Unfortunately, some trends do not keep their appeal long-term. If you’re designing your kitchen based on popular past trends, you might find yourself stuck with a dated aesthetic years later. Sometimes, dated kitchen features can even work against you when selling your home. If you’re putting your house on the market and considering some kitchen updates, here are some good places to start:
Granite countertops have been a standard in kitchen design for a long time. However, today’s homebuyers tend to prefer other materials like marble or concrete. Butcher block or vinyl imitation wood are also great options if you want to replace your granite for something more up-to-date.
Traditional style wooden cabinets are becoming less popular. One reason is how much space they can take up compared to more modern shelving solutions. Cherry-colored cabinetry, in particular, is a good trend to avoid, as it can seriously date your entire kitchen.
Dark colors, both for walls and wood finishes, were all the rage for quite some time. These days, the trend is fading in favor of lighter, brighter color schemes for kitchens. Darker colors can make a space appear smaller and more cramped, which is never ideal in a kitchen. Lighten up your dark walls or wood finishes and create some extra space.
A kitchen backsplash is a popular place to show your creativity and test your DIY skills. However, they can also distract and send the wrong message to potential homebuyers. Consider replacing your self-installed tile or custom painted backsplash with something simple with universal appeal.
Ornate details are another thing that can date your kitchen and cause a distraction to potential buyers. Things like intricate trim designs, ornate handle pulls or overly decorative wood accents can make your kitchen look busy to those who prefer a simpler style. Try going for clean lines and classic shapes instead to make a better impression.
Some trends are here to stay while others fade quickly. Some style choices you thought would last forever might be better replaced with something new. Keep these ideas in mind and consult a real estate professional or home stager to find the best way to update your kitchen for potential buyers.
Prior to her 20 years in Real Estate, Jacquelyn worked as a Marketing and Advertising Manager for Fortune 500 companies such as Sun Microsystems, Charles Schwab, Robert Half International, and Del Monte Foods. She has handled up to $80 Million Dollars in global marketing budgets and worked with not just local but also national and global teams. It was during these 7 years in corporate marketing that she successfully developed her marketing and negotiating skills which she now effectively utilizes in helping her clients with their home transactions. This has resulted in numerous Top Producer awards and designations in the Real Estate industry for being a Seller and Buyer advocate in over 2 decades.