It’s likely you spend much of your time at home in your kitchen, cooking, entertaining friends over a glass (or two) of wine, or talking through your day with family. But there may come a day when you look around and notice that this well-loved space is starting to look a bit worn. Suddenly, your favorite gathering spot has become a place you rush guests through, and you’re concerned that potential future buyers will be turned off by its outdated appearance — especially if you’re in a luxury market, like Westport, CT.
There’s no need to shy away from kitchen upgrades, though. Here are the seven upgrades suggested by design experts and real estate agents on how to rehab your kitchen (and increase your home’s value) for less than $5,000.
7 kitchen upgrades to boost your home value
- Repaint your cabinets and change out hardware
Estimated cost: $250 for hardware, $300 for paint
Painting cabinets in a semigloss finish and adding new hardware are painless ways to give your kitchen a quick face-lift without breaking the bank. “One of our favorite tips for updating a kitchen is to swap out standard hardware,” says Marika Meyer of Marika Meyer Interiors LLC. “Hardware can change the feel of the space, making an out-of-date kitchen feel more modern, or noncustom cabinetry feel like an upgrade.” Try options like a recessed ring pull and traditional bin pull for stylish hardware that’s simultaneously timeless and trendy. - Replace or add a backsplash
Estimated cost: $2,000
Tired of doing dishes and looking at an old backsplash with yellowed grout? Renovate! Kathleen Hay, principal at Kathleen Hay Designs, suggests changing out what you have for new tile. “Consider changing a tile backsplash to a modern glass, mosaic tile, or a classic white subway tile, which never goes out of style,” says Hay. “It now comes in many sizes/shapes and can be laid in a herringbone or soldiered pattern for an updated and fresh look.” Neutral tones will make the kitchen feel bigger and brighter to you and potential buyers. - Paint the Hardwood Floors
Estimated cost: Varies depending on the size of your space; painting or restaining floors typically costs between $400 and $650 plus labor; ceramic tile starts around $900 plus installation costs
You might think about the kitchen floor mainly when you’re mopping up a spill, but painting it is a quick way to give this key surface new life. “Flooring is a very important part of a kitchen remodel, and there is a dizzying array of options available to the homeowner,” says Jane Toland, principal at Tolhouse Design. “A simple floor color change is all that is needed, in say, a rich brown shade or a trendy gray stain.” Opt for enamel paint like Benjamin Moore’s Floor and Patio Latex enamel. If you’re cautious of making such a long-lasting commitment, many retailers sell pint-sized paint samples so you can test out a color before you decide. If you want to heighten the look of the kitchen even more, consider adding ceramic tile. - Replace the lights
Estimated cost: $75 to $250Good lighting is important for everyone and in every room. Jeffrey Osborne of Hark and Osborne Interior Design recommends sourcing “stylish yet affordable” pendant lights (he likes Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. Lighting) to hang above an island or countertop. Add undercabinet lighting to give the kitchen a higher-end look — or simply exchange the bulbs for LEDs in existing fixtures to cast the kitchen in a better light (and get some energy savings to boot).
- Install butcher-block or concrete countertops
Estimated cost: Starting at $300 for concrete countertopsSince most of your time is probably spent in the kitchen at your countertop — eating, preparing food, planning the next party, etc – you want your surface to be durable, without over-spending. Search for remnant granite (pieces left over from other projects) or buy a butcher-block or even concrete countertop, which can be stained to match the space. “Go to a store that has reclaimed materials and grab a beautiful slab of wood or a commercial metal countertop to use as the accent on the island,” says Lisa DeStefano, founder and principal architect at DeStefano Architects. “Tile countertop can be fairly inexpensive, but the challenge is the grout and keeping it clean on what should be a sanitary surface.” Use more expensive materials, like granite or marble, on smaller spaces to give impact to the space, without a significantly higher price tag.
- Add a new kitchen sink
Estimated cost: Starting at $299 for stainless steelA sink is one of the most important elements in a kitchen: choosing one that doubles as a centerpiece turns what seems to be a purely functional element into a showpiece. Interior designer Laura Umansky, president and creative director at Laura U Interior Design, says that a new sink, such as an apron-front farmhouse sink “feels custom and thoughtful” and gives potential buyers the perception that the home has a greater value.
- Put a hood on it
Estimated cost: Starts at $599, plus laborMost potential buyers will see the kitchen in one quick scan, from the countertop and sink to the stove. Adding a functional stainless steel hood to the space is a great way to amplify the look of the kitchen and give it a fresh feel, even if you don’t put in a new stove. Hoods typically vent to the exterior, but don’t worry if adding new ductwork seems overdone. Instead, opt for a ductless range hood. The charcoal filters will have to be replaced every few months, but you will save a lot of money on ductwork. Interior designer Jeffrey Osborne recommends having an electrician come in to replace and install the hood for safety purposes. “An oversize hood creates the look of a ‘chef’s kitchen,’ which is usually only seen in luxury kitchens,” says Osborne, adding that it can immediately add thousands of dollars in value to the space.
