The problem is, you don’t want to spend so much on renovating that you can’t recoup your losses when you find a buyer. The key, therefore, is to focus your efforts on areas of the home in which buyers have the most interest. That’s why the kitchen is a great place to start. Evidence has shown that potential buyers are most interested in the kitchen when on a viewing, so this is one area that should really aim to impress. If your kitchen is past its best, it’s definitely worth making a few simple updates before you start calling realtors.

1. Buy a show-stopping faucet

If your kitchen faucets are looking outdated, replacing them with some modern new ones could make a huge difference. Modern homebuyers are looking for convenience as their top priority, so choosing a hands-free faucet could swing their opinion in your favour. There are lots of excellent and stylish faucets on the market today which won’t break the bank so look for more information on kitchenfaucets.reviews to help inform your choice.

2. Pop in a backsplash

Lots of people overlook their backsplash when they’re upgrading their kitchen, but actually, it’s one of the areas that can become dated very quickly. Take a look at yours now and see if it will really wow potential buyers. If it’s been installed for more than a few years, there’s a good chance that it won’t! If you need to update your backsplash, you don’t need to spend too much money.

Typically, tiles can be expensive to buy and have professionally fitted. Instead, you can opt for an acrylic sheet as a kitchen splashback which is easy to install no matter their experience in DIY. Simply go online and order whatever size you need and fix your shiny new splashback to the wall. Ta-da!

3. Get the paintbrush out

The very first thing you should do is to give your kitchen a fresh coat of paint. Even if you stay with the same colour scheme, the room will get a lift. If your kitchen is already an unusual colour, it’s time to go back to a neutral shade. Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves putting their own stamp on your home, so a neutral colour will enable them to see the potential of the room without a vibrant hue putting them off.

4. Pop in some new cabinets

Do your kitchen cabinets look tired and boring? Why not give them a lift by adding some fresh new hardware? It won’t be expensive to find some new cabinet handles and drawer pulls, but they could make your whole kitchen look more modern and stylish. There are lots of different options to choose from, but chrome metal ones always look contemporary and work well with all styles of the cabinet. There’s no need to have your entire fitted kitchen replaced when you make this small and affordable change.

5. Refresh the flooring

Kitchen flooring can make or break a sale. If your kitchen still has an unattractive and aging linoleum or vinyl floor covering, it’s definitely time for an upgrade. You don’t need to go all-out with a hardwood floor – there are some very affordable laminates out there which are easy to fit and which will give your room a brand new, modern feel. Choose a light colour for a smaller room and it will feel a lot bigger instantly. Don’t forget to make it sparkle before viewings, too. Spares2You offers a wide range of parts for Vax steam cleaners, to help keep your flooring in good condition.

There you have it, 5 easy changes that you can make in your kitchen that are sure to make it much more appealing to potential buyers, whilst adding value. None will cost too much money but all could add value to your home. It’s definitely worth taking the time and effort to make these few changes. You’ll be making a sale before you know it! Good luck with your move!

The post 5 Home Improvements To Add Value To Your Kitchen Before You Sell appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

We’ve recently invested in a little fire for our lounge and shuffled the furniture around, so our focus has now shifted to the kitchen. If you’re thinking of having family over at Christmas, too, you might want to follow these tips on preparing your kitchen for the oncoming festivities, just like we have:

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  How to prepare your home for Christmas

Buy Your Ingredients Well In Advance

The last thing you want to be doing a few days before the main event is running around from store to store trying to pick the best turkey from the selection which is left. Make the time to plan out every ingredient you are going to need for Christmas dinner in advance, and anything which isn’t fresh, buy that straight away. Then as you get closer to the day, rather than worrying about there being nothing left in store, why not shop online instead? You’ll save yourself the hassle of going out and you will be guaranteed not to forget anything.

Upgrade The Kitchen

Modern Kitchen Design usually features a lot of white, sleek lines and copper cookware. But you don’t need to rip your whole kitchen apart in order to spruce it up for the festive season. A lick of paint will freshen up the walls and kitchen cabinets instantly without you spending too much money. You could even add a feature wall in a deep red or green to add that touch of festive spirit as well as an air of cosiness to the space.

If you have your dining table in the kitchen with you, begin decorating the table for an ultra-festive look. Add a red tablecloth, candles, a bottle of wine and some large red plates. For extra touches, you could add some gems and small snowflake sequins on the surface of the table. If your table is big enough you could even place a wreath in the middle of the table and when the time comes, place your turkey in the middle of it for added effect.

Plan Your Cooking Itinerary

Stop stressing about your timings on the big day, instead, take the time to work out how long it takes for everything to cook, and from that, you can plan when things will go in the oven and when to prep your side dishes.

Upgrade Your Cutlery and Crockery

If you don’t have enough plates which are large enough, or you don’t even own a gravy boat, then get down to the store early and stock up on new crockery ready for the 25th December. You might find a set which you really love and will use all year round.

