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Why Kitchens Sell Homes Posted: 18th April 2017
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Kitchens are cited as the most valuable and most used room in the house, so it comes as no surprise that, when it comes to home sales, the kitchen can make or break it for potential buyers. And no wonder kitchens are valued so much – here is what we found out in our experience of selling homes in a highly competitive market like East Renfrewshire.

The Heart of the House

In recent decades the kitchen definitely became the heart and soul of the home. Many years ago the kitchen was exiled as a small functional space somewhere at the back of the house but nowadays busy families gather together and value the time spent together in the kitchen preparing dinner. So open spaces, shiny appliances and an altogether bright and spacious space has become a requirement for the once humble kitchen.

The kitchen is the hub of the home for many, whether you are talking about professional couples having friends over for a curry or Sunday family dining. Most people are looking for the space for dining and entertaining in their kitchen. Space permitting, creating an island with stool seating, a breakfast nook or a fully-dressed dining table in prime position, helps to transform any kitchen into somewhere not just for cooking but for relaxing too.

Projecting a Lifestyle

Like all other aspects of modern life, potential home buyers are interested in the style projected by their future home. It has been said time and again, a blank canvas makes the best impact as people from different walks of life can project themselves more easily into the new space, bringing their own possessions, personality and style. Minimalistic or eclectic, trendy or classic our tastes come through our choices of furniture and finishings and although it might not be possible to decorate your home for all tastes, the more neutral and up to date, the more chances there are to catch the eye of the right buyer.

The Investment Aspect

The amount of work and money it takes to create a modern, functional kitchen can be a serious worry for potential home buyers. Some people are really out there looking for a potential project and that is still a strong market to appeal to, but most home buyers nowadays look for a home in move in condition. Refurbishing a kitchen implies design, new furniture and appliances as well as all the installation costs and the time spent in a home without a functional kitchen – that is why most buyers are impressed with a spotless kitchen in move in condition.

A Few Tricks to Update Your Kitchen

Lighting of the kitchen is an aspect that is easy and fairly painless to update. Brass and metal lighting fixtures have been a trendy choice recently as have low-hanging statement lamps and cluster lighting. LED lighting is now at the forefront of modern lighting design too, providing limitless light options. You’ll want brighter lighting for kitchen prep and the kids’ homework and a softer glow for intimate dinners.

Another quick trick is dressing up your kitchen. Keep only the most used and stylish kitchen accessorise out on display and store the rest well-organised in cupboards and drawers. You can be clever with storage in a kitchen, using walls to install shelves and hooks for stacking and hanging – just take advantage of the new trends of creating artsy display shelves with shiny pots and pretty bowls.

The best approach is to dress the kitchen in the way you envisage your ideal buyer would best use the space, whether that’s setting up a formal dining table with table mats, silverware and a flower centre piece or a more casual breakfasting island with cafetiere and a bowl of colourful fruit and potential buyers of your home will respond more quickly and positively.


Whatever your reason for moving; whether it's for extra space, to downsize or you may simply have found your dream home, Nicol can help. Our knowledge of the local property market helps us develop a marketing plan that's right for you and your property.
We want our clients to be delighted with the service we provide. Listening to your needs and understanding your requirements is our starting point. To find out more about our approach to selling homes, download our comprehensive Guide to Selling your Property here.
If you are planning on selling your home, contact Nicol Estate Agents today for an appraisal of your property. Our Managing Director Douglas Nicol and Sales Manager Daniel Cohen carry out hundreds of market appraisals every year, giving them an intimate and unparalleled knowledge of the property market in Glasgow, from city centre apartments to family homes and building plots. We will talk to you about the property market in your area, compare sales evidence, local demand for similar properties, outline our tailored marketing plan and provide details of our sales support strategy right through to completion.