Staging kitchens : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Staging kitchens

Kitchens can make or break the sale of your home. Even if the prospective buyer doesn't really cook - and according to the National Restaurant Association sales have rise 12 fold since 1970, most people still want their kitchen to look modern and up-to-date.

Here are some things to watch out for:

Cluttered counters and walls - The more “stuff” on the counters, the less counter space your room will appear to have. The more bits and pieces plastered on the front of the fridge -- the more disorganized and cluttered the whole room will seem to be. The more “decorative” items you have strewn on the walls, the less able your potential buyer will be to imagine their stuff on the walls. The idea is to make the buyer imagine living here… the less of YOU they see, the more of THEM they can project.
Grimy floors/sink/cabinet tops/appliances - In a matter of moments, a floor can become gritty. Add to that a few water spots in the sink, a slight coffee stain from this morning’s essential cup of java and a few crumbs perching on top of the toaster… and what do you get? A kitchen that seems dirty and uninviting.

Be sure you take a look at the kitchen with fresh eyes. Stand at the door and pretend you have never seen it before. (Imagine you are the grime police.) What do you see? If you were your mother-in-law (or maybe your mother) what “tiny little comments” might you make? Fix those. Now.

Be so bold as to scrub the sink and SHINE it (pay special attention to behind the faucet and the rim around the sink – use an old toothbrush). Sweep, mop AND wax the floor. Thoroughly clean all appliances – even in the nooks and crannies. Make it simply spotless.
Unsavory smells/odors - Avoid cooking strong smelling food when your house is on the market. Day old fish, boiled cabbage, onions, etc., will turn off the most interested buyer. Avoid “covering up” smells with strong sprays, over-scented candles and products. Your favorite “gardenia” smell may send your potential buyer into sneezing fits.

Instead, consider leaving out a single appliance – a bread machine, with the timer set to be mid-way through the baking process when the house is to be shown. How many people do you know that don’t like the smell of fresh bread? (Yeah, I can’t think of a single one either!)
Disorganized or insufficient storage space - If your cabinets are brimming with “stuff” or (goodness forbid) things tend to tumble when you open them, you need to remove all but the most essential items while showing your home. Pack up all the extras in a box (or boxes) and put them in storage. Eliminate your “junk drawer” and be sure that your plates, glasses and bowls are close together and are located close to where you will use them.

Organize your pantry area and be sure all food items are neatly stacked and appropriately organized and are not located in various cabinets throughout the kitchen. Consolidate them into one general area.

When you finish cleaning and packing away, make sure that what remains is neatly organized and that everything is located where you are most likely to use it. People WILL look in your cabinets. They will try to determine from your use of the area if there is enough storage space. If you can’t live in the space, why would they believe that they can? If you can’t keep it organized, how will they?
Dark and/or claustrophobic décor - Dark colors in the kitchen make it less inviting. It makes it harder to cook when you have to strain to see what you are doing. Ample light is a requirement. Natural light is best. If your kitchen doesn’t have quality lighting, you need to add it. Consider “natural light” light bulbs, add additional light sources under upper cabinets, and make the room brim with warm, bright light. If your lights flicker or are dull – replace them. In one kitchen I saw recently, there was no window to the outside, but the owner had added a mirror with “window panel” framing over the sink and a light above it to add light, reflect it and give the impression of a window. It wasn’t perfect, but I was a vast improvement over facing a solid wall while doing dishes.

People want a kitchen that makes them want to stay home and eat with their families. Provide that vision and you'll go a long way toward selling your house.