How to Renovate Your Kitchen for Profit
Thinking of renovating your kitchen with a view to sell? Our pros reveal which upgrades will offer the biggest returns
The kitchen can be a make-or-break room for potential buyers, so if yours is looking a little worse for wear and you plan to sell in the near future, a renovation might be a smart move. But which upgrades will make you a profit and which won’t? We’ve asked a panel of four experts to reveal all.
What are buyers really looking for?
“Kitchens today are about so much more than just cooking,” says Welsch. “They’re multi-functional spaces for entertaining, working, eating and more. Buyers are looking for well-thought-through designs with lots of clever inclusions. They want a functional layout and easy-to-clean materials that will save them time every day,” he says.
“A kitchen design that opens onto living spaces with an island bench at the centre is really appealing to buyers,” says Macleod. “The island bench is very important – it’s the hub of the home where people will dine, entertain, socialise, and where the kids will do their homework.”
“Kitchens today are about so much more than just cooking,” says Welsch. “They’re multi-functional spaces for entertaining, working, eating and more. Buyers are looking for well-thought-through designs with lots of clever inclusions. They want a functional layout and easy-to-clean materials that will save them time every day,” he says.
“A kitchen design that opens onto living spaces with an island bench at the centre is really appealing to buyers,” says Macleod. “The island bench is very important – it’s the hub of the home where people will dine, entertain, socialise, and where the kids will do their homework.”
“Design-wise, think sleek and timeless styling and finishes,” says Macleod.
“And don’t forget to keep the area light, bright and welcoming,” she adds. “People want to imagine how they will use the space and how they’ll spend time there with friends and family. Remember, you’re selling them a lifestyle.”
“And don’t forget to keep the area light, bright and welcoming,” she adds. “People want to imagine how they will use the space and how they’ll spend time there with friends and family. Remember, you’re selling them a lifestyle.”
The key elements of a practical kitchen layout
To create a functional layout, Welsch says:
To create a functional layout, Welsch says:
- Remember little upgrades can make a big difference: if you can make your benchtop 100 millimetres deeper than a standard 600 millimetre depth, you’ll gain oodles more prep space.
- Shorten travel distances between cooking and prep zones as much as possible.
- Allow sequential activities to happen side by side.
- Allow for multi-tasking, such as keeping an eye on the stovetop while you’re loading the dishwasher.
- Store what you need close to the activity, such as pots and pans near the stove, and kettle near the sink.
- Include features that make cooking, cleaning and entertaining easy, such as a pull-out compost bin next to where you chop vegetables.
- Allow people to work in the kitchen without having to cross paths.
Indoor-outdoor connection
“It also helps if there is direct access to an outdoor area as this immediately creates the illusion of more space,” adds Zah Azmi, CEO of property investment firm Luxland Investments.
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
“It also helps if there is direct access to an outdoor area as this immediately creates the illusion of more space,” adds Zah Azmi, CEO of property investment firm Luxland Investments.
Find a kitchen designer on Houzz
Update your benchtop
The benchtop is one of the first things buyers see when they walk into a kitchen, so it’s well worth splashing out on. “Replacing a cheap laminate benchtop with another laminate benchtop is not a value add,” says Daniel Briffa, director and principal building designer at Adan Creative Designs. “Even if the old benchtop was in poor condition, at the end of the day the kitchen still has a laminate benchtop.”
“Upgrading to a better-quality material will add instant appeal to your kitchen, and natural stone is a great choice,” says Azmi.
“Splashing out on a decent benchtop and adding in an appealing splashback means you could then potentially choose more cost-efficient cupboards and still achieve a very appealing look,” adds Welsch.”
“Any stone benchtop more than 20 millimetres thick is going to look luxurious, and will add real value to your kitchen,” says Azmi. Welsch concurs, adding; “I prefer a honed finish for natural stone over a glossy one. It feels softer and won’t mark as much.”
The benchtop is one of the first things buyers see when they walk into a kitchen, so it’s well worth splashing out on. “Replacing a cheap laminate benchtop with another laminate benchtop is not a value add,” says Daniel Briffa, director and principal building designer at Adan Creative Designs. “Even if the old benchtop was in poor condition, at the end of the day the kitchen still has a laminate benchtop.”
“Upgrading to a better-quality material will add instant appeal to your kitchen, and natural stone is a great choice,” says Azmi.
“Splashing out on a decent benchtop and adding in an appealing splashback means you could then potentially choose more cost-efficient cupboards and still achieve a very appealing look,” adds Welsch.”
“Any stone benchtop more than 20 millimetres thick is going to look luxurious, and will add real value to your kitchen,” says Azmi. Welsch concurs, adding; “I prefer a honed finish for natural stone over a glossy one. It feels softer and won’t mark as much.”
According to Welsch, some other impressive materials that will add value to your kitchen include:
For benchtops
Stainless steel: Sleek, hygienic and easy to clean. Small surface scratches develop into a patina over time.
Corian: Smart, durable and crack-resistant. Scratches may appear, but the benchtop surface can easily be resurfaced.
For cabinetry
Solid timber: Hardwoods are very forgiving and will show fewer marks and dents than softwoods. Make sure it is seasoned well so that it doesn’t warp.
