The kitchen can get buyers excited about a home from the moment they see it or turn them off just as quickly. Luckily, you don’t need to spend a small fortune to make sure your Scottsdale home’s kitchen “wows” the buyers who walk through it when you list your home for sale.
We rounded up a few of the easiest and more cost-effective improvements you can make to your kitchen even before you list it with us:
Repaint the walls
Nothing livens up a tired kitchen like a fresh coat of paint. It’s also one of the easiest and cheapest improvements you can make. Choose a neutral color that compliments the areas in your kitchen that won’t be changing: the countertops, cabinets, flooring, and appliances. For visual interest, you may want to incorporate an accent color where appropriate, too.
Especially in a kitchen, the type of paint you use matters. Select a semi-gloss that can withstand moisture and frequent cleanings or, even better, a paint specifically formulated for kitchens and bathrooms. Valspar Paint has helpful info on selecting a color and paint type.
You don’t have to stop with the walls in your kitchen. A quick coat of fresh paint can breathe new life into old cabinets, trim, or doors and give your kitchen a whole new look!
Swap out the hardware Hardware can date a kitchen if it's not done right. For a quick and easy improvement, look for drawer pulls, knobs, and electric switch plants that fit into the holes that already exist. If you decide to use hardware that doesn’t fit, be prepared to spend additional time filling in the old holes, if necessary, and then drilling new ones for the new hardware.
Another option is to paint the existing hardware so it looks trendy and new. To do so, simply remove the hardware and attach it by its screws into a piece of Styrofoam. Next, apply thin, even coats of spray paint until you get the look you desire.
Keep in mind that your hardware should match the finish of the other elements in your kitchen such as faucets, light fixtures, and appliances.
Add a backsplash Backsplashes lend a finished, polished look to any kitchen, as well as playing a functional role as a water barrier between the countertop and the drywall.
You don’t have to be a mason to add a backsplash to your kitchen. Most home improvement centers offer free classes where you can learn the basics and practice cutting tile. If you still don’t feel comfortable working with mortar, there are several peel-and-stick backsplash tiles on the market that are easy to use and give you a professional look.
Bold, modern backsplashImprove and update the lighting
Start with the light sources you already have and replace any dated fixtures with new ones. Then, take stock of the available light in your kitchen. Is there enough? Does your kitchen look bright and open or dark and dingy?
Improving the lighting in your kitchen can be as simple as adding a strategically placed swing-arm task lamp or a small table lamp to the counter. With a little more effort, you can also install under-cabinet lights, which are easily available on the cheap at places like IKEA and Target.
The possibilities are nearly endless. You can find plenty of ideas to get you started here.
Organize your kitchen
Clutter can make any space look small and unappealing. Assuming you’ve already cleared off the countertops, take things one step further by organizing the inside of your drawers and cabinets.
Add tray inserts into drawers or a Lazy Susan into a corner cabinet. Even if you don’t intend to leave these things behind, these spaces will look neat, organized, and larger than if they were a crammed mess.
For a more permanent option, consider installing pull-out cabinet organizers. These can run up to $100, depending on the pull-out, but can be a great selling point.
Our extensive experience working with homebuyers has taught us that people love seeing a clean, updated kitchen when they are hunting for their dream home. These easy upgrades can help elevate your kitchen and dazzle the future owner of your current home, hopefully resulting in an offer on your home even faster!
When you're ready to list, let us know and we'll be glad to take a look and let you know if your kitchen and whole home are ready for the market.
