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How To Add Value To A Kitchen

From investing in high-tech devices to switching up your handles, this guide shows how to add value to a kitchen by adding different features to make it more appealing to buyers and renters. As the hub of the home, fitted kitchens are a multi-functional area that can also be used for socialising and entertaining, making it the most important room to renovate if you want to nail a sale. So, whether you are a landlord or a private seller, this article will help ensure that your place is one of the most sought-after spaces in town.

1. Stick to soft shades

Offering a timeless choice, neutral hues, like white, ensure a cooking area spans changing trends and is easy to customise to any desired aesthetic.

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1. Stick to soft shades

Neutral shades, such as white, cream, and grey, have the broadest appeal, making them a great choice for your cooking area. They also have a classic appearance that will transcend trends and prevent your interior from looking outdated. Thanks to their versatile nature, these hues will complement a variety of decors, giving new owners or tenants the freedom to style the space to suit their aesthetic. If you do want to experiment with colour, opt for paintable fronts. These products will allow you to create a bold theme that can easily be repainted in more muted tones when you are ready to sell or rent your property.

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2. Add an island

Create a multi-functional space by choosing an island layout, which can be used for cooking, working, or socialising and will appeal to a variety of people.

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2. Add an island

As many of us now work and socialise at home, buyers and renters are looking for a multi-functional interior that can cater to all their lifestyle needs. Opting for an island layout in your cooking area is a simple way to achieve this, as it offers a dedicated zone for food prep that can double up as a place for hotdesking or entertaining. It is also a less costly and faster alternative to an extension, making it great for those wanting a quicker transformation.

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3. Switch to quartz

Ensure your interior looks good and lasts for years to come by opting for hardwearing materials, like quartz, to furnish the space.

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3. Switch to quartz

Purchasing a new home is expensive, so most homeowners want a cooking area that only needs updating every few years. With rocketing house prices making it difficult to get on the property ladder, UK residents are also renting for longer, making a design that will stand the test of time a deciding factor for many. Choosing hardwearing features, like quartz, to furnish your space will ensure it can stand up to wear and tear. Stain, heat, and scratch-resistant, this durable material is also a premium choice with a luxe appearance, which will draw more interest from prospective buyers.

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4. Swap out tiles

Refresh a layout and reduce maintenance in one go by choosing wallboards, which are quick to install and easy for new tenants or owners to keep clean.

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4. Swap out tiles

Whether it is sauce spills or spice stains, walls can often bear the scars of your culinary adventures, especially if you have tiles, which can get chipped or discoloured easily. Swapping these for wallboards will instantly refresh a layout in a simple and cost-effective way – great if you want a budget-friendly fix. With no grout to clean, this is also a low-maintenance option that suits buyers and renters alike. Remember to add a backsplash to borders that run behind cooking areas to prevent heat damage and keep the space looking newer for longer.

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5. Get the latest tech

Make your space more functional with high-tech features, such as a 3-in-1 tap. This will create an interior more ergonomic and attractive to potential buyers.

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5. Get the latest tech

Functionality is the foundation of an ergonomic cooking layout and is one of the key aspects that house-hunters will look for. Investing in high-tech devices will make your space easier to use. They will also create a stand-out feature that will set your home apart increasing the chance of an offer. Multi-purpose taps, like the 3-in-1 Quooker designs in our collection, are a good choice, as they can provide hot, cold, and boiling water on demand – great for saving time and counter space that would be otherwise taken up by bulky kettles.

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6. Think energy efficient

Improve the running costs of a cooking area while lowering your carbon footprint by switching to energy-efficient devices in a layout.

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6. Think energy efficient

When your property is put on the market, it will be examined for its energy efficiency and given a rating on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). With more people becoming eco-conscious, a high result could put off any interested parties, so choose energy-efficient equipment to improve your score. Running 24/7, refrigeration is the most energy hungry device, so they are a good place to start. Simply switching to a model that uses less energy can go a long way to reducing bills, whilst ensuring a home is kinder to the environment.

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7. Build in storage

Buyers and renters are often on the lookout for more storage, so be sure to add in plenty of options, like drawers, to drum up interest.

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7. Build in storage

Modern and spacious storage often tops the wish list of renters and buyers, so get ahead of the game by making sure your layout has plenty of cabinetry to organise essentials. For a human-centred design, look for products that make the room more accessible, organised, and tidy- like drawers. These units make it easy to reach items at the back to prevent overstretching. Larders are also a practical option, as they can be used to stack groceries high and save on floor space.

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8. Run floors throughout

Consistency is key to creating a spacious interior that will interest house-hunters, so try running the same floor throughout each level, for a cohesive look.

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8. Run floors throughout

A spacious interior is desirable and is something you should address if you want to get your property off the market. Before you go tearing down walls (which can be expensive), try using a consistent feature throughout a floorplan to create the same effect. As the largest surface in a cooking space, the floor is a good place to start. Different designs have varying benefits, for example, real wood options have a premium look and are more sustainable, as they can be re-sanded and painted over time. Whereas vinyl and engineered stone are extremely durable, making it a sound investment for rentals. Laminate styles are also low-cost and are a budget-friendly way of updating a layout.

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9. Add lighting

Shine a light on the best features of your layout by having illumination installed throughout a design. This can also create a more welcoming ambience in a room.

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9. Add lighting

The difference between a dim, dingy room and an open space could make or break a buyer or renter’s decision. Adding strategic lighting will create a welcoming atmosphere and highlight the key features of your design. Use bright white illumination underneath wall units to make it easy to carry out tasks, like meal prep. This hue also recreates the appearance of daylight – great if your room lacks natural light. Meanwhile, warm-toned options can be used to accentuate the lines of your furniture and create an inviting feel during house viewings.

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10. Fix up handles

A dated interior can put off interested parties, so try swapping out old fixtures for fashion-forward versions to create a stylish space in a quick and simple way.

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10. Fix up handles

If your interior is more outdated than on-trend, consider switching old handles to more fashionable fixtures. From knurled designs that create an industrial look to minimal matt options for a pared-back scheme, there is a wide selection of styles available, making it is easy to create a chic space that will interest potential renters or buyers. This idea is simple and inexpensive to achieve – great if you want a quick fix with a big impact.

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