A kitchen renovation is top of the list for clearing clutter and enlarging the space, according to a recent Houzz survey. The biggest driving factor is that people have bought their own home and want to personalise it.

But where should you focus on investing your money to provide real lasting value? If you want your real estate to stand out from the crowd, spend cleverly now in these eight elements to ensure a fabulous kitchen that has your own stamp on it but will also appeal to future buyers when you move on.

1. High quality appliances: such as Gaggenau, SubZero & Wolf or Miele for example. When you are considering dishwashers, ovens, cookers and fridges it is best to plump for something really great that has after sales service and chef-style functionality.

2. Larger kitchen: everybody likes the idea of more space. Obviously this is determined largely by the size of the house, but a kitchen reconfiguration for a design that is more practical and efficient will give you more space to move, cook, eat and play. Our designers can help you to get the most out of the space that you have with a bespoke layout and cabinetry.

3. Neutral shades: sticking with neutral shades will offer a backdrop for your personality to pop in the quirky display items from travels or collections. Additionally it is more likely to appeal to a wider audience, in the case of property re-sale. Our designers can discuss a chic palette that will suit your tastes and add to a cohesive look throughout. We also work with interior designers that will compile your bespoke project.

4. Hardware: investing in quality hardware is essential and often overlooked. Look for a hot water tap, such as Quooker, and cupboard door and drawer handles, such as Armac Martin. These will elevate your kitchen to ooze quality, sturdiness and flawless taste.

5. Backsplash: whether you opt for an antique mirror, metro tile or marble for example, this is an area where you can glam it up a notch and showcase your creative side. In 2020 we see more customers opting for marble that flows up from the counter top, and also sophisticated antique glass.

6. Lighting: get the lighting right and you will enhance your guest’s features making them want to come back again and again, as well as making the food look good and the overall room scheme look imaginative. It works like a charm. We recommend placing lighting over the island if you have one, install dimmers, and a combination of wall lights, table lamps and shelf lighting as fits the layout.

7. Flooring: when we share images of kitchens that we have designed, we so often get asked about the flooring which shows that customers have a keen eye for detail. It is an expensive decision which is why there is a focus on getting it right – for durability in a hard-working kitchen, ease of cleaning and maintaining as well as getting the look bang on.

8. Work surface: as the biggest surface in the kitchen you should invest in a surface that is hard working, long lasting and looks good. Marble such as calacatta and carrara, cement or granite and quartz are timeless choices.

The key rules are not to overcomplicate things and to choose quality to achieve a rich aesthetic and timeless style. Remember that we are here to answer your questions so fill out the contact form on our website to arrange an appointment.

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