks practicality.

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 improve the flow between the kitchen and dining

• Seating at the bench - if your existing layout has no seating in the kitchen, 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

2 | Quality materials

While choosing materials for your kitchen, it's essential to assess their durability and appropriateness for the intended use. However, opting for the most expensive option isn't always the solution. For instance, we may suggest stone, porcelain, or solid surface benchtops over laminate for durability. However, laminate benchtops and cupboards might be more suitable and hard wearing for young families compared to solid surface or 2pac painted cabinetry, which is prone to scratching and chipping. 

3 | Appliances

The functionality of your kitchen isn't solely determined by the size, type, and brand of appliances you select. While some might argue that opting for larger appliances like a 900mm cooktop and multiple ovens is necessary, this isn't always the case. A 600mm cooktop and a single oven can still adequately serve the needs of many households, even those who entertain frequently. As for refrigerators, while larger ones are becoming more common, it's not always feasible or necessary to allocate such a substantial amount of space. Additionally, while dishwashers may be considered essential by some, their inclusion in smaller kitchen spaces might not be as crucial as believed.

4 | Colours and finishes

Opt for colours and finishes that require minimal upkeep and possess a timeless appeal. Neutral tones, known for their versatility, provide a safe choice and can be elevated by incorporating texture through profiled cabinetry, unique hardware, and tiled splashbacks. If you desire a pop of colour, it's advisable to limit it to small accent areas or stick to widely accepted colours like Greys, blues and greens, especially for larger spaces like cabinetry. Additionally, we suggest steering clear of highly glossy finishes and dark colours, as they tend to highlight scratches and fingerprints more easily.

5 | Lighting

Effective lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing a kitchen's functionality and aesthetics. It's recommended to achieve uniform ambient lighting throughout the kitchen, complemented by targeted task lighting above workbenches. Incorporating LED strips beneath overheads and feature lighting directly over island benches helps eliminate shadows on your counters. Harnessing natural light is equally impactful. If integrating large windows poses storage challenges, alternative options include splashback windows positioned between the bench and overheads or installing a skylight above for a well-lit space.