They’re also one of the places where you can get yourself into trouble, spending far more money than you are ever going to see returned. A mid-range kitchen remodel has a much better return on investment than a high-end remodel. If your budget is high and you must have those marble floors and countertop, go right ahead and install them. But today, I’m going to focus on moderate upgrades that can greatly enhance your home’s appearance and value.
Appliances
Unless you have an ultra-modern kitchen with point-of-use refrigerators, drawer microwaves, and everything else hidden behind cabinet doors, a buyer’s eyes are naturally going to be drawn to appliances. If they are clearly old, either a white that’s gone dingy or the dreaded avocado green, they’ll be sure to turn off buyers. A relatively inexpensive solution is to replace your older appliances with new ones sporting a stainless-steel finish. They offer the same look, feel, and protection of full stainless at a lower cost.
If you’re not planning to sell your home anytime in the near future, don’t feel like you need to replace everything all at once. Upgrade one at a time — just make sure your appliances match when it comes time to sell.
Cabinets
Cabinets are easily the second-most — or sometimes the most — expensive part of a kitchen remodel. If you have the money, replacing cabinets with a contemporary style that focuses on simplicity will serve you well. When you do this, get cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling, which adds valuable storage space and eliminates collection points for dust and junk that tends to accumulate on top of lower cabinets. If you already have wood cabinets and doors, a simple paint job will accomplish much the same effect. White is a popular color for kitchens, though grays are also in vogue. Make sure you get good-quality paint for the cabinets since they will take the brunt of the beating a kitchen often endures.
Going cheap here can lead to scratches and chips within weeks or months, ruining the effect for a buyer. If you don’t have the money to replace cabinets, update the look of existing cabinets by replacing the hinges, handles and pulls. Feel free to go with a uniform brushed nickel look, or add a splash of color with accented pulls to break up the white.
The sink is easily the most-used area of any kitchen. From dumping unfinished beverages to cleaning dishes, washing hands, or getting a drink of water, any homeowner visits their sink several times a day. As such, it should be one of the most eye-appealing parts of your kitchen. The simplest thing you can do to modernize a sink is to replace the faucet. Go with something contemporary with multiple spray settings, an extendable nozzle, and a built-in filter.
If you’re also doing the countertops anyway, consider spending a bit of money to entirely replace your old sink with a modern under-mount sink. These result in a cleaner-looking counter and even make cleaning the counters easier since food can be swept straight from the counter into a sink with the garbage disposal.
Lighting
Light is very important for food preparation, yet all too often, countertops and lower cabinets can be left in the dark as poorly-positioned light sources are blocked by you, other cabinets or appliances, or simply by poor placement.
A quick fix is to get adhesive lights or rope lights to put under the cabinets. You can turn them on and off as needed, and if they are placed intelligently, they will add to the value of your kitchen with a very small investment. These are a great solution for any dark pantries or cabinets in your kitchen and throughout the home, as well. Naturally, if you’re already doing things like replacing cabinets or backsplash, it makes more sense to install the necessary wiring for putting lights under the cabinets.
Laminate counters were once the norm in kitchens all over the country. These days, options like butcher-block tops, quartz, and even concrete have grown in popularity.
Granite was once the go-to option for a countertop upgrade and is still very popular, but it has lost much of its luster in recent years. Part of the reason is that it has become considerably more mainstream, losing its rarity value. Granite counters also need to be resealed annually to prevent stains and are unforgiving to anything that is dropped on them. Because of this, crushed quartz tops have become an immensely popular alternative to granite. Quartz is available in more colors, is lower maintenance, and costs less than granite, making it an excellent option. Butcher block is also a great option that won’t break a moderately healthy budget. It also provides a distinctive look that sharply distinguishes itself from the look of natural stone if you choose to use it sparingly on an island or peninsula.
Barring any of those options, going with a fresh laminate is a budget-friendly option, and there are many styles now that imitate the look of granite and quartz. Using the same material for the backsplash can also help give a modern look to your kitchen at a fraction of the cost.
How Can I Help You?
If you’re considering a kitchen remodel but don’t know where to begin, I know lots of reputable contractors who can help you achieve the kitchen of your dreams. Likewise, I’d be more than happy to help you select materials or give you advice about what buyers in your area are looking for in a kitchen.
If you’re looking for a dedicated agent to handle the sale of your home or help you purchase your next one, look no further. My former clients can attest to how hard I’ll work on your behalf. Contact me today to find out how much your home is worth, and I’ll send you a free copy of my book that shows home sellers how to get top dollar for their homes in the shortest amount of time!
Email: natalia@firststaybc.com
Contact: +1 778 317-6393
Natalia Garbuzova – Lease-Up Rental Agent
