When it comes to selling your home quickly, it’s all about making the right first impression. Katie Georgeson is Brand Manager with kitchen appliance specialist Stoves. In this article, she shares her top tips for adding value to your home and impressing house hunters with some simple kitchen renovations.
These days, our kitchens are so much more than just a place for preparing food — they’re also a multifunctional space for entertaining, working, relaxing, and dining. These versatile spaces are an essential part of our everyday lives, and while the jury may still be out on exactly how much value they can add to your home, one thing is for sure: a clean, well-appointed, beautifully finished kitchen will always make a great impression on potential buyers.
However, if you’re hoping to make a profit by selling your property, then it’s not likely to be cost-effective to completely re-do your kitchen from scratch, as you’re not likely to make back the cost of the renovations. But, there are still lots of smaller changes you can implement to make your home much more appealing to buyers — perfect if you’re looking to free up equity from your investment with a speedy sale. Just read on to learn four ways you can make your kitchen a desirable asset that will blow potential buyers away, without breaking the bank.
Get appliances and surfaces looking spotless
It may sound obvious, but a clean kitchen full of sparkling appliances is always going to be much more impressive than a dirty space filled with clutter. If your kettle, toaster, and other small kitchen appliances are looking a bit dated, then replace these for a sleek set that matches your décor. After all, you can take these with you when you move, so you won’t stand to lose money when you sell up.
Grease and grime can make hobs and ovens look much older than they actually are, so hire a professional cleaning service to get them looking as good as new — it’s not unheard of for buyers to peer into your oven, so make sure it’s sparkling inside and out. Some oven and hob manufacturers produce specialist cleaning kits that are designed to get their hobs and other fittings looking dazzling, so you may be able to get brilliant results without using a professional service. Lastly, don’t forget to pay special attention to your grouting, especially around splashbacks and wall tiles, as mouldy sealant will make your home look damp.
Make your kitchen a social space
The days of dinner parties in formal dining rooms are long gone, and many house hunters now prefer the look of open-plan kitchens, where the host can cook and socialise at the same time. So, if you haven’t already, add a sociable dining area to your kitchen to help buyers visualise themselves using the space. To keep costs down, try buying furniture second-hand and painting it to suit your décor.
There are also many local carpenters, stylists and designers out there who can help you design affordable bespoke kitchens like Kitchen & Carpentry Ltd, based in London.
Pay careful attention to detail
When renovating a home for sale, it’s easy to get lost in the bigger picture. But house hunters will be quick to notice the smaller details that are letting your kitchen down, like wobbly or loose-fitting handles, rusty taps, and broken cabinet hinges. So, swap out any fittings that are worn or past their best, and make sure everything is in full working order.
Little details like these are also a valuable opportunity to add an extra dash of style to your kitchen, while also being simple and inexpensive to fit. For a cool modern touch that’s sure to be a hit with buyers, choose some stylish knobs and handles in a sleek chrome or on-trend copper finish: you can find these online at very reasonable prices, so they won’t damage your return on investment, either.
Decorate with light, airy colours
A fresh coat of paint will instantly enliven and brighten your space, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune, either. Just be sure to avoid using darker shades when you plan to sell, as this can make your space feel claustrophobic and small, especially if your kitchen is already on the small side. Light, airy neutrals will open up your space, and they’re less likely to put buyers off than bold statement colours, which can be difficult to paint over if they decide to change things up after moving in.
A fresh coat of paint can make a difference to other aspects of your kitchen, too. If your cupboard doors and storage units are worn out or dated, then a lick of paint can make a huge difference, at a fraction of the cost of fitting new cabinets: white, duck-egg and light grey are all very popular paint choices for units at the moment.
With just a few simple updates, it’s possible to make your kitchen much more appealing to buyers, so you’ll stand a better chance of achieving your asking price. Remember, renovations aren’t always going to guarantee a return on your investment, so you’ll need to think carefully about how to budget for your repairs when deciding which improvements to make.
For more tips, take a look at the property renovations tips here on this site to learn more about how you can add value to your home before selling.
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Daniel Peacock