If you’ve lived in your property for any length of time, you’ve probably stopped noticing your kitchen. You’ve got over your lust for granite worktops and made your peace with your awkward fridge. But if you’re hoping to sell your house or flat, it’s time to look at your kitchen afresh. The kitchen is the heart of the home and a good kitchen is priority for prospective buyers, sometimes adding up to 7% to the value of your home. On the other hand, most sellers don’t want to blow their 7% advantage on a brand new kitchen, so any improvements you make will probably be on a strict budget.

Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your kitchen before you sell your East London home.

Open plan kitchens

Open plan kitchens are both fashionable and practical. A large space with defined cooking and entertaining areas has developed a very strong appeal for buyers over recent years, with separate dining rooms becoming a thing of the past. People are making an effort to avoid TV dinners too – apparently retailers are seeing a rise in the demand for kitchen tables! Appeal to your buyers’ sense of values and put a table in the kitchen if it will comfortably fit. If you do have a separate dining room which connects directly to the kitchen, consider removing the door to create a more free-flowing space.

Spruce up your cupboards

If your old kitchen units are looking a bit tired, there’s no need to replace the whole kitchen (leave that to the new owners!). You can replace cupboard doors or simply paint them. It’s also possible to replace worktops if they’re looking tatty. Your local DIY store will probably be able to sell you what you need, or you can go to specialist kitchen retailers who will be able to do the work for you.

A lightbulb moment

Good lighting is becoming increasingly important to buyers. Of course, natural light always appeals, but buyers also look for under-unit lights so they can see to cook. If you’ve got room to entertain guests in your kitchen, make sure you have the choice of softer lighting – no one likes a dinner party under a harsh strip light.

The great outdoors

Everyone loves the idea of al fresco dining, and if your kitchen gives directly onto the garden or balcony then the dream can become a reality! Properties with bi-fold or French windows leading to a patio have an immediate advantage, so keep your big windows clean and bright before a viewing. Sometimes connecting kitchen and garden is possible in theory, but you don’t feel it’s worth rebuilding the back of the house just before you move out. In this case, you could get some plans drawn up to show prospective buyers the potential of your property.

Sell property in East London

A beautiful kitchen can add value to your home and it’s well worth making a few low-cost improvements when you’re selling. To sell your East London property, call me, Adam Dockley, today on 020 3633 4440.