Articles Tagged "kitchen remodel"

When exploring prospective homes, one of the spaces that many homebuyers prioritize is the kitchen. Since a kitchen serves as a spot for cooking, dining, entertaining, and even working, our real estate agents understand why a home's kitchen is important to potential homebuyers. Here are some of the kitchen features that buyers want in 2022. 

1. An Efficient Design
   Buyers want a kitchen that makes it easier to use the space. A kitchen should be set up so that it's convenient to move between food prep, cooking, and clean-up. For example, a kitchen with a pull-out trash bin and cutting board is attractive because it makes it easier to dispose of food waste and other items when you're cooking. There should be a large surface that can be used for food prep that's located in close proximity to the stove and other appliances. 

2. An Updated Design
   Homeowners spend a lot of time in their kitchens, and they prefer that it be a space that's aesthetically pleasing. A higher-end countertop (like granite or quartz), sturdy cabinets with updated hardware, and coordinating flooring all work together to create a space that's aesthetically pleasing. When planning to add your home to the list of Raleigh homes for sale, plan on making a few changes to update your kitchen's look, like a fresh coat of paint or new cabinet hardware. 

3. Space for Storing and Organizing Kitchen Necessities
   Even the most gorgeous kitchen will be less appealing if it lacks storage space for housing kitchen essentials. An ideal kitchen will have a pantry (buyers often prefer a walk-in pantry) and an ample number of cabinets and drawers. Buyers don't like cluttered countertops, and it's a lot easier to keep counters clear and tidy when there's sufficient storage. An easy way to make your kitchen's storage space appear larger is to declutter your cabinets, drawers, and other storage areas. Spaces that are completely filled with stuff look untidy and even appear smaller than they actually are. 

4. A Clean, Well-Maintained Kitchen Space
   A simple way to ensure that any kitchen looks its best is to thoroughly clean it. Buyers often shy away from homes that look as if they need a lot of maintenance and cleaning. When preparing to list your home with other Durham homes for sale, one of the most important things you can do is meticulously clean your kitchen from top to bottom. Use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment to remove dust and debris before cleaning the walls, counters, floors, and other surfaces with the appropriate cleaning products. If there's any maintenance you need to do, like changing lightbulbs, fixing a leaky faucet, or repairing an uneven cabinet, take care of these issues before listing your home. 

5. Updated Technology
   Buyers like kitchens with technology that makes their lives easier. Smart appliances that allow you to operate and adjust them remotely are appealing, as are models that are energy efficient. While kitchen appliances don't have to be brand new, they should appear to be in good condition. Dated appliances can make the entire kitchen look old and unattractive. 

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Once you've found your perfect home, the next step is to make it your own - starting with the kitchen. If cooking is your passion, you can up your culinary game with a few simple design ideas. There are plenty of Raleigh homes for sale with amazing kitchens to suit your needs. Here's how to take those kitchens even further.

Appliances

The right tools can help in a myriad of ways. An induction cooktop, for instance, regulates heat much more accurately than a regular stovetop, allowing for more precise temperature measurements. The appliance itself never gets hot, reducing the risk of accidental burning. Plus, it's more energy-efficient than electric or gas stoves.

You might also consider a high-speed oven. Using both convection and microwave heating, it heats better and more accurately, cutting cook times in half.

Finally, if you don't have a stand mixer, it will change your life. A good quality mixer will last for many years, providing thorough, even mixing. You can do everything from whip cream to beat meringue to knead bread dough quickly and easily without wearing out your arms. Plus, with extra attachments, you can roll out and cut your own fresh pasta, grind your own meat, and much more.

Organization

A few simple organizational improvements can help you tremendously. Install some sturdy hooks above the stovetop, on which to hang your pots and pans. This will make them easier to find and access when you need them. You can do the same for mixing spoons, spatulae, and other basic tools. For knives, consider installing a long, magnetic strip that the knives can stick to. That way, you can simply remove one when you need it and put it back in its place when it's clean.

In your cluttered cabinets, try putting in a Lazy Susan. They design them for all different purposes, from organizing herbs and spices to storing empty containers. Whatever you're using it for, a Lazy Susan lets you keep everything organized and view it at a glance, so you don't have to rummage through a lot of extra clutter to find what you need.

Also, consider installing tension rods in your cabinets. They make great customizable barriers that you can prop things like pans and cookie sheets against, rather than stacking them up. By storing things vertically, you can create more space in your cabinets and keep things more organized.

Renovation

If you're really committed to updating your kitchen, consider some renovations and remodels. Start with more shelves. A single shelf that stretches across an entire kitchen wall can provide a tremendous amount of storage for various things without taking up much extra space.

If your home doesn't have a kitchen island, you should put one in. It provides extra space for everything you need: a counter for prep work, a table for seating, plus storage beneath for pots and pans, appliances, etc.

To make cleanup simpler, cut a small hole in the kitchen island countertop, and store a trash can in the cabinet underneath. Now you have a quick and easy way to eliminate everything from eggshells to empty packaging as you cook.

These are just a few of the kitchen updates you can make in your home to make cooking easier and better. Get creative and see what other improvements you can make to help you when you cook.

If you want to find your perfect home with your dream kitchen, contact us. Our real estate agents can help you find the right space for you and ensure every room will meet your needs.