The kitchen is the heart of the home
WHEN we think about our earliest memories, more often than not the most vivid memories are when we were tugging at our mother’s apron strings. As clichéd as that sounds, for many that memory of looking up from toddler height at the kitchen bench with all the aromas, sounds and sneakily pilfered tasty morsels or licking the wooden spoon is priceless. As we grow, the experiences in the kitchen change; and as we have evolved so has the kitchen.
It’s not JUST a cooking room
Have you ever noticed how everyone seems to congregate in the kitchen? Is it the enticing smells that beckon hungry tummies or just the perfect place for a chin wag? Whatever the reason (or reasons) the kitchen is definitely the hub of a home. But this hasn’t always been the case. Kitchens – due to size – were JUST for cooking, almost separate from the rest of the house, easily closed off to hide the mess. But as kitchen sizes and homes have increased in size, the ‘uses’ of a kitchen have multiplied. In the last two decades, kitchens have morphed into living areas. It is a place to entertain, eat, study, and even as a room to show off design and trendy appliances. As kitchen sizes have grown, this trend has seen them open up into other rooms in the home. This ‘open plan living’ has been extremely popular and has benefited families, giving the feeling of space and flow. And, as a bonus, these bigger kitchens have become a boon for resale prices.
Does size matter?
From a real estate viewpoint, the answer is undoubtedly YES. The bigger the kitchen the better! And, for many it IS the most important room when selling. Families want to be able to know whether they can fit a dining table or an extended island. Due to our busy lifestyles, many people have workstations integrated in the room; more and more people have their computers and other technology within easy reach, even if only to keep an eye on the kids doing their homework!
Renovating do and don’ts!
In older homes, kitchens are much smaller, so take this into account when inspecting. However, this does not mean renovations can’t be undertaken. A point to consider is whether the kitchen can be opened up by removing any walls, thus incorporating eating/cooking/living areas. If this is not possible, there are many other ways to create space. The possibilities when designing a kitchen are seemingly endless and there are countless ways to make the most of the space you have. Visit an Ikea showroom if you don’t believe me! If you aren’t ready to undertake a full renovation, refreshing tired cupboard doors, old scratched benchtops and lack-lustre sinks can be done economically and produce fabulous results. And don’t forget to add your unique stamp – whether it’s an artwork or a rustic cookbook stand, the kitchen should always be a place of enticement!
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SELLING homes is not just a career; it is an art form – one that is carefully honed over years of life experience and knowledge. And, I can proudly say, that I still absolutely love what I do – day in, day out.