Kitchens and bathrooms: Rooms at the heart of the home

Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes – and they can either considerably add to a selling price or detract from it if a new owner has to budget for a renovation.

These two areas receive closer scrutiny than almost any other space during a home inspection because of the important roles they play in modern lifestyles.

Designer Sonja McAuliffe of Archertec Interiors says the best result in both areas is an outcome of careful thinking and planning.

“Whether you’re having a house designed or remodelling, the same approach holds true,” she says. “The best way to start is collecting images in a scrapbook. These will be immensely helpful to a designer in understanding your style and just as valuable if you are doing it yourself.”

McAuliffe says a key to the design of successful spaces for kitchens and bathrooms is an understanding of space.

“A designer may present you with layouts that you might not have considered,” she says.

McAuliffe says the best planned kitchens reflect the flow of movement and a comfortable distance between each of the kitchen’s functions. 

“In bathroom design, being able to see more of the floor can create an illusion of more space – pedestal or wall-mounted basins or a floating cabinet can help achieve this,” she says.

One of the biggest changes in kitchen functionality in recent years has been the escalating role played by technology.

Richard Lovell of Winning Appliances in Kingston says it has ushered in new levels of capability for the modern home chef and narrowed the gap between domestic and commercial equipment.

“The advance of digital technology and the popularity of cooking and home renovations shows has significantly influenced how people consider their kitchen needs,” he says. “It definitely has an impact on what people are interested in and what they are asking for.”

He says heightened consciousness of nutrition has also led to steaming ovens enjoying a level of popularity that was moving them from a luxury to a necessity.

“The rise of the butler’s pantry is another phenomenon and that’s led to these spaces being fitted out as a secondary kitchen,” Lovell says.

More technological advances are on the way, according to the kitchen expert.

“Fridges have been released overseas which now include internal cameras,” he says.

“A home owner will be able to use their smartphone to check out what’s in the fridge and pick up any needs on their way home.”

Agent Holly Komorowski of home.byholly says she is exposed daily to all standards of kitchens and bathrooms. 

“There’s no doubt they are hugely influential in a home sale and they are often highly personal spaces,” she says. “You can get a real sense of the personality of the vendor from the kitchen and bathrooms.”

Komorowski says better kitchens are hallmarked by their design and finishes.

“Stone benchtops, quality appliances, plenty of storage and beautiful joinery all express the level of importance the home owner places on this space,” she says.

“Bathrooms work best when they successfully communicate a sense of warmth, luxury and an indulgent retreat.”

Komorowski says home owners should consider any renovation carefully to ensure a return on investment.

“If you’re going to remodel, ensure you get the pleasure of the renovation way ahead of when you might be ready to sell.”