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Kitchen Renovations That Could Actually Add Value to Your Home

19 April 2017

Wyatt Patterson

When you're renovating any area of your home, you may not be worried about how those changes will affect the home's overall value; if you're not planning on moving any time soon, you may just want a renovation that suits you in particular and aren't worried about what future homebuyers will think of those changes. However, if you are worried about how a kitchen renovation itself will affect a home's value, note a few important tips to consider, and then discuss these with a real estate agent to get more information if needed.

Smart appliances

New appliances almost always add value to a kitchen, but note that many people today don't have time to cook or just don't know how to cook, so smart appliances might appeal to them. This might include ovens and microwaves that sense the internal temperature of food and switch themselves off as needed or that have controls a person can use for defrosting, baking, and the like. When using these appliances, a person doesn't need to guess the right temperature to set or how long to keep food cooking. 

Convenient cabinets

If your kitchen renovation includes new cabinets, note that functional or convenient cabinetry may be considered more valuable than just pretty cabinetry. For example, you might invest in cabinets and drawers with soft close features; these are hinges and rollers that slow down drawers and doors as they're closed so you can't slam them shut. Cabinet organizers including slide-out bins or small shelving installed inside the doors, as well as built-in compartments inside kitchen drawers, can be more valuable than pretty cabinets made of an expensive wood and with an intricate design on the face.

Lighting

To add value with your kitchen renovation project, avoid lighting in this space that looks good but which isn't very functional for food prep, or that doesn't blend well in a kitchen. As an example, a large chandelier might be better for the dining room since it may not provide lighting over the entire length and width of the kitchen. A poor lighting choice like this can make it difficult to see the food you're prepping when you're working in a far end of the kitchen or leaning over the stovetop. Choose upgraded tract lighting that covers the entire space of the kitchen, and be sure the material of the lighting fixture is durable and easy to clean, as it will consistently capture grease and other residue from the stovetop and oven itself.

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