You're ready to invest but what to do now?
How much is a kitchen and do I have enough?
Sounds like a simple question right? Every single kitchen is unique with so many factors taking part in defining its worth. The kitchen is the beating heart of every home. We cook, create, clean and gather here and I know I'm not alone when I say a lot of my time is spent in this room. Needless to say, if this space is not functioning well for you, it would be avoided at all costs. Goodbye healthy homemade meals, hello takeaway!
How much should I invest?
Australians have embraced the idea that the kitchen should be a welcoming space in the heart of their home and are investing in them now more than ever. According to the 2022 Houzz and Home Renovation Trends Study, kitchens were both the most popular internal room to be upgraded and the room that commended the highest spend.
Kitchens sell homes. As an investor looking to buy either a rental property or your own home, the state of the kitchen will play a big part in the decision. The reason being is that it does require a sizeable budget (compared to other rooms in a home) and is a more complex space - not to mention the inconvenience.
Hint to sellers; upgrade your kitchen either fully or cosmetically to draw in the buyers you are targeting. Even if you are not currently looking at selling your property, always look to the future when undertaking renovations ... ask yourself, 'what would a buyer want if this home were for sale'.
Make your kitchen investment stand the test of time ... design for longevity ...
- Ensure the space is functional above all else. A qualified kitchen designer will help you here.
- Choose neutral finishes, nothing too on trend.
- Go with the theme or style of the home.
- Purchase innovative appliances from a trusted brand. Try sticking with one brand for all.
Do some homework ... before booking a consultation with your kitchen designer, think about the importance of the following;
One ~ Budget
Every kitchen needs cabinets, bench tops, a splashback, appliances and installers. There's a kitchen out there for everyone but you need to set a realistic dollar amount for each item and consider where you will spend and where you will save. After reading this blog, read 'How Much is a Kitchen' for more information on these five items.
If on a strict budget, it's all about compromise. Are you willing to pay more for better quality or high-end products? Do you want to self-install to save $$ on trades? Weigh up the pro's and con's but ensure that everyone involved is on the same page when setting a budget.
If you hope to gain finance, have this pre-approved before sitting with a kitchen designer. They need to know your budget.
Two~ Timing
When do you need the kitchen?
Lead times for products and services can vary greatly. Planning ahead ensures you will avoid unnecessary stress down the track. Consider ordering appliances ahead of time during a sale so that you have them on hand ready for install. Order from available stock rather than back-order.
If you are considering structural changes to your kitchen space, enlist the services of a builder to determine load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, as well as their availability to carry out any work. These changes will always need to be established before working on a kitchen design.
If you need the kitchen before an event, have you left ample time?
Have you done the ground-work for your new kitchen?
We dive deeper into budgeting in our next blog 'How Much is a Kitchen'.
By carrying out this due diligence and putting some thought into these two important steps will set you off on a very good, stress-free start to the exciting adventure of attaining yourself a new kitchen.
Now call me and make your design appointment and start dreaming!
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