Modern kitchen designs can make a huge difference when setting the value of your home. Even if you might not be planning to sell your home right away, your kitchen might deserve a timeless makeover so that it’s always ready for the market. Before you get started on the changes, you’ll need to come up with a plan. Some kitchen changes are easy, but others will take your cooking areas down for a while, so they’ll require more planning.
Choosing the Right Color
Look through any design magazine, and the first thing you'll notice is white. Due to its ability to reflect light, white can make small kitchens look more substantial, which is always a selling point. Don't think you're stuck with just one color either. There are dozens, if not hundreds of shades of white and you can mix them together to create a multi-dimensional look. It's also easy to match with your appliances since no matter what you're willing to spend, all appliances come in at least one shade of white.
Timeless Cabinets
No question, Shaker-style cabinets are the most timeless choice. From country cottages to modern lofts, the rail and stile look is a wide-ranging solution for any kitchen. Whether the doors are polished wood or painted, you can complete the style with your choice of knobs or handles. Available in a variety of qualities and finishes, you can get entirely new cabinets or just replace the doors on your existing ones to update the look at a lower cost. If you have custom cabinets with odd sizes, you'll either need to find a cabinet maker or if you're good at DIY projects you can try making them yourself.
Countertop Styles
Counters are the most used part of the kitchen. You probably already know to stay away from dated materials like Formica but watch out for current fad materials as well. For the longest lasting choices, go with marble, concrete or solid surface materials that mimic them. Butcher-block is also a timeless look, though it doesn’t last quite as long and can require more care. The least expensive choices are usually concrete and butcher-block but keep an eye out for deals on fancier materials like quartz.
Before you start updating your kitchen for a better home value, ask your real estate agent for a professional kitchen evaluation. They can help you choose which updates make the most sense for both your layout and your budget.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
