Have you ever stopped and wondered why your family and friends tend to congregate in your kitchen despite your efforts to shuffle over to a room with more seating? What is it about kitchens that have such a magnetic attraction? Kitchens set the tone for the entire home. They're the heart of the home, where we gather from sunrise to sunset. It's where we celebrate the time we have with each other.

As the hub of activity with a blend of entertainment and action, buyers place kitchens at the top of their "must-have" lists when shopping for a new home. In today's modern kitchen designs, there's room for everyone and anything - from meal prep to education for the little ones.An outdated kitchen can quickly turn buyers away, as people are interested in buying a house they love as-is. An updated, contemporary kitchen can easily become the centerpiece of your listing and attract buyers instantly. While modernizing a kitchen can sound daunting, here are four painless renovations that won’t break the bank and can start-to-finish in about two weeks with some help from a professional.

As the hub of activity with a blend of entertainment and action, buyers place kitchens at the top of their "must-have" lists when shopping for a new home. In today's modern kitchen designs, there's room for everyone and anything - from meal prep to education for the little ones.

An outdated kitchen can quickly turn buyers away, as people are interested in buying a house they love as-is. An updated, contemporary kitchen can easily become the centerpiece of your listing and attract buyers instantly. While modernizing a kitchen can sound daunting, here are four painless renovations that won’t break the bank and can start-to-finish in about two weeks with some help from a professional.

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Average Cost: $3,000 - 5,000

Average ROI: Invaluable in getting buyers in the door

Cabinets can be an eyesore if they are outdated. Repainting cabinets is a quick way to refresh a kitchen and give it an updated look. While cherry and darker wood tones were popular in the 2000s, bright kitchens draw more attention today. If cabinets are still good quality, then painting them will make a kitchen look new again. Shades of white are a popular trend that instantly refreshes the kitchen and gives a clean, sophisticated look. Other neutrals and grays work to the same effect. You won’t need more than a week for this efficient facelift, and it is a fraction of the cost of replacing them with custom cabinetry. 

Replace Countertops & Backsplash

Low-quality countertops are a big turn off for buyers as they often see new counters as a significant investment and headache to replace. However, upgrading countertops to a more modern material doesn’t always break the bank. It is actually one upgrade that guarantees a solid return on investment.

Alternatives such as quartz provide an elegant feel without the same price tag of stone slabs like marble. Because of its longevity, replacing countertops with the engineered quartz varieties available is a great choice. Consider factors such as durability, porosity, and maintenance when choosing countertop material. 

While the backsplash can often fall to the wayside in kitchen renovations, this is one of our favorite, simplest ways to add a luxurious feel to a kitchen. A carefully selected backsplash can balance out and bring texture to an otherwise flat space. 

Upgrade Lighting

Proper lighting can transform a space and create ambiance. Bad lighting can do the opposite.

Replacing old kitchen light fixtures with more modern pendants can also have a huge impact. Pendant lighting above islands helps anchor the space and center the room. It is possible to insert pendant lighting varieties where recessed lighting once was.

A space might also call for a fun fixture as a statement piece that brings personality to the kitchen. Make sure to harmonize the material of new light fixtures with the other elements in the kitchen, especially cabinet hardware and faucets.

Update cabinet hardware and faucet

The smallest changes can sometimes have the biggest impact. Hardware is a necessary element for upgrading kitchens because of its affordability and visual impact.

While small in size, hardware can complement and elevate a space with minimal effort. Compared to the full list of items on your kitchen renovation estimate, these are inexpensive, easy to install and pull together the whole look. 

The right hardware can make for a cohesive, stylish masterpiece - a chance to anchor a kitchen into contemporary trends. It can also be a welcome opportunity to bring some contrast to the space. 

Another quick fix is trading in an old faucet. When choosing a replacement, consider how many faucet holes are already in the sink as choosing a faucet that matches the specs makes for a more effortless adjustment. Chrome, polished nickel, brass or black are popular styles that easily match many different materials. While you don’t have to match the faucet identically to the cabinet hardware, consider how they will complement one another. 

Another affordable, easy fix is to replace outlet wall plates, which is sadly often an afterthought. Replacing or simply painting them can make a world of difference. 

An outdated space doesn’t need an army to gut a lived-and-loved kitchen. These four fixes can immediately elevate a home and attract buyers without the pain of an entire construction renovation. Gently and efficiently take what isn’t working and transform it into a market-ready home in just a few weeks. 

What Is Your Kitchen Style?

Whether you're house hunting for that flawless, ready-to-move-in gem or planning to customize your newly purchased home, take our What is Your Kitchen Style? Quiz to help guide your kitchen planning journey.