A recent poll by iProperty.com.my conducted between 5th – 26th  Aug revealed that almost half  (45%) of Malaysians spend the most  money to fit out their kitchens, compared to all other areas in the house.  It’s a bit of a no-brainer because Malaysians love their food, and by extension their kitchens! Is it any surprise that “Dinner is Ready” is one of the world’s most beloved phrases?

We love our food and will go to great lengths to enhance the gastronomic experience, including installing state-of-the art kitchens in our homes. Well, why not, if our house is worth RM5 million, what’s a mere RM250,000 to fit out our kitchen? Think Poggenpohl, Gaggenau, SieMatic – all top-range German kitchens. The German ‘invasion’ has never been so welcomed - in our kitchens, that is.

The kitchen is a statement of our taste in food. And if we entertain a lot, that’s a reflection of how much we value our guests, to the extent that we want the best food to be prepared in the best kitchen that money can buy. Ideally, that’s what we all, or at least half of us dream of - haute kitchen to complement our luxurious lifestyle.

Right Priorities?

Coming in a close second is the living area which received the second most attention from Malaysians. Out of 686 respondents, 231 or 34% spent the most money in their living areas. Most likely the items that cost them a bomb would include the LCD and plasma TVs and audio system as well as designer furniture.

The Bedroom, where most of us in fact spend most of our time, if we sleep an average of 6-8 hours a day, received much less spending from most of us. Only 88 respondents or 13%  deemed it fit to spend as much money on it.

The Dining Room received a negligible amount of spending, although that’s where the food is served. It ranked even lower than the Bathroom and Garden, both of which garnered votes of 35 and 16 respectively.

There you go – the Malaysian’s ranking of priorities where home spending is concerned.