In Virginia there are many lovely Colonial style homes. I hear clients say they don’t want a colonial with a 1960’s- 1980’s kitchen and I can’t blame them. When the seller looks at the kitchen they see appliances that are like new to them and a very durable vinyl floor that doesn’t need replacing.
When the buyer looks at the same kitchen they see the need for a lot more money and time to get the kitchen up to date.
Part II of “What should I do with my kitchen to help my house sell?” has pictures because when my clients see what can be done it is easier for them to imagine what it can be.
This kitchen by Kraft Made is white on white with stainless steel appliances. It is excellent for a colonial home because of the traditional style and very neutral palette. This is an extreme kitchen make over for the 1960’s- 1980’s colonials in northern Virginia requiring the moving of a wall for most of the floor plans I have been in but it is simply showing what can be done. The can lighting is quite simple for an electrician to install and eliminates the need for ceiling or wall mounted fixtures.
This kitchen, also by Kraft Made, is of the same feeling but could be achieved by painting cabinets that are already there and simply updating the counter top with butcher block. Updating the backsplash with fresh tile and adding under and above cabinet lighting make the space bright and cheery. Note the open shelving. This can be done by removing cabinet doors, installing bead board on the back and lights inside the cabinet. Once this is done just add glass shelving.
And lastly this kitchen, is also by Kraft Made. The soft gray cabinets are perfect for a colonial home. The bright counter tops, fresh lighting, sparkling hardware and appliances update this kitchen with simple elegance and a timelessness that the old dark oak cabinets of the last century no longer have. Notice the smaller cabinets stacked above the standard height wall cabinets. They add storage space and a great design element.
Perhaps none of these kitchens translate well with what you are looking for or what your kitchen needs. Not to worry. Check out the websites of cabinet manufacturers. They have great ideas and most allow you to “pin” the pictures of the things you like on Pinterest so you can have them all in one easy to find place.
If your cabinets are too far gone to simply paint, check out cabinet resellers like the “ReStore” stores or a cabinet liquidator. Sometimes you can even find cabinets that another person rejected for their kitchen project at a kitchen/bath remodel store. You may be able to get a great deal on cabinets that can work for your home that someone else didn’t want.
I recommend three things to help your house sell in relation to your kitchen.
1. Get it spotless. If you can’t do this, ask or hire someone else to do it. Once when I was going through a house for sale I leaned against the counter top and stuck to it. Clean the top,bottom and sides. Clean off the countertops too. This is precious real estate space. Put away your blenders and coffee makers. Simple is best.
2. Put in the maximum wattage allowed light bulbs. Even if you have the maximum in now, put fresh ones in. It really makes a difference. Light=money!
3. Install fresh light switch and outlet covers. When potential buyers see missing screws, filthy or outdated light switch and outlet covers they question how well the home has been cared for. Don’t worry about purchasing a $10.00 gold floral outlet cover- a simple standard white or ecru (depending on what is in place electrically) is perfect. They cost less than $2.00.
If you have a kitchen project you would like to share here I would love to see it.
No matter what, there is someone for every house and someone would love to live in your home.
Keep looking up!