Survey reveals favourite kitchen gadgets


While the kitchen has always been the heart of the home, in today’s busy world it doesn’t hurt to get a helping hand when it comes to running a household. A survey across South Wales has made a number of revelations about the must-have technology and gadgets we like to use in the kitchen. From the latest trends (spiraliser courgetti anyone?) to long-standing, faithful culinary accomplices like the good old slow cooker it’s a good lifestyle indicator and offers an interesting insight into life in a modern home. According to the survey results, the kitchen gadget that one fifth of South Wales households can’t live without is a coffee maker. Around 20 per cent of those quizzed said it was their favourite gadget ahead of the slow cooker. So far it seems we’re satisfied to switch on the gadget of choice and let it brew us up a warm drink or pipe through a hearty meal while we press on with another aspect of our lives. The third highest ranking device is the food mixer


and those who like to keep a more traditional look.


Almost half of the respondents (44%) agreed with the statement that they are more likely than they were five years ago to entertain at home because of cost and/or convenience. And when it comes to the top of the guest list of invitees for a cup of (machine-fresh) coffee, cake and a natter, the number of people who would choose their best friend (49%) is more than double (23%) those who would invite their family over.


(five per cent) closely followed by the bread maker (4.5%), granted, a non-essential piece of equipment but one which embraces and acknowledges a simpler time when the smell of freshly baked bread filled most family kitchens. Ranking on a par is the smoothie maker, reflecting a more health- conscious and fruit-abundant time when many of us own kitchen ‘accessories’ – non-essential gadgets that help us prepare food or drink often reflecting a social trend such as blending and juicing.


Indeed, the juicer only ranks marginally behind the smoothie maker (3.5 per cent) as the fifth most popular gadget in South Wales’s kitchens.


Other popular kitchen devices are wine coolers and ice cream makers, again celebrating wining and dining rather than functional foodstuffs. This revealing research unveiled a number of ‘home truths’ about modern life and trends in South Wales. There was almost an equal split between those who have kitted out their castle in a modern style


“From this study it’s clear that the South Wales householders who took part in the research have strong home values and a sense of nostalgia. But equally are not averse to welcoming in any gadget that might help them get healthy or at the very least claw back the most precious commodity of all – time,” said Barratt sales director, Richard Lawson.


For more information about Barratt homes in your area, please call 0844 5710 385 or visit barratthomes.co.uk


FIRST TIME BUYERS CHOOSE LOGGING ON


BEFORE LOUNGING AROUND IN NEW HOME New survey by building society reveals first time buyers would prioritise hooking up their WiFi and TV when moving into their new home…before even having a sofa to sit on


We’ve fast become a screen-obsessed nation always on the lookout for WiFi access whenever we’re on the move, and research by Principality Building Society has revealed that the majority of Brits follow the same habits when moving into their first home.


In a survey polling 2,000 first time buyers across England and Wales, results showed that nearly three quarters of us (70%) would prioritise setting up a WiFi connection or plugging in their TV when they first move into their new home, when compared against other priorities, over having a sofa to sit on while watching it (40%).


Once they’ve moved all their belongings into their new home, the survey also showed that, rather than calling on the help of mum and dad, just over a quarter (26%) of first time buyers would turn to


26


online how-to guides or books for DIY tips, compared to other sources of information. Nearly 30% of new homeowners would go straight to an expert if something malfunctioned in their house, seeking professional help from the likes of plumbers or electricians, but over half (56%) would be happy to don their overalls and strip wallpaper themselves in their new home. However, once they’ve moved in and put their feet up, 23% of first time buyers - named ‘first time triers’ by the UK’s 6th biggest building society - admit it could take them a year or more to tackle any DIY in their new place.


Speaking about the survey findings, Principality Building Society’s Customer Director Julie-Ann Haines said: “As a nation, we’re are so interested in getting online and that can often be the first


thing on our minds when we’re working, travelling or even when we’ve just moved into a new home, picking technology over getting the house actually feeling like our own.


“And once we’re hooked up to the web, online tutorials are changing the way we do our houses up, with first time buyers turning to digital guides over their DIY dads. But ultimately, purchasing your first home is a really exciting milestone and first time buyers across the country can now start to make their house feel like a home.” To help this nation of first time buyers Principality Building Society has launched First Time Trier, a toolkit aiming to break down the barriers and put the fun back into first time buying. You can check it out on the website www.principality. co.uk/FirstTimeTrier or on Twitter @ FirstTimeTrier.


New Homes Wales and the South West


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64