No room carries more influence with a buyer than the kitchen because it’s where the family gathers and many memories are made.
The kitchen can represent up to 20% of the entire value of a property, so it’s important to make sure it is both functional and attractive.
With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the common mistakes that I’ve seen in my work as a local real estate agent to guide you when you upgrade your kitchen.
- Stay on budget
Set a spending limit. The cost of renovating a kitchen can go into six figures if that’s what you really want. So, be disciplined and work out what you can afford and what will offer a return on your investment. Talking this through with an agent such as myself can be a big help.
- Going DIY
Unless you’re a kitchen designer, then put your new kitchen into the hands of experts. They know the tricks to maximize space and storage. They’ll also be familiar with cabinet designs and lighting solutions, which improve all the time.
- Follower of fashion
Don’t choose popular, fad colors that will date the kitchen in a few years. Keep your ambitions stylish and traditional, especially if you plan to sell in the short to medium term. Many buyers might not share your taste, and your hard work and money will have been for nothing.
- Small countertops
It’s a mistake to try and create more floor space by sacrificing the countertop. You need to plan the use of every square foot of a kitchen, and priority needs to go on where you prepare your meals.
- Storage shortage
It’s fashionable to take the gadgets off the countertops these days to deliver an uncluttered appearance. Every kitchen needs lots of storage, not just for equipment but food, too. Buyers will walk through your kitchen, opening and closing doors to see if the storage meets their expectations. They love corner-storage spaces.
- Smoke gets in your eyes
Never forget the importance of ventilating your kitchen. An extractor fan will push the smoke and smells outdoors so the rest of the home doesn’t take on the smell of old cooking.
- Poor lighting
Illuminate the sink and areas where you will prepare food and eat. During viewings, we’ll turn on the lights, as this makes the home feel bigger. Badly-positioned lighting in a kitchen can be exposed.
- No plug, no play
A common mistake is to have insufficient electrical sockets, especially around the countertop, where you will use a blender, juicer, coffee maker and so on.
- Waste of space
Be smart about where you place your trash. External bins on the floor are unsightly and unpopular. Your new kitchen should integrate a bin into a cupboard, preferably under the sink.