Add value in the kitchen

Modern, open-plan home designs mean that the kitchen is even more important to prospective buyers than it used to be because it is always "on show".

Consequently, one of the surest ways to add appeal - and value - to a home is an attractive kitchen makeover. And fortunately, this is now much easier to accomplish than it used to be. 

New materials and specialist kitchen design and installation companies have really simplified the once-difficult task of combining the best possible storage space with the most labour-efficient layout. 

Well-designed pot drawers, for example, enable easy and immediate access to the utensils you require without moving half the cupboard contents, while corner-cupboard "lazy Susans" mean the ingredients you want can easily be brought to the front of a shelf.

Easy-clean surfaces, self-closing hinges, and fancy drawer and door pulls have also brought new glamour to the household workshop. 

Meanwhile, standard unit and appliance sizes mean that wall and floor cupboards can now be manufactured at the most economical cost, and that any odd-sized gaps can be skilfully converted to convenient tray, utensil or ingredient storage space.

And finally, computer-aided design enables the kitchen installation companies, given the dimensions of the kitchen, to quickly offer competitive designs and prices as well as a wide choice of materials.

Knowing these comparative costs, homeowners can then confidently choose the layout that best suits their specific needs, the materials that suit their budget and the professional team who will do the work - and look forward to boosting the value of their home.