It’s said that the kitchen is the heart of the home… When it comes to staging the house for a listing, as well as for showings, the kitchen is one of the more important selling points in the home, and requires the most detailed attention. Kitchens are becoming more than just spaces for cooking; they’re quickly becoming the new entertainment and gathering spaces for family and friends. While there are professional home staging companies that can perfect the property for a specified fee, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive.
Follow these 5 expert steps to stage and design your kitchen to sell quickly.
1. Deep Clean
This may seem like a no-brainer, but when a home is being prepped for open houses and viewings, deep cleaning and keeping up with regular maintenance cleanings is essential to reduce the amount of time the property is on the market. It may be worth hiring a professional cleaning company to come in and scrub away any grease built up on the range or cabinets, dust the baseboards and fixtures, and thoroughly mop the entire area, along with anything else that would require intensive work. Even after the cleaning service has deep cleaned the kitchen, wipe down every surface and organize the kitchen smartly.
Here are some quick-tips to keep in mind:
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Remove all the clutter (junk mail, mismatching plates and silverware, etc.)
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Countertops should be completely clear of small appliances and personal items.
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Don’t leave any dishes lying around -- even in the dishwasher!
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Polish the sink and stainless steel appliances to a sparkling shine.
When the room is clean and ready for visitors, don’t forget to deodorize the home. Cover up the scent of cleaning solutions by throwing some used lemon rinds in the garbage disposal as an inexpensive way to freshen up the room.
2. Don’t Overcrowd
Interested buyers are going to poke around all throughout the home to get a feel for the storage options. When it comes to the kitchen, show off your cabinet and drawer space by paring down the non-essentials. The kitchen should be as bare bones as possible to allow the buyers to envision themselves within the home. Remove all extra furnishings, including the garbage can! (Exposed garbage receptacles give off an impression to buyers that there isn’t enough space in the kitchen.) Use this opportunity to prepare for your move and throw out expired food or any unwanted items. If your kitchen has space for a table, appeal to families by furnishing it with 4-6 chairs that are proportionate to the surrounding area.
3. Update
The value of your home is sure to increase by updating or redesigning the kitchen. There are certainly low-budget, quick-fix options like replacing old hardware on cabinetry, kitchen faucets, light fixtures, and out-dated appliances, or applying new paint to the walls. When painting, consider a light, neutral palette so as to not overwhelm prospective buyers and to brighten the space. There’s a chance that the new owners will want to paint the home according to their own tastes, so a fresh coat of white or beige will help them visualize how to decorate. (Protip: use the same paint color for the rest of the home to uphold a cohesive theme.) These inexpensive updates will set the property apart from competition and make the kitchen feel fresh and new. However, if there is room in your budget, consider a complete kitchen overhaul. A professional design studio that specializes in kitchen remodels and renovations will ensure that the space will look flawless when revealed to new buyers and agents.
Kitchen remodel before and after by The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn
4. Depersonalize
It can be difficult to let go of a space that’s filled so many memories, and sellers understandably don’t want to let go of their home. In order to sell a home efficiently, it’s necessary to depersonalize the entire space. Considering the importance the kitchen holds for a listed property, all personal items should be out of sight. Remove all personal pictures and items like glasses, mail, children’s toys, and fridge magnets. The kitchen should be neutralized and only feature tasteful decor so that the open house visitors can get a better feel for the home. To err on the side of caution, remove anything that could negatively sway the buyer or their agent
5. Decor & Lighting
Once the kitchen has been deep cleaned, decluttered, updated, and neutralized, you can bring in appealing decorations and position the lighting in attractive ways. Accessorizing your kitchen can be a fairly simple (and fun!) process -- with the area free of clutter, you can create an attention-grabbing centerpiece. Showcase the countertops and kitchen island with clear vases full of sweetly-scented fruit like lemons or oranges, freshly-cut flower arrangements, or decorative trays placed next to stacks of cookbooks. You can also add decorative elements to the range by adding a new tea kettle or colorful dutch oven. Lighting is also essential to a good showing -- opening your blinds or curtains will maximize the natural light in the kitchen and you can use track lighting to spotlight high-traffic areas or attractive features like stainless steel appliances. Before an open house consider baking fresh cookies and setting out a tray of goodies for potential buyers. They will associate the scent and the home with pleasant memories and might be more likely to put in an offer.
