Replace the Lighting – $$
Good lighting always sells well, as it adds a pristine element to the atmosphere of your kitchen. Lighting is an extremely affordable upgrade that could do wonders for the look of your kitchen. Consider some stylish pendant lights to give your kitchen a more elegant look. Or add undercabinet lighting to expand your space and give off a luxurious look. We would also recommend energy-saving lights – that small sticker alone will instantly increase the value of your home and is something that pays for itself in the long run. Especially in municipalities with tax benefits.
Go Energy-Efficient – $$$
We touched on this above, but this is important enough that it needs to get reiterated with its own blurb. There is no reason to stop at just the lighting in making your kitchen energy efficient. Energy-efficient appliances have never been cheaper, and as mentioned above, they pay for themselves in the long run – you can save up to 30-60% on your power bills.
We are currently in the golden age for energy-efficient appliances, as producers are under immense pressure to create energy-efficient toasters, refrigerators, microwaves, and anything in between. This heavy competition means that the producers are putting their best efforts into their energy-efficient products while being forced to sell them at consumer-friendly prices.
And as touched on above, many municipalities have tax rebates for homes using energy-efficient appliances.
Install Durable Countertops – $$$
The countertop is the centrepiece of the kitchen and in turn the most susceptible to wear and tear. Durability is the key to a successful countertop. The good news is that durable does not mean expensive! Concrete countertops are a cost-effective option that can easily give an added flair with a stain.
Change your Kitchen Sink – $$
The sink serves as a central pillar of the kitchen, so giving even a little bit of attention to the kitchen sink will go a long way in giving buyers an immediate impression of comfort. The right design is often not the most expensive design, but the design that most effectively compliments the space it occupies. Adding an apron sink to your layout creates a nice centrepiece for your kitchen, blending high functionality and style.
Replace Your Hardwood Floors and/or Change Your Tiles – $$
Regardless of trends in style, flooring will always be essential to determining a home’s value. There is no amount of expensive décor you can use to hide an ugly floor. With that being said, don’t get too cute – plain designs that match the wall and décor of the space will do just fine. A simple colour change can bring light to your kitchen. You could also opt for affordable tiles with varying shades and pattern designs.
Swap Out Simple Fixtures – $
Savvy homebuyers are always looking at the details. Something as small as drawer knobs could end up having a huge impact on a buyer at the close of a deal. We suggest a matte-stained colour or a bronze-shaded fixture.
Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a mix of modern and traditional fixtures, as long as they match. This is important – your fixture finishes should match. The best part is, knobs and handles are some of the easiest and most affordable items to replace!
Full Kitchen Remodel – $$$$$
Last but certainly not least. The #1 way to increase your home’s value is a full kitchen remodel. If you think about it, the kitchen is the main feature of the house. The other rooms are just empty rooms that you fill with your own stuff, but the kitchen stays as-is and you use it as-is. Other rooms can be repurposed easily enough, but the kitchen is always going to be the kitchen. To a potential buyer, if the kitchen is unusable, the entire house is unusable.
Now alternatively, you may not be looking to sell your house at all. Maybe you just bought your forever home and are looking to build your forever kitchen. This is also what a potential buyer would be looking for – you just happen to already own the house. A kitchen remodel is not just about home value, it is really about life quality. The kitchen is the heart of any home, and if a full kitchen remodels is what you desire, our designers at Kitchen Art Design will work closely with you every step of the way to customize and tailor your kitchen to your exact specifications based on your personal tastes and lifestyle.
Any and all of these upgrades will improve your kitchen. Want to get started? Book an appointment with one of our expert designers today! We can help with any of these things and more!