13th July 2022 / Sarah Lowry: 10 Ingredients for a Perfect Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of any home, and prospective buyers will usually spend more time there than in any other room during a viewing.

Discerning buyers will check out the age and quality of appliances, the workflow of the area and even open cabinet doors to judge the storage available.

It's no surprise then that the kitchen attracts the most renovation dollars when homeowners decide it's time to sell and they want to upgrade their property to achieve the highest possible price.

A golden rule of kitchen design is called 'the triangle'. This describes how you should position your fridge, stove, and sink in relation to each other. If you get this right, then you're on the way to creating a fantastic space that will be the true heart of your home.

Here are some more tips and advice on mistakes to avoid.

• POOR LAYOUT – A kitchen without a readily identifiable flow to its design will look odd and will probably be dysfunctional. Apply the 'triangle' rule, so it's easy for more than one person to work in the kitchen. Think about how you prepare food, cook, and ultimately clean up afterwards.
  
• A GOOD ENTERTAINER – If you love entertaining, then you'll quickly find yourself joined in the kitchen by willing helpers. So, it's vital that you have sufficient space, and your work areas are organized appropriately for more than one cook!
  
• APPLIANCE CLUSTER – Avoid putting all your appliances together. The triangle rule suggests the fridge, stove and sink should be nicely spaced apart. If you can, have your fridge and stove separate as the heat from your stove will mean your fridge uses more energy to stay cool.
  
• SOCKET TO THEM – The placement of electrical outlets for your gadgets is fundamental. Map out where you want to position your most-used appliances. Be aware that it's no longer cool to leave all the gadgets out on the kitchen bench. Put them away in a storage area so the kitchen looks clean and uncluttered.
  

• MAKE STORAGE SENSE – There are many critical aspects to a successful kitchen, and one of those at the top of the list is storage. Make sure you have sufficiently large cabinets and drawers to stow pots and pans, which are awkward to stash away. A generous pantry is a real winner, too.
  
• LIGHT IT UP – Don't underestimate the value of great lighting. Make sure there's sufficient illumination for the food prep areas, the stovetop and the sink area. If you use an expert installer, investigate all the possible lighting options in your price range. If you don't get this right, it will drive you crazy!
  
• CABINET CAPERS – Your best investment is to select cabinets that are durable and will tolerate occasional rough treatment. Please don't pick them in a radically fashionable colour as this will date your kitchen within a few years. Consistent, classical designs and palette are the best, especially if you're thinking of selling in the near term.
  
• HEAD FOR HEIGHTS – Wall cabinets should be installed near the ceiling line – not at the line, or too low below it. A large space between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling will look awkward and be a magnet for dust and dirt. A fantastic hack is to place baking paper on top of these cabinets to make cleaning quick and simple.
  
• MAKE A SPLASH – Splashbacks, together with cabinetry, set the aesthetic tone. Again, be conservative with colour because fashion will change quickly, and then your kitchen is yesterday's hero.
  
• DO BENCHTOP HOMEWORK – It's easy to fall in love with a beautiful benchtop, but make sure it can handle the workload. Some surfaces will stain easily. Even quality choices can mark if red wine, citrus, and vinegar is spilt on them and not removed quickly. Surfaces like quartz and granite will handle the job, plus Laminate at the lower end of the price range.

Happy cooking!