Your Home’s Value: The Impact of a Kitchen Renovation

Making Smart Renovation Choices

Whether you’re hunting for your next home, settling into a new place, or decidedly staying put, you’ve likely noticed home prices continuing to rise in Maryland. Renovation dollars are an important part of the equation we make as homeowners, and every homeowner wants to make the most strategic financial decisions they can. Learn how to make a small kitchen look bigger to maximize your renovation efforts. At Kitchen Tune-Up our clients range from new home buyers that want an immediate kitchen upgrade to longtime owners who are ready to update after their kids are grown or they’ve decided they’re not downsizing or moving for retirement, and almost all of mention resale during the planning stage of their project. Let’s look at a few ways to think about a kitchen renovation.

The Kitchen's Impact on Buyers

Home shopping is hard! Running through a home and making a quick decision about whether you could live there can be challenging but seeing a kitchen where everything appears to be working and in good shape helps a buyer get comfortable about making an offer. Even if the kitchen is not their preferred style, knowing that they can choose when to update or renovate is often an important factor in making an offer, especially for someone that’s never owned or renovated before. And then a buyer can add bonus points if the appliances, counters, and lighting are newer and don’t scream out that they need replacing. And they’ve hit the jackpot if the well-designed, updated kitchen also has bells and whistles like a good-sized pantry, pull-out trays, and hidden trash and recycling. My experience as a home buyer and interior designer, is that people want to be able to tell from a home showing whether the kitchen needs an overhaul so that can be factored into the home’s affordability for them. A well-cared for space is always a selling point.

Updates That Boost Resale Value

I’m not a realtor, but I’m often asked by our clients about kitchen color and material trends and how to increase resale value. My answer is that an updated kitchen that works with the style of the home, is always a positive for a potential buyer. Consider these top kitchen trends to ensure your updates are modern and appealing. There’s no way to choose universally loved colors and materials, so instead focus on quality cabinet materials that fit home’s value, functional and well-designed storage, updated appliances, thoughtful lighting, quartz or stone counters, and a beautiful backsplash. All those updates will increase both your enjoyment of the home and the home’s value. Working with a company that understands how to make your kitchen flow with your home’s style is key.

Research Neighborhood Trends

Think long-term when planning an update - which swaps and improvements will look good for the most time? What’s trending now and are potential buyers in my neighborhood likely to be able to afford or follow trends? And what are the neighbors doing with their renovation dollars? Zillow or similar websites can be a great place to research recent homes for sale in your neighborhood. While real estate pictures can be deceiving, you can likely spot the updates and any neighborhood trends. Are people installing the highest of the high end appliances? Are there a lot of wine refrigerators or double ovens? Take a look at the details – are you seeing particular cabinet door styles or counter materials? What’s happening with islands and peninsulas? Are people painting their original cabinets solely for the purpose of selling the house?

The Timeless White Kitchen

Despite what you may read online, a white kitchen is never going to go out of style, and white is often a great choice for someone looking toward future resale. There are many shades of white, and likely there is one that works in your kitchen and with your home. Lighter color quartz or stone countertops, a layered lighting plan (sufficient overhead lights, undercabinet lights, and decorative lights), and updated decorative hardware are all good investments. Light wood cabinets are also trending, and you can read more about this trend here. As far as style goes, you need to let your house take the lead. When in doubt, a painted Shaker-style door is a good choice as it works with a lot of home styles depending on the decorative hardware you choose.

We're Here to Help

At Kitchen Tune-Up we want to help you make the most of your home. We would love the opportunity to see your kitchen, show you door and hardware samples, and create a plan to update and upgrade your space to meet your needs. Contact us today for a free design appointment and estimate.