By Martin Hart on Fri 20 December 2019
When it comes to designing a show home, it can be tempting to go with appearance over functionality. After all, the design is there to look great and encourage a purchase. However, when it comes to fixtures and fittings in a showroom, style and functionality are equally important – it's never worth it to cut corners. Here are just a few reasons why you should opt for function over ease when it comes to outfitting your show kitchen.
Put Potential Buyers in the Homeowner's Shoes
A large part of what makes show homes or show kitchens effective is their ability to allow people to imagine what it would be like to live in that space - from washing dishes and cooking family meals to baking and choosing where to store crockery or cutlery. A big part of that immersion is being able to feel at home in a kitchen, and having a show space that is functional can provide that.
If it is a temporary instalment, there's no need to complete the more complicated parts of a kitchen, such as the plumbing or electricity. But at a minimum, cabinets and cupboards that are well-put together and usable should be installed, including everything from metal shelf brackets to carousals – everything you'd expect to see in a finished kitchen. This can help to complete the illusion and sell that kitchen or home to the interested potential buyer.
It's all about the experience; if the people viewing the kitchen can imagine themselves actually using it as a part of their home, then a functional show kitchen and fully realised home could provide the push needed to go from potential to active buyer.
Give Informed Options
If you're offering multiple options for kitchens, such as a variety of different cabinets, colours or countertops, being able to give your customers a physical representation of what they may want is vital to ensuring that they're as happy as possible with their choice. Seeing a kitchen in three dimensions with working doors and even fully stocked cabinets can help to reassure your customers that they're making the right decision.
This applies to anything from complete kitchens to optional extras like blum slide-on hinges for that perfect soft close. Ensure you provide a great deal of customisability without the buyer having to base the suitability of a kitchen on a brochure of the finished product. The more informed your potential buyers are of what's on offer, the more likely they will be to fall in love with the added cost items and extras you can offer.
Allowing your customers to interact with a show kitchen physically can explain the added benefits of a particular design or added functionality far better than words can, and can perfectly illustrate why it is the right kitchen for them.
Create a Professional Image
Having a functional kitchen in your show home or showroom isn't just about showing what could be; it also proves that you can produce a professional finish with an install that's already visible and skilfully completed. This is an area in which many non-functional or poorly installed kitchens fail; from cabinet doors falling off to units being quickly and badly installed.
Half the concept of a functional kitchen is to allow potential buyers to see how it would look in their own home, so a professional finish is a must. After all, if a show kitchen can look so pristine, then a carefully fitted version within someone's home will look even better, from cabinet handles to plumbing. A professional finish is worth its weight in gold for all parts of the home, but in the kitchen it's an absolute necessity.
At Hart Wholesale, we have the tools to help make your show kitchens look complete, so that you can provide a more immersive and authentic experience for your customers. Take a look at our full range online today, from kitchen fittings to cupboard stays. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.