Increasing The ROI Of Your Kitchen Cabinets

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A kitchen remodel is one of the highest return on investment (ROI) options homeowners can make. Kitchen projects, including renovations, that cost below $20,000 show a whooping 83% ROI.

Although kitchen remodels have a considerable ROI, these are still expensive projects. The good news is this: you can shorten your property’s time on the market by making sure your kitchen cabinets look great and function properly.

Keep reading and discover some simple tricks to increase the value of your kitchen without losing money.

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Published on October 29th, 2021 by

A family-owned company in Pennsylvania for three generations, Dailey Manufacturing has been committed to customer satisfaction since its inception. With expertise in cabinetry manufacturing and installation services, owner Brian serves the local community with dedication while always putting clients first.

Pick Timeless Cabinets For increased value

Kitchen cabinets are a big deal for potential buyers because they set the vibe and style of your kitchen and, ultimately, of the entire home. Not surprisingly, a minor face-lift for your kitchen cabinets should be enough to increase your home’s chances on the market.

To increase the ROI of your kitchen cabinets, you’ll want to invest in a timeless kitchen style. This way, the constantly shifting design trends will never catch you off guard, and the value of your cabinets won’t drop over the years.

Along with that, a more neutral design for the entire kitchen, not just your cabinets, will please more potential buyers, so when the time comes, you’ll sell the house faster.

The Right Materials For Your Kitchen Cabinets

Mesmerizing cabinets around your kitchen significantly increase your ROI, but they can be very pricey. In this case, being informed about where you want to save money and where to spend is crucial.

For example, soft-close hinges allow the cabinet door to shut slowly without ruining the cabinet frame or making a noise. Homeowners view this aspect as a necessity, so it adds even more value to your cabinets.

Buying the most expensive material is just a luxury and will not add to the functionality of your kitchen. Most people can’t tell the difference between a high-quality veneer cabinet and a solid wood one. 

Instead, invest in high-quality cabinet construction, as this will allow you to reface your cabinets rather than outright replace them.

Cabinet Material Average Cost
Wood Veneer $4,000 - $9,000
Laminate $5,000 - $8,000
Acrylic $5,000 - $8,000
Wood $6,000 - $12,000
Stainless Steel $22,000 - $36,000
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Refinishing Vs. Refacing Vs. Replacing Cabinets

Refinishing your cabinets is one of the best upgrades to increase the ROI of your kitchen, boosting your home’s resale value by as much as 7%. That’s just an exceptional return for such an affordable and quick project.

Here are the three main reasons refinishing your cabinets is the best option you can make:

  • Refinishing cabinets is five times cheaper than replacing them and three times cheaper than refacing your cabinets.
  • A new layer of finish can add even more value to your cabinets than replacing them.
  • Many buyers care more about the durability and rock-solid construction of older, hardwood cabinetry. Preserve their finish to maintain their value.

If your cabinets suffered severe damage, a new finish or a new coat of paint might not be successful. For water damage, cracked wood, or an outdated cabinet style, you might want to reface your cabinets, not refinish.

Refinishing existing cabinets yields the same results as getting new cabinets do, but you gain a huge advantage: you get the same value for a much lower cost.

Choosing Your Kitchen Countertops

You can’t have kitchen cabinets without countertops, so picking the right one from the start will save you a lot of money and time when it comes to selling.

In most outdated kitchens, you’ll find old laminate countertops. These can be extremely difficult to keep clean and are unpleasant to use. Not to mention, they scratch and stain easily.

Another way to sell your home faster when the time comes is by replacing old countertops with either quartz, granite, or even modern laminate. 

These bring a decent ROI and add value because buyers will always be interested in kitchens that look new and clean. Meanwhile, you can enjoy an improved cooking experience thanks to your new updated and highly functional countertops that look sleek and impressive.

Granite Countertops - Boosting The ROI Of Your Cabinets

You can’t go wrong with granite countertops. These are the most popular countertops among buyers, so you’ll have an easy time trying to sell them. Besides, they can boost your home’s value by up to 25% and even help you recoup some of the installation costs.

Here's why granite countertops will be the perfect choice for your home:

You won’t have to worry about deep cleaning, treating, or staining them due to their low maintenance properties.

You won’t have to worry about replacing them for a very long time due to granite’s longevity and strength.

They are an excellent investment that will earn you money because of a high ROI.

Your kitchen will never go out of style because of your countertops’ timeless appeal.

Granite countertops are indeed great to have your cabinets equipped with, but you still need to pick the right ones. To help you avoid some costly mistakes on your countertops, let’s see what to keep in mind when choosing your granite slabs.

Complement your cabinetry with neutral colors and patterns

The most popular granite countertop colors among homeowners are brown, black, or gray variations. A standard and neutral color palette will appeal to most buyers and increase the potential ROI of your kitchen cabinets.

If you have lighter wood or white cabinets, dark gray or black granite countertops will add an eye-catching, modern contrast that everyone will love. 

Likewise, dark wood cabinets will perfectly match light cream, beige, or gray countertops.

Consider the kitchen lighting when choosing the colors

Granite countertops interact with light to make your kitchen glow. A bright kitchen will look cozy with dark or deep blue granite. If you prefer the room darker or don’t have many windows, go for brighter granite with lots of white, gold, or light-colored specks.

The perfect lighting setup will make any potential buyer notice your kitchen cabinets and how everything flows, increasing your chances of selling your property faster. 

Ultimately, it adds to the ROI by increasing its aesthetic appeal.

Prevent visible stains with a darker color selection and consistent sealant

Consider an efficient sealant before making your buying decision. At least once a year, apply this treatment to your granite countertops if you expect your kitchen will go through a lot. 

A sealant from your local hardware store will protect your countertops from large spills or strong chemicals that may be touching their surface.

Choose the ideal thickness of your slabs to make your cabinets stand out

The most common choice – and experts’ recommendation – for granite countertops is to go with a 1.18 inches (3 centimeters) slab. Here’s why:

  • A 1.18 inches slab doesn’t require any extra support, so you won’t have to worry about the cabinet’s structure.
  • It won’t run you as much as the thicker options while providing even better quality and results.
  • You will create the ideal kitchen aesthetic that buyers are looking for.

Select a polished finish for easy maintenance

A polished finish will make the stone pop and transform your countertops into nothing short of impressive. A shiny, reflective surface will make your kitchen appear cleaner, newer, and more prominent. 

Besides, maintaining your countertops will be done in seconds because a polished finish will make your countertops impossible to get dirty.

Enjoy Increased Value With Better Hardware

Choosing the proper hardware for your kitchen cabinets is a matter of matching the style of your pulls, knobs, hinges, or black plates and increasing their overall functionality. 

If you want to increase the selling price of your home, it’s good to keep these things in mind when selecting the hardware for your cabinets:

Cabinet Aesthetic Hardware Finishes Quality

Make sure the new hardware matches the design aesthetic of your kitchen cabinets.

This way, you'll create a nice flow from area to area, so everything looks tied together. It's a simple way to enhance a kitchen that may otherwise seem plain and irrelevant.

Consider coordinating warmer toned cabinets with bronze, black, or even gold hardware while using silver, pewter, or stainless steel for white or gray-toned cabinets.

Take into consideration how the cabinets will harmonize with the lighting, appliances, faucets, and other fixtures in your kitchen.

High-quality hardware will quickly increase your kitchen's efficiency and functionality at an affordable price.

Not only that, but quality hardware will make your cabinets more durable and sturdier, so you'll never have to worry about fixing them again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does painting your cabinets increase their value?

Yes. Neutral colors for cabinets can increase the value of your home. Refinishing your kitchen cabinets yields the same value as refacing or replacing your cabinets while being up to five times more affordable.

Should you paint your cabinets by the roll?

No. Using a roller is not advised because it will create a ‘bobbly’ texture on the surface, resulting in more work needed to make it perfect. For wood, brushing is fine, but if you want a flawless finish that will last, you may want to hire a professional to do it.

Is there a difference between cabinet refinishing and refacing?

Yes. Refinishing your cabinets include polishing, staining, or painting them. It fixes minor issues such as chipped wood or fading colors. Refacing your cabinets means replacing the exterior of the cabinets – the siding and door. If you want to upgrade your cabinets’ drawers, you might want to replace them for the best results.

How much should you spend on a kitchen renovation?

As a rule of thumb, a kitchen renovation budget should be around 3-8% of the home’s value. For example, if your home is $500,000, you can safely spend between $15,000 and $40,000. Of course, if you want an upscale remodel, these prices might go up.

What is the average cost for granite countertops?

Granite countertops will cost you around $40 to $60 per square foot. With the installation and the materials needed, the total price will come down to between $2,000 and $4,500.

Are there more expensive countertops than granite?

Yes. Marble is the most expensive countertop material that averages between $75 to $250 per square foot. It will instantly lift your kitchen to another level, but it does require regular maintenance to ensure its legacy.

Conclusion

The kitchen is the heart of your home, so it deserves to look great, function properly, and be comfortable.

If you’re planning to sell your home, beautiful and practical cabinets in your kitchen will boost your property’s value. But is changing your kitchen cabinets worthwhile if you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon?

Besides the monetary aspect, your home also has emotional value for anyone in your family. Think of all the board games you played there, the long night-talks with your loved ones, or the meals you cooked together with your family.

For most homeowners, the enjoyment rating of a renovated kitchen on a scale of 1 to 10 is a solid 10. According to a case study, after renovating their kitchen, 41% of homeowners experienced a healthier lifestyle, cooking at home more, and almost 50% enjoyed more family time.

So, if you want to increase the selling price of your property or you just want to spend time with your family in a more comfortable kitchen, get in touch with us and let’s make it happen.

Increase the value of your home With Kitchen Cabinets Done Right