They say kitchens sell homes, and any Toronto real estate agent will tell you that’s true. It’s the heart of the home, and where most people end up spending most of their time. Styles and trends come and go, but these kitchen design elements are some that home buyers love.
- Stainless Steel Appliances
Any upgraded appliances are a plus, but buyers particularly love stainless steel. This style is newer, and it signals to buyers that the appliances are updated. Stainless steel also acts like a neutral, blending in so that other design elements can shine. The metallic finish also helps reflect light, so they’re great at preventing kitchens from feeling too dark.
- Stone Countertops
Stone countertops have been big for a while and their popularity doesn’t show signs of fading. Buyers prefer materials like granite, quartz, and marble. Current designs favor stones with less movement and that appear less busy. Quartz is now also favored over granite for these reasons.
- Good Lighting
Good lighting can transform any room. Make sure you maximize your kitchen’s lighting to wow buyers. Natural light is always a plus, but if that’s not an option make sure you have enough light coming from elsewhere. Under-cabinet lighting has been huge lately, and it’s a great way to brighten up a kitchen that has darker elements. No one wants to cook in the dark, especially not buyers.
- White Cabinets
Trends and styles are constantly shifting, but white cabinets have been a staple for a long time. Gray cabinets were huge for the past few years, and now natural wood ones are coming into style, but white is a classic and timeless option that buyers love. Real estate agents constantly get requests for homes with white kitchen cabinets.
- Lots of Storage
Storage is key, especially in a city like Toronto where square footage is limited and expensive. Buyers look to make sure they can store all the kitchen items they need too. Taking your cabinets up to the ceiling not only makes a room feel taller but it also adds storage. Pantries are also huge bonus to potentially buyers too.
- Countertop Space
Anyone that loves to cook or entertain knows that having enough countertop space is key to doing all the prep necessary. Make sure you design the kitchen so that there is more than enough room to actually work in the kitchen. Features like islands and peninsulas are great because they offer extra countertop space, plus they’re great for additional seating.
- Good Layout
By far the most important part of any kitchen is the layout. If you have a fridge off somewhere random or the dishwasher isn’t next to the sink, buyers will notice and it will impact their decision. People often talk about the “work triangle”, which had the fridge, sink, and stove arranged like a triangle for maximum flow. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it does help.
