Update Your Kitchen On A Slim Budget

If you are ready to sell your condo or townhouse and want to make it stand out in the sea of properties on the market, consider updating your kitchen to make it a focal point of your home.

The kitchen is often a central gathering place for any type of entertaining, or it can be a relaxing room for preparation of a favorite meal. When you are in selling mode, you will want it to be welcoming for all prospective buyers that tour your home. You don't have to spend a fortune on a complete renovation to bring a sense of freshness to the kitchen. Here are some tips to get your kitchen move-in ready for the next owner:

Paint options

One of the simplest and least expensive ways to give life to a tired kitchen is a coat or two of paint, preferably in a neutral color for a faster sale.

You may also want to paint the cupboard doors and drawers to update an older wood look. This will take a few days to remove the doors, take off the hardware and begin painting the primer coat. Two more coats of the chosen color should be applied for the best finish. If you are changing styles of hardware and need to drill new holes, this is the time to fill and sand the old connections to the doors or drawers.

Painting the inside of the cupboards is optional. If you leave them as is, be sure to take everything off the shelves and do a thorough cleaning before replacing the doors.

Note: Paint kitchen doors and drawers in a well-ventilated area such as a back yard, balcony or room where there is access to plenty of fresh air.

Lighting counts

Having proper lighting in a kitchen is essential. If your kitchen has an old style, single light fixture in the ceiling, or has outdated fluorescent bulbs, speak to a lighting expert at your local home improvement store for updating ideas. New halogen track lighting gives great light to working areas, and recessed lights under cupboards adds a touch of elegance.

For owners who are lucky enough to have windows or skylights, make sure the panes are completely clean to let in as much natural light as possible. Buyers can easily imagine themselves in a cheery, bright kitchen.

Fresh appliances

Depending on how old your appliances are, you may want to consider replacing one or two. The good fridge is a key to any kitchen and may be worth the investment if you can find a good sale. The other option for sprucing up the kitchen is to paint older appliances with specially designed products. It is imperative that you use appliance paint, particularly if you are considering putting a new coat on your stove.

Add a touch of green

Even if you do not have a green thumb when it comes to gardening, adding some ivy or another small plant to the kitchen brings life to the room and can make a world of difference to buyers.