Do A Test Run

If it’s the first time you have cooked a full turkey dinner by yourself, you might want to run a trial a few weeks before Christmas to test how well your oven works, how long everything takes to cook and to perfect your timings for a stress-free Christmas Day.

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Contour Your Walls

Nothing says fresh like a décor overhaul, particularly in a kitchen where walls become an abstract artwork of splashes and spills. It’s no surprise then that our first step in renovating the kitchen starts with the walls. Many opt for white because of its light-reflecting properties, but this can make a room look cold and uninviting if not planned carefully. Instead, try to work with the angles of the room to maximise the appearance of space and tranquillity.

Look at where light naturally falls, for example, opposite windows, and where the room is in natural shade. Darker areas become more visible painted in lighter tones whereas well-lit areas can be receded using darker shades. Bear this in mind and choose complementary colours in a range of tones when painting your room for a three-dimensional space, not a blank canvas.

Add Sleek Flooring

You’d be surprised what adding a contemporary floor covering to your kitchen can do to open up the space and introduce light into the room. Gloss or glazed effects are great for this, so we were excited to see the linear range added to the great selection of CTD’S kitchen tiles. Its sophisticated shape and modern neutral tones complement most colour schemes for a coordinated look and have natural shade variation for a great mosaic finish.

If you’re renting then tiling may be an issue, but there are plenty of alternatives out there. Laminate flooring has moved on over the past decade, bringing in new techs and exciting finishes. You can even get glossy tile effect laminate that recreates the appearance of porcelain. They’re practical and as easy to clean as the real thing, too.

  Beautiful ideas to spice up your kitchen space

Anyone for Marbles?

In days gone by, marble was an outdated material of choice for the extremely wealthy, but since its resurrection last year it has popped up in every room of the home for worktops, basins and home accessories too. It’s loved for its luxuriant appearance and hard-wearing properties and is quite easy to look after, too. While it would be nice to have a whole kitchen of the stuff, the cost is often prohibitive. But don’t despair, just covering a kitchen island or creating a marble splashback can have a huge impact on a much smaller cost.

Revamp Your Cabinets

If your cabinets are solid but are looking tired, you could always go for a quick fix by replacing the cabinet doors and handles for a new, fresh look. For a classic design, a great option is to go for solid wooden doors for a new take on cottage chic. Alternatively, opt for a monochrome black, grey or white gloss for a contemporary feel that would sit right at home with glass splashbacks and chrome handles. Monochrome is still incredibly popular and will no doubt dominate kitchen trends in the next season, making it a great choice for a homeowner with evolving tastes.

  Essential Must Haves For Every Modern Kitchen

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The post Four Ways To Modernise Your Kitchen appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

Open Living Plans

Nowadays, people are looking for as much space as possible within their houses. Many new homes are being built without the same sense of compartmentalization. Instead, it is all about open-concept living, with the traditional divides that used to separate one room from another much less defined. This tends to be much better for families looking after their kids, as well as providing a lot more space when it comes to entertaining.

Ample Kitchen Counter Space

There is nothing more frustrating when you are trying to cook than when you find that you don’t have enough space. It is also a nice feature to have a breakfast bar that is separate from the main food preparation area. Of course, you need to have a decently sized kitchen in the first place, but there is no reason that everything can’t be designed with space-saving firmly in mind. The idea of an island in the center of the kitchen helps to open up more space for cabinets, as well as allowing for additional seating.

Big Storage Facilities

Probably right near the top of this list is a walk-in wardrobe. When it seems like your wardrobe is fit to burst, this can end up solving all your problems! But storage facilities all over the house are something that many families aspire to. People have an increasing amount of stuff that they need to keep hold of these days, so creative storage systems are always in demand.

  Outdoor Living Hack: Create The Garden Of Your Dreams

Deck or Patio

On those long summer evenings, there is nothing nicer than a deck or patio area to entertain guests. Luckily, this is something that doesn’t have to be too expensive as long as you have a decent amount of outdoor space. You will probably want to have plenty of outdoor seating, as well as the right lighting and heating equipment for when you want to continue the party long into the night.

A Beautiful Garden Area

Staying on the outside of the home, a beautiful garden is something that many homeowners are looking for. There are two ways that this is going to be achieved. The first is by shelling out some money to call in the professionals to sort it out for you. The other is by actually putting in the hours of hard work and effort yourself. No matter which way you decide to go, getting the garden of your dreams is not something that is totally out of reach.

The post 5 Features Every Dream Home Should Have appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

Good Knives

Having good knives is absolutely essential if you plan on preparing food in your new kitchen. Buying a set of knives can seem a bit daunting because there are so many different options out there. Some of them can be quite expensive and you don’t want to risk wasting the money on a set that is no good. But there are some key things to look out for that can help you to choose wisely.

