Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. Period. Sure, you spent a fortune on your new pool, your pre-wired surround sound family room, and your new patio with outdoor cooking area, but when push comes to shove, it's the kitchen and bathrooms we fall in love with.
Don't be confused with "retro" and "old". When your kitchen really is "old", it's a turn off. Buyers want new, clean, updated, and shiny. Unless someone is specifically looking for a house they can remodel completely, and they do exist, upgrade your kitchen the best way you can afford.
A complete kitchen rehab can run $35,000 or more, depending on the size. Three walls of cabinets, new appliances, a built in range, island with sink, decorator recessed lighting - these add up. Sure, your home will sell, but if you can't afford the upgrades, what options do you have?
Replacing cabinets can eat up any budget, and in many cases, cabinet really don't need to be completely replaced. They need to be spruced up - cleaned, polished, refinished, painted, new hardware - these are all cheaper ways to get the same, if not better, result.
This is not the time to go funky and figure out what people may or may not like. This is when you paint everything pale beige or white, make sure you have the best flooring you can afford even if it's fake hardwood (there's actually nothing wrong with that, and in many instances it can be a better choice).
Don't even try one of the newer bold colors like orange or red for the background walls. Learn to decorate for others, not you. Stick with pale neutrals. If you insist on having colors, add window treatments or area rugs which can be removed.
Lighting is important as well. Having one $20 apartment grade overhead fixture after spending thousands on other improvements can kill the entire look. On the other hand, don't buy designer lighting fixtures and slap on a coat of paint and think all is well.
A double pain sliding glass patio door can really kill a look if it's cracked, scratched or fogging up inside. A new door is fairly inexpensive, in the scheme of things. A new sink and faucet can become your focal points, even if you do little else but paint the walls. Shiny new stainless steel can make any kitchen look new again. - 33383
Don't be confused with "retro" and "old". When your kitchen really is "old", it's a turn off. Buyers want new, clean, updated, and shiny. Unless someone is specifically looking for a house they can remodel completely, and they do exist, upgrade your kitchen the best way you can afford.
A complete kitchen rehab can run $35,000 or more, depending on the size. Three walls of cabinets, new appliances, a built in range, island with sink, decorator recessed lighting - these add up. Sure, your home will sell, but if you can't afford the upgrades, what options do you have?
Replacing cabinets can eat up any budget, and in many cases, cabinet really don't need to be completely replaced. They need to be spruced up - cleaned, polished, refinished, painted, new hardware - these are all cheaper ways to get the same, if not better, result.
This is not the time to go funky and figure out what people may or may not like. This is when you paint everything pale beige or white, make sure you have the best flooring you can afford even if it's fake hardwood (there's actually nothing wrong with that, and in many instances it can be a better choice).
Don't even try one of the newer bold colors like orange or red for the background walls. Learn to decorate for others, not you. Stick with pale neutrals. If you insist on having colors, add window treatments or area rugs which can be removed.
Lighting is important as well. Having one $20 apartment grade overhead fixture after spending thousands on other improvements can kill the entire look. On the other hand, don't buy designer lighting fixtures and slap on a coat of paint and think all is well.
A double pain sliding glass patio door can really kill a look if it's cracked, scratched or fogging up inside. A new door is fairly inexpensive, in the scheme of things. A new sink and faucet can become your focal points, even if you do little else but paint the walls. Shiny new stainless steel can make any kitchen look new again. - 33383
About the Author:
Amy Stevens is an expert in kitchen improvement. If you would like further information about varieties of kitchens or are searching for a trusted kitchen retailer please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com
