Kitchen staging on a budget: how to ensure a big impact with minimal investment
As the saying goes, kitchens sell houses, often sealing or breaking the deal depending on how it is presented. But don’t worry, kitchen upgrades don’t have to cost an arm and a leg like many sellers assume. Read below for some of the smartest upgrades you can do for little or no money.
1. Stain or paint outdated cabinets instead of replacing them.
Before you make the expensive investment in new cabinets, try a fresh coat of stain or paint for a like-new look for around $25. Glossy white or black are popular choices for paint, and cherry or walnut are popular shades of stain. Tidy up and clean the inside of each cabinet, put on new siding, and watch buyers appreciate your once-dated cabinets. Finish off the look by swapping out your hardware for a new updated look in a brushed nickel or bronze finish.
2. Paint the walls
The color of your kitchen walls makes a big difference in how this important space is displayed. Green and yellow are great choices for kitchens because they are inviting colors, and tan also works well for neutrality and warmth. Just be sure to choose earth tone varieties like sage green instead of mint green, or butter yellow instead of illuminating yellow! When in doubt, go with the safer option. For a foolproof way to choose colors for resale, try a professionally recommended color palette like “Colors That Sell” (PaintColorsThatSell.com) or hire a Home Stager for a color consultation.
3. Lighting is key
Kitchen lighting plays an important role in distinguishing the overall feel of the kitchen. If you have a fluorescent light, upgrading to a chandelier or semi-flush mount fixture is an absolute must. Still have the builder-grade brass fixture hanging over the breakfast bar? Spend the $150 at Lowes or Home Depot to trade it in for a sleek new look in brushed nickel or bronze for a complete makeover of your eat-in kitchen that shoppers will love.
4. Invest in new appliances
Studies show that it pays to upgrade those old kitchen appliances. If your outdated oven and dishwasher take center stage, you’ll be well served to trade them in for an updated version. If you can’t afford the stainless steel variety, opt for black.
5. Keep countertops generally clear
Put away your extra accessories and appliances before each visit, including can openers, coffee pots, and dish soap. Clean, uncluttered countertops give a clutter-free, open feel that will give the illusion of a larger, cleaner kitchen.
6.Cluster Accessories
Rather than spread out the remaining luxury fixtures on countertops, group them into clusters so the eye can bounce from one cluster to another, appreciating kitchen assets along the way.
7. Keep it bright
Having a perfectly clean kitchen is possibly the most important part of selling the space. Buyers want to feel hygienic and fresh in their potential new home, and that’s especially true in the kitchen. Make sure appliances sparkle, countertops gleam, and cabinet faces are free of stains. Mop the floor, keep kitchen rugs washed/mopped, and even empty the dishwasher before each showing if possible!