They say the kitchen is the heart of the house, and we can’t help but agree. Kitchen renovations are one of the most effective ways to add value to a home because everyone knows the value of a well-thought-out kitchen. Your kitchen doubles as a functional and connective space, adding life, warmth and sustenance to the home.
So, how do you approach a kitchen renovation so you can be sure it will enhance your home’s value? There are so many ways to transform a kitchen, and after extensive experience tackling this work, we’ve got a few ideas to get you started.
Read on for our top tips on high-value kitchen renovations.
Home buyers these days are becoming more conscious of their energy practices in an effort to be more sustainable in their daily lives. Energy-efficient appliances are a major tick in the ‘yes’ column for many prospective homeowners, especially if they’re built in to the kitchen, such as the oven and dishwasher.
On top of being sustainable, these appliances can provide new owners with a much lower energy bill. This is a small, simple choice from the catalogue of kitchen renovations and one that can immediately give your home a facelift before it hits the market.
If your kitchen doesn’t already have an island in it, now might be the time to consider installing one. Kitchen islands are an extremely functional addition to your kitchen, immediately providing more countertop space and storage. But beyond that, they can also function as a gathering place for family and friends.
Keystone features like these can encourage a high-value buyer to invest in your home. Consider the types of kitchen islands available. Ultra-functional models might include a lot of storage or space for smaller appliances, while more decorative islands are heavier on aesthetics and lighter on functionality.
In most mid-range homes in Aotearoa, the kitchen countertops are some kind of laminate material that gives the appearance of marble without the price tag. They also don’t feel or function like high-quality countertops, often needing replacement or cleaning to stay looking nice.
On the other hand, high-quality countertops are a fantastic choice for kitchen renovations. They immediately upscale a kitchen, transforming it from a mid-range room into a luxury home kitchen. There are a variety of materials you might consider, ranging anywhere from treated wood or stone all the way to premium hand cut marble or tile.
The right choice can anchor the style of your home. Seventies tile immediately helps the space feel vintage or retro, while clean white marble evokes strong minimalism. This is your chance to kick off a change throughout the whole house or bring a style shift across the finish line.
Nothing says ‘premium kitchen’ quite like a high-quality backsplash. Cooking is messy work, so a backsplash is very helpful for a quick clean-up, which means buyers tend to value this feature.
But that’s not all. In the kitchen, your backsplash can act as a sort of accent, much like a feature wall. Updating your backsplash is your chance to create a focal point for the kitchen; adding some interest with patterns or colours can help here.
Remember, the main function of a backsplash is to make cleanup easy, so it’s best to use tile here when you can.
No matter what room you’re in, the lighting can make or break the space. For your kitchen especially, the goal is to balance functional and aesthetic lighting. You might want to include focus lighting in a couple of areas, such as over your stove or the new kitchen island, as a way to enhance your kitchen’s appeal.
Something as simple as being careful about your lighting design can immediately elevate both your kitchen and the value of your home, so invest a bit of thought here.
It’s not that open-plan kitchens are going out of style; it’s that they’re evolving! Open-plan kitchens are undoubtedly a great way to add value to your home before it hits the market. It’s a gathering place, a spot for the entire family to come together and cook, relax, or enjoy a meal.
But many homeowners are also finding that they want the option to close things off at certain times. Whether it’s for entertainment or for privacy, having the option to separate your other living spaces from the kitchen is a way to add yet more value to an already stunning home.
This is why we recommend creating an evolved kitchen space. Crafted as an open plan kitchen with hidden doors or dividers, these transitional spaces can be the life of the party or a private spot to quietly cook up some dinner at the end of a long day.
At the end of the day, kitchen renovations are one of the most effective ways to immediately add value to your home. Even if you don’t update any of your other spaces, you can rest assured that you’ll be improving your home’s value when it hits the market.
At Stehr Brothers, we have years of experience helping homeowners like you get their homes ready to go to market. From kitchen renovations to full home updates, we’ve done it all. Get in touch with us today!
POSTAL ADDRESS
PO Box 39038
Howick
Auckland 2145
New Zealand
PHYSICAL ADDRESS
149 Kimptons Road
Brookby, Auckland
