Real estate professionals will be the first to tell you the kitchen has a significant impact on the salability of your house. In fact, according to a survey by Rocket Homes, over half of prospective buyers (55%) will purchase a property with a good-quality kitchen even if the rest of the house does not necessarily hit all the other marks. Survey participants specified kitchen cabinets as one of the most important elements influencing their buying decisions.
Whether you’re planning to sell your house in the distant future or renovate it to place the “For Sale” sign in the yard soon, you should seriously consider the kitchen cabinets and drawers. Investing in new cabinets without a resale mindset can result in costly upgrades, replacements, or worse: renovations that do not add resale value. This article discusses the pitfalls to steer clear of. These are the types of kitchen cabinets to avoid and save your house from collecting dust on the property market.
Cabinets Made From Particle Board
The type of material is one of the factors that determines a cabinet’s durability. Kitchen cabinets made of particle board may turn buyers off. This engineered wood product is made of recycled wood particles pressed and sandwiched together using an adhesive resin. While they are notably cheaper compared to higher-quality materials, they also have low resistance to moisture, impacts, and scratches. Their surface can also be difficult, if not impossible to re-finish. This means moisture damage involves replacing them and solving even minor damage could require refacing them.
All these issues make particle board a poor choice and most realty professionals know this quite well. On her blog, Ariel Path, a professional kitchen designer, says “Particle board cabinets have lower resale value than plywood kitchen cabinets and solid wood cabinets.” So, if you wish to resell your home, make the smart choice with a more durable appealing material.
Intense Color Cabinets
You may be tempted to choose cabinet colors that pop and stand out. Most professionals agree that this is one of the easiest ways to deter a buyer. Intense colors are a niche style that only a select number of people will appreciate. There is a very narrow chance that your color choice is the same as your potential buyers. According to a study published by Zillow, red-toned kitchens, for instance, decrease your property’s selling price by a national average of $2,310.
So, what are the best color choices for kitchen cabinets? Experts recommend going for neutrals such as white, grey, and wood tones. These timeless hues never go out of style and don’t overwhelm the eye. Tuxedo kitchen cabinets, where the base cabinets are a dark hue and the wall cabinets are light, are also a popular look. In fact, Zillow shares that this specific style can boost a house’s selling price by about $1,500.
Unused Space Between The Cabinet And Ceiling
In a smaller kitchen where every inch counts, wasting space is a big mistake. The notorious gap between the ceiling and the cabinetry can often be utilized by extending the cabinets to the ceiling or stacking cabinets. Few want to think about space above their cabinets. They would prefer that space be closed off one way or another. Anticipating the cost and work needed to cover this gap can be a letdown and can cost a potential sale.
If you are replacing your cabinets, make sure the new ones go all the way up to the ceiling. However, if the room is already designed with a space, there are clever ways to solve it. You can fill the gap above the cabinets by installing cabinets above them, creating a faux bulkhead, or decorating with crown molding for a custom look.
Double Stacked Cabinets
As the name suggests, double-stacked or two-tiered cabinets are overhead cabinets with two layers, one on top of the other. The experienced designer notes that this type of layout is opted for decorative purposes rather than functionality. The upper layer is difficult to reach due to its height. Therefore, it is mostly just used for displaying items that people rarely need. This lack of practical use does not justify the high cost of constructing such a sophisticated fixture. Safety is also an issue due to the risk of falling or dropping something while trying to access it.
Though it might appeal to some people, you may want to reconsider opting for this cabinetry design unless you are refacing your cabinets. It is then a thoughtful upgrade and a great way to get that cabinets-to-the-ceiling look. Instead, you can install single cabinets for a seamless look at a lower cost. And if you wish to put some items on display, you can still designate some of the units to have glass doors.
Cabinets That Block Out Natural Lighting
Sunlight adds a myriad of benefits to any kitchen. It not only illuminates the room, but it also acts as a natural disinfectant, killing germs on surfaces and preventing mold. In addition, natural lighting reduces electricity consumption and makes the space feel bigger.
If the room is built with limited openings, you can amplify natural lighting by using white shades, reflective surfaces for your countertops, and skylights.
The Wrong Cabinet Hardware
One of the most affordable upgrades and highest ROI projects for your cabinetry is new hardware. Selecting the right hardware is crucial to making it work with the existing design of the cabinets and the room. Choose hardware that is not too small or too large for the cabinets and place it in the right position. What’s common in modern kitchen design is using a consistent pull style, in different sizes within the kitchen in consideration of the cabinet and drawer sizes.
Before you begin shopping, have an idea of the design you need. There is a vast selection of pulls and knobs out there and it is easy to fall in love with a certain piece though it does not necessarily harmonize with your cabinets or space. Some of the factors to consider include size, finish, and choosing between modern or traditional styles.
Cabinet Layouts With Open Shelving
Not so long ago, we saw the rise of open shelving as a new kitchen cabinet trend. However, the craze proved to be short-lived. While ease of access does sound convenient, many people still prefer to keep their storage private. Real estate agents caution against the use of open shelving as well, stating that homeowners question its long-term use and the need for frequent cleaning. Just like double-stack cabinets, coverless shelves also favor aesthetics more than function.
If you want to venture into opening shelves, do so in moderation. Mix a few open shelves in with covered cabinets to achieve the same vibe. This concept can often work for bigger kitchens with abundant cabinetry that can afford to leave some storage open.
All Dark Cabinets
Nowadays, tall and dark are no longer handsome when it comes to kitchen cabinets. At least, that is what some property experts say. Hailed for their luxurious and dramatic flair, dark-colored cabinets such as navy blue and forest green are now losing popularity due to their negative impact on resale value. Owner and managing broker for Miami’s Prestige Realty Group, Tony Rodriguez-Tellaheche, explains it in his interview with Realtor.com saying, “Dark kitchen cabinets with dark granite is a thing of the past and can make a home hard to sell, especially to millennial buyers.”
Using light neutral tones is best when choosing a color palette for your kitchen. These classic options have withstood the test of trend-changing times. However, we are not shutting off the lights completely on the darker cabinet look. If you want to go in this direction, dark gray shades might be an exception. Contrary to the above, Zillow reports that a deep gray kitchen can swell a property’s selling price by over $2,500.
