Easy (And Affordable) Kitchen Upgrades

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It goes without saying that you want your home looking its best before you put it on the market. Most rooms in the house can get by with a deep clean and some serious decluttering. But there’s one space in your home that should always get the most attention - the kitchen.

Even if you’re not a home chef, kitchen tends to see the most activity. Think about how many times you’ve had guests over and no one ever seems to leave the kitchen, no matter how much seating you have around the house. Here are some easy kitchen upgrades that can get you that “wow” factor without breaking the bank.

Fresh Cabinet Paint: Your kitchen cabinets can take a beating over time. Cooking mishaps, grease, and dirt, and even dust can build up and seriously discolor them. Sometimes, a good cleaning just isn’t enough to get them back to their original condition. Cabinets are the first thing people tend to notice when they enter a kitchen, so a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for first impressions. You can aim for the original color or take the opportunity to change things up a bit – maybe even experiment with a two-tone look.

Replace Cabinet Hardware: Those handles and knobs have seen a lot of action over the years and if you’re going to give your cabinets a new paint job, you’ll certainly want new hardware to match. This is especially true if you change up the color pattern. You don’t need to spend a fortune on super high-end items, either. Just having the new hardware will go a long way to impress would-be buyers.

Upgrade Lighting: What good are all those shiny new cabinets without the proper lighting? Odds are you haven’t changed the light fixtures in your kitchen in quite some time, maybe even since you bought the house. As with the cabinet hardware, you don’t need to go high-end; there are many reasonably priced fixtures available. In terms of style, keep it simple so you appeal to a wide audience. It’s also a good idea to consider more energy efficient lights such as LEDS, which can add another great selling point to your home.

Appliance Facelift: You’re probably not going to purchase all new appliances before you sell, so it’s best to pick one or two that you can get a good deal on. There are also other ways to make the old ones look good. For example, you can purchase a stovetop cover for a fresher look, just be sure the real one is clean underneath for those buyers who like to inspect. You can also replace handles on fridges, dishwashers, or microwaves. Craft supply stores sell adhesive vinyl and decorative tapes that can be used to mask drab surfaces. And if you’re really adventurous, you can even use some appliance paint to add a splash of color.

Having an experienced real estate agent look at your home can give you the fresh pair of eyes you need to make sure your house is market ready. Maryanne Elsaesser and the Home Navigators team have seen it all and know what buyers are looking for.

About Maryanne Elsaesser

Maryanne Elsaesser is known for individualized strategic planning and solving complex matters with calmness. Her clients say she is a "brilliant negotiator," tenacious, helpful, smart, creative, focused and has an amazing ability to read people. Consistent hard work puts Maryanne in the top 1% of brokers in the country. Maryanne is well-versed in contractual elements and understands the intricacies of navigating the most profitable net gain in each transaction. She can be reached at 551.206.9264 or maryanne.elsaesser@gmail.com.

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