Remodel Your Kitchen To Sell Your Home

The kitchen can be the heart of the home. It's where nourishing meals are prepared and often a gathering spot for families playing games, finishing homework and visiting with the chef during parties. With today's open floor plans, the kitchen often is also a key component to a home's style and decor. So it follows that a kitchen's functionality and design can dramatically affect its appeal to home buyers.

There are a few items to consider when remodeling your kitchen to sell your home. The first consideration is budget. Full-scale kitchen remodels can run into tens of thousands of dollars so talk to your real estate agent about how extensive your kitchen remodel needs to be. Once you've determined the scale of your remodel and an appropriate budget, build in money and time for unexpected occurrences during the actual remodel.

Appliances

If your kitchen just needs a little face lift, a few key items can make a significant difference. First replace old, inefficient appliances. Stainless steel appliances earn the best return on investment, but even updated regular appliances can have a large effect and return. Artistically designed range hoods can make a statement while providing functionality to your kitchen.

Flooring

If your kitchen flooring is stained or graying vinyl, replace it with inexpensive laminate wood flooring for an easy-care, updated look. If the budget allows, carry real hardwood through to the kitchen from other parts of the house to create a cohesive, spacious look. Also consider green options for your kitchen flooring such as reclaimed wood or cork.

Counters

If you have counters that are throwbacks to 1980s laminate, you have a couple of options that can make a significant difference. The low-budget option is to purchase a laminate counter paint at the local home improvement store and paint a more current finish on your counter tops. Tiles can be inexpensive for do-it-yourself types and not too expensive to have hired out. Eco-friendly options for counter tops are abundant, as well, and include river rock tiles, reclaimed wood and glass tiles.

An updated backsplash can also create a marked improvement on your kitchen's atmosphere.

Cabinetry

Resurface or replace cabinets as necessary to look updated and fresh. Replace drawer and door pulls and hinges. If possible, toss those old exterior hinges and replace them with invisible hinges.

A vast assortment of cabinetry options are available, even through local home improvement stores. Accent cabinet doors can give your cabinetry some interest, just keep any accents as neutral as possible so home buyers aren't distracted by bold designs.

Lighting

If your home still sports old fluorescent lighting, tear it out and replace it with good ambient light and task lighting with updated designs. Lighting is the key to creating a warm feeling in your home, so choose lighting options carefully.