A new survey claims there is a direct link between having a new kitchen and a healthier lifestyle.
Not only does it lead to a positive lifestyle impact but also encourages more home cooked meals with nine in ten people surveyed saying that as a result they started to eat meals together more often and one third of those surveyed cooked at least five or more meals a week, plus claimed they began to eat healthier food.
The 2017 Australia Houzz Kitchen Trends Survey of Australian homeowners said that contemporary tops the kitchen style list for Australian renovating homeowners (30 per cent), followed by Modern and Traditional styles (25 per cent and seven per cent, respectively). In keeping with these style changes, 34 per cent of renovators are motivated by no longer being able to stand their old kitchen. Other top triggers are finally having the means to renovate (33 per cent) and wanting to personalise a recently purchased home (27 per cent).
“Houzz research has shown that the majority of kitchen renovations are unlikely to be motivated by the desire to improve a home’s resale value,” said Nino Sitchinava, Principal Economist at Houzz. “With the growing trend of homeowners staying put, the return on investment from a kitchen renovation is less tangible, instead measured in healthier habits and more face-time with family and friends.”
Kitchens continue to command big budgets. In 2016, nearly one in four homeowners spent more than $40,000 on their kitchen renovation (23 per cent). Meanwhile just 14 per cent of renovators spent between $2,500 and $10,000.
Specialised kitchen storage remains popular including cutlery organisers (79 per cent), pull-out waste or recycling cabinets (62 per cent), deep drawer organisers (58 per cent) and utensil organisers (41 per cent). More than three quarters of homeowners opt for custom storage to make better use of their space (77 per cent), followed by making it easier to find items (59 per cent) and reducing clutter (50 per cent).
Additional findings include:
- Custom cabinetry is king: Nearly two-thirds of updated kitchens include custom cabinets (63 per cent). Semi-custom cabinets follow (18 per cent).
- Even greater room: Great rooms remain popular, with over half of kitchens more open to nearby rooms following renovations (58 per cent). Open concepts continue to be en vogue with two in five new kitchens more open to the outdoors (40 per cent). With these open spaces, homeowners spend more time with family in their kitchen (52 per cent) and entertain more frequently (43 per cent).
- Classic colours: Colours that stand the test of time continue to be popular including stainless steel appliances (64 per cent), white cabinets (61 per cent) and medium wood flooring (34 per cent). Black stainless steel is having a moment and will be included in 12 per cent of updated kitchens.
- Material looks matter: When choosing the key kitchen materials of benchtops and kitchen flooring, look and feel is the most important feature (73 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively). Other top purchase motivators are durability (51 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively) and easy of cleaning/sanitisation (46 per cent and 45 per cent, respectively).
- Professional hiring remains high: The majority of homeowners hire professionals for their kitchen renovations (92 per cent), including building specialists (60 per cent), joinery cabinet makers (52 per cent) and kitchen designers/renovator (32 per cent).
For more information, visit houzz.com.au
