Why Dubai residents invest in luxurious Dh150,000 kitchens

Dubai - Having a beautiful kitchen is becoming a trend in Dubai and the costs to make yours look good starts at Dhs150,000

Kitchens are the new living rooms in the modern home. It's all about feeling good and eating well in plush and luxurious settings. Dubai's prime localities are turning the tables on conventional kitchen spaces. Prices are hitting the roof as property owners opt for swanky options that suit their lifestyle.
Home buyers now want the best looking kitchens, thanks to all the food channels that make cooking look so simple and easy, in turn making buyers feel like replicating it in their own homes. This is the aim whether they are upgrading or buying a new property.
Communities such as Arabian Ranches, Green Community, Marina, Springs, Greens, Emirates Hills, and Dubai Hills are among the prominent ones trying to cash in on the trend. The minimum time required to revamp the kitchen with high-end German products take about three months, with the prices starting at Dh150,000.
Oliver Goettling, founder and managing director, Goettling, said: "I have seen that property buyers prefer German kitchens purely due to its luxurious finishing and high-end appeal. Buyers are ready to start investing anywhere up to Dh400,000. The high-end customers, when they purchase luxurious villas, do want their kitchen to complement the home and suit their lifestyle."
Goettling further explains that there are customers upgrading their properties for various reasons, such as the lack of a good finishing, the place falling apart or upgrading simply for the purpose of selling them at higher prices. In any case, it is clear that kitchens have become prime factor in determining property prices.
New era of kitchen upgrade
The look, amenities and a modern feel are important factors in kitchen upgrades.
"The kitchen has become the heart of the modern home. We don't just cook in it  - it's a place to gather, do homework, eat meals and entertain. A well-designed kitchen can really add value to your home. As a general rule, you shouldn't spend more than 7 to 10 per cent of your property's total value on a kitchen renovation," added Goettling.
The trend is evolving in both villas and apartments across in Dubai. "The Dubai market is dominated by German, Italian and Swedish products for modular kitchens, which offer more flexibility and space," says Kamal Mangla, projects manager, Turnkey Interior Decoration.
Kitchen ugrades have evolved as buyers prefer modern, friendly spaces and appliances. Those who rank on kitchen upgrades are Europeans, Russians and Americans. Others prefer midrange upgrades.
Kevin Dickinson, managing director, K&D Contracting, said: "Property owners and buyers are ready to spend and they go to any extent to sustain that lifestyle. A kitchen upgrade is expensive, yet the most sought afte. There are two types clientele here: those who just want to opt for refurbishment, and the second who value quality and want the best products to boost their property value."
Nisha Varman, kitchen consultant at the luxury home and lifestyle store The Urban Yogi, said: "As more and more expat families are investing in homes in Green Community, Springs, Arabian Ranches, Emirates Hills and Marina, kitchen renovations are becoming a necessity within the UAE. The kitchen is the epicentre of our home and increasingly becoming a part of the living room in most modern floor plans. A well-planned kitchen with modern appliances not only increases the home's efficiency, it is also a status symbol. To add more value to your property, consider having a classic, white handle-less kitchen with integrated appliances and an island.''-
- sandhya@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai