Importance of renovated kitchen in real estate marketing

Whether you are a dedicated cook or a casual, occasional one, kitchen has always been the best place to invest your renovation funds. Not only it is the room where the family gathers at meals, but also the most active location during any party. And, apart from that, a well renovated kitchen usually guarantees a quick and high sale in today's frantic real estate market.

When renovating a kitchen, the first step is to create a plan. Most of the time we have to work with an existing space, but even if that space is small, it is usually possible to arrange it in a way that provides the cook with enough counter space for meal preparation. This is one of the often overlooked aspects of kitchen renovation: it is a working place, and must provide a comfortable working area, otherwise cooking becomes a real chore.

An old rule was that the stove, fridge and sink were within an easy reach from any point in the kitchen. That would be still important when designing kitchen for someone having trouble walking, but that arrangement often creates very small bits of counter space, which are not practical. It is best to insure as good a stretch of counter space as possible.

Although bright colours are fun and look great, we have to remember that the newly renovated space should be able to withstand the changes in trends over a long time. Therefore it is best to avoid strong colours on cabinet surfaces and countertops. We can always use strong colour for wall paint and accents - these can be changed easily and with little expense.

I find that pull-out shelves, spice racks and anything that makes kitchen storage easier accessible not only make everyday's life easier but also appeal to buyers. It is best, though, to avoid fancy finishes that have no practical use other than making our kitchens look French country or Mediterranean (just an example). It is much better to spend money on good quality appliances.

If the kitchen is small and cramped, it might be a good idea to open it to the dining room, and create a peninsula dividing the two spaces.

For upper cabinets, it is nice to have some glassed doors, behind which we can display decorative ceramics and glass. In such cabinets the objects displayed should have some unity and theme, and not be a random collection of pieces.

When changing kitchen cabinetry, it is good to do a thorough research and pay attention not only to beautiful surfaces, but also to the quality of construction. This will ensure that the cabinets will wear well, and last long. Poorly constructed cabinets, like poorly constructed houses, have a short lifespan.

When kitchen renovation involves re-tiling the floor, it is good to pick tiles that complement the cabinets and countertop, while keeping in mind that they should be easy to wash, and, if possible, not slippery when wet. Bold patterns are guaranteed to go out of style, so it is best to pick neutral designs.

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