In contemporary homes, the kitchen is usually the centerpiece of the layout. As we’ve previously stated in blogs, the kitchen and the master bedroom are the two most upgraded rooms, the rooms that potential buyers pay the most attention to. Do you want your kitchen to radiate a contemporary and upgraded appearance that will be remembered, without the hassle of draining your bank account?

Here are some quick upgrading tips that will allow your outdated kitchen to show off some modern flare:

• Upgrade the lighting. A simple task like this will brighten the entire room, while diminishing the old fixtures that look like rusty antiques. Scattered track lighting is the best approach, and adding dimmers will provide even more lighting options.

• Upgrade the cabinets, without replacing them. If new lighting displays more nicks and stains than you knew existed, sand the cabinets and paint a glossy finish over them. Or paint them white. To add a unique feature, replace a few cabinet doors with glass doors that allow you to show off your fancy dishware.

• Upgrade the seating arrangements. If your kitchen includes a breakfast nook, upgrade the light fixture or the window treatments. Add a rug, in order to separate it from the rest of the kitchen. Purchase new breakfast bar stools or droplights, or if your large kitchen displays wasted space, add an island!

• Upgrade the sink. A dirty, scratched up sink doesn’t allow a potential buyer to imagine a clean environment. Polish up the existing sink, purchase a new faucet for the sink, or add a garbage disposal or a water filtration system.

• Upgrade the countertops. Decorative laminate is available for a reasonable price, and the décor looks much like the expensive options, such as granite. Laminate also lasts forever and is easy to clean, which a potential buyer should appreciate.

For more kitchen upgrading tips, check out some of our past blogs:

Eco-friendly Kitchen Upgrades
Upgrading Current Appliances
Selling the Kitchen
Improve Your Kitchen Overview