WHAT SHALL WE FIX UP FIRST?

Having a space at home where the family can relax together has become a key driver in renovations undertaken by Australians in the past few years, with a recent survey showing that kitchens and bathrooms are the top priorities for renovators.

When asked about their first priority in renovating their home, almost half (45 per cent) of the respondents nominated the kitchen.  

Just under a third of the respondents nominated the bathroom, followed by the development of indoor/outdoor areas (with 12 per cent of the votes), according to the online poll conducted by Archicentre*

The lounge and family room rated just below 10 per cent, but the home office came in a long last with less than 1 per cent of the vote.

General Manager of Archicentre David Hallett said the dominance of the kitchen reflected the major updates in kitchen technology. 

What's more, the trend for the kitchen to become part of the open family living area has had the effect of lifting it to a new fashion status, often featuring stainless steel appliances and marble or granite bench tops.

"The kitchen renovations also usually come with a whole new range of updated appliances", Mr Hallett said.

"The bathroom is in a similar position where people see this as a personal quiet space and somewhere to be pampered with high class fittings including spa baths, designer made walk in showers and marble basin tops."

Mr Hallett said that the opening up of the rear of the house often onto a dining deck with bi-fold glass doors has become one of the most popular trends to breathe new life into many older smaller homes by adding valuable quality living space at an affordable price.

Estimated Costs of Home Renovation:

Kitchen Renovation $10,200 - $30,500
Bathroom Renovation $9,200 - $24,000
Creation of indoor / outdoor living space $60,000 - $80,000

* Archicentre is the building advisory service for the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

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