Clever Kitchen Makeovers That Add Value To Your Property

Remodeling the kitchen isn’t cheap, but it can add up to $60,000 value to your home, depending on the state it was in when you started, and the improvements you include in the project. So, how can you get the best return on your investment? The following tips will help:

Make it bigger and better

Everyone wants more space these days, and the bigger the kitchen, the more value it adds to your home. You don’t have to knock out walls to make a bigger space, though if you can – that’d certainly help, try to keep to an open plan space between the kitchen and living areas. You can also create the illusion by adding more cupboards for storage, so you can keep all your appliances hidden away until you need them. Adding plenty of natural light is also beneficial to making space look larger, so consider installing extra windows if you have the budget for it.

Use quality appliances

The more you spend on your appliances at the outset, the more likely they are to last long term, right? Although it’s not always the case, it can be. This is because bigger brands have a better reputation, and they need to uphold this reputation. As such, they need to spend more money to make better quality products – and because they spend more, they can charge more. Your best bet is to do your research on the different brands, check the reviews, and then decide. Pay specific attention to durability, lifespan, and energy efficiency ratings.

Upgrade the sink

Putting in a new kitchen sink is guaranteed to give you more value for little spending. You can get a new sink for a couple of hundred dollars, and have it installed for around the same. If you are DIYing, installing a kitchen sink isn’t too difficult either – though you’ll need a professional for the plumbing itself. Opt for sinks that are in trend and you’ll get more return on your investment.

Add new paint and lots of colors

It’s amazing how far a little paint can go when it comes to adding value to your home. By simply adding a new coat of paint, or a splash of color, to the interior of your home, you can increase your ROI by 107%. Adding some fresh paint, in modern colors, makes the room look amazing – and it's an affordable update. When choosing the color, keep in mind that lighter colors make a room look larger. For walls, ceiling, and floors, stick with white, grey, and beige. You can always dress up the kitchen with lighting accessories instead.

Light it up

Speaking of lighting, aside from natural lighting, you want to also have great lights – this allows you to work easier in the kitchen and also to change the mood. Make sure you have plenty of lights over the benches and stovetop – anywhere that you’ll be preparing or cooking food. You want to position the lighting so it's in front of you, rather than behind, particularly if you’re using pendant lighting that creates big shadows. Add recessed lights, and consider dimmers to give you more control over the ambiance, and more control over your electricity use. Dimmer lights can save energy, in turn, saving you money.

Add an island

According to Darren Robertson of Northern Virginia Home Pro, an island is guaranteed to add saleability to your home, not only because it gives you more bench space, but also for the added storage. According to the Realtor, an island remodel should recoup at least 4/5th of the cost when it comes to selling the property.

There are six main types of the island you can add to your home: L-shaped is larger than others and provides plenty of room for storage, U-shaped is ideal for chefs giving an abundance of workspace, Galley which can fit any type of kitchen layout, Circular is a little different and adds personality to your layout, Rolling allows you to move the island out of sight when not in use, and furniture style blends in with your kitchen while at the same time adding character.

Upgrade the floors and counters

Finally, consider an upgrade to the floors and counter – these are the first things people see when they’re looking to buy. If your counters are made from cheap material and your floors are looking worse for wear, you’re losing value on the home in general. Swapping these for quality, classy, and more modern materials will give your kitchen an edge. For your benchtop, consider hard-wearing laminate for a more affordable option, and granite or marble for durable elegance. For the floors, hardwood is ideal in the kitchen as it doesn’t stain or scratch easily.

Whatever you do with your kitchen, choose options that won’t be outdated. Get advice from professionals, do your research, and know exactly what you’re doing before you start any DIY projects. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to have fun with it.