Does a new kitchen add value to my property?

If you are looking for a return on investment on your home improvements, having a new kitchen fitted is one of the best projects to choose. A study by Which? found that a new kitchen would typically add around 6% to the value of a property. With the average house price in the UK now over £308k, that works out at an average increased value of around £18.5k.

Property expert Phil Spencer suggests that if you do only one room refit in your home it should be the kitchen. This is the heart of the home for most people and a newly remodelled kitchen can make the difference between a sale and no-deal.

It’s not just about the cost – or even the hassle of having the kitchen refitted. Buying a house is very often a decision from the heart, not the head. A tired, dated kitchen can set the tone for the whole house and may put a viewer off completely. It may be an illogical decision. The buyer may have ready funds to pay for a kitchen refit. But many buyers are subconsciously attracted to an aspirational lifestyle. An old-fashioned

Remember that the value of the kitchen should be proportionate to the value of the property. Splashing out £50k on a kitchen in a flat which is valued at £200k would seem a little OTT. Equally, a kitchen costing £6k is not going to give the wow factor you’d expect in a £1 million property.

If you think you’ll be selling your home within a few years, it makes sense to keep to colour schemes with a broad appeal. This doesn’t mean you need to avoid bold colours completely. Just keep them for accessories and small appliances – he things you can take with you when you move.

You also need a style which won’t date quickly. You don’t need to restrict yourself to a classic shaker style kitchen, but it does make sense to go for something fairly simple which isn’t likely to go out of fashion. If you’re having handles, opt for sleek rather than intricate designs.

The other key consideration is durability. Choose materials carefully – you might love the look of a wood worktop, but quartz is easier to maintain and will look as good as new for years. Painted woodwork can show scratches and marks far more easily than a high quality l

If you’re not planning to move for a couple of years you can have the best of both worlds. You get to enjoy your new kitchen for a while, and as long as go for quality, it’s still going to look fabulous when you come to sell your home.