Kitchen Cabinet Reface and Other Ways to Increase the Value of Your Kitchen

by Melissa Bullard
Face Your Kitchen Columnist

Refacing your kitchen cabinets is known as a great way to update and refresh the look of your kitchen without spending as much money as you would for a remodel. Many people choose to reface their cabinets because they want a different look, but refacing your kitchen cabinets can also be a wise move before you try to sell your home. In today's market, homeowners need to go the extra mile to make sure their house stands out from the rest.

Beyond the Kitchen Cabinet Reface: Ways to Add Value to Your Kitchen

So if you're getting ready to sell, consider the following kitchen improvement projects that you can do to increase the value of your home for just a fraction what a full kitchen remodel would cost. These little improvements could transform a nice kitchen into a stand-out room in your home that buyers just won't forget.

• Upgrading kitchen appliances: According to HGTV.com, upgrading your kitchen appliances to energy-efficient models can have a major impact on the value of your kitchen to potential buyers.
• Add under-cabinet lights or recessed lighting: Bright rooms look larger, friendlier, and more open than dark ones, and increasing the light in your kitchen could help you increase its overall value. Find an electrician who can install recessed lighting or place under-cabinet lighting underneath the cupboards. If fluorescent lights don't appeal to you, know that under-cabinet lighting now also comes in LED, xenon, and halogen.
• Replace laminate countertops: According to HomeInsight.com, replacing your laminate countertops can cost less than 15 percent of what a full kitchen remodel would cost, but could make a huge difference in the appearance of your kitchen. If your laminate countertops are stained, scratched, or just plain worn out, this project could increase the value of your kitchen.
• Replace kitchen hardware: Replacing and updating the hardware on your kitchen cabinets is probably a given if you are refacing your kitchen cabinets, but it's a project you should consider even if you're not.
• Install green flooring in your kitchen: Going green is a great way to update your kitchen in an earth-conscious way. Wood flooring looks warm and attractive, and bamboo is currently stylish and eco-friendly. If you need to replace the floor, consider going green.

There are a variety of small, relatively inexpensive projects that you can complete to update your kitchen and increase its value. So take action before selling your home, whether through new appliances, kitchen cabinet refacing, or simply changing up your cabinet hardware.

Sources:

• http://planetgreen.discovery.com
• http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/green-home-improvement-addvalue.html

About the Author
Melissa Bullard earned a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, then a Master's Degree in Spanish Language and Literatures from the University of Nevada, Reno. She has taught writing, literature, and Spanish classes, and is currently working as a fre