Five Kitchen Renovation Ideas to Increase Property Value
Looking to increase the property value of a home? The
kitchen remodel is often the beating heart of all activity in a house, and as such, the value of kitchen renovations shouldn’t be underestimated. It may be difficult to get started, though, so let’s look at five of the best remodeling ideas for increasing overall property value, and also adding to the beauty and functionality while you are living in the home.
Adding value to a home is accomplished by performing renovations and adding new features that potential buyers will find attractive, setting the property apart from others. In the kitchen, some of these beneficial features can include new energy-efficient appliances, high-quality lighting, a new color or finish on cabinetry, or an update to the floor of the kitchen.
Below, five of the most popular renovation ideas that are most likely to increase a property’s value are discussed. Once the list is complete, any potential home seller should feel confident in their ability to present the property as a new and outstanding asset to any buyer based on the attractive features of the kitchen! If you are thinking of selling your home, we always advocate for doing these renovations early, so you can enjoy them before leaving, ... or you may even decide to stay!
Top Five Kitchen Renovation Ideas
It’s all well and good to plan on wanting a property’s value to increase, but carrying that out is another matter. This is especially true since any renovation project can wind up costing more than anticipated. For these reasons, deciding on a project can feel overwhelming and even a little scary.
Take a look at a few possible renovation suggestions so that any potential sellers can reap the benefits of return on investment at closure.
Include New Appliances
In addition to improving the ease and functionality of working in the kitchen, new appliances can give a kitchen the look of being as up-to-date with technology as the house is new and valuable! These can include new ovens, refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers.
If the appliances are also energy efficient, this doubles as a bonus for the homeowner because energy costs can be lowered. Appliances can be a major investment, and different makes and models have widely varying price points and availability timelines. While COVID-related supply chain issues affecting appliance delivery dates have somewhat subsided, higher end brands in particular can still take a year or more for delivery. Be careful in choosing brands and models that provide the function, the aesthetic, and are available at a price point and timeline that makes sense for your family and a future buyer.
Install Better Lighting
Low-quality lighting can cast a dim and unattractive glow on even the most beautiful kitchen. One of the first steps a seller should take is adding LED bulbs, which are energy efficient and can shine a light of high quality on the kitchen. Nearly all of our kitchen projects include the installation of recessed lighting on dimmable switches that allow for a range of lighting levels. In addition, pendants and central lighting fixtures can add to the aesthetic or provide additional lighting above an island or other central area. Like any improvements, if the house is to go up for sale in the near future, one must balance the payback than can be had with better offers and reduced time on market. Whereas if you are planning to stay in the home, good kitchen lighting is a must.
Update the Cabinets
It doesn’t cost too much to select a coat of paint that fits well with other aspects of the home while providing cabinets with a bright new look. Don’t forget to add a new finish if the cabinet’s previous finish has suffered wear and tear. When painting, cabinets should be completely refinished and repainted to make them look new. However, if the cabinets are not in good condition, adding a coat of paint may not offer much benefit. We only recommend refinishing and painting the cabinets where the cabinet itself is still in good condition.
In terms of cabinet style, shaker cabinets have been for many years, and continue to be, the favorite for a simple and clean transitional look.
What color to choose? These days there are so many beautiful options, but if you are looking to sell immediately the white kitchen remains a standard favorite, with gray or two-tone white and gray also being very popular. If you are looking to remain in the home, go with what you like and will enjoy! Natural tone or flat European style cabinets often come at higher price points; however, they provide a comfortable, organic and unique beauty for which the daily enjoyment may be worth the investment.
Replacing handles can make a huge difference in the look, feel and style of the kitchen. Selecting handles with the same size (hole locations) provides an inexpensive way to update the kitchen.
Last but not least, adding drawers or pull-out trays into lower cabinets is a must for people of all ages and abilities, allowing for better access to and use of cabinet space.
Add an Island
If you don’t have one already, a great way to modernize and update the kitchen is by adding an island. An island can create a more open layout, add a diverse element to the space, and can also add functionality with more cabinets, storage, shelving, and bar seating. Islands also offer lots of options for fun stylistic elements, by adding shiplap, shelving, tile, or wallpaper below the counter, and pendant lighting above. Many of the families we work for are using their islands as their casual dining/breakfast area as formal breakfast and dining areas are diminishing in priority. For sure, the island has become the center of the kitchen for guests and family alike!
Update the Floor
Finally, updating the floor of a kitchen can make the entire room look new and high in quality by eliminating all past damage from spills or scuffs with a more durable format. Wood-look Luxury Vinyl Plank has become a favorite for kitchens due to their water resistance and variety of colors and styles. Today’s options are beautiful in the kitchen and extend into all main areas of the home. Many clients are looking to open the kitchen into living, dining, and den areas, and use the same flooring throughout to maintain consistency throughout the open floor plan.
In Conclusion
To sum it all up, the best way to renovate a kitchen is to add new features, like appliances, an island and improved lighting. Quality, energy efficient appliances, add benefits as well. Provided cabinets are in good condition, adding a new coat of paint and finish to the cabinets, with some new hardware to make the update complete, can give the new kitchen an appeal to almost any buyer. If you are looking to create the kitchen of your dreams, we would love to help you make the most of your space and budget, and bring in the features that support the purposes and aesthetic unique to your individual needs and personality.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you to increase the value of your home before sale, or improve the beauty and functionality of your home for you and your family to enjoy for years to come!
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