November 17, 2025

Kitchens sell homes. When potential buyers view your home, curb appeal is important, but curb appeal can be quickly overturned if the kitchen doesn’t meet expectations. A good kitchen usually indicates that the home is well-cared for and move-in ready. Homebuyers know that the kitchen is the heart of the home, where they’ll spend most of their time. They also know that kitchen remodels are time-consuming, disruptive, and a significant financial investment. Most potential buyers don’t want to walk into your home and see a project they’ll have to take on. They want to walk into your kitchen and picture themselves there with their family. If you want to sell your house quickly, make sure your kitchen is up to task. If you want to increase your asking price as well, focus on remodel strategies that boost value.Luxury kitchen remodel with white cabinets and a large island.

Upgrades with a High Return

The most expensive choices don’t always mean a high return. In fact, if you try this method, you may find yourself sorely disappointed in the results. When you are remodeling with a high return in mind, you want to focus on a few things:

  • Updated Countertops

High-quality countertops, like granite or quartz, will significantly increase the appeal of the kitchen. Buyers know these materials are high-quality and durable, and the aesthetic appeal is obvious.

  • Cabinet Refacing

Cabinet replacement doesn’t typically have a high ROI, but cabinet refacing does. Your cabinets can dominate the overall look of your kitchen. If you invest in refacing tired or dated-looking cabinets, you can give your kitchen a fresh, clean, and timeless look without the expense of a full replacement. If the boxes themselves are in good shape, refacing is always a good choice.

  • Appliances

Energy-efficient, stainless steel appliances that are working well make your kitchen very attractive to buyers. You likely won’t be selling to a professional chef, so focus on appliances that are reliable, durable, and clean-looking instead of looking for the most top-of-the-line options.

  • Lighting

Many home sellers overlook the difference that good lighting can make. Under-cabinet lighting, pendant lighting over an island, and ensuring that you have options that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing make a huge difference to buyers.

  • Fixtures

Select cost-effective features that will have a significant impact. Pull-down sprayers, touchless faucets, and clean lines are things that buyers love.

Popular Design Choices Buyers Love

You may have a very distinct style, but when remodeling to increase your asking price, focus on creating a functional space with neutral colors that buyers can easily picture themselves making their own. Buyers also love to see:

  • Functional Kitchen Island

The kitchen island is a huge selling point. It’s a place to eat and socialize, provides extra space for meal prep, and offers a huge amount of storage. If you don’t have one, this is an investment you won’t regret.

  • Organized and Ample Storage

You don’t need to go custom to install features that buyers love. Pull-out shelves, appliance garages, and cabinet organizers are very attractive to buyers.

Materials that Justify Your Asking Price

Materials make a difference, and buyers are aware of this. If you’re going to raise your asking price, you need to give the buyers a justification, and that’s based on high-quality materials far more than a pretty face. The three big material choices that make the biggest difference are countertops, appliances, and floors. Buyers want to see a high-end countertop, which usually means quartz, granite, or marble. Quartz is an excellent choice because it’s durable, luxurious, and easy to maintain. For appliances, you will never go wrong with stainless steel. Stainless steel is clean, durable, and complements nearly every design choice. Finally, focus on flooring. Engineered hardwood is great for kitchens. It offers the appeal of natural hardwood with a durability that can’t be matched for kitchens.

Don’t Go Overboard

You won’t get a 100% return, so make smart decisions. High-end appliances, customized features, luxury materials, or upgrades that clash with the rest of the home won’t give you the return you may be hoping for. Buyers want quality, but they also want a home they can picture themselves living in, and more importantly, maintaining. Granite counters and custom tile may look good on a listing sheet, but many buyers won’t want to deal with the upkeep. You aren’t creating a show kitchen. You’re enhancing what you must to make it look fresh, updated, and attractive. While your contractor is a great resource, it’s also important to get the opinion of your realtor about what’s really important and what will allow them to increase your asking price.

Remodeling a kitchen with a focus on increasing your asking price and getting your home to sell quickly takes a slightly different approach to remodeling a kitchen that your family will love. You’ll focus more on materials and designs that are timeless, high-quality, and marketable, rather than your personal preferences. You’ll put much less effort into customization and more into upgrades that will have the most visual impact. The most important thing to remember when remodeling your kitchen to increase your asking price is to make decisions that maximize return and design choices that will appeal to many potential buyers, providing them with a fresh, clean, and upgraded blank space that they can personalize later. When you want your kitchen to help increase your asking price, talk to your contractor about the best choices that will help market your home.

Want to boost your home’s value before selling? Doors & Drawers of NW Ohio can reface your cabinets and upgrade key features to help your kitchen impress buyers and increase your asking price. Schedule a consultation today to start planning innovative improvements.