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Homebuyers tend to pay extra attention to the kitchen when they view a house, most probably because it makes up such a big part of our lives. With so much interest invested in one social space, this can often be the final deciding factor when buying a home.
Whether you’re selling your home now or years from now, or are just looking for your next renovation project, every homeowner should consider upgrading or remodelling their kitchen. This one room holds so much value, and it has the potential to yield the best return on investment and may even help your property sell quicker.
If you’re looking for an upgrade, one that will increase your market price, then here is a how-to guide to help you design a kitchen that will increase the value of your home.
The most important thing to do before you start any renovation is to plan the appropriate spending amount. Obviously, the amount of money that you have available to spend is one thing, but you should also take into account your home's price bracket.
For example, if your home’s asking price is approximately £300,000, then investing £35,000 into the kitchen won’t get you the return on investment that you would want. However, if you spend less than £5,000 on upgrades that don’t equate to the value of the house, then this could potentially put off potential buyers. Think carefully about the appropriate amount to spend. Calculate a budget that you can afford, one that is in proportion with your home’s price bracket, and stick to it.
2. Use the space that you haveOnce you’ve got your budget in mind, you will then need to view the space that you have to work with. The most important thing here is to have an open mind rather than a set idea.
For example, you might have seen an ultra-modern kitchen that you love, but the style or shape may not look right in the space that you have.
Professional kitchen designers always view the space first and aim to design a kitchen that creates the most appealing look. In simpler terms, they make the best out of what you’ve already got.
Read: Choosing Your Kitchen Layout: the Best Kitchen Layouts for the Space that You Have
3. Choose the right style for your homeIn addition to using your space correctly, a successful kitchen renovation should also continue with your home’s existing theme. Take a look at your home and note the style.
Whatever the style of your home, the new kitchen design needs to work with this style to ensure consistency between rooms. Again, it’s important to adapt an idea to your setting rather than trying to force a show-room kitchen into your space. Balance is key!
4. Design the layout with function in mindThe function of a kitchen is just as important as its visual appeal, and many potential buyers will notice whether the layout is feasible. When imagining themselves cooking and socialising in the kitchen, they will consider a few factors, namely storage space and workflow.
When designing a kitchen layout, it is crucial to cater to these needs. Here, it is important to consider the design as a whole.
These questions are crucial to consider when planning your design, as you need to make effective use of your space while creating a smooth workflow. A helpful tip is that the more clutter-free surfaces you can create, the more visual appeal it will have to potential buyers!
Insider Tip: Don’t be afraid to knock down a wall and open up the space if you need to! If there’s room for extending, open-plan layouts can improve your kitchen and, in turn, increase the area and value of your home. Plus, they are getting increasingly popular, too!
5. Neutral colours are the modern choiceHave you noticed that the most appealing kitchens tend to have a neutral colour scheme? Light greys and creams are becoming a popular modern theme, as are warm countertops with white cupboards, and it’s no accident.
Neutral colours are a great blank canvas for potential buyers to build on and reflect their personalities, so plainer colours will hold a lot more appeal. So, when designing a new kitchen, keep this in mind and try to think of a colour scheme that will appeal to a wider range of people.
Read: How to choose the right colour for your kitchen: a kitchen designer´s guide
6. Upgrades go a long wayWhether you have a kitchen that needs a few upgrades or you’re working completely from scratch, particular enhancements will definitely be worth the investment. When planning what upgrades are necessary, consider:
While there are many different ways to renovate our homes to increase their market price, it is widely recognised that the kitchen holds the most value. As is always the case with designing, however, it is easy to go overboard when decorating and adding finishing touches, so make sure you plan within budget!
Designers know the kitchen layouts, styles, and features that appeal most to potential buyers, so if in doubt, seek advice when renovating. One thing is for sure when you redesign a kitchen the right way: It will add instant value to your home and get you a better price on the market.
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Don’t settle for anything that isn’t exceptional
Whether you’ve been through the kitchen design process before and haven’t achieved the results that you wanted or you’ve always wanted to design your own kitchen but don’t know where to start, Emma can help you make your dreams a reality.
At KitchensbyEmma, we help you create a working space that suits your every need, making possible what others say isn’t. Just get in touch with us today for a free in-store kitchen design consultation and we’ll show you how.
Emma Reed – Kitchen designer – 01792 712000
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Kitchens by Emma Reed is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Social Money Ltd t/a Dopple, a company registered in England under company number 08054296, and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference number 675283. Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under reference number ZA026178.
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