Inexpensive Kitchen Updates

Most people spend a great deal of time in their kitchen, from cooking family meals to entertaining friends, and at times, utilizing the space as their “home office”, so it’s no wonder that this room continues to be an important space when it comes to selling your home. If a complete kitchen renovation isn’t in the plans or budget, we’ve got some great low-cost updates that are easy to implement and will rate high with your prospective buyers.

1. Light Fixtures 

Updating light fixtures will provide a fresh new look, but it can also improve your task lighting. Start by reviewing all of your current light fixtures in your kitchen. When were they last updated? Evaluate your chandeliers, island pendants, and any other ceiling-mounted lights. As a general rule, if the light fixtures have not been replaced within the past 15 years or so, they are likely due to be replaced. Still have your original builder’s fixtures? If so, replacing these will show buyers that you have invested in the home since it was first built.

2. Faucet/Sink 

Out with the old, and in with the new! If your faucet is showing age and/or wear, upgrading it can be a great low-cost update with a big impact.

Select a faucet with a spray head that complements the overall style of the kitchen (i.e. that antique-style faucet may look nice, but if other areas of your house are more modern and tout clean lines, the traditional antique style may not be the ideal choice). Brushed nickel is still the preferred choice for the kitchen, but if your light fixtures and/or door hardware have been upgraded to an oil-rubbed bronze or black, you may want to consider replacing the faucet to match. 

Stainless steel sinks are becoming a thing of the past and are being traded up in favour of granite sinks and other great alternatives. If you are replacing your countertops anyway, now is the perfect time to consider replacing your sink as well (note that if you are not replacing your counters, you will need to find a sink that is comparable in size to your current sink, and may require some minor counter adjustments to be made).

3. Cabinet Hardware

Plastic, wooden, brass, or other outdated cabinet hardware should be upgraded to a more current style and finish. As with your faucet, brushed nickel is still the preferred choice, however, oil-rubbed bronze is a great consideration if it complements other aspects of the home. This could be one of the least expensive updates in your kitchen, but it will provide an instant facelift and breathe new life into your kitchen.

4. Refinish/Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Remember that when selling a home, our goal is to provide a move-in-ready house. If the kitchen cabinets are in need of a facelift but a full renovation is not in the budget, consider painting or refinishing them instead. While grey and black cabinets are on-trend, white continues to be a classic and timeless look.

5. Backsplash

A backsplash is the finishing touch that every kitchen needs. It’s like that piece of jewelry that you need to complete your outfit before heading out on the town! When you’re dressing your kitchen, a classic backsplash will complete the look. Avoid mosaics and busy patterns and opt instead for simple subway tiles in complementary tones to your cabinets and counter. To add a little extra interest, consider a hexagon or arabesque shape in a simple white or light grey tone

6. Appliances 

Most buyers expect appliances to be left by the home sellers and sold with the home, so if your current ones are looking broken or dated, consider replacing and upgrading them to newer stainless-steel versions. Check out your local scratch and dent stores for good-quality appliances at a discounted price. 

7. Countertops 

It truly is amazing what a new countertop can do for a kitchen. Buyers today favour granite and other stone countertops, regardless of the list price of the house. That said, it’s important to properly evaluate this upgrade from the perspective of the new homebuyers. We want to sell “move-in ready”, but if the kitchen is likely to be fully replaced by the new homeowners within a couple of years, you may wish to opt for a lower-cost countertop solution such as laminate in an updated style/colour. If the kitchen has a great layout, however, and the cabinets are in good shape, it’s unlikely that the new owners would take on a large-scale renovation, in which case an upgrade to a stone countertop is a worthwhile investment.