5 Kitchen Upgrades to Add Value to Your Home

By Fran Campbell - February 06, 2018

The kitchen is the heart of every home. It's where friends and family tend to gather the most frequently, where you prepare food for your family and guests, where your children grow up, and where you'll make memories to last a lifetime. If you are trying to sell your house at the Lake of the Ozarks, staging your kitchen to make it immaculately clean and uncluttered is absolutely essential. You may also want to consider upgrading a few things to make it more appealing to the modern buyer.

Even if you aren't planning on selling your home in the near future, adding a few upgrades to your kitchen may make it easier to sell when the time comes - and you will get to enjoy the added benefits in the meantime. If you are looking for ways to improve the kitchen in your Lake of the Ozarks home, Fran Campbell Team is here to help. Check out these ways to add interest to (and potentially increase the value of) your property by upgrading your kitchen.

1. Backsplash
Tile backsplash is all the rage right now. "Backsplash" refers to tiling the area of the wall above the countertop and below the cabinets above it. Modern kitchens use the backsplash to bring out certain colors in the decor scheme and accent surrounding features. Feel free to make your backsplash the color of your counters, your cabinets, your walls, your floors, or a unique collage mixing the various colors featured in each.

2. Island
An "island" is a free-standing section of countertop in a kitchen, typically housing cabinets and, sometimes, the oven or stove as well. It may also serve as a breakfast bar with comfortable bar stools for entertaining guests. When appropriately placed, islands can add a sense of space and roominess to small kitchens as well as large ones. Adding an island is often a bit more involved than adding a simple accent (like backsplash), but it may be well worth the effort.

3. Upgraded Light Fixtures
If the overhead lights in your kitchen are simply light bulbs embedded into your ceiling, you may be missing out on an easy (not to mention eye-catching) way to add interest to the hub of your home. Modern, intriguing light fixtures come in a wide variety of colors and styles, and installing a few can be a great way to set your kitchen apart.

4. Contrasting Colors
Nothing adds interest like stunning contrast. Take a close look at your kitchen's current color scheme - is it filled with bright, bold colors or is it generally more warm and neutral? Creating a contrasting color scheme could be a great way to add interest. If your floors are a lighter tone, for example, consider staining your cabinets a darker color (or vice versa).

5. Granite Countertops
The secret is out - granite countertops are hot right now. Contractors and kitchen designers are installing them left and right, and it's easy to see why. In addition to looking sleek and upscale, granite countertops are easy for homeowners to maintain and use. Unlike Formica® and other laminate countertops, granite is relatively indestructible; you can cut on it without a cutting board (at the risk of dulling your knives, perhaps) and you can place hot pots and pans directly on the surface without damaging it.

The Sky Is The Limit!

When it comes to redesigning and redecorating your kitchen, the possibilities are truly endless. If you plan to stay in your home for several more years, don't be afraid to customize your kitchen to you heart's desire. If you are upgrading your kitchen in attempt to sell your home more quickly, however, it may be wise to stick with a more neutral design and color scheme so as to appeal to a wider range of potential buyers. Regardless, the most important thing to remember when redesigning your kitchen is to have fun with it.

Remember Fran Campbell Team For All Your Buying And Selling Needs!
Whether you are looking to buy a new home at the Lake of the Ozarks, sell your current one, or purchase a second home, we hope you'll remember our Lake of the Ozarks real estate agents as your trusted resource. We look forward to helping you in any way we can!

Contact the Fran Campbell Team for your real estate needs!