When people want to sell their homes, they aren’t too keen on dumping a bunch of money into renovations because there’s no guarantee that you’ll see a return on that investment. However, as the saying goes, “You have to spend money to make money.” With that said, you don’t (and shouldn’t) spend thousands of dollars on kitchen upgrades – especially on a kitchen remodel.
Yes, it is possible to do a kitchen remodel without going broke! In fact, we have a few affordable kitchen update ideas that can make a huge impact, appeal to more buyers, and increase the value of your home.
Get your kitchen spic and span
When you’re selling your house, you have to make sure that it’s clean! No one wants to move into their new home that they paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for, only to have to scrub it clean. Deep cleaning your kitchen (your whole house, actually) is one of the easiest and cheapest ways you can improve your home’s value… particularly in the eyes of a cash buyer.
New paint on the walls
It doesn’t matter if you painted the walls in your kitchen last year, a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference in how the kitchen looks. A fresh coat of paint can cover up any scuffs, marks, minor imperfections and make the space feel brighter. Heck, if you choose a light neutral, it can even make the kitchen feel bigger, too!
Do keep in mind that paint color trends tend to change rather frequently and that’s why real estate experts recommend neutrals. You aren’t painting for you, you’re painting for the buyer!
Replace light fixtures and bulbs
The kitchen is the one room in the house that you want a lot of light, not just for safety, but for cleanliness too. So if you’re still using warm white light bulbs that bathe the kitchen in a yellow glow instead of LED, it’s time to make the change. The LED bulbs are brighter and more energy efficient, which is an added bonus.
While we’re changing the bulbs, why not replace the fixtures too? Outdated light fixtures usually aren’t the nicest to look at and if you’re doing the other ideas on this list, they’ll stick out like a sore thumb, which could ruin the updated look!
Paint existing cabinets
Paint isn’t just good for the walls – it’s good for your cabinets, too. Don’t get us wrong, painting your cabinets will be time consuming and will require patience. However, once all is said and done, it’ll be well worth it when you step back and admire your handiwork.
Note: If you are going to paint your cabinets, white is always a classic choice, but gray, black, and navy blue are also good choices.
Update cabinet hardware
We aren’t done with cabinets just yet! Along with newly painted cabinets, new hardware can also make a difference. Just picture white cabinets with matte black hardware or a dark color paired with a brushed nickel or silver hardware. Your kitchen will look more sophisticated and buyers will definitely notice.
Have a focal point or two
You’d think that the range and the island would be the only focal points your kitchen would need, but that’s not entirely so. We spend a lot of time in this room, so of course it should have that homey feel. You can create focal points a variety of ways, but our favorites are:
- Using a bowl of fresh fruit or flowers to add color
- Filling glass canisters with dried goods
- Displaying favorite cookbooks on the counter
- Hang a plant in a sunny window
Replace the countertops
We acknowledge that replacing countertops isn’t really an affordable option, but it can be. While you can save up to get expensive countertops like granite, quartz, or marble, you could save a lot if you choose laminate countertops instead. You can achieve a similar look that you’d get with granite or marble with laminate by using faux natural stone laminate styles.
If you’re on an even tighter budget, you might be happy to know that tile countertops are coming back into style and they’re just a fraction of the price of any other countertop material!
Affordable kitchen updates can make a big difference
Homeowners who want to sell their homes have a tough choice to make: are home improvements worth the time and money? It really depends on the project and where you live, to be honest. However, the one room that can always benefit from updating is the kitchen, even if it is just a new paint job and a deep cleaning. The kitchen is the heart of the home and when buyers see an updated kitchen, you’re sure to catch their interest!
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