What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?

[Anonymous]

Kitchens do sell houses. You want to be wowed. I remember the first time I laid eyes on a 48" 6 burner, 1 griddle, double oven Viking. Alls I know is I wanted to make pancakes right there and then.

[Anonymous]

I think layout/size of the kitchen is the single most important thing, since it's so expensive to change.

to the PP who posted the picture, I like the layout, and it's a big ktichen for everyone to be in at the same time a la the PP, but the style is already dated for my taste. The shiny black counters and dark cabinets are not what I would want. But again, I would still love the space of the kitchen and wold probably buy that house against another house with a smaller/dumber layout.

We bought a 1960s house in a 700k, close in neighborhood where most of the kitchens are galley or L shaped. Our kitchen has an addition on it (from the 80s) that gives us an eat in area and looks much more open. There are still 80s laminate countertops and old appliances, but I'm SO glad we bought the extra space because it would be too expensive for us to put it in on our own.

[Anonymous]

I am amazed that the PP did that kitchen for $30K. Those are serious appliances and a lot of stone countertops. The cabinets are partial overlay, which is less expensive than inset. I am guessing that the cabinetry is all stock (i.e., nothing had to be customized) and that nothing in the kitchen in terms of plumbing, electrical or gas had to be moved. When you relocate the utilities, you dramatically increase renovation costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands

That white electrical outlet on the side of the island would drive me crazy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We spent $$$ on a kitchen reno. But it's because we use the kitchen. We like to cook and entertain and do it more than 3x per year. However we don't like the kitchen being a gathering place. We have other rooms for gathering. It's not big enough for an island. We opted not to do an open kitchen. It's where we cook.

OP I highly recommend under cabinet lighting. It's not expensive and makes a difference. And I am surprised that you opted for marble counters if you don't like fancy kitchens. Marble is expensive. We only used it in a hutch.

How do you keep guests out of the kitchen then?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kitchens do sell houses. You want to be wowed. I remember the first time I laid eyes on a 48" 6 burner, 1 griddle, double oven Viking. Alls I know is I wanted to make pancakes right there and then.

For one week , then you get over it and get pissed when the maintenance and parts cost alot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent $$$ on a kitchen reno. But it's because we use the kitchen. We like to cook and entertain and do it more than 3x per year. However we don't like the kitchen being a gathering place. We have other rooms for gathering. It's not big enough for an island. We opted not to do an open kitchen. It's where we cook.

OP I highly recommend under cabinet lighting. It's not expensive and makes a difference. And I am surprised that you opted for marble counters if you don't like fancy kitchens. Marble is expensive. We only used it in a hutch.

How do you keep guests out of the kitchen then?

Doors. We close them. Also it's a long narrow kitchen so there is no where for guests to go if someone is in there cooking. We tend to have everything ready to go for parties so just need to do the finishing when we are ready to serve. And for large parties we have someone who helps us with serving, etc so we are freed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands

That white electrical outlet on the side of the island would drive me crazy!

For real? That's a beautiful kitchen, and that's what you focus on? Talk about sweating the small stuff!

[Anonymous]

It looks a bit 2005, but that was not that long ago.

[Anonymous]

Come to realize that the ideal for me is an island with the range built in, and a nice pivotal triangle from the range, sink and fridge. None of this walk around the kitchen 20 feet to get to a refrigerator or sink or stove. If those 3 things are relatively close, it's incredibly functional and common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands

That white electrical outlet on the side of the island would drive me crazy!

For real? That's a beautiful kitchen, and that's what you focus on? Talk about sweating the small stuff!

Here you go fixed it, KITCHEN OF