Saturday 6th October 2018


Home Improvements, Self Builds & Renovations Property, Homes & Interiors 17


Considering buying a new kitchen? ‘Think again!’ says industry expert


According to new research by Houzz UK, 69% of homeowners believe that a new kitchen not only adds value to a property but, more importantly, it can also deliver life-affirming rewards by encouraging a more cohesive and harmonious home life


World-renowned kitchen designer and author Johnny Grey FRSA PHOTOGRAPH: BENEDICT GREY


of £25,000 on a new kitchen and an eye-watering 16% paying over £50,000, it emphasises the impor- tance of making the right deci- sions. Not just for the buyer, but also the planet. In today’s world, sustainability


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is a rising concern so buying a new kitchen undoubtedly raises some ethical questions, too. Not many of us will keep a kitchen until it’s reached the end of its life, which there- fore prompts the question: ‘What happens to the old one?’ Just skip- ping it gives rise to feelings of guilt for its owners — it’s been a big part of their family life and served them well, to receive an unceremonious


ith more than a third of us expected to spend in excess


and iniquitous end, not to mention the environmental and social impact of sending it to landfill.


So, should we be thinking differently? World-renowned kitchen designer and author Johnny Grey FRSA thinks we should. Famed for his


high-functioning, personal-


ised kitchens, he comments: “I have designed one-off, handmade kitchens for over 40 years and most customers have had a similar view when it comes to their old kitchen — just get rid of it! “This is a terrible waste and I


believe we’re also missing a trick. The decision to regenerate your used kitchen by selling it to new owners


is obvious to me; by supporting waste and carbon reduction, we’re often salvaging beautiful pieces of furniture that can be reborn and I love that! Regeneration will forge a new way of thinking in poten- tial buyers; inciting creativity and personalisation, a notion that’s very exciting to me as a designer. In my opinion, regeneration needs to be redefined with ‘customisation’ from homeowners or by designers. It’s a win-win that I whole heartedly support.” Helen Lord, founder of Used


Kitchen Exchange and winner of a NatWest Everywoman award, confirms that homeowners are often left with the dilemma of what do they do with their used kitchen. “More than 1.2 million kitchens


were sold in the UK last year, with over 20,000 of these being suit- able for reuse,’ states Helen. “In the past, they’ve been doomed to landfill, incurring disposal costs for their owners and polluting the environment. “Through this self-evident oppor-


tunity, bringing these cost-effec- tive kitchens to market has brought about a movement for change within a previously linear industry.” Helen continues: “Explained simply, regeneration reduces the


eco-footprint of a new kitchen. Our recently commissioned Carbon Inventory proves that regenerating a family kitchen will enable its owners to live carbon-free for a year.” With the


company’s 2,000th


kitchen being sold this year, this progressive entrepreneur has saved the equivalent of 20 Premier League football pitches in UK landfill and her company is becoming big news in the kitchen industry through its eco-friendly credentials. “Though the idea of selling or


even buying a regenerated kitchen may sound daunting, our compre- hensive service makes it safe and effortless,” assures Helen. “We offer an end-to-end, hassle-


free service for both sellers and buyers, and we dismantle the kitchens using our Which? Trusted Trader dismantle service — it couldn’t be simpler.” She adds: “What makes this new


way of thinking sustainable is that sellers have achieved cashback sums from £3,000 to £25,000, proving that the altruism of regeneration coupled with a cash incentive presents an irresistible opportunity.” This forward-thinking business


has identified a genuine need within an established industry. Considering that most of us would never dream


Used Kitchen Exchange T: 0330 0586877 usedkitchenexchange.co.uk


Helen Lord, founder of Used Kitchen Exchange


of scrapping a second-hand car, the same hasn’t been true of our kitchens. So, if it’s time to look for your new kitchen, we can all ‘think again’ and consider doing things differently. The message is clear: regeneration is no longer limited to the few, this new way of thinking empowers everyone to make an ethical choice.


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