It is no secret that the heart of a home is the kitchen. Buyers dream of modernized kitchens and will quickly shy away from your home if it’s outdated. In fact, kitchens are a primary decision maker for buyers who are touring homes in Laguna Hills.

There aren’t many areas in the home that can appear dated as quickly as the kitchen. If a walk through of your kitchen area makes you feel like you’re taking a trip back to the 70’s and you’re thinking of putting your home on the market soon, you should consider an update! 

Follow these 5 budget friendly improvements to create an inviting kitchen that will surely wow buyers and put your home as a top contender!

Painting cabinets and walls
A coat or two of paint allows you to update your cabinets and walls on a budget. Refinish all the cabinets in the kitchen or focus only on the doors, trim, or shelves. Fresh paint is a relatively inexpensive way of changing the entire look of a room. Opt for light, neutral colors to brighten up the space. Buyers are loving white cabinets right now!

New hardware
Your cabinet handles and drawer pulls make a big impact on your kitchen’s appearance and style. With your new hardware, you’ll add personality and style to your kitchen. The average kitchen has 40 drawer pulls or knobs, and we have found that Amazon has a great selection of hardware that’s always in stock! Brushed nickel goes with virtually every cabinet color, and opt for oversized pulls for large cabinets and drawers. Copper and gold tones look stunning with both light and dark cabinet colors. 

Hang a new light over dining space or island pendants
A decorative light fixture upgrades your kitchen’s appearance and replacing dated fixtures with a unique pendant light will add interest to your kitchen or eating space. For outdated brass fixtures, a can of spray paint can do the trick! White and gold lighting gives your kitchen a bright and modern feel or choose black to really stand out. Be sure to follow safety standards for electrical work or hire someone to do it for you if you’re not experienced.

Replace outlet plates
White outlet plates give your kitchen a bright and clean look. Be sure to replace your outlet covers as well as your switch plates!

New countertops
Have your tile or laminate countertops seen better days? Or is your granite a color and pattern that overpowers the whole feel of your kitchen? Modern kitchen surfaces are available in a wide range of textures, colors and materials including granite, quartz, stainless steel, stone and more. Opt for lighter colors to match your new kitchen cabinet colors. White quartz countertops are a top pick for sellers!

If you have any questions on updating your Laguna Hills home before selling or if you’re in need of resources for updating your kitchen, we would be happy to be a resource. Melody Smith & Associates is a longtime leading broker associate in South Orange County known for superior service and is in the top 1% of 1% of agents in the country. Please contact us for all of your real estate needs.