Broadband in the kitchen is hot renovation trend

Drop-down plasma screens, computer data points in the kitchen and frameless showers are among the hot items on renovators shopping lists.

Drop-down plasma screens, computer data points in the kitchen and frameless showers are among the hot items on renovators shopping lists.

The Trends in Contemporary Home Renovation report from Archicentre shows that cutting-edge design is becoming a big part of renovations.

In the kitchen, the architects surveyed say clients are increasingly favouring big island benches, concealed appliances and food preparation areas, and open-plan layouts.

Amazingly, 22.8% of clients want to mix cooking with browsing and are requesting computer data points be installed in the kitchen.

In the bathroom, the spa bath is out (13.7% of clients want this) and the frameless shower is in (a request from over 80% of clients). Double basins and separate powder rooms are also hot.

But more than a third of architects say home cinema is a fad. Instead, clients are favouring entertainment options designed for maximum flexibility, such as a drop-down plasma screen.