I used to be in real estate, and the golden rule was that there were 2 things that sold a house, the kitchen and the bath.
But in reality, I have always found that the kitchen alone was the single biggest factor in whether or not a prospective buyer either walked out of the house or put their name on the sales agreement.
Most buyers know that it only takes a little bit of work to make a bathroom look nice.
Pop in a new vanity and a little paint and you have a new bathroom.
With a kitchen, you have to consider appliance cost, cabinets, countertops, electrical updates for things such as garbage disposals, and additional lighting.
Kitchens have become the entertainment area of the house as well as the place where you cook and prepare your meals.
You have to keep this in mind when designing or remodeling your kitchen.
Start with the type and style of countertops.
Countertops come is a variety of materials from stainless steel, granite, laminate, engineered stone, ceramic tile, and concrete among others.
Try to choose a countertop that will fit your needs keeping in mind not only the cooking and preparing of food but also the entertainment aspect.
Sometimes entertaining can abuse a countertop more than food preparation.
When planning your flooring, going cheap doesn't pay in the long run.
Vinyl flooring is an inexpensive type of flooring but doesn't hold up as well under extreme abuse.
Small cuts can suddenly appear after a dropped item or seams can start to peel apart.
Ceramic tile is more costly but will hold up better under abuse and generally looks more rich and inviting as well.
Try to choose a ceramic tile with a slight pattern or color variation within the tile itself.
This can help match paint colors easier and help tie together items in the kitchen such as the appliances and countertops.
If designing an island in the kitchen, design it large enough to entertain.
Guests always seem to gather around the island even though there may be another entertainment area available.
If you have a smaller kitchen, paint the kitchen a similar color as an adjacent dining room to give it a larger feel and entertain in the dining area.
Have fun entertaining in your home!
But in reality, I have always found that the kitchen alone was the single biggest factor in whether or not a prospective buyer either walked out of the house or put their name on the sales agreement.
Most buyers know that it only takes a little bit of work to make a bathroom look nice.
Pop in a new vanity and a little paint and you have a new bathroom.
With a kitchen, you have to consider appliance cost, cabinets, countertops, electrical updates for things such as garbage disposals, and additional lighting.
Kitchens have become the entertainment area of the house as well as the place where you cook and prepare your meals.
You have to keep this in mind when designing or remodeling your kitchen.
Start with the type and style of countertops.
Countertops come is a variety of materials from stainless steel, granite, laminate, engineered stone, ceramic tile, and concrete among others.
Try to choose a countertop that will fit your needs keeping in mind not only the cooking and preparing of food but also the entertainment aspect.
Sometimes entertaining can abuse a countertop more than food preparation.
When planning your flooring, going cheap doesn't pay in the long run.
Vinyl flooring is an inexpensive type of flooring but doesn't hold up as well under extreme abuse.
Small cuts can suddenly appear after a dropped item or seams can start to peel apart.
Ceramic tile is more costly but will hold up better under abuse and generally looks more rich and inviting as well.
Try to choose a ceramic tile with a slight pattern or color variation within the tile itself.
This can help match paint colors easier and help tie together items in the kitchen such as the appliances and countertops.
If designing an island in the kitchen, design it large enough to entertain.
Guests always seem to gather around the island even though there may be another entertainment area available.
If you have a smaller kitchen, paint the kitchen a similar color as an adjacent dining room to give it a larger feel and entertain in the dining area.
Have fun entertaining in your home!