The kitchen is the area of the house in which most time, cash and effort is spent, according to housebuilder Redrow.
In news that may interest those looking to buy or sell a house in Scotland, a study by the firm suggests that three of the top ten optional extras for its homes focused on upgrades to the kitchen.
Simon Bennett, marketing director for the company, explained: "It’s true to say that the kitchen is the nucleus of most family homes, a place where families come together not only to eat but to talk and socialise."
The number one choice was integrated appliances, followed by an upgrade to a luxury kitchen, while the installation of down-lighters was in fourth place.
Other popular options included luxury bathroom fittings, additional fitted wardrobes and fully-tiled bathrooms.
In other news that may be of interest to those looking to sell a house in Scotland, the Federation of Master Builders recently stated that a modern kitchen is a strong selling point when placing a property on the market.