Six Kitchen Must-Haves
Today’s competitive market place for homes means that both buyers and homeowners have had to rethink their expectations for the kitchen; gadgets and appliances considered acceptable just a few years ago may simply not impress a potential buyer today. The kitchen has long been considered one of the most important spaces in any home, an area where visually pleasing décor is just as important as functionality and practicality.
Of course, the main elements that comprise a good kitchen are basically the same as they have always been, although in today’s ever changing world, the qualities that make an efficient and easy to use kitchen are also changing. If you are putting your home on the market, it’s important to understand how.
A potential buyer can easily be dissuaded from buying a home by a poorly equipped kitchen, in much the same way that a buyer can buy a home solely due to the fact that it has a great kitchen. If you are thinking of selling your home, or you are a homeowner who simply wants to be sure you have the best kitchen there is, these six kitchen must-haves are something you should know about.
1.) Over the Stove Features
Space saving capability is something much appreciated by buyers, and something that all the best kitchens have, regardless of their size. Ceiling vents or a microwave are just two examples of features that every kitchen really needs to have that can take up that otherwise wasted space above the stove. Over the stove features can be the icing on the cake, so to speak, and can really make a big difference even if you have a state of the art kitchen already. You probably don’t like clutter, and neither do prospective home buyers; they expect to see a clutter free, spacious and functioning kitchen and using that over the stove space is an easy way to achieve that.
2.) Dishwasher
A kitchen that simply isn’t equipped with the basics will put off any potential buyer immediately, and a dishwasher is considered to be one of the basics. Of course, they have been around for quite some time and we all take them for granted, unless we just don’t have one and then we realize just how essential they really are. A buyer may well decide not to buy your home if they don’t see a dishwasher in the kitchen, and it really is that important. You just can’t sell your home without one of those appliances.
3.) Spot Lighting Under the Cabinets
Just about any home buyer will tell you that it is just as important for your kitchen to look good as it is for it to function efficiently. Most potential buyers like to be shown around a kitchen that looks stylish and attractive, and even if you aren’t selling your home any time soon, wouldn’t you rather prepare food, cook and eat in a kitchen that looks good and is bright and welcoming? Lighting that is strategically placed is a fairly simple yet highly effective way of making your kitchen look good and just as importantly, adding to the overall value of your home. The right lighting can not only highlight the best features of your kitchen – something that you might like a buyer to notice – but can also make your kitchen seem larger than it is. You don’t need to spend more than you can comfortably afford to create that effect; some well placed spot lighting under your cabinets can make a big difference.
4.) Recessed Ceiling Lighting
The antiquated light fixtures of long ago may be quaint in their own way, but today’s buyer is looking for something a lot more appealing and easy on the eye, and many home buyers put recessed lighting on their must have list when looking at the kitchen. Your kitchen becomes a more efficient space too, as well as feeling brighter and more inviting if you install recessed ceiling lighting.
5.) Hard Countertop Surfaces
Hard countertops have become something that many potential buyers are looking for in the kitchen, and if you are selling your home it is well worth investing in granite or quartz counter tops. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the good old composite countertop but it simply doesn’t evoke that look of style, grandeur and elegance that granite or quartz can do. And it isn’t just the overall look of a hard countertop; on a more practical level, you won’t need to replace it so quickly as it is a lot more durable. Granite and quartz can last for years and can instantly add value to your home, and it is one area of the kitchen where you shouldn’t compromise.
6.) Backsplash
Effortlessly blending colors together and adding a touch of color to the area behind your counter are the main functions of a backsplash, and although you may not place too mush importance on it, buyers often notice the small details – or lack thereof. The transition from the cabinet to the countertops is a lot more seamless with the right backsplash.
It’s well worth spending a little more on your kitchen, as the kitchen and the bathroom often sell the house. Even if you aren’t planning on selling your home any time soon, these six kitchen must-haves can add value to your home and ensure a better sale price when it is time to sell.
For more information or design tips for your next kitchen renovation, contact us at info@onestophomebuyersLLC.com