While every room is important and should be adequately prepared for showings and open houses, the kitchen could be considered the most important room in your home. People spend a considerable amount of time in the kitchen preparing meals, entertaining, and connecting with other members of the household.
The condition of your kitchen can work in your favor to help sell your home or cause issues that create delays in the sale. Check out these seven steps to stage your kitchen successfully.
How do I stage my kitchen?
You want to begin staging your kitchen by removing any clutter from cabinets and the pantry so that you can do a deep cleaning throughout the kitchen. Consider any renovations and upgrades that are recommended by your real estate agent or the appraiser.
Use neutral colors and keep decor at a minimum so that your home appeals to a broad range of buyers. Remove personal items, large pieces of furniture, and create a welcoming space with the use of pleasant scents.
Step One – Remove Clutter
Buyers loved spacious countertops that are free of unnecessary items that can make space look smaller. You may want to put a cookbook out to create a decorative and inviting scene, but keep counters free of mail, dishes, small appliances, and other items that could be distracting.
Pay special attention to the pantry, cabinets, and drawers in the kitchen because storage is something buyers are looking for when they look in those spaces. Organize pantry items according to size, use, and color to create an impressive kitchen that gives the impression that you pay attention to details and care for the home.
Step Two – Cleaning
Cleanliness is imperative in the kitchen, particularly because it can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Potential buyers should be able to see themselves cooking in that space, and if they’re put-off by dirt and grime, those daydreams wither.
Trash cans should be emptied to prevent odd odors, and refrigerators should be free of poor-smelling foods. When a potential buyer inhales sour or discomforting smells, it may lead them to wonder what’s lurking under the surface of your home.
A clean environment gives the impression that the structure has been well cared for in your tenure as the homeowner. Don’t forget under the kitchen sink, as the area should be dry and well kept.
Step Three – Upgrades & Renovations
Buyers love modern kitchens with updated fixtures. You don’t have to invest in top-of-the-line appliances, but shiny-and-new speaks volumes to buyers, and you’ll more than likely see a healthy return on that investment.
A fresh coat of paint on outdated cabinets can work wonders on adding a vibrant splash to the room. We’ll give you our thoughts when we do a walkthrough of your home on whether you need to spend additional resources on upgrades or renovations.
Step Four – Neutral Colors & Decor
Color is something very personal when it comes to homes. One person may love vibrant, bright colors while another prefers more neutral or earth tones when choosing paint colors for their kitchen.
Your goal is to reach as many potential buyers as possible and have them think that your kitchen is appealing. While it may seem like a small detail, to paint a room, some buyers want homes that are ready for move-in.
The color you choose for the kitchen may depend greatly on the style of the home and the type of kitchen. If you live in a modern home, there’s a chance that white and black will be primary colors that many buyers would find appealing.
Tip: Make sure your kitchen is light and bright to create a refreshing atmosphere!
Popular colors for kitchens include soft grays, shades of brown, olive or sage colors, and other earth tones that tend to soften the look of the room. Consider using pops of color for interest in accessories and pieces of decor.
When it comes to filling shelves with the decor you would expect in a kitchen, less is more in most cases. Choose special pieces to create interest and add color, but try not to fill shelves with books and items that make space look cluttered.
Step Five – Photographs & Collections
Remove items such as collectibles, pictures magnetized to the refrigerator, grocery lists, photos, or anything that might make a potential buyer feel like they’re encroaching on your space. Buyers want to imagine their belongings in the home, not be subjected to yours.
Step Six – Maximize Potential
Window coverings should be properly installed. Drapes or curtains placed too low from the ceiling or too high from the floor minimize the effects of windows.
If windows have coverings other than blinds, those coverings should reach all the way from the top of the wall to the bottom, maximizing the size of the window. Keep window coverings open to allow in natural light and to give buyers access to the views available from the kitchen.
If you have an eat-in kitchen. you want to make sure that the kitchen table is the right size for the room. Placing an area rug beneath the table can create an appealing focal point and give some distinction to the area around the table.
Step Seven – Atmosphere
Kitchens can hold smells that come from everyday use and cooking, so you’ll want to make sure that you stay on top of scents and the atmosphere of the kitchen. If possible, stay away from strong smelling dishes that cause scents to linger long after cleanup.
During showings and open houses, consider having fresh-baked goods available. Baked goods not only make the room seem more inviting, but they add a delicious aroma to the home.
Conclusion
Stage your kitchen in such a way that buyers fall in love with the daydreams manifesting during their walkthrough. With a bit of cleaning, fresh paint, and thoughtful decorative elements, your kitchen could be the best selling point your home has to offer potential buyers.
