It's a scenario that predictably plays out on almost every house-hunting reality show.
A potential buyer tours a home with great looks, ample space, and high ceilings, only to discover that the kitchen hasn't been renovated since the home was built in 1952. It's a small detail that can kill a real estate deal as quickly as black mold, but a dedicated home seller can fix it with a few tricks — and without having to knock down a wall.
“An outdated or 'disastrous' kitchen can kill a potential deal before a buyer even takes 10 steps inside the home,” says David Ayers, managing partner at the agency. “The kitchen is the heart and hub of the home and is often the first room buyers linger in and imagine day-to-day life and special occasions in their future property.”
more: A new home in Breckenridge, Colorado once sold at auction for nearly $20 million
Sharon Parker of New Hampshire-based Tate & Foss Sotheby's International Realty said luxury home buyers typically expect a modern, top-of-the-line kitchen with high-end appliances. An outdated kitchen can quickly put off a buyer, as a major renovation would cost even more.
Advertisement – Scroll to continue
“I once showed a $5 million property that had been on the market for months because the kitchen was outdated,” she said.
Plus, an outdated kitchen could signal that the property needs additional investment and maintenance elsewhere. “Buyers may not be willing to pay a premium price for a home that doesn't meet modern standards, which could result in fewer offers or a longer sales period,” said Lawrence Ingoglia of Sotheby's International Realty..
more: Two-storey Hogwarts apartment for sale
Ayers said the kitchen doesn't have to look like it's been plucked out of the latest design magazine, but it should be clean, uncluttered and at least feel like a kitchen from the last decade.
“Stay neutral. Homebuyers are going to be remodeling their kitchen anyway, but they're going to want something that's comfortable and easy to use from day one,” he said.
The art of quick change
Most sellers don't want to spend time or money on a full-scale renovation before putting their home on the market. And research shows you don't have to: The biggest gains will come from a small kitchen makeover (one that refreshes the look and feel of a dated kitchen) rather than a full-on renovation, according to Zonda Media's 2024 Cost vs. Value Report.
While the average return on investment for a kitchen remodel will vary depending on the workmanship and the overall condition of the home, the report found that minor kitchen remodels like painting, installing a new backsplash, replacing cabinet fronts and hardware, and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can recoup 96% of their costs. In contrast, major remodels had a return on investment of just 38%.
However, the cost of a minor kitchen remodel is hard to quantify. It can vary greatly depending on where you live, the size of the space, and the aesthetic of the design. As a general guide, the median cost of a minor kitchen remodel in 2023 was $18,000, according to the 2024 US Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.
It's all in the details
What is clear is that even quick solutions can have a big impact.
“To quickly update your kitchen, focus on impactful changes that don't require major construction,” Parker said. For example, she recently advised a client to paint dark cabinets off-white and add gold hardware, which “totally transformed the space.”
Installing new lighting could also modernize the space, Parker added.
Diana Viera, managing partner at Italkraft, a Miami-based company that specializes in custom kitchens, bathrooms, cabinets and closets, suggested updating the hardware.
“Replacing old cabinet handles and drawer pulls with modern, stylish options can instantly modernize the look of your kitchen,” she says. Biela also recommends replacing old countertops, especially those with the look and texture of granite, with white countertops that match the backsplash for a clean, cohesive look.
more: What you need for the perfect picnic
Small changes can have big benefits, but so can certain design choices.
For example, Vieira recommended using light-colored paint to make a room appear larger. “Typically, I recommend painting walls and cabinets white to make the space appear larger and create a clean, sophisticated aesthetic,” she said.
She also suggested using a light stone like Calacatta for the countertops and backsplash. “This type of stone is known for its graceful veining and luxurious appeal. The light color of the stone brightens the space, making it feel larger and more inviting,” Viera said. Using the same material for both the countertops and backsplash creates a seamless, cohesive look. “Extending the countertop material up the wall creates a continuous flow that enhances the beauty of the entire space.”
For hardware, Biela favors round or tubular shapes with a bronze finish.
“Bronze hardware adds warmth and character to a kitchen and provides a striking contrast with light-colored countertops and cabinetry,” she said.
But if there's one update that will provide the greatest return on investment in any market, many experts say it's the kitchen island.
“My client added a $15,000 marble island to her kitchen and it helped her sell her house for $75,000 over the asking price,” Parker says. “You can never have too much storage space in the kitchen, and an island not only provides storage, but also an attractive focal point and gathering area.”
Get profits
After all, even a small kitchen update can increase the market value of any home, especially in luxury homes where buyers can be more discerning.
more: Wealthy Americans are paying more than ever for luxury homes
“For luxury homes, upgrading the kitchen can meet the expectations of high-end buyers,” Ignoria said, noting that a renovated kitchen isn't just a selling point: it can show that the home has been well-maintained and has similar high-quality upgrades throughout. “This can lead to competitive offers from buyers and ultimately a higher sales price than the asking price.”
The benefits are often tangible: “A renovated, updated kitchen will define the impression you make on buyers,” says Ayers. “If the kitchen is fresh, organized, and beautiful, buyers won't mind if the rest of the home is a little dated.”
From a financial standpoint, “remodeling your kitchen can increase the value of your home, often recouping a large portion of the cost of remodeling,” Parker said, and because the kitchen is the most-used room in the home, a modern kitchen can be a big selling point, attracting more potential buyers, he noted.
The data speaks for itself: Rachel Stults, editor-in-chief of Realtor.com, found that “homes with what homeowners call a 'great kitchen' or a 'luxurious kitchen' sell 8% faster than similar-sized homes in the same zip code.”
