7 tips for you to present your kitchen beautifully to buyers.

Staging a kitchen can be a challenge… but don’t worry I’m here to help you along the way. The kitchen is the heart of the home and more often than not the deciding factor for buyers when they are choosing to make an offer.

The challenge comes for the seller as being the heart of the home, it can often show signs of your hectic life. I hate to break it to you but a staged kitchen is not a practical one, however the benefits of a fast sale outweighs the short term invoivience of putting away appliances. 

Home staging is all about selling the dream and demonstrating a lifestyle to your buyers. Over 80% of buyers find it easier to visualise a property as their future home when it has been staged [home staging report 2021]. Proving you can’t rely on buyers to have the vision to see the full potential of the property… They need a little nudge.

Having clear goals will help you to keep focused when you are staging your kitchen. A staged kitchen will:

• Be uncluttered 
• Look clean 
• Smell fresh 
• Feel spacious 
• Be up-to-date 
• Feel welcoming and lived in but not messy

1. A fresh lick of paint

We’re not looking to totally remodel the kitchen as that isnt cost or time effective – however if your kitchen is looking a bit tired and dated it’s amazing what a fresh lick of paint on the cupboard doors and walls can do! Choose neutral tones as buyers want to be able to put their own stamp on a property. A neutral tone allows them to see their own style within the space. 

2. Update the hardware and lighting

Simply swapping out the hardware with a modern style can instantly provide a facelift to your kitchen. If the lighting is also looking dated try pairing a new lighting fixture in the same finish as the hardware.

3. Declutter the sides

Remove all the clutter off the sides and I mean everything. All the post, phone chargers, utensil pots, blenders, mixers and gadgets. Remove the photos and magnets from the fridge and anything shoved on the top of the cupboards. Having clutter on the side gives the impression of lack of space and that turns buyers. Buyers are looking for more space to be able to grow into a home.

Pair a kettle/coffee machine with 2 espresso cups and  place a wooden chopping board next to the cooker with an oil pourer and a beautiful cookbook.

4. Clean as a whistle

Cleaning checklist 

• Wipe down all the sides
• Cupboard fronts
• Stove top and extractor
• Floors 
• Sink & Tap 
• Windows

5. Something smells delicious

Create a beautiful fresh smell with scented candles & fresh herbs, and of course be sure to  empty the bin & take out the compost. A fresh scent makes you calm, relaxed. Smell is a sense that is often forgotten about but its powerful way of reinforcing a positive association with the property will help to embed a deeper positive impression. 

6. A Sprinkling of colour

I love the use of dried flowers when staging a home but in the Kitchen fresh flowers always win! They bring life, colour and vibrance to the space. Another way to add a splash of colour is using a decorative bowl and filling it with fresh citrus fruit such as, Lemons, Limes & Grapefruit.

7. Staging a Kitchen Island

Keep it simple. I see a lot of kitchens that have been over staged – it’s a balance making it appealing but also realistic so it feels achievable to the buyers. The main area that I often see over-staged is the dining area; it’s lovely to demonstrate the elegance of a beautifully set table. This allows buyers to visualise family and friends enjoying meals in their new home, however in daily life our dining tables aren’t set ready for Christmas dinner. I set the table with simple china and glassware and only if it’s a dining area. Creating a table setting on an island or on a small table in a smaller property makes it visually cluttered and in these situations a beautiful vase with fresh flowers is more effective. 

So that’s the rundown on staging a kitchen for sale! Remember it’s the heart of the home making it the most important place to focus your efforts when home staging. If you’re feeling inspired and wanting to go that extra mile, check out my guide for getting a house ready for sale. Learn all your need to know from first impressions to going the extra mile to stand out from your competitors.