A two-pack finish on MDF board: Another practical and stylish finish. It seals the boards so moisture won’t get in, and is easy to wipe clean. Any chips on the surface can be easily repaired.
For benchtops
Stainless steel: Sleek, hygienic and easy to clean. Small surface scratches develop into a patina over time.
Corian: Smart, durable and crack-resistant. Scratches may appear, but the benchtop surface can easily be resurfaced.
For cabinetry
Solid timber: Hardwoods are very forgiving and will show fewer marks and dents than softwoods. Make sure it is seasoned well so that it doesn’t warp.
A two-pack finish on MDF board: Another practical and stylish finish. It seals the boards so moisture won’t get in, and is easy to wipe clean. Any chips on the surface can be easily repaired.
Upgrade appliances
“Cheap, dated appliances such as a white oven and stovetop are instant turn-offs for prospective buyers,” says Azmi. “It’s well-worth upgrading big-ticket items for modern versions, such as a stainless-steel stovetop, oven and range hood. You don’t have to go all-out luxury – you’ll find there are some great looking contemporary appliances on the market at mid-tier prices.”
Browse beautiful kitchens on Houzz
“Cheap, dated appliances such as a white oven and stovetop are instant turn-offs for prospective buyers,” says Azmi. “It’s well-worth upgrading big-ticket items for modern versions, such as a stainless-steel stovetop, oven and range hood. You don’t have to go all-out luxury – you’ll find there are some great looking contemporary appliances on the market at mid-tier prices.”
Browse beautiful kitchens on Houzz
Choose timeless, low-key colours
“It’s best to invest in timeless colours and finishes that look sophisticated and won’t go out of style in a hurry,” advises Azmi. “Natural stone and white subway tiles are a classic pairing.”
“It’s best to invest in timeless colours and finishes that look sophisticated and won’t go out of style in a hurry,” advises Azmi. “Natural stone and white subway tiles are a classic pairing.”
Add in practical storage
Incorporate plenty of user-friendly storage so it’s easy for buyers to see how they can keep benchtops clear. “Butler’s pantries are an increasingly popular feature, as buyers like the idea of keeping the main kitchen uncluttered, particularly when entertaining,” says Briffa.
Incorporate plenty of user-friendly storage so it’s easy for buyers to see how they can keep benchtops clear. “Butler’s pantries are an increasingly popular feature, as buyers like the idea of keeping the main kitchen uncluttered, particularly when entertaining,” says Briffa.
Future-proof your kitchen
“When upgrading your kitchen it’s worth trying to think ahead to make sure that it will still be valuable in a few years,” advises Welsch. “If you can, aim to incorporate new innovations such as induction cooktops, energy-saving fridges, touch screens, power outlets with USB chargers and clever pull-out pantries.”
“When upgrading your kitchen it’s worth trying to think ahead to make sure that it will still be valuable in a few years,” advises Welsch. “If you can, aim to incorporate new innovations such as induction cooktops, energy-saving fridges, touch screens, power outlets with USB chargers and clever pull-out pantries.”
Replace tapware and handles
Don’t underestimate how much of an impact the little things can have on the look of your kitchen, says Briffa. “Replacing outdated taps and handles with more modern versions will give your kitchen an instant lift, and doesn’t have to cost the earth.”
Don’t underestimate how much of an impact the little things can have on the look of your kitchen, says Briffa. “Replacing outdated taps and handles with more modern versions will give your kitchen an instant lift, and doesn’t have to cost the earth.”
Declutter
It may sound obvious, but don’t forget to declutter before showing your kitchen to potential buyers. “You don’t want too much happening in the kitchen,” says Azmi. “Think clean lines, clear benchtops and organised storage and display areas.”
It may sound obvious, but don’t forget to declutter before showing your kitchen to potential buyers. “You don’t want too much happening in the kitchen,” says Azmi. “Think clean lines, clear benchtops and organised storage and display areas.”
Focus on noticeable areas
Don’t have the budget for a full kitchen overhaul? Focus on improving an area that buyers will see the moment they walk in, such as a splashback, says Azmi. “Retiling your splashback can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your kitchen, and can cost as little as $20 per square metre.”
Don’t have the budget for a full kitchen overhaul? Focus on improving an area that buyers will see the moment they walk in, such as a splashback, says Azmi. “Retiling your splashback can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your kitchen, and can cost as little as $20 per square metre.”
Other ways to save
You can save in other ways too, says Azmi:
You can save in other ways too, says Azmi:
- If the cabinetry carcasses are in good condition, just replace the doors and hinges. Or simply repaint the doors and add new handles.
- Re-grout tiles rather than replacing them.
Tell us
Have you renovated for profit? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like, share or bookmark it. Join the conversation.
More
Read more renovating stories
Have you renovated for profit? Tell us about your experience in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like, share or bookmark it. Join the conversation.
More
Read more renovating stories
“There are two simple rules when renovating a kitchen,” says architect Steffen Welsch of Melbourne firm Steffen Welsch Architects. “Don’t half do it and don’t do it on the cheap. A kitchen is an important space – it needs to be cohesive and everyone appreciates quality.”
Jenefer Macleod, principal designer at eat.bathe.live, concurs, adding: “Potential buyers are pretty savvy and will notice if the kitchen is poorly planned and bad quality”.