There is a saying that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Families gather to prepare and eat meals together. Conversations are had around the dinner table – stories are shared about the day’s events. School lunches are prepped in the kitchen, and children learn to cook there too. So it stands to reason that the condition of the kitchen would have a significant impact on the value of a home.
Liza
Liza has been an investor and specialized in assisting other investors with design. She has gained a wealth of knowledge through education and experience and recently decided to share that with the younger generation by giving lectures at a local community college.
We often consult with Liza and encourage others to find someone experienced, like Liza, to serve as a mentor. Recently, Liza spoke to a group at the local university and shared information about kitchen renovations and updates that can actually add to the value of your home. Here are five of those renovations/updates.
Best Kitchen Renovations and Updates
1. Cabinets:
Completely replacing kitchen cabinets is cost-prohibitive to most homeowners. Three other less expensive options, which will still have the desired visual impact, are painting, staining, or refacing the cabinets. Adding new hardware will further update the look of your cabinets.
The least expensive option of the two would be to simply paint your cabinets and add new door handles and drawer pulls. Before doing so, however, be sure to prep your cabinets carefully, removing any residue that has built up over the years and making sure surfaces are smooth. As for color, white cabinets are still among the top sellers, but grays and earth tones are trending now as well.
Restaining the cabinets requires stripping the stain from the word, sanding any rough areas, then applying stain. Any areas of uneven application will be immediately visible so this is a more painstaking process, as well, usually requiring more time than painting.
Refacing is a process where the boxes of the cabinets – the parts secured to the walls, remain but are covered with a layer of veneer or laminate. The doors and drawers are usually replaced, along with doorknobs, drawer pulls, and hinges.
2. Lighting and Fixtures:
Good lighting in any room of the house makes it look better. Since so much time is spent in an average kitchen, the lighting is especially important there. Make sure you are using bulbs with the proper wattage, and that all the bulbs are the same wattage.
Installing new light fixtures in the kitchen can help make the room more welcoming and, can highlight the other colors and textures of your other renovations. Pendant light fixtures are trending right now and look good in just about any kitchen. However, make sure you measure from the ceiling to determine how much of a drop you can allow without causing a hazard to individuals working in or walking through that area of the kitchen.
If you are changing light fixtures that differ in the number of bulbs used, it would be wise to have an electrician do an inspection to determine if the wiring, as is, is safe and appropriate to hook up to your new fixture.
3. Countertops:
While granite or quartz countertops are highly valued in a home, they also come with a hefty price tag. There are other less expensive choices that will still give your kitchen a clean, inviting, updated look. Laminates, tile, and Formica are all good options and have a good assortment to choose from. Changes in the manufacturing process have brought all of these options up to date, with a modern look and feel.
4. Sink, Faucet, and Hardware
The kitchen sink is one of the highest traffic areas in the room. If it is lacking in appearance or utility it can drastically reduce the appeal of the kitchen. If your sink is in good shape and is a good, useable size, you can opt for just replacing the faucet and other hardware.
5. Energy-Efficient Appliances
This will be an expensive renovation but has proven to provide the best return on investment (ROI). Potential buyers are more likely to overlook some of the areas that may need minor updates if the major appliances have been updated. Energy-efficient appliances also carry with them a deduction on your income tax so even if you do not sell your home immediately you will still see a return for that investment.
Replacing major appliances is also one of the quickest renovations since you simply need to select the one you want and then have it delivered to your home. Home goods stores also have frequent sales on appliances, so if you time it right you can reduce the cost of this upgrade, further boosting your ROI.
Conclusion
Updating your kitchen to a more modern, welcoming room does not have to break the bank to add value to your home.
- Painting, refinishing, or refacing your cabinets can give the same look as new cabinetry. A simple light-fixture update can change
- A new light fixture can improve both the feel and function of the kitchen and can be a simple task. Remember, though, to check with an electrician if changing to a fixture that uses more bulbs than your current fixture.
- Countertops do not have to be quartz or granite to make an impact in the kitchen. With modern manufacturing techniques laminate and even Formica look and feel modern.
- With the sink area being one of the heaviest traffic areas in the kitchen, a new sink, or even just hardware, can have a huge impact.
- Replacing your current major appliances with more energy-efficient ones gives you more bang for your buck. In addition to improving the appeal of your kitchen and adding value to your home, you will also see an added benefit when it comes to file your income taxes.
If you are thinking about selling your home and concerned about making updates or renovations, contact Onyx Homes to discuss your options.