Different people like different knives so it’s best to go into a shop where you can hold them. Feel the weight of it, and whether it is comfortable in your hand. Find the one that feels right and buy that. Once you get home, test it and make sure that it is sharp enough. It is also important to sharpen your knives regularly. Using a blunt knife is dangerous, and if you don’t take good care of your knives they will become permanently blunted and you will have to buy some more.

Good Quality China

It is likely that you will be hosting guests in your new home, and you’ll be wanting to impress them when you do. If you are cooking food for them, it is important to have a set of good quality china to serve it on. Companies like The Longest Stay can offer good quality, stylish tableware that will be sure to dazzle your guests, and it is well made so it will last you for years to come.

  Essential Must Haves For Every Modern Kitchen

Skillet

Having a good quality skillet in your kitchen will open up a lot of possibilities. It is perhaps the most versatile piece of equipment and, if you care for it properly, it can last you a lifetime. You can prepare almost any meal in it, but you need to make sure that you avoid getting a cheap one, and put a bit of time and effort into choosing a good one.

Cast iron is the best material for a skillet because, although it is quite a lot heavier, it will give more even cooking and the pan will be more durable. Once you have purchased your skillet, you need to make sure you look after it. Some of them will say that they are dishwasher safe, but for real longevity, it is best to hand wash it.

Crock-Pot

A good crockpot is a must-have if you have a busy schedule. You can put all of your ingredients in before you go out and it will do the rest for you. Once you get back you simply need to serve up and eat. There are thousands of different recipes that you can cook in a crockpot, without putting the effort in at all.

The post 4 Things In Your Kitchen To Splash Your Cash On! appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

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  12 Swoon Worthy Scandinavian Kitchen Designs

Declutter and Organise

This was one of the best tips as a first step that I’ve gotten from my Vancouver kitchen renovation friend. Decluttering regularly allows you to get rid of things that are taking up precious space, so you have more room for the things you do use and love. Things like popcorn makers, waffle irons and even ice cream machines can be bought with the best of intentions, but once the novelty wears off they sit in the kitchen cupboards taking up a massive amount of space.

If you have things like this that haven’t been used in the last year, pass them along to someone who will enjoy them and reclaim the room in your cupboards. Get rid of anything that doesn’t belong in the kitchen or can be re-homed to another room too. Once you’re down to the basics of the things you actually need and love, organising everything efficiently will make your life much easier. For example you could set aside one small cupboard for trays, pans and the big bulky things so you’re not having to rummage through them unnecessarily.

You could put all baking equipment somewhere else, and small appliances that you do use somewhere else. Then when you’re mid way through cooking and realise there’s something that you need, you don’t have to turn over the whole kitchen to be able to find it. It makes the most of the room you have and makes it easier to keep everything tidy too.

Be Smart With Storage

The issue with most kitchens is storage, and if you find yourself constantly getting stressed out when you’re in yours then storage is likely to be the problem. Look around for any areas that are wasted space and utilise them, for example you could put baskets on top of wall cupboards to create a new row of storage. You could create a ‘pull out pantry’ in a small gap next to the fridge, and you could use any free areas of wall space to create rows of shelves to display prettier items such as pottery pieces, cookbooks and your best cups and plates.

A wall mounted spice rack will make cooking much easier and will free up cupboard space for something else, and foil/ cling film/ kitchen roll holders mounted underneath your wall cupboards will save space in a drawer. Even if you don’t have the means or desire to rip out your entire kitchen and have it refitted with more storage space, there’s plenty you can do to add more and customise it for the things you use most often.

  Beautiful ideas to spice up your kitchen space

Let In More Light

One of the quickest ways to make a room look big, airy and beautiful is to let in as much natural daylight as possible. This could be just a matter of changing up whatever you currently have up at your windows, remove heavy curtains and fit blinds where you can easily adjust the light you have coming in. If the window in your kitchen is especially small, having it opened up and having a new larger one installed will immediately change up the space.

You could even consider an aluminum bi-fold door system which will flood the room with light, give you a great view and easy access to your garden. Alternatively if all (or part) of your kitchen has been built in a single story extension, skylights are a good option.

Refresh The Decor

Kitchen walls can become casualties of spills and splashes and damage from steam and smoke. They can build up slowly until one day you look at your walls and realise they no longer look their best. Refreshing the decor is a quick and easy way to bring a new lease of life to the space and make everything look new again. If you need inspiration check out SDB kitchens.

Choose light colours that will open up the room and make it look bigger, don’t be afraid of white and light neutrals. The reality is, in a room like the kitchen you’re probably going to have to regularly redecorate it anyway to keep it looking nice. Choosing a dark shade won’t get around this, and all it will do is make everything look drab and enclosed. To refresh how it looks even further, you could change up the cupboard and drawer handles and even replace the kitchen tap. This will modernise and bring a new look to the kitchen, without having to change the entire thing.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

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