7 Budget Friendly Kitchen Updates
When preparing a house to be sold, an entire kitchen remodel is oftentimes not necessary. In these cases, a kitchen refresh can do the trick! Keep reading for ideas on how to make simple yet effective kitchen upgrades while staying on a budget.
- Lighting - A bright kitchen is appealing to most buyers and there are several inexpensive fixes to make a kitchen look brighter. Two simple ways to add more light are to clean the windows and add the highest wattage bulbs the fixtures allow. Removing the curtains over windows and cutting down any bushes that might be blocking light will also help brighten the room. While fluorescent lighting can brighten a room, today's buyers would rather see pendant, track or recessed lights. Pendant lights are great over an island, sink or peninsula and adding under cabinet lighting has a great impact.
- Sinks - Installing a new deep stainless sink can add a nice pop to an older kitchen. Include a goose neck faucet with a pullout sprayer and you'll see smiles from many prospective buyers. If the home is older and still has the scallop trim above the kitchen sink, removing the trim will give the kitchen a cleaner, more modern feel.
- Hardware - A very inexpensive kitchen update is changing the cabinet hardware. While today's buyers like clean lines, it is important to look at the hinges before deciding on the color and finish of the new hardware. If the hinges are exposed, the new cabinet hardware should match the hinges. When the hinges are hidden, a good finish to choose is brushed nickel.
- Kitchen Cabinets - If your seller's cabinets are in decent shape, adding a nice polish will brighten them up and make them shine. On the other hand, if the cabinets are showing their age and have a great deal of scratches, consider using a wood repair kit or paint stick from the local hardware store to make them look new. In situations where cabinets are old and not in good shape, consider repainting them in a white or black semi gloss. For the best results, be sure to sand and use a good primer before repainting.
- Countertops - Updating the countertops in a kitchen is generally an area that will make a vast difference when selling a home. While granite is still a popular choice for many buyers, it is not an inexpensive update; however the return on investment may be worth the cost. Depending on the price of the home, a new Formica countertop may be the answer. There are some great looking Formica options that give the updated look on a budget. If the kitchen is small, consider going to a stone outlet where you can purchase granite remnants at a substantial savings.
- Backsplashes - Adding a tile backsplash is an easy way to make a kitchen look modern. Additionally, since this is usually a small area, adding a backsplash may be an inexpensive addition that brings great results. Currently, glass tiles are popular.
- Appliances - Today's buyers are looking for stainless appliances. However, if the budget is limited, at least consider upgrading the refrigerator. Watch Craigslist or check warehouse outlets for older models. Keep in mind that in general, the buyer is looking for the stainless finish more than the design and functionality of the appliance.
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