4 Kitchen Updates Buyers Always Notice First

The kitchen of a property is often referred to as the heart of the home. It's the place where families can gather after their long, busy days - and where every morning begins. For this reason, many homeowners spend fortunes on renovating their kitchens into fully functioning spaces that feel modern but homely at once. There are several different aspects of a kitchen renovation to consider - all of which can play a role in the overall look and feel of the room. As well as large structural changes, buyers should consider everything from layout to lighting in their kitchen design.

Though kitchen decor trends are ever-changing, home buyers are expecting more and more from properties on the market, in order to consider putting down an offer on them. Fortunately, there are a number of different ways you can upgrade your kitchen, some of which are costly (but worthy) while others are much more affordable. Whether you’re renovating your kitchen space in preparation to sell your home, or if you’re looking for a refresh that will pay off in the long-run, here are 4 kitchen updates buyers always notice first.

Layered Lighting

Lighting isn’t the first kitchen upgrade that homeowners consider when renovating their properties, but it can be hugely impactful. Typically, modern properties have features of uniform and centralised lighting, often fixed with bright LED bulbs. Today, property buyers are looking for something different.

Layered lighting involves setting lighting features at different heights and directions across the room. Homeowners can experiment with a variety of lighting options from pendants to cabinet lighting. Placing lighting at different heights within your kitchen helps to naturally balance the light in the room while eliminating dark corners, which creates the illusion of a more spacious room. Placing lighting fixtures in this way also gives the space a more inviting and comfortable feel - especially when you swap the harsh white lighting for a warmer alternative.

Appliances Integrated Into The Space

It’s common to see contemporary kitchens with integrated appliances that remove the need to purchase individual kitchen items like microwaves and fridges. Integrating these domestic appliances into the kitchen's structure and surfaces can increase the value of your property and immediately catch the attention of buyers. This is because it removes the need to purchase additional appliances while creating a sleek, uncluttered feel to the space.

Typical appliances to integrate into modern kitchens include ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers and induction hobs. More advanced appliances to consider include wine cabinets, ice machines and built-in bread drawers.

Durable Countertops

Countertop surfaces are one of the first things buyers notice when they view a kitchen, and within the first few seconds of inspecting it, they are usually able to tell how good the quality of it is. You may decide to show off your chosen countertop through a multi-functional island that can double up as a food prep station and an area to relax and casually socialise with guests. If you decide not to include an island in your kitchen space, the main surfaces around the room work just as well! Here are several examples of countertop materials that are the most popular with modern home buyers.

Engineered Quartz

Quartz is favourable for its water-resistant surface and low upkeep. It can also be purchased in a variety of different colours and shades.

Natural Quartz

Natural quartz has similar properties to marble, but is considered a higher-end alternative. Homeowners choose it for its impressive heat resistance properties and its unique appearance.

Granite

Granite stands as one of the most popular choices for kitchen worktops and surfaces because of its lasting value and high durability.

Energy Efficient Spaces

As long as energy costs continue to rise, homeowners will remain concerned over the cost of their bills and will be looking for ways to reduce costs. One way that they can do this is through energy-efficient appliances. While the upfront cost of these features is typically higher than standard options, they can help homeowners make significant cost savings on their energy bills in the long run.

When property buyers see these energy-saving features included in the kitchen design, they immediately know that the property has been built with sustainability in mind. There is a range of innovative kitchen appliances to explore, many of which buyers would struggle to find in other properties on the market. An example of this is modern induction hobs that are built with clever technologies that reduce energy waste. Energy-efficient technologies can also be found in basic kitchen appliances such as fridge-freezers and dishwashers. These current models are built with ‘eco-modes’ that use less heat and water or feature additional insulation to better manage their temperatures.

Sometimes, saving energy can be as simple as considering layout choices in your kitchen, such as placing your refrigerator away from radiators or direct sunlight, so less energy has to be spent on keeping the appliances cool.