The Impact of Kitchen Materials and Design on Long-Term Value
The Impact of a Renovated Kitchen on Home Value
Renovating your kitchen, along with other home improvements, can greatly increase the value of your property. Here's an example of how a kitchen renovation made a significant impact:
Case Study: 18 Ogilvie Street, Wynnum QLD
Purchased for: $260,000
Sold for: $576,000 (between 2003-2006)
Key takeaway: The kitchen renovation, combined with other updates, helped the home achieve a record sale price for the area. This highlights the role a well-designed kitchen plays in boosting a home’s resale value.
Design vs. Functionality: What’s Your Priority?
When renovating your kitchen, think about your goals:
If resale value is important:
Focus on aesthetics, modern design, and high-quality materials. These elements attract potential buyers and can dramatically increase the home’s market value.
If you plan to stay in your home for 10+ years:
Functionality and organization might matter more than design and luxurious features. Prioritize features that suit your lifestyle, knowing that resale value isn't a top concern.
Kitchens take a lot of wear and tear with daily use, exposure to water, heat, and potential damage. If you're planning to sell in the next 5 years, investing in a designer kitchen may be worthwhile. However, if you're selling 10 years down the line, materials like melamine won’t hold up, and the colours or design might have gone out of style, making it less appealing to buyers.
Quality Materials for a Long-Term Investment
Planning your "forever kitchen"? Then investing in high-quality materials is key:
Avoid cheap options like chipboard/melamine.
Choose durable materials like solid wood, stone benchtops, or quality cabinetry.
A kitchen built to last will improve both the functionality and aesthetic of your home for years to come.
Key Takeaway: Renovate with Purpose
Whether you’re renovating for resale or long-term enjoyment, it’s important to look at the full picture.
A quality kitchen renovation, along with other improvements, not only enhances functionality but can significantly increase your home’s market value.
Here’s a collection of design tips that focus on creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces, particularly for kitchens and interior spaces:
1. Keep the Island Clutter-Free
Avoid placing a stove, sink, or heavy appliances on the kitchen island. This space should be dedicated to food preparation, providing ample room for chopping, mixing, and other tasks. Keeping it clear ensures better workflow and more versatility.
2. Invest in Quality Hinges and Runners
Opt for high-quality soft-close hinges and runners. These details not only enhance the longevity of your cabinetry but also provide a smooth, silent closing action that adds to the overall luxury feel of the kitchen.
3. Maximize Drawers for Storage
Incorporate as many drawers as possible in your design. Drawers are more accessible than traditional cupboards and allow for more organized storage. They’re great for storing utensils, pots, and even larger kitchen gadgets.
4. Be Mindful of Refrigerator Size
Don’t overwhelm your kitchen with an oversized fridge. Choose a refrigerator that fits the space proportionally, balancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
5. Measure Windows and Walls Precisely
Accurate measurements are key to creating a seamless design. Ensure your windows, walls, and other structural elements are carefully measured to avoid any issues during installation and maintain clean lines.
6. Use Different Materials for Texture and Interest
Combine various materials like wood, marble, granite, artificial stone, and laminate with formed edges to add dimension and visual interest. Mixing textures creates depth and an engaging design for the eye.
7. Clever Use of Lighting
Lighting plays a vital role in any space. Incorporate layered lighting—ambient, task, and accent lights—to enhance functionality and set the desired mood. Under-cabinet lighting and pendant lights can highlight key areas like the island or work surfaces.
8. Select Your Color Palette Early
Choose your color scheme before you start designing. A cohesive color palette helps guide your choices for cabinetry, countertops, and flooring, creating a balanced and harmonious design.
9. Allow for Adequate Clearance
Ensure a minimum of 900mm-1200mm of clearance for walkways, particularly in high-traffic areas like the kitchen. Adequate space allows for comfortable movement and a more practical layout.
10. Optimize for Comfort
Consider the comfort of your users. For example, when designing a kitchen with a servery, allow for a minimum 300mm overhang on counters to ensure that knees won’t hit the surface when seated.
11. Choose Durable, Beautiful Materials
We offer a range of materials that combine both beauty and durability: wood, marble, granite, artificial stone, laminate with formed edges. These materials bring lasting elegance and can stand the test of time.
12. Avoid Tile for Countertops
While tile can be great for floors or backsplashes, avoid recommending it for countertops. Tile surfaces can be difficult to maintain and may not offer the sleek, seamless appearance that other materials provide.
13. Finishing Touches Make All the Difference
The final details are what truly bring a design to life. Carefully chosen hardware, from handles to faucets, can elevate the overall aesthetic and functionality of the space. Focus on high-quality sanitaryware and other small elements to complete the look.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can create well-thought-out, functional, and stunning spaces that are built to last and cater to the needs of the user.
Sophia loves adding recessed doors and gold accents to farmhouse kitchens for a bit of luxury. She’s a fan of hidden range hoods to keep things sleek, and farmhouse sinks for that perfect mix of style and practicality. Wood and marble are her go-to materials, creating a warm, timeless feel that’s both beautiful and functional.
Colours and samples
EGR Decor is a renowned manufacturer specializing in premium decorative vertical surfaces for both residential and commercial applications. Their product lineup includes innovative solutions like StyleLite, StyleLex, and PETLite, each designed to enhance interior and exterior spaces with durability and aesthetic appeal.
StyleLite: Ideal for indoor cabinetry, furniture, and wall linings, StyleLite offers ultra-high gloss and matte ripple-free surfaces. The panels are crafted by laminating StyleLite acrylic sheets to various substrates using a premier polyurethane (PUR) hot melt bonding system. This method ensures a finish that is highly resistant to heat, moisture, and environmental changes over time. Additionally, StyleLite panels are water-resistant, making them suitable for areas subjected to high moisture and humidity. citeturn0search3
StyleLex: Designed for outdoor covered areas, StyleLex panels consist of a weatherable High-Pressure Laminate (HPL) laminated to a Weatherproof Composite Core (WCC). This construction makes them ideal for cabinets and joinery in alfresco kitchens and entertainment spaces. The panels are engineered to withstand outdoor conditions, provided they are installed in shaded areas not exposed to direct sunlight, ensuring longevity and performance. citeturn0search5
PETLite: PETLite panels are made using eco-friendly, recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (P.E.T.) high gloss or super matte polymer skins laminated to an MDF substrate with a thin layer of waterproof and heat-resistant PUR adhesive. These panels are durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to maintain, making them suitable for cabinetry faces, store fixtures, wall panels, closets, and furniture. citeturn0search14
EGR Decor's commitment to quality and innovation is evident in their use of advanced materials and manufacturing processes, ensuring their products meet the demands of modern design while offering practical benefits like moisture resistance and durability.