Evolutionary kitchens demand bigger bucks

Posted 2007-10-3

Research shows that Britons are spending more money on electrical components for their kitchens.

Legal & General has revealed that the kitchen is evolving into the main hub for more than just cooking for many families; where entertainment, visitations and even personal computing are on the rise.

Some young professionals now have a stereo, PC or other audio and video entertainment systems in their kitchen but no oven, the financial services provider revealed.

Nearly one-third, (32%) of young Brits has some form of entertainment equipment in the kitchen, while one in ten has nothing to actually cook with, such as a stovetop or oven.

“It is interesting to see the role of the kitchen evolving from that of its traditional association with food and cooking appliances,” stated Marketing Director, Garry Skelton. He also added, “The research has unveiled an emerging trend for people to surround themselves with the technology in the kitchen that is elsewhere in the house.”

Young professionals seem to be gravitating more toward televisions, microwaves, computers and audio equipment – to congregate in their kitchen for entertaining - rather than upgrading to some of the newly styled ovens, grillers and cook-tops available for updating kitchens. 

With quick, take-out foods easily available to many individuals living in urban areas, it’s easy to see why the younger generations would prefer to bring ready-made meals in, rather than under-go the time consuming task of preparing home-cooked meals. 

And as conventional appliances such as microwave ovens and washing machines are also growing in popularity, homeowner loans could be the best way of financing the purchases.

Nationwide has revealed that other areas of the house also benefit from home improvements, such as upgrading a bedroom or bathroom, which can often add more than 5% to the over-all value of a property; by using a secured homeowner loan to ensure the success of the renovations.

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