The Kitchen Is Key! 4 Tips for Updating the Most Important Room in the House |Rules of Renovation
What’s one of the most important rooms when it comes to selling your house? This may surprise you, but it’s actually the kitchen. The master bathroom is a major selling point too, but nothing makes a house more appealing to potential buyers than a bright, open, updated kitchen.
Does the idea of a complete kitchen overhaul seem daunting? Here’s how to get the most out of your kitchen renovations.
Check It Out Before Buying
Always walk through a house before you decide to buy it, and pay special attention to the kitchen. Be on the lookout for what could be done in a kitchen reno — not all spaces are created equal. Sometimes the floor plan leaves something to be desired, or maybe there’s just not enough square footage to work with. Whatever the reason, if you can’t envision a beautifully updated kitchen (that would be worth it when the after-repair value comes into play) for the space, you may want to set your sights elsewhere. While it’s true that a showstopper kitchen can send your ARV sky-high, it’s also a fact that a mediocre kitchen can have the opposite effect.
Remember that the Renovations Aren’t for You
As you’re thinking about which improvements to make, it’s important to keep in mind that this kitchen is not yours. You should be basing your decor and hardware choices on the particular style of the home as well as the neighborhood it’s in.
And while it’s important to be aware of what’s popular now, you also shouldn’t just blindly follow any and all decorating fads, because some are just that — fads. Here today and gone tomorrow, they never last for long and will just demand another update in the future. Keep your appliances and fixtures classically classic and neutral. You want them to appeal to a large audience, and believe it or not, these little details can make all the difference.
Make Updates with the Home’s Style in Mind
There are two things buyers are going to look for in their new home’s kitchen: shiny updated appliances, and ample room to cook. But with these two goals in mind, it’s easy to forget to keep your kitchen matching the rest of the house style-wise. For example, super modern light fixtures, drawer pulls, and countertops might be ill-suited for a traditional Victorian home. Always think about the style of the house you’re working with when choosing kitchen fixtures, and choose appropriate pieces in line with what the rest of the house looks like.
Keep It Neutral
In that same vein, keep your color scheme as neutral as possible. It’s hard for potential buyers to envision themselves living in the house if the kitchen is a bold color and has a specific look. Plus, it’s entirely possible that your buyers will decide to paint over everything as soon as they move in — and there’s no reason to make that harder for them. Give them a good starting point by choosing a pallet that allows them to see themselves living there, while still showing off the kitchen’s best qualities.
It can be a tricky balance to strike, though, because you also don’t want the kitchen to look sterile or cookie-cutter. Complement cooler, light-colored granite or marble countertops with a warm wood tone on the cabinetry. Or if you start with dark counters, balance them out with a softer, lighter shade on the cabinets, which will make the room feel more open and airy.
Don’t know where to start with your rehab? Sign up for a free Rules of Renovation course today.
