The kitchen is the center of the home. It is where people tend to congregate, and where food is served and drinks are poured. Crafting a welcoming and functional kitchen is a great way to increase the value of a rental home and attract quality tenants who will appreciate the space. There are a variety of upgrades that you can make that will level up your property’s kitchen and overall property value without breaking the bank. Involved and savvy property management companies should be able to guide your decisions on where to invest in renovations. Here are some of our favorites:
Paint and backsplash
You might be surprised what a fresh layer of paint can achieve. This is an easy and inexpensive way to brighten up the room and transform the space. Taking this a step further, adding wallpaper or a backsplash adds a pop of color and dimension giving the kitchen a more personalized touch.
Countertops and cabinets
Upgrading your cabinets and countertops does not have to become a budget-busting ordeal. Many affordable options can elevate the look and feel of the kitchen and boost the overall home value. Quartz is a popular material used for countertops since it is budget-friendly, durable, and beautiful. It may be time to give your cabinets a facelift, but that doesn’t mean you must demo the entire kitchen to remove them. Refacing cabinets is a low-cost and less disruptive upgrade that can help transform the space and modernize the kitchen. Refacing involves replacing the doors or faces of the cabinets and drawers without having to turn the kitchen into a construction zone.
Upgrade appliances
Appliances go through a ton of use from one tenant to the next and can therefore wear out much sooner than other elements in a rental home. Outdated appliances can cause you the headache of frequent repairs and higher energy bills, so it may be worth investing in updated appliances that are reliable and more energy efficient. Upgrading appliances will make a large impact on the function and look of the kitchen therefore adding value to your rental property.
Replace flooring
The kitchen sees a ton of foot traffic, spills, and general wear. It may be time to show a little love to the floors with either a deep clean or replacement. Cracked tiles, warped wood, or peeling linoleum are less than desirable and can take away from the appeal of the rest of the kitchen. When selecting flooring for the kitchen you want to be sure to choose a material that will withstand spills, scratches, and foot traffic. If the flooring is in good shape but just lacks its original luster, a little elbow grease should do the trick. Buffing out wood floors can reveal a like-new surface while a good grout cleaner and firm bristled brush can brighten up the tile and bring it back to life.
Swap out hardware and light fixtures
Another relatively low-cost and low-maintenance upgrade that can be made to the kitchen is the replacement of light fixtures and cabinet hardware. Selecting a material that matches throughout the space will tie the room together and make the design feel intentional and personalized. The simple swap out of your outdated silver cabinet knobs with a more modern alternative can boost the overall look of the kitchen.