Kitchens tend to grab a lot of attention at the time of a home resale. The reasons are pretty obvious. The kitchen has moved considerably from its traditional position. What we mean is that it’s no longer just a space where the cooking happens. Now, it’s more of a space ideal for a friendly chat or hosting a gathering. Even enjoying some ‘me-time’ while cooking is desirable for some people in a more personalized kitchen. So, it’s only natural that the kitchen takes an important place in your remodeling schedule.
Besides, updating your kitchen will bring you a substantial return on your investment when you sell your house. Since the kitchen remodel cost is much higher, it makes sense to focus even more on upgrades that are going to pay off in the future.
So, we advise you to focus on the necessary kitchen upgrades first, rather than the trends that will fade away in a few years. Some aspects of your kitchen will always be sought out, no matter what the time or current styles. For example, for a good resale, kitchen cabinets, good lighting, sufficient storage, counters…etc. will always be on the list of priorities for the buyer. The truth is most buyers are farsighted and like to zero in on the essential elements of the kitchen rather than the shifting trends. After all, that’s the practical thing to do, right?
What are Some Nice Kitchen Upgrades?
Keep in mind that investing exorbitant amounts of money in your kitchen remodel will not pay off. Yes, it’s one of the best home updates one can undertake, but if you go overboard and nobody is willing to pay for your over-the-top fixtures — that’s going to be on you. Now that you are here, it’s time to find out the best kitchen upgrades for resale. It is better you do not spend a ton on your remodel which would be impossible to recover from your home resale.
Keeping all this in mind, there are some updates that pay off regardless of time. Here’s where you should put your money:
- Invest in Some Magnetic Storage
It can be hard to reach some everyday kitchen tools like scissors, knives, spatulas, peelers… etc. Even if you know it is somewhere in that drawer, getting it in your hand within a few seconds can be crucial while cooking.
Magnetic shelf organizers are perfect as they provide you with clear storage where you can see your favorite tools all at once.
- Install Glass Cabinet Doors
You can upgrade kitchen cabinets without replacing them all. Reflecting the natural light using glass cabinet doors can help brighten the dark rooms while creating depth. Smaller kitchens, in particular, need only tiny kitchen upgrades to create a better look. However, if there isn’t enough natural light in your place, you can consider installing glass cabinet doors with lights inside. This also allows you to showcase your beautiful vases, ornaments, and so on.
- Add a Windowsill Herb Garden
Updating the windowsill is not one of the first things many homeowners think of. In fact, it is a simple but effective way to beautify your interiors. If you are into plants, then adding greenery to the windowsills can add a nice facelift to your kitchen. The kitchen is a high-traffic room in many homes; thus, you don’t need to worry about caring for the plants as there is always a family member around to take care of them.
- Use Cookbooks As Décor
The right book can be life-changing for the right reader. This is because books are so influential, even if you don’t read them (!). Aesthetically, books are associated with good feelings, and exhibiting a few books on a shelf or in an open cabinet can add a sophisticated ambiance to your place. You can go with your cookbooks to be functional or pick a few books you think would look better in the overall design.
- Decorate Your Fridge
Some kitchen upgrades are so small that most people don’t even notice them. For example, we think your refrigerator can do more than it is assumed to. For example, it can make a good art gallery where you can exhibit your favorite photos, quotes, drawings…etc. If you think your fridge doesn’t have the proper background for your things, you can try covering the surface with contact paper. You can find different kinds of contact paper with patterned or metallic finishes to compliment your kitchen best.
- Add Some Drawers to Your Cabinets
Kitchens are over-identified by their cabinets. This is understandable as cabinets usually make up the largest portion of a kitchen’s surroundings. However, they might fail to stop clutter in your kitchen as some kitchen appliances don’t fit in cabinets properly. Simply switching a few cabinets to drawers can update your kitchen both functionally and aesthetically.
- Create A Multipurpose Work Area
More and more people are working at home now. The trend skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. People tend to multitask now, and, unfortunately, there is not enough space for each task in many homes. In this regard, if you are looking for kitchen updates that add value to your home, adding a workspace using your kitchen countertop will never let you down. Of course, you can simply switch any part of your existing countertop with no additional cost at all.
- Put A Rug
Small kitchen updates can make a bigger difference than you think. Most homeowners are primarily concerned with the color and size of the rugs or carpets. Thus, they end up with only one rug to use with no alternatives, or they just don’t use any rugs in the kitchen. However, you can simply use one of the rugs from another room and add color and variation to the kitchen. Of course, a random selection of the rugs is less likely to make an impact. Try to focus on texture and color at the same time. You will notice that creating a balanced look with a sense of depth is possible.
- Add a Kitchen Island
Adding a kitchen island is one of the best kitchen upgrades. Homeowners who have a large kitchen can better enjoy the advantages of a kitchen island both functionally and aesthetically. Though it is a bit pricey compared to other minor updates, it is worth it. Indeed, more and more potential buyers are seeking out kitchen islands nowadays. So, an island can be a good idea if you are looking for a kitchen renovation that can improve resale value.
- Use Wallpaper On The Ceiling
The ceiling is often ignored when it comes to kitchen upgrades. In fact, easy kitchen updates like adding some color and texture can make a big difference in your place. There are many ceiling wallpaper options on the market now. Especially the ones with a metallic effect, like pressed tin, are so trendy these days. The installation of which is very practical for an average DIY person. Of course, you can still get some professional help.
- Create a Nook
Before starting kitchen upgrades of any kind, always make sure the layout is functional and good-looking. In this regard, it is vital to rethink the unused corners in your kitchen. You can turn a small unused corner into an awesome nook that can serve as a cozy dining space, a workstation, or your little cafe. A built-in decorative bench, a few comfortable pillows, and cushions are enough to get it done.
- Paint Your Kitchen
Pick a color of your choice and give your kitchen a complete makeover.
Colors can pep up any environment in a flash, changing the aesthetic of the space in no time. Don’t stick to neutral or white tones if you feel that you have already been overexposed to these palettes. Go all black if you are inclined to add a dramatic effect. You can go either DIY or professional for this job — the choice is yours.
- Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets
Had enough of your cabinets after all these years? Why not learn about the best kitchen cabinets for resale?
Remember, updating the cabinets in no way implies that you have to tear them out to replace them with new ones. You can do the necessary updating, like repainting it, on your own. However, depending on the prevailing market trend, there may be a demand for cabinets in a different style.
Refacing the cabinets is another great option where you basically replace the cabinet skins or the doors and drawer fronts of the cabinet and apply a new veneer over the cabinet’s surface. The process generally includes the replacement of the handles, drawer pulls and hinges as well. A cost-effective procedure that works. So, you just need to explore the best kitchen cabinet colors for resale rather than getting overwhelmed by what kitchen cabinets are best for resale.
- Update the Countertops
Updated countertops can change the definition of your kitchen. They are the most visually captivating element of your kitchen space. Eye-catching and updated countertops will take you to the epitome of home decor.
Several materials are making the rounds for countertop choices, but it’s quartz that has been winning for quite some time.
Quartz countertops are made from a blend of quartz (which is essentially a mineral) and resins, polymers, and pigments. Popularly known as engineered stone, these counters are stain and scratch-resistant. The countertops are also highly durable and non-porous, so they don’t ever need to be sealed. Besides, they are available in a range of colors and patterns with a variety of finishes to choose from. You have honed, sandblasted, or embossed treatment as options, depending on your style preferences.
But since these quartz countertops are expensive, make sure that your home’s resale value covers the cost of the upgrade.
- Update the Lighting
Add style and substance to your kitchen by upgrading the kitchen lighting.
The sight of a well-lit kitchen can completely mesmerize buyers. Bring in lots of light with proper layering to light up each corner of the kitchen. Add LED light bars onto the underneath of cabinets. They work well to illuminate the countertops and prep areas. Insert rope lights for countertop task lighting. Add style by replacing the overused ceiling fixtures with something more dramatic, like a drum light with geometric cutouts.
Consider hanging a pendant light above your island. Install puck lights in deep drawers or the inaccessible corners of your pantry.
- Add a Kitchen Backsplash
Adding a kitchen backsplash will add a stunning visual factor to your kitchen.
Choose beadboard to pack a considerable décor punch or opt for a brick backsplash, or whatever appeals to you. Remember that there is no best kitchen backsplash for resale. Even installing a stone backsplash indoors will identify your kitchen as luxe.
- Update Fixtures
Updating fixtures like the faucets or integrating the existing fixtures with the trending high-tech features will give off high-end vibes to the prospective buyer.
- Intelligent Layout
If you are looking for kitchen upgrades that add value, be extra careful about the configuration of the elements in the kitchen. Allow for the cabinet and the appliance doors to open fully without interfering with each other’s space.
Buyers have a sharp eye for mundane details like these. The right configuration of the elements will leave a lasting impression on the buyer’s mind.
- Update Your Appliances
Kitchen resale is much easier for kitchens with modern appliances. Opt for modern and energy-efficient appliances to give your kitchen a sleek, updated semblance. Energy-efficient appliances positively impact the buyer’s psyche and will simultaneously cut down your energy bills.
- Add Storage
You can never have enough kitchen storage, which also goes for the buyers. Enhancing storage space must be on the top of your “to-do list” for kitchen remodeling. And the best kitchen updates include something being done with the storage.
Add shelves or open space to a previously inaccessible height. Incorporate corner units to utilize the unused corners for maximum storage. Bring in folding and sliding units for a comfortable work experience. Incorporate organizers in the drawers for easy classification of stored items.
- Update Flooring
Updating your kitchen flooring will give an instant facelift to the space. Lighter shades of hardwood have come back this year, and more buyers are asking for brown and grey tones, too. We advise you to go in for low-maintenance, wood-look-alike kitchen floors for that subdued elegance.
Vinyl kitchen flooring, laminate flooring, engineered wood kitchen flooring, bamboo kitchen flooring, and cork kitchen flooring are a few options to look out for. You can also check out the best kitchen colors for resale and decide on your flooring accordingly.
Summary
There are a lot of kitchen remodeling ideas to add resale value to your home. However, they usually require big budgets. Kitchen upgrades, on the other hand, are practical and much more affordable. Depending on the current condition of your kitchen and the upgrade it requires, you might need professional help. KBR is here to help you with anything to beautify your home. Just contact us, and get your free estimate.
