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Can a good kitchen attract property buyers?

By Naomi Foxall • Leave a Comment

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A kitchen is one of the most expensive rooms to renovate so make sure yours is pulling its weight when it comes time to attract property buyers and sell up with these expert tips from award-winning and experienced real estate agent Mark Foy.

While the number of bedrooms and bathrooms may figure prominently in property advertising, a kitchen is often considered the ‘heart’ of a house and is therefore just as important. I wouldn’t say a good kitchen sells a property but it’s certainly the case that a bad kitchen can be a deal breaker, or at the very least affect the offer price as prospective buyers tally up what it’ll cost to fix up a disaster zone. So what are the best investments for a kitchen renovation?

Can a good kitchen attract property buyers?Image source: Houzz

1. Neutralise the space – I know I say this a lot but I also can’t say it enough: make the space neutral. If you were renovating for yourself you could do anything you wanted: create a mosaic splashback, install a wood fire pizza oven or have apple-green pantry doors, but if you’re renovating to sell you need to make the space appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. A neutral kitchen – think a palette of white, grey and stainless steel—will allow buyers to project their own vision onto the space. It may seem boring to you, but this reno is not for you, it’s for the next person. That being said, these days there are a lot of trendy fixtures and fittings appearing in kitchens such as coloured marble benchtops and brass tone drawer handles. If they suit your property, you might consider these to update your kitchen’s look, but don’t spend a fortune on a trend.

Can a good kitchen attract property buyers?Image source: FreshHome

2. Replace appliances—but only if you need to – If your property is from the 1950s and the fixed kitchen appliances are ‘original’, I suggest updating them. Beware of size differences because things like oven dimensions have changed over the decades. Older spaces will take an oven 600mm wide, but you may have to consider a more involved renovation to accommodate the newer 700mm and 900mm ovens. If you’ve installed appliances within the last five years, don’t worry about replacing them if they are in good working order, but make sure they are clean and polished before inspection time. Don’t go over the top and spend big money on luxury brands either, they will not add value to a kitchen. A reputable brand will do. Instead, spend your money on a good fit so there are no gaps between benchtops and the new appliances.

3. Lighten up – Dark kitchens are hard to sell. It doesn’t matter whether the buyer is hopeless in the kitchen, it makes sense to have light in a space where you’re handling knives and heat. One owner I know installed a skylight in a kitchen that was dark during the day but if you don’t need that kind of drastic remedy, or if it’s not possible, look at different lighting options such as general lighting for the space and task lighting for preparation areas, the stovetop and elsewhere, including your walk-in pantry. I’d also advise getting rid of a fluorescent tube and replacing it with down lights. Also consider the different effects of warm and cool lighting.

Can a good kitchen attract property buyers?Image source: The Lighting Resource

4. Open your heart – There are plenty of older properties out there that have the kitchen in an out-of-the-way section of the house. Kitchens have become the heart of many homes in more recent times so if you have an isolated kitchen, it’s worth the time and budget to open it up —especially if it lets in a little more light. You might consider knocking down a wall to create a kitchen/dining hub or even just the top half of a wall to create a window so the cook doesn’t feel locked away. Prop a breakfast bar on the other side so you can retain your benchtop space but make food prep more social.

5. Don’t forget the little things – We forget that using a kitchen means the space can get a little grubby. If your grout looks unsightly, your tiles worn, your drawer handles tarnished or your splashback grimy these are easily replaced and can make a big difference to the overall look of the kitchen. As with any reno, it’s important the update is in keeping with the look and feel of the home. When the buyer sees a clean, neutral kitchen that’s consistent with the rest of the property, that’s when you know your reno is an asset rather than a sales liability.

Mark Foy is one of our resident experts and a director of Belle Property Surry Hills in Sydney.

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April 10, 2017

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😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!👌🏻 This is just one room fr Play room goals!👌🏻

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍 Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛 Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing 😂 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag 👌🏻

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too 🍿 because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Sloan from her UK base about colour and Aussies' relationship with it. (And how's this for a before & after kitchen?! 😍)

Annie’s latest green hue, Coolabah Green, is inspired by the Eucalyptus trees of her childhood (did you know she was born in Sydney?). “I made it in tribute to Australia and I’m thrilled to say that’s been really popular both here in the UK and in Australia. It’s a kind of smoky, silvery sage green that’s very easy to work with and would complement accents of Amsterdam Green deliciously.”

Sales stats show Aussies are all about greens while elsewhere in the world greys and blues are more popular from her range. So tell me, are you a green lover?

Head to the blog to read Annie's thoughts on upcycling furniture and more. Via link in bio.

#chalkpaint #chalkpainted #chalkpainting #chalkpaintfurniture #chalkpaintlove #chalkpaintmakeover #anniesloanchalkpaint #anniesloanhome #anniesloanpaint #paintedkitchencabinets #paintedkitchen #paintedkitchens #upcycler #upcyclers #upcyclersofinstagram #upcycledfurniture #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #anniesloan #greenkitchencabinets #greenkitchens #greenpaint #coolabahgreen #coolabah
I've been a fan of @tkmaxxau since WAY before they I've been a fan of @tkmaxxau since WAY before they were in Australia. Browsing the ever changing shelves in the home section of my local store, searching for bargains or something gorgeous nobody else will have, has become a bit of a hobby!

Top tip: it's also a brilliant spot to grab a gift, from the home or toy section. 

And as for those red clearance stickers? What a rush!🎉

Are you a TK Maxx shopper?

#tkmaxx #tkmaxxaustralia #tkmaxxfanfinds #comeshoppingwithme #comeshopwithme #homeshopping  #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
As many original external features as possible wer As many original external features as possible were retained in this Queenslander's exterior but the interiors were almost entirely rebuilt. Highlights include a timber and pink upholstered 1970’s inspired sunken lounge with crazy paver floor, nestled below 5-metre ceilings. It opens out onto a north facing lawn and enviable bespoke pool.

Did we mention it has Brisbane city views?! 

Take the tour now via link in bio.

@typearchitecture @andymcpherson_ 

#sunkenlounge #crazypave #crazypaving #seventiesinspired #seventiesinterior #bespokepool #curvedpool #custompool #custompools #custompoolbuilder #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderhome #cityviews
Mouthwash and toothpaste pretty enough to leave ou Mouthwash and toothpaste pretty enough to leave out, gold sinks to match your taps, textured tiles you'll want to keep touching and a pink clothes airer (not often we get even vaguely excited about those, so listen up!😂).

All this and more in this month's bathroom and laundry roundup, on the blog now via link in bio.

#toothpastes #naturaltoothpaste #lowtox #mouthwash #naturalmouthwash #bathroomstyling #designerbathroom #clothesairer #laundryroomdecor #laundryhacks #goldbasin #goldsink #texturedtiles #pinktiles #pinkbathroom #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #laundryroutine #laundrytips #bathroomhappiness
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About Naomi Foxall

Naomi Foxall is a freelance writer, content and social media manager, living on the NSW South Coast.

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