The fact that kitchens sell houses isn’t lost on The Block contestants this week, with the teams pulling out all the stops to produce on-trend and family friendly spaces.
Renovating your kitchen is a major expense and a project that deserves careful planning. So what are the latest kitchen trends you should be looking to incorporate into your kitchen?
Derek De Betta from kitchen specialists Mr Cabinets says: “Gone is the gloss white kitchen and in has come the matte black, with a little bit of timber grain and a touch of copper. Most people are looking for seamless and straight lines. And as always, space is king, with the more space gained the better.”
Black is definitely back with dark wood, charcoal walls and black palettes being one of the biggest trends of 2017. Brass and copper finishes are making a statement in tapware and lighting, and kitchen cabinets in contrasting colours are also being seen.
As well as looking good a kitchen must function well. Easy clean, smart splashbacks are a must and soft-closing cabinet doors have many benefits – including being safer around small fingers and reducing the chance of broken glass. Don’t forget power points in your kitchen island and consider drawers in place of cupboards for ease of use and maximising storage.
Storage is key when it comes to kitchens and a walk-in butler’s pantry to the side of the kitchen is the ultimate practical indulgence. Butler’s pantries are the perfect addition to open-plan homes as they allow you to close the door and leave all the mess (including the dishes!) hidden from view. Integrated storage and work stations are also increasingly popular, creating well organised, family friendly spaces.
Sticks and Wombat’s auctioneer Daniel D’Assisi agrees that kitchens really do sell houses. “Many potential buyers do view the kitchen as ‘the heart of the home’, a place where family and friends gather to engage with each other and where some of the biggest family decisions are made,” says Daniel. “Hence in a potential purchaser’s mind, there is a strong focus on this space.”
The move towards open-plan living spaces has changed the way we design our kitchens, he adds. “The trend for open-plan living has certainly influenced kitchen design, turning a functional only space into a functional and visually appealing space, evolving the humble kitchen into something that can now resemble an architectural marvel or artistic statement in a home.”
Investing in a kitchen renovation is, therefore, money very well spent, and sure to produce a space that will truly become the heart of your home.
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