Revamping a kitchen can be a costly undertaking, with the median price of a remodeling job coming in at $60,000. So, how do you make sure the changes you make won’t look dated in a few years?
HouseLogic, a home improvement website by the National Association of REALTORS®, offers ideas to future-proof your kitchen, including:
Stick with white
White has remained the top choice of the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s annual survey for years. “It’s a bright color that reflects light and makes even small kitchens feel larger,” notes HouseLogic, adding that white appears to be the “most marketable color” in the kitchen.
Put in hardwood flooring
Not having hardwood floors apparently comes with later regrets. More than half of home shoppers who purchased a home without hardwood floors say they would have paid an extra $2,080 for them, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ Home Features Survey. Overall, 80 percent of buyers say hardwood flooring is “somewhat” or “very important.” Hardwood flooring can pair well with any kitchen style too, from traditional to the most contemporary styles, designers say.
Choose Shaker-style cabinets
These frame-and-panel design cabinets have a look that stand the test of time. “In a kitchen with a timeless look, you want the cabinets to be part of the backdrop,” says Alan Zielinski, a former president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. “You don’t want to be overpowered. You’re looking for plain, simple, clean lines.”
Go with Carrara marble countertops
This classic surface material has lacy graining and subtle white colors that pair well with any kitchen. It’s also readily available and less expensive than higher-end alternatives, like quartz, HouseLogic notes.
Choose subway tile backsplashes
Classic subway tiles are white, 3-by-6-inch rectangles. They’ve grown popular in kitchens and baths. A neutral or white-colored subway tile used as a backsplash in the kitchen not only “looks classy” but also guards against moisture damage and is easy to clean, HouseLogic notes. “A subway tile backsplash and a marble countertop make a dashing couple that will stand the test of time,” HouseLogic notes.
