Planning to Sell? Update that Kitchen!

As a kitchen designer, you’d be surprised how often I design a kitchen for a homeowner who is planning to sell.

There’s something just a little bit sad about the homeowner who has realized that the kitchen she or he has been “living with” isn’t good enough for the “next buyer.”

While that statement signals the reason why it’s “always the right time for a kitchen remodel,” let’s talk about designing a kitchen for the “next owner.” There are several schools of thought about this topic.

First of all, if you are renovating your kitchen so that you can sell your house, you need to walk the delicate balance between doing too much and not doing enough. A good place to start is by visiting a few open houses in your area. By becoming familiar with the condition of homes on the market in your neighborhood or town in your general price range, you can make an educated decision about “how much” you should do.

It is not uncommon for realtors to tell me that homeowners loved “everything about a kitchen, but they wished the countertops were darker (or lighter).” This is a risk you take when you are designing for someone else. Kitchen designers have experience working with homeowners in your region, and so we can help you decide about the type of counter top and the most popular colors to choose. What you want to avoid is picking a gorgeous dark granite only to have the sellers ask for an allowance in their offer to “change the granite.”

Cabinet styles can be easier to get right, because there are certain styles that appeal to homeowners in different regions. Traditional styles will always win over contemporary in the Boston area. Our Kemper line of cabinets offer something for everyone.

You also can’t go wrong with a neutral ceramic tile. Avoid laminate floors, even the wood laminates. If hardwoods are in your budget and you have them in the rest of the house, go with hardwoods.

When picking materials,try to cross objections off your list, and don’t cut corners. As a kitchen designer, my favorite jobs are working with homeowners who are building a kitchen they will enjoy for a lifetime. However, it’s not uncommon to update in order to sell. The return on investment can be well worth the effort. If you’re updating your kitchen in hopes of adding value of your home, be sure you use quality materials. Don’t forget to update windows or add new lighting, and when you’re updating a kitchen it’s a good time to add extra counter space, like an island, and extra outlets for mixers and counter top appliances.

The National Association of Home Builders says that kitchens remain a top priority for homeowners. Laundry rooms and master baths come in close behind.

At Ron’s Kitchen Designs, we can help with your new kitchen, your laundry rooms, or your bathroom upgrades. Our gorgeous line of Kemper cabinets include styles and sizes perfect for a every cabinet need. For more information on new kitchens, kitchen updates, or cabinets for any room in your house, contact Ron’s Kitchen Designs today.