A kitchen is the heart of the home and can make or break many real estate transactions. Most buyers want a spacious kitchen, with many preferring the open-concept look and plenty of cabinets. Many want an island for additional storage and seating. If you're preparing to
list your home for sale, you'll need to consider the overall look and feel of your kitchen and think about how it can best appeal to buyers.
While you might not be able to do much about the essential layout of your kitchen, how a kitchen is staged can go a long way toward creating a space that is inviting and luxurious. These kitchen staging tips will help you create a space that speaks to more buyers, resulting in a quicker sale and an even bigger profit.
Staging helps your home sell faster
Staging is the process of preparing your home for photographs and showings through well-chosen decor and furniture design. Staging might seem like an additional step and a lot of extra effort, but it can pay off. According to a study from the
National Association of Realtors (NAR), 82% of buyers' agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. 31% said that home staging significantly decreased the time a home spent on the market.
Regarding which parts of a home are most important to stage, data from NAR indicates that living rooms and kitchens are the most common since these are the spaces that buyers tend to prioritize during their home search. Whether your kitchen is a fully upgraded room with all the latest appliances or a retro-style area with associated decor, staging the kitchen can likely help your home sell faster and for a greater profit.
7 tips for staging your kitchen
There are many ways to make your kitchen look appealing before listing it for sale. Whether you opt to fully redo the space and add new appliances and paint or do a simple refresh, staging can take on a lot of different forms. Here are seven staging tips to enhance your kitchen and prepare it for the real estate market.
Update light fixtures
Replacing your existing light fixtures is a relatively inexpensive and low-effort way to give your kitchen a brand-new look. Modern fixtures can also make your kitchen look "fresh" and bright, attractive features for any space. If you aren't sure what light fixtures might look right in your kitchen, try out some online home decor tools that allow you to create virtual spaces before committing to any particular piece of furniture or decor.
Declutter and deep clean
The most essential step to any staging project is to declutter. Clean your kitchen and take almost everything off the counters. The goal is to make your kitchen look as minimal as possible so buyers can envision themselves (and their favorite decor elements) in the space.
Don't just concentrate your decluttering efforts on what can be seen at first glance. Clear out and organize cabinets and pantry spaces as well. You don't want buyers to peek into a cabinet only to be greeted by a pile of pots and pans. If you already have a maid service or cleaning company that services your home regularly, ask them to spend extra time on the kitchen in the weeks leading up to staging and listing.
Upgrade electrical outlets
Simple changes can make a big difference. By swapping out your electrical outlet covers for new ones, you'll enhance the overall look of your kitchen. This is a very easy change to make and can be done by unscrewing the existing cover and screwing the new one. However, exercise care anytime you're around electric outlets and take particular caution when handling tools. If you don't feel confident doing this, hire a contractor to swap the outlet covers.
Paint your cabinets
If your kitchen cabinets are outdated or damaged in any way, consider replacing them entirely. A contractor can usually replace your cabinets in a few days and for an affordable price. If your cabinets are in great condition, repainting them is a fantastic way to open up your kitchen and give it a fresh, new look.
White cabinets are a popular choice for many farmhouse or rustic kitchens, while black or dark blue cabinets are sleek and stylish.
Add fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit
As part of the final walkthrough before having listing photos taken, add some special touches to make the kitchen feel extra inviting. Placing a vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter can add a pop of color and visual interest. These simple touches are easy to do and can make your kitchen feel cozy and inviting. If you opt for a bowl of fruit, use brightly colored lemons or apples.
Upgrade appliances
While replacing appliances for the purpose of staging might seem over the top, they can also help your home sell faster. Brand-new appliances like a stainless steel refrigerator can complement your decor and styling and are excellent investments in your property. If you aren't sure whether your home could benefit from new appliances, talk to your realtor. They can offer you market insights and recommendations about how best to stage your kitchen.
Replace your backsplash
A backsplash can change the whole look and feel of your kitchen. If you are interested in completely refreshing your kitchen, consider replacing your backsplash. Beautifully decorated tiles are one way to make the backsplash stand out and draw the eye, inviting everyone who walks by to stop and take a closer look.
Work with a professional staging company
As you consider these kitchen staging tips, think about hiring a staging company to provide personalized suggestions based on your kitchen's layout and design. A staging company can handle the process of decorating and styling for you, saving you time and money. While most staging companies don't do renovations or upgrades, they can offer recommendations for local professionals who can take care of things like light fixture replacements or cabinet upgrades.
Ben Moss Group can assist with all your Miami real estate questions and concerns
