Updating kitchen prior to sale

[TheWayOfTheWorld]

We've lived in our house for 6.5 years and haven't touched the kitchen since we moved. It is pretty basic - Ikea factum white gloss cabinets.

We've decided that we are going to put the house up for sale in the Autumn or next Spring so I am writing a list of everything we need to do to get the house ready and make it as saleable as possible.

One thing I'm considering is replacing the cupboard fronts to make the kitchen look a bit more appealing. But.... if I was a buyer I would be looking to replace the whole thing so I'm torn as to whether it is wasted money.

I'm coming down on the side of it not being, because if it is more attractive a buyer may decide they can "live with it" whilst they decide how to change (rather than discounting the house altogether).

Any thoughts or advice on this?

If it isn't damaged or falling apart don't spend money on it. Just make sure it's really clean.

Mum died, RIP, house up for sale, kitchen not great, we did nothing apart from clearing the place out and cleaning it well. We figured the buyers would rip everything out anyway.

It sold STC within four weeks at the time, and is now sold.

Just my experience. Others might think differently.

Thanks both, good to know. It is just a bit "bland" but nothing offensive.

There is an extension on the back of the kitchen which we use as a dining room. If we were staying I would extend the kitchen all along the wall and I imagine this is what a new owner would do as well.

Main thing for us at the moment is to declutter!

Bland is good! Friends of mine ripped out a new kitchen that wasn't to their taste. Up to them but its so wasteful. I'd leave it.

We are in a similar position and asked 2 local agents for advice. They said that kitchens are so personal that they aren't worth doing just for the sale and you very rarely make the money back unless it's hugely hi spec

Declutter the worktops and style with some bright nice things

In your position I’d leave it.

Ours is DISGUSTING and we might buy a second hand one to fit before we sell. We’ll see how finances are.

It's fine - treat the worktops again before the photos are taken.

@wowfudge absolutely. My list of things to do is rather long...

Your kitchen looks nice, perfectly liveable and gives someone the option of upgrading in time- as a buyer this is my preferred option as we really don’t want to pay a premium for some else’s taste! Maybe oil the worktops if they’re a bit faded but I wouldn’t do anything else.

This is really helpful, thank you. DH WILL be pleased

It looks fine to me, I'd love to move in with that kitchen.

Really - it's actually quite nice, absolutely no need to change anything.

Leave it. I would buy it and move in and wouldnt even change it.

@PenelopeFlintstone - well we didn't! . I think I am sidetracked by the pictures on Rightmove of grey/navy kitchens and wide open spaces etc.

As I said, it is definitely more cluttered at the moment (shelf of cooking condiments, magnetic knife rack on wall, utensils pot, etc etc) but that can be addressed for photos/viewings.

You've all reassured me, thank you!

The units look great to me I would re treat the worktops, and maybe put in new tiles!! I think because they are white they look a bit plan, last year I changed the tiles Of twelve year old kitchen ,and it real made it look a lot brighter. I know they are not everyone taste but I had cream ones before and the teal are so much nicer.

Navy tiles would look lovely in your kitchen

Forgot to say I’m really impressed by your lovely empty work tops!!

@Nanalisa60 your tiles are lovely

My worktops are not that clear at all, these are the estate agent photos from when we bought it. Currently rather cluttered!

Let the next people change the tiles. It’s said that people always want to make something their own so let them do the tiles. Maybe even suggest it at a viewing! Give them something to do!

Yes to oiling the worktops, if needed.

I agree with the above its perfectly good enough and I wouldn't be changing it as a buyer until it needed it but I do also think the tiles could be updated or painted just to break up the white, dunelm sell really great tile covering things that are 3d (I'm sure that's not the right terminology but they are sort if textured) ignore the above unfinished text not sure what happened there.

It's totally fine. We are looking to sell our house and have decided kitchen is one area where we won't do anything as it's just not worth it.

Deep clean and that's it.

OMG I would dream of having a kitchen that good. We still have those mustard doors with the stainless steel lip that they use on TV to say HEY IT'S THE 1970s