Best Kitchen Updates for Increasing Home Value

November 3, 2021November 3, 2021 By rinteriors2021 KItchenbacksplash,countertops,interior designer,kitchen design,kitchen investment,kitchen remodel,kitchen reno,kitchenroi,repurposedinteriors,stephanie's interiors

You are just beginning a kitchen renovation as you prepare to list your home for sale…but you have no idea what features to include. What is considered a luxury? What is a must-have these days? I’ve heard these questions before, and today I’m telling you exactly what I tell our clients — what modern features buyers will be looking for in your home and whether I suggest you invest in them or not. Read the blog for more.

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Investment

What should your return investment look like? Ideally homeowners can expect or should expect a 70 percent return on their investments (ROI) if the right renovation choices are made that appeal to potential buyers. Keep in mind your budget and how much to spend without going overboard and thus not recuperating the costs. For example, if you home is worth $300,000 spending $65,000 on a new kitchen is way beyond any optimal return you can expect. Think more along the lines of pleasing the masses. The average seller will spend between 6-10% of the total home value to get fair returns on the money invested.

Design trends

Don’t over personalize the design. Again pleasing the masses is key. Don’t spend $500 on custom pull nobs when a similar more affordable nob of high quality can be just as appealing and functional. Most buyers won’t care that your kitchen nobs and pulls are custom, as long as they look good and go with the design of the kitchen. Invest instead in high quality appliances, functional features like soft close and touchless faucets, pull out drawers and recycling features. Recycling features are really on trend with the focus in the future being on sustainability and curbing climate change. Speaking of appliances, as far as trends go stainless steel is still in style, however there is a new option, black stainless steel appliances for those looking to for a change of pace. Buy the middle grade appliances, not custom galley stovetops that rarely give you the ROI you were hoping for and buyers don’t really care unless they are a very specific client, that’s when you can speak with your realtor for more information on the potential buyers.

Stainless steel vs Black stainless steel

Style and color choices

Design choices can be daunting, speaking and working with an interior designer or specialty kitchen designer can really help in making the right decisions and renovation choices. Warm colors are on trend right now, and although white is still appealing, consider painted cabinets in a neutral tone, warm beiges, soft greens and blues. In addition to painted cabinets, consider adding wooden tones, butcher block and woven textures; all of which are on trend right now. In the current climate of the covid pandemic, these colors and textures evoke feelings of comfort and compassion, all of which we are all looking for in this challenging time.

Backsplashes

Adding a new back splash can really increase the value of your kitchen and overall home sale price. There are tons of options for staying in budget when considering changing or replacing kitchen backsplashes. Painting tile is a real thing and can come in all sheens including chalkboard paint. For a more contemporary and budget friendly look, the new trend is peel and stick tiles or metal sheets. These peel and stick options can and really give the kitchen a pop of character and visual intrigue all while keeping in budget. My favorite right now are “WallPops” from Wayfair, https://www.wayfair.com/brand/bnd/wallpops-b11988.html?&experiencetype=2&selectedvertical=2 they come in so many varieties the designs are endless and affordable. They are also easy to install for those of you who are the DIY type. Keep the tile choices to again appeal to the masses and not get too custom or too loud of patterned tile.

Countertops

Keep it simple and go with a neutral tone. People still like granite so the investment of this stone is going to give you the ROI you are looking for when selling. Don’t go cheap but avoid the highest end. Buyers also don’t care about what tier the granite is, so to keep within your budget go with the first tier granite. Wood is also on trend right now, butcher block countertops are back in and come in many different strengths from hard to soft. Go with the middle grade and speak to a counter top specialists for recommendations on care and maintenance. Avoid the Formica and/or laminate it looks cheap and doesn’t age well. Contemporary concrete is also in style and can be a unique selling item for the house. It is also fairly inexpensive compared with marble or solid stone surfaces, and also holds up well to heat and wear and tear.

Open up the space.

Buyers really like open concept these days. If you have the budget for it, it may be worth considering knocking down some walls to let in some light, open up the kitchen space and add an island, if space permits.