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Even a small kitchen deserves a lift

By
Home Stager with Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607

Even a small kitchen deserves a lift. 

 

If you are selling a small apartment or condo in the area where granite counters will be considered as an over improvements, and changing existing ones will involve more money to invest than INVEST YOUR TIME.

 

Add Value Home staging small kitchen makeover

small kitchen update

Add Value to your kitchen and start with painting kitchen cabinets. If your kitchen gets a lot of natural light than you can paint cabinets dark color like espresso or chocolate brown. For kitchen with poor light choose lighter colors. Changing or installing new cabinet hardware will add more interest. We also recommend painting walls neutral (does not mean white) colors. But if you want your unit really look different from the competition in your complex or condominium, try to paint counter top. There is Giani website you can check for different colors product. You can also find out if there is any local paint store distribute this product. Make sure you call them before you go because it sells really fast. It's affordable price attracts a lot of home owners. Whole kit cost about $70 and it will cover a small kitchen counter top that shown above and you will have some paint left to do your bathroom vanity. Make sure you read instructions. 

I did this project twice and was happy with the results. It takes about 3 days to complete and room should be well ventilated. On photos below we didn't change cabinets color but painted walls darker to offset ugly 70's yellow back splash tile color.

small kitchen renovation    kitche update

I would like to add that even this product looks like a granite, I would not recommend it when buyer's requirement in your area is the real granite, please consult with your local Stager or Realtor.

Comments (16)

Virginia Gingras
West USA Revelation - Gilbert, AZ

I found that a good alternative to granite is tile.  It is used quite a lot here (although not as much as granite) and it is not as expensive as granite.

May 03, 2011 04:16 PM
Rob Lang
At Home Kansas - Shawnee, KS
Local Expert in NE Central Kansas Real Estate Home

The shelves that were added above that neat round sink in the bottom kitchen really help fill that previously-useless space.

May 03, 2011 04:22 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Anna, WOW, those do not even look like they are the same room.  I showed a house out in the country today that had ugly wallpaper and counters.  I could envision what it would look like with tile and paint but my client was having problems with that vision (lol).

May 03, 2011 04:47 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Anna ~ These kitchens look so much more updated now, with the paint treatments!  Before, they were boring and cold ... now they invite buyers to imagine enjoying preparing a meal for family and friends.  Nicely done!

May 03, 2011 05:49 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Excellent transformations Anna..............well done my friend.

May 03, 2011 11:48 PM
Julia Maher
Nestings: Connecticut Home Staging and Model Homes - Fairfield, CT
Connecticut Home Stager

Very thoughful post, Anna - adding he caution about how real granite might be necessary for some price points/buyers' expectations.

May 04, 2011 03:43 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Anna- love this information.  At some pricepoints, it isn't as practical to install new granite counter tops.  What you did gives the kitchen a much fresher look.  I'm going to show this to a client I have.

May 04, 2011 06:12 AM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Anna--Those kitchens are amazing.  I would not have guessed the counter tops were not granite.  I've investigated and suggested this product to several clients but have never used it or seen it used.  Nice to see the results.  Nice work!

May 04, 2011 09:52 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Virginia, thank you for comment. It is not expensive at all, you just have to invest your time.

Lawrence, glad you noticed those shelves. it pulls the space together and adds much needed display/storage space.

Marchel, buyers want move in product and most of them can't visualize...

Thank you Maureen.

Roger, thanks for stopping by.

Julie, most of today's buyers do want granite. but in some situations this will work just fine.

Kathy, good luck and let me know if you need more info.

Janet, it looks like a granite, and everybody who saw those kitchens did think it's a granite. The only thing is that real granite surface is smooth and cold, this one is not because of different layers of paint and sponging technique.

May 04, 2011 10:14 AM
Tammy Pearce
Haute Realty 214-994-6474 - Dallas, TX
Tammy Pearce

Those look great Anna!  

May 04, 2011 01:19 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Thanks Tammy

May 04, 2011 03:26 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

What a difference...the transformation is fabulous!  This can make such a difference in appealing to buyers and really make the house stand out from the competition.

May 05, 2011 04:04 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Sharon, thank you! It is really satisfying to see the "after".

May 05, 2011 06:38 AM
Ana Hitzel
AccentPositives Home Staging - Corona, CA
Professional Home Stager Inland Empire

Hi Anna, the look you got from these updates is great.  Updating key spots makes such a difference and keeps costs down too.  Great job!

Ana

May 17, 2011 01:12 PM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Great transformations Anna.  Hopefully seeing this will help convince people that NOT only high priced listings need a stager's assist. 

Jun 17, 2011 03:00 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Thanks Ana.  All you need is desire to make those changes.

So true, Ginger. Any listing will benefit from staging. Thanks for stopping by.

Jun 17, 2011 03:50 AM