12 Kitchen Upgrades That Aren’t Worth the Investment

Perhaps the biggest makeover a homeowner will do is to their kitchen, which has a huge influence on the equity in the property’s physical structure and how well the household functions daily. If your kitchen has to be updated or gutted since it hasn’t been updated in decades, you’ll probably have to start by altering the floor plan and installing everything from scratch.

However, a modest kitchen makeover could usually be more advantageous. According to Home Light, a little redesign may be quite affordable and yield a higher return on investment. For instance, refacing cabinets, changing worktops, modernizing appliances, and upgrading light fixtures significantly influence function and beauty.

Over-the-Range Microwaves

Although placing the microwave above the cooking surface has long been considered a normal kitchen procedure to save counter space, this practice is becoming less common.

Appliance accessibility for the whole family is becoming increasingly crucial as more house purchasers adopt universal design concepts. Instead, put the microwave in drawers and nooks under the counter.

Overhead Pot Racks

Pot racks were once very popular in kitchen design. But these days, hanging a big pot rack over the center of a kitchen island isn’t the ideal option. Pots and pans are no longer usually kept out in the open but neatly tucked away in drawers.

Instead of arranging your cookware in an unorganized mess above the stove, consider hanging a couple of your favorite pans on the backsplash or a vacant wall if you like to have them out in the open and conveniently accessible.

Antique Hardware

Although not all metals are as attractive as one another, kitchen trend reports indicate that metal hardware is hot this year. Instead of the bulky, worn-out cabinet hardware you may now have in your house, go for elegant and slender choices.

Fortunately, updating the hardware in your kitchen doesn’t have to cost a lot of money because it’s a quick and affordable process. For example, updating oil-rubbed bronze knobs to matte or satin black would update your kitchen to a more modern look.

Open Shelving

It’s tempting to believe that installing shelves is the secret to a fashionable environment when you browse through Instagram and fall in love with the pictures of stunning farmhouse kitchens with their open shelving made of reclaimed wood, matching stoneware mugs, and precisely arranged dishes.

But, maintaining organization, cleaning, and purchasing dishware that looks as good on the shelf as on the table are all necessary for open shelving. Future purchasers likely want to hide their belongings somewhere, and most individuals lack time or energy.

Marble Countertops

Marble worktops are stylish and seem pricey because they are perceived as classic. For most homes, though, the maintenance ought to be a deal-breaker. Spilling tomato sauce or lemon juice onto your counter will scratch the surface, and the flaws will divert prospective customers.

Barn Doors

Barn doors were popular for a while but immediately seem outdated if you use them on your pantry doors. You’ll be happy that you avoided this trend since, in five years, any buyer will consider them broken immediately.

Peel and Stick Backsplashes

Peel-and-stick Backsplashes are inexpensive ways to update the look without replacing the tile. But they usually can’t withstand a kitchen’s regular dings and scratches. The peel-and-stick backsplash won’t be perfect when it comes time to sell, and it could even be worse than what you had before.

Diy’Ing ‘Stone’ Countertops

You’ve likely seen do-it-yourself guides online where individuals make countertops that resemble stones using epoxy or contact paper. Social media users are drawn to projects of this nature, but the trend isn’t as flawless in real life as it seems.

When you are preparing to spend a large sum of money on a property, this do-it-yourself job can instantly notify buyers that potential enhancements were made to a budget.

Distressed Cabinets

Many rural kitchens include distressed and glazed cabinet finishes. Although this cabinet style has become increasingly fashionable over the last ten years, it is currently out of style. Whether selecting natural wood finishes or traditional kitchen cabinet paint colors, go for more contemporary styles when selecting finishes for a cabinet replacement or refacing.

Skipping Window Treatments

For several years, keeping windows open and unobstructed by drapes or shades has been popular, mimicking the urban loft lifestyle. However, this fashionable look comes at a cost: a total lack of privacy and dealing with the sun’s glare daily. Fortunately, it’s simple to buck this high tendency.

“At least in the South, where I am, window treatments are still an integral piece of a kitchen design for us,” says Elizabeth Scruggs, general contractor and principal designer at Superior Construction and Design, LLC, in Lebanon, Tenn. Scruggs says window coverings are “not typically for privacy, but to add color, texture, and softness into the design.” Skip the valences and opt for simple, minimalist window treatments like semi-sheer shades and white shutters to keep your windows looking fresh while adding functionality.

Tiled Countertops

In the 1970s and 1980s, tile countertops were very popular and have returned in more understated styles. Although less costly than granite and other solid natural countertop materials, tiled surfaces require extensive maintenance.

Grout on a vertical surface in a shower is challenging enough. However, what about a flat surface where crumbs accumulate in the grout lines? Ignore it.

All-White Decor

Minimalist kitchens don’t need to be completely white. In reality, white kitchens have their fair share of maintenance issues. “I had a client who cooked with many spices and sauces and got swayed into doing the white cabinets with white Carrara marble backsplash countertops,” Goorha says from Bob Vila’s Kitchen Trends.

Despite her meticulous cleaning regimen, the client’s marble counters were worn down and stained with wine. “Though the kitchen was only 5 years old, it looked pretty dated because of the wear and tear from the use of a large family,” says Goorha.

Update Your Kitchen on a Budget by Painting Cabinets