Brits spend five whole years of their life in the kitchen

Brits are spending more time in their kitchen than any other room in the modern British home, according to new national research.

Brits now spend a staggering 752 hours in their kitchen every year, or 5.2 entire years during a 60-year lifetime, according to a survey of 3,000 people* by leading kitchen manufacturer Magnet.

Householders not only spend more time in their kitchen than ever before but they are also happy to splash more cash in order to make sure their kitchen is state-of-the-art and, in many cases, as comfortable as the traditional living room.

For 16% of the population a spend of between £10,000 – £25,000 on their kitchen is routine, according to the study – up to four times the national average.

Magnet's Savannah kitchen, styled by Anna Ryder Richardson to create a 'Rustic Retreat'

Brits are happy to spend hundreds of pounds on the latest kitchen worktops, cookers, dishwashers, kitchen cabinets, extractor hoods, fridges, flooring, wine coolers and HD televisions for their kitchen because they spend so much time in the room.

The 21st Century kitchen has become the modern ‘family room’, where family members are most likely to gather, chat and spend quality time together, according to the study.

A quarter of the nation admits it just can’t help itself and has to buy the latest kitchen gadgets as soon as they come out or at least once a year. And for almost four out of 10 Brits (40%) their kitchen is now the most expensive room in the house.

Brits spend an average of 752 hours in their kitchens every year and the majority (52%) of the nation admits it now spends far more time in the kitchen than any other room.

A Magnet spokesperson said: “Our research shows that the kitchen has become the family room of choice in 2012. It’s no longer the utility room of old. Families gather there, watch their largescreen TV in the kitchen, discuss family issues and eat together.

“Generally Brits are spending more time using their kitchens as the central hub of the home and more money making them nicer rooms to spend time in. The advances in kitchen technology and the national love of gadgets has played a large part in this.”

STATS AT A GLANCE

•  Brits spend an average of £6,000 on a new kitchen

• 16% Brits spend up to £25,000 on their kitchen

•  Brits spend 752 hours in the kitchen every year

•  40% Brits’ kitchen is most expensive room in the house

•  52% Brits spend more time in the kitchen than any other room.

*OnePoll survey of 3000 Brits carried our from 1 – 10 October 2011