How to renovate your kitchen to add value to your house

First impressions always matter when it comes to selling anything, so when you start thinking of putting your house on the market, understanding what potential buyers want will help you push up the value of your property. And when it comes to renovations, a recent MoneySupermarket survey found a new kitchen was the renovation buyers most desired.  Here’s how to renovate your kitchen to add value to your house.

 

DIY or Professional?

 

Any meaningful renovation inevitably comes at a cost; and if you are DIY enthusiast then it can be tempting to save money and have a crack yourself. If your kitchen is new and you are just looking at adding a lick of paint or changing some handles on cupboards, then a DIY approach might do the trick. However, if you’re looking to add some real value to your home, you’ll need to do something more substantial. Unless you’re a kitchen-fitter or builder by trade, then you need to consult the experts. They will create bespoke fitted kitchens that will make the most of the space you have and get your property value soaring. Remember, while great renovations will increase value, bad ones could have exactly the opposite effect.

 

What are the most important changes to make?

Layout

How you manage the space in your kitchen is a paramount consideration. Your kitchen needs to be functional – ultimately it is the place you prepare your meals. You need to ensure you create an efficient space which adheres to the concept of the ‘kitchen triangle’. Simply, the cook needs to be able to move easily and quickly between the cooker, the fridge and the sink. Get that right and you can then build everything else on that cornerstone. This is especially important if you have enough space to make your kitchen the heart of your home - the place where you eat and socialise with your family and friends.

 

Cabinets

Cabinets have two functions – storage, and aesthetics. Allowing enough storage space to accommodate all the utensils, crockery, cutlery, gadgets and food is crucial. How they look is also very important – if the cabinets look old or tatty, your whole kitchen will look the same. Sometimes, if the cabinet structure is sound, you can get away with just fitting new doors.  However, for a more extensive transformation, consider checking out Cworkshop, a company specialising in bespoke cabinet doors, to enhance the entire cabinet system. But be realistic – if the cabinets are old then you’re likely to end up with problems with hinges etc sooner rather than later, and you’ll end up having to replace the whole cabinets anyway! 

 

Work surfaces

Again, functionality and aesthetics combine. You need to be able to prepare food on surfaces that are practical, durable and easy to clean. But worktops are also an important focal point in the kitchen. The material your worktops are made of can set the scene for the look you are trying to achieve. Wood surfaces can give your kitchen a warm ambience, while granite and quartz worktops can give any kitchen a modern, sleek and very high-end look.

 

Lighting

Good lights can elevate a fairly run of the mill kitchen into a special space. Bear in mind what you are using your kitchen for – if it’s a small room where you simply prepare food, then you need adequate lighting to cook safely and be able to read recipes or other instructions. If it’s also a social space, then you still to be able to cook safely, but also provide for multifunctional needs. With so many kitchens being used for children’s homework, and these days as an office space for those working from home, then that often needs to drive part of the thinking too. Consider all the activities that will take place in the kitchen and plan accordingly. You should always look to make the most of the natural sunlight in the day too.

 

Appliances

Even if you plan to take them with you when you move, if you’re looking to sell your house then prospective buyers will respond well to modern appliances in your kitchen. They definitely add to the aesthetics! Great gadgets will also strike an emotional chord as it makes buyers think of the possibilities this kitchen has. Conversely, old appliances will make even the best cabinets and worktops look dated, and great lights will just make the age of the gadgets even more apparent.

 

Flooring

Don’t neglect the flooring. It is a key feature in any room, and the kitchen is no exception. It is often what people notice first – if it looks stylish, well-fitted and clean then you’ll make an excellent first impression. Functionality is yet again important – is it easy to maintain? No one wants to be cleaning a floor every day, especially if dirt and stains are a nightmare to get out. If your floor lets the rest of the kitchen down, it’s going to lessen the value in the minds of the prospective buyers.