Getting your home ready to sell is a tricky process. There are a few home additions you can add to increase your home’s value, from sunrooms to finished basements. But those enhancements take time and money! Before you go knocking down walls, remember small details can make a big difference. To that end, we suggest focusing your energies on the room that really makes the difference. But don’t take our word for it! Christina Haack said it best: “kitchens sell homes”.
It makes perfect sense that this is the most appealing room in the house. The kitchen is the heart of the home, not to mention a gathering place for parties and family dinners. Plus, there’s a major return on investment with an updated kitchen. Research suggests a kitchen reno can recoup up to 60 percent of the money spent on the upgrade.
When you’re trying to sell a property, how do you make your kitchen as appealing as possible? We spoke to three professional home stagers to get their insider tips. Read on for their go-to changes, from the simple to the heavy-duty.
Ruthless Decluttering
The first thing you need to do when preparing your kitchen for potential buyers? Declutter. Jason Saft, founder of Staged to Sell Home, suggests going cabinet by cabinet, emptying everything, and going through it all. This way, you can dispose of expired goods, or donate anything that doesn’t need to follow you to your next home. A pared-down look gives a clean slate for anyone visiting to project onto. “Home buyers want to see an abundance of storage space,” says Saft. “And keep in mind, paring down now means less to pack and move later.”
The “after” stage of Saft’s decluttering project.
While you’re decluttering, make sure to take any non-necessary items off of countertops. Terry Mainord, award-winning home stager and interior designer recommends focusing on appliances. Rice cookers, toaster ovens, and knife racks all take up valuable surface area. Make the space feel more open by tucking these away. Don’t forget about the refrigerator, either, Mainord warns. Clear that magnet collection, plus any cleaning supplies from the top of the fridge.
Be careful, though: it’s easy to fall into the trap that decluttering means a completely empty space. Celebrity interior designer Cheryl Eisen, founder of Interior Marketing Group, suggests a balance between purpose and restraint.
“Minimalism doesn’t mean stark—it means thoughtfully curated,” Eisen says. “Keep counters mostly clear, allowing the high-end finishes to take center stage. A single, neutral-toned linen tea towel draped over the oven handle or a discreet ceramic bowl adds softness while maintaining the home’s polished aesthetic.”
Arrange the Kitchen Like a Movie Set
As you decide which objects to leave on display, take some inspiration from Hollywood. A careful arrangement can create a narrative, and make the kitchen feel like a warm gathering place. A Nancy Meyers-style kitchen is one of Saft’s favorite looks.
“I like to layer in everything from pots and pans, cookbooks, pottery, artwork and other items that draw buyers in and keep them engaged,” Saft says. “The kitchen is where people always gather at events; the same is true at open houses and showings.”
Jason Saft’s Nancy Meyers-style kitchen has a careful arrangement of shelf decor.
The bright orange backsplash in this Saft-staged kitchen draws in potential buyers.
As for the kinds of items you should leave out in the kitchen: think everyday luxury. On Mainord’s list: “real or high-quality faux plants, an interesting cutting board, and a couple of attractive bottles of oil and vinegar.” These touches can help the space feel both organized and inviting.
Eisen loves to opt for a bowl of fresh lemons, limes or “deep-hued pears” to add vibrancy. “Pair it with a high-end cookbook on a sleek lucite stand, opened to a visually stunning page,” she recommends. “These simple yet intentional touches subtly communicate refined taste and effortless elegance.”
Mainord’s staging of this kitchen included striking plants and a cutting board, two of her go-to countertop items.
Focus on the Cabinets and Countertops
The condition of the cabinets is one of the first things Mainord pays attention to when staging a kitchen. If those are in good shape, more heavy-duty fixes, like painting cabinets, updating cabinet pulls, and adding a backsplash, can work wonders when staging a kitchen.
“Buyers seeing peeling paint on kitchen cabinets sends the message that a renovation is in order,” Saft says. “We often repaint kitchen cabinets to save our sellers thousands of dollars on unnecessary upgrades. This is also a great trick for older kitchen cabinets. Swapping out the hardware also instantly upgrades a dated cabinet.”
The “before” stage of Jason Saft’s kitchen staging.
The “after” stage of Jason Saft’s kitchen staging, including re-painted cabinets.
In high-end kitchens, Eisen suggests hiding something you might not consider: the electrical outlets. Allow the luxury details of your kitchen to shine, rather than having outlets break up a curated look. “A beautiful wooden cutting board can be strategically placed to hide distracting plugs, keeping the focus on the pristine marble countertops,” she says. “Opt for a sculptural board with natural grain, making it both functional and stylish.”
The wooden cutting board on this countertop is one of Eisen’s favorite ways to hide outlets from buyers.
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