Does a new kitchen add value?

By Nicholas McDonald

4 min read

A new kitchen generally adds value, typically increasing a home's worth by 5% to 10% (up to 12% in some cases). It is considered one of the best renovations for return on investment.

Contents

1. Introduction: Does a New Kitchen Add Value?
2. Key Takeaways: Adding Value With a New Kitchen
3. How Much Value Does a New Kitchen Add to a Home?
4. What Factors Affect the Value Increase?
5. Why Buyers Care About the Kitchen
6. Does Professional Kitchen Design Make a Difference?
7. How to Maximise the Value of Your Kitchen Investment
8. What to Avoid When Renovating Before Selling
9. Balancing Lifestyle Benefits vs Property Value
10. Frequently Asked Questions
12. Conclusion and Next Steps

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Kitchens are known as the heart of every home for a reason, and there is strong potential that upgrading your cabinetry and storage, and designing a kitchen suited to your property, can have a meaningful impact on its value.

Even if you aren’t currently planning to sell, an elegant kitchen can have a transformative effect on the way you move around your living space, with the peace of mind that, should your circumstances change, your kitchen will appeal to prospective buyers.

While the exact improvement in a property valuation may depend on several variables, including whether you’ve had your new kitchen professionally installed to high-quality standards, in most cases, investing in a new kitchen is considered a positive move.

Adding Value to Your Home With a New Kitchen: Key Takeaways

  • Installing a new kitchen will, on average, improve the value of your home by around 10%, with higher increases possible in larger kitchens or those with premium materials
  • Buyers often consider the kitchen one of the focal points when viewing properties for sale and are typically willing to pay more for a contemporary, durable kitchen that requires no updates or replacements to worktops or cabinetry.
  • Choosing a stunning kitchen that suits your personality and lifestyle is key, and although neutral colours are often recommended for property upgrades as part of a planned sale, buyers also look for smart storage and intelligent use of space.

How Much Can a New Kitchen Improve the Value of My Home?

New kitchens will often increase the resale value of a property by as much as 10%. In contrast, more ambitious projects, such as a single-storey kitchen extension, will add between 10% and 12% to the potential valuation. [1]

This is, of course, an average, and the real-world change to a property valuation might vary based on:

  • Whether you’re opting for a full redesign or a few cosmetic updates
  • The style and durability of the worktops and storage features you choose
  • Your kitchen’s size and sense of light and space

However, a new kitchen is also an investment in quality living. A reported 47% of homeowners planning to renovate or improve their homes choose a new kitchen as a priority, and of those, 56% intend to enhance the way their properties feel, while 24% choose a new kitchen to boost their home’s valuation. [2]

Does Professional Kitchen Design Influence the Value of My Interior Upgrade?

Yes, elegant designs, and bespoke planning based on your specific kitchen layout and floorspace, and high-quality finishes can ensure your kitchen adds optimal value to your home.

Experienced designers assist at every step, helping you avoid common kitchen design mistakes, turning your inspiration into reality, while providing creativity and guidance and making sure you don’t overspend on certain components of your design that won’t enhance the overall outcome.

Setting your budget from the beginning gives your designer a guideline for creating an affordable design, helping you avoid issues such as incompatible fittings or incorrectly sized worktops,, or you need to order more handles or flooring.

How Can I Maximise the Amount a Kitchen Increases My Property’s Value?

If you haven’t set a budget, this is probably the best way to retain control over your new kitchen project and ensure it adds the value you expect, because spending significantly more than around 10% of your home’s value may reduce the overall return on investment.

Overspending is a frequent error, and although a luxurious kitchen with the most advanced appliances may be the best option if you plan to live in your home long-term, this isn’t normally advisable for homeowners planning to sell.

Other features to bear in mind include:

  • Quality installation, with clean edges, well-fitted cabinets and no areas of the kitchen left unfinished.
  • Storage – the more, the better! Intelligent use of space can make compact kitchens feel larger and ensure the room is both functional and enjoyable.
  • Countertops and handles, with cohesive designs and subtle style flourishes that ensure kitchens feel contemporary and welcoming, featuring consistent colours and contrasting textures.

Homeowners renovating a kitchen before selling are also generally advised against over-personalisation or overly bold or highly personalised design choices, purely because these may not appeal to all buyer demographics and could limit the value a new kitchen adds.

We believe at Smile kitchens, that for most clients, the key reason they want a new kitchen is to have a beautiful space where they can cook, spend quality time together and host friends and family. However, a stylish, highly functional kitchen can also increase your home’s value.

You’re welcome to get in touch, book a free kitchen design consultation, or read more about our design and collaboration process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Worth Investing in a New Kitchen Before I Sell My Home?

That may depend on your budget and the condition of your current kitchen, but if you’ve been struggling to sell because of an outdated kitchen, aren’t planning to sell for some time and want to improve your cooking and entertaining space, or are in a competitive property market, it may be worthwhile.

What Is the Most Overlooked Feature in New Kitchen Design?

Lighting has to be one of the most important aspects, since the tone and placement of lights can create a sense of warmth and cosiness, such as placing LEDs under countertops or incorporating uplighters that make a room seem larger. In contrast, very cold and harsh lighting has a more industrial aesthetic and isn’t recommended for smaller kitchens.

How Can I Save Money on a New Kitchen Before Listing My Property?

The best way to ensure your kitchen is on budget and delivers the financial returns you anticipate is to work with an experienced, professional design team that can recommend cost-efficient materials and finishes suited to your requirements.

References:

  1. Checkatrade: How Much Value Does a New Kitchen Add to Your Home?
  2. Which?: Does a Kitchen Renovation Add Value to Your Home?