As the hub of family activity, buyers place kitchens at the top of their "must-have" list when shopping for a new home, meaning an outdated kitchen can quickly turn buyers away. 

An updated, functional kitchen can and should be the centerpiece of your listing and draw in buyers instantly. While renovating can sound daunting to many homeowners, we’ve put together four hassle-free ways to create a kitchen buyers can’t live without, that won’t break the bank or delay any timelines.

Paint Kitchen Cabinets

Say goodbye to the 2000s' cherry and darker wood tones – today, vibrant kitchens steal the spotlight. Outdated cabinets can be an eyesore and make the entire kitchen feel behind the times, but luckily it can be easy and inexpensive to paint existing cabinets to create an updated look. 

Shades of white instantly refresh a kitchen, giving it 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 the 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 appealing material doesn’t always break the bank. It is actually an upgrade that guarantees a solid return on investment! 

Quartz provides 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. 

While the backsplash can often fall to the wayside in kitchen renovations, a carefully selected backsplash can balance out and bring texture to an otherwise flat space. Updating a backsplash is an affordable and impactful way to elevate a kitchen’s look and add instant value. 

Both replacing countertops and updating a backsplash can be done in about one week’s time.

Upgrade Lighting

Proper lighting can transform a space and create ambiance that buyers fall in love with. Bad lighting does the opposite.

Replacing old kitchen light fixtures with more on-trend pendants can also have a huge impact. Pendant lighting above islands helps anchor the space and center the room. It is also 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

It’s always a win when small changes make a big difference. Because of its affordability and visual impact, replacing hardware is a must when updating a kitchen - especially if working on a tight budget.

Inexpensive, easy to install, and impactful, hardware pulls together an entire look. It also offers a chance to introduce contrast, anchoring your kitchen in the latest trends.

Another quick fix is trading in an old faucet for a more current design. 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 swap.

Chrome, polished nickel, brass, and black are popular colors 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.

Renovations Simplified

With the right partner by your side, it’s possible to quickly and affordably elevate a kitchen, and in turn the entire home, without the headaches of a full gut renovation. These four fixes are just a few of the ways Renovation Sells works with homeowners transforming a dated house into a market-ready dream home in just a few weeks. 

Don’t believe us? Check out some of our stunning transformations!