Make kitchen renovation appeal to buyers

Home owners with kitchen renovations on their radar for 2018 may draw ideas from a survey by Houzz, an American company that expanded to Australia four years ago. The Houzz platform is described as a renovator’s one-stop shop and an online destination for inspiration, expertise, interior design and renovation advice.

The survey found the big spends would be on extra storage, new countertops and wireless appliances.

Renovators who foresee taking their property to the market in the next couple of years could well be competing for buyers who want

• Clutter-free bench tops
• Clever storage options
• Features to make recycling easy

According to the survey, benchtops were the most common homeowner upgrades (94 per cent) and engineered quartz appears to be overtaking granite in popularity.

Clever cabinetry is well thought of, including deep drawer organisers, swing-out trays and shelves, revolving corner units and pull-out waste and recycling baskets.

L-shape kitchens outperformed the U-shape; and sleek, clean-lined island benches were in favour.

Future homebuyer are likely to be impressed by technology in the kitchen. They’ll like wireless and voice-controlled kitchen appliances. As they head toward the likes of Amazon Alexa and Google Home, the kitchen TV appeal is fading.

White kitchens continue to rule. Shaker-style and flat-panel cabinets are most popular, in keeping with overall house-style. Engineered wood or laminate is rising in popularity.

More than 60 per cent of homeowners surveyed said adequate storage was the most important feature in a kitchen, followed by the need for space to easily work, play and live, entertain and clean.