Most homeowners understand that the kitchen is an important part of the buying equation. However, when it comes to resale value, this gets tricky. Some kitchen updates yield valuable returns while some are essentially money wasted on resale.

Kitchens sell houses. It’s true and most real estate agents will tell you that it’s one of the first spaces prospective buyers investigate and if there’s an issue there, it could kill a sale instantly. But that doesn’t mean buyers have to completely rip out a space to get a return. Some updates have much better returns than others.

Why Kitchen Value Matters

Let’s be real—for the moment, it might not matter. You might be a first-time buyer looking for your forever home. You might be 40 years old and planning to grow old in this house. Yet life circumstances change and when kitchens add value, they improve one’s experience while simultaneously protecting their investment.

Therein lies the issue of overextending or overspending for little to no return. Who is paying for a wine fridge? Unclear. That restaurant-grade range more expensive than a used car? Most buyers won’t pay extra for that either. Yet some simple updates transform both the efficiency and aesthetic value of the space.

Where Cabinets Reign Supreme (This is the Money Maker)

Kitchen cabinets take up the most visible space in any kitchen. When someone walks in, that’s what they’ll notice first. Therefore, if cabinets look dated and worn down, it doesn’t really matter if the appliances are nice; the entire kitchen will feel tired.

In fact, those who plan to sell their homes in the future often get new cabinets as it used to mean high investment costs. However, since the market has shifted so much, a flatpack kitchen means buyers can get that fresh updated vibe without shelling out for custom cabinetry or waiting on renovations of old.

In fact, the quality is there, the aesthetic options are modern and buyers are not paying someone’s upcharge for installation if they’re comfortable doing it themselves or at least selecting who best to work for them.

New cabinets return 60 to 80 percent upon resale which is relatively solid for anything in a home because most projects do not recoup that value unless there’s high buyer demand. More importantly, new cabinets fix what likely is a huge visual problem when something is outdated.

New cabinet doors, hardware, stain, and unified aesthetic are game changers.

The best part? This can be done without changing the floorplan; meaning no plumbing or electrical work changes are needed, no permits are generally required and it’s not like living without a kitchen for multiple weeks. It’s like giving a facelift with minimal invasive surgery.

Countertops That Make Sense

Countertops are the second most visible aspect in a kitchen. However, people go overboard here sometimes. Yes marble looks nice. Yes, those exotic stones are beautiful but ultimately, most buyers will not pay extra for premium materials.

Stone countertops (quartz or granite) are expected today; they are durable, look nice and show an updated kitchen vibe. Going beyond those means it’s more about preference than perceived value.

In addition, laminate countertops could hurt resale value; they read dated and replacing them isn’t wildly expensive but if completed correctly, definitely gives a transformative effect. The sweet spot is generally mid-grade stone unless someone wants to take on the negative discussion.

Appliances (But Not as You’d Expect)

Appliances are one room where people get wonky. They want inexpensive appliances OR professional-grade quality. The reality lies somewhere in between.

Stainless steel appliances are basically expected. They deem a kitchen updated and present-day. Alternatively, kitchens boasting antiquated appliances suggest kitchens older than they might actually be at this point.

But going above and beyond quality brands—midrange to upper range—doesn’t matter to most buyers either.

What matters is a cohesive effort in that appliances are all in the same family (having various finishes does not convey a solid space) and they work.

There’s nothing worse than mismatched appliance finishes indicating an unfortunate patchwork of a kitchen as opposed to melted welcome mats of a space when proper working appliances exist.

However, in luxury markets where buyers expect premium appliances, this is different. But most buyers should not cash in a few thousand difference for better quality ranges; a good standard appliance will suffice.

The Backsplash Factor

This one stuns people relative to value. A good backsplash doesn’t cost much compared to other renovations but it ties the kitchen together and makes the space seem intentional.

Lacking a backsplash (or having a dated one) makes everything else look less impressive.

Subway tile works fine. So too do various other options. The point is having something that looks contemporary that ties the space together, potentially creating neutral colors—not necessarily overwhelming but enough that aligns with like-minded aesthetics.

It’s not usually a selling point but more of an aggregation of an impression.

Flooring That Makes Sense

Kitchen flooring gets beat up over time; scratched and scuffed flooring bring everything down—especially if they’re ugly, stained or outdated.

But it’s not necessary to throw down premium wood or tile to make this happen. Durable flooring that allows for easy cleaning/water resistance is key.

Luxury vinyl plank has gained popularity in kitchens because it boasts wood appearance but handles water better than wood and costs less than actual wood floors while tile works too—even large format tiles that feel more modern.

The point is flooring must not compete with other elements—like cabinets and counters—but instead complement them without stealing the show.

Lighting (The One That Gets Forgotten)

Kitchens notoriously have horrible lighting. An overhead light unfortunately makes the cut many times over in older spaces so where under-cabinet lighting can add beauty as well as recessed lighting for more pendant-like appeal over an island creates beauty and function, this area can make a big difference.

Lighting costs cheaper than expected and transforms how successful an entire kitchen can feel; it carries more punch than price.

What Doesn’t Matter

What truly doesn’t matter? Moving walls or configuring changes; especially if they’re not horrible layouts on their own from the inception—they rarely bring costs back unless it’s highly functional/attractive but needs to go.

Custom features created extremely personal taste won’t swayed buyer decisions—like that pot filler faucet or warming drawer—unless buyers care about potential commercial return; then custom features might matter but overall, it really reflects on personal preference for those expecting higher resale value from unsought-after alterations.

Anything that matters personal preference more than general appeal isn’t valuable from a selling standpoint for update sake; update for personal reasons and don’t expect it to resonate with others down the line.

The Biggest Takeaway

Kitchen updates that matter involve fixing glaring issues and aligning with contemporary need-based solutions; it’s not necessary to have fanciest features or most expensive ones.

Instead, maximize what looks good, functions well and doesn’t give a buyer any reason to undercut their offer because they feel less than during walk-throughs or fail to find appealing options elsewhere in the price points they seek.

Make sure the main visual pieces look good enough—cabinets, countertops and flooring. If appliances are decent, add proper lighting and eliminate responsibilities straightened out by minimizing available recommendations. When you’ve addressed most necessary components from a resale perspective, you get to enjoy your kitchen every day as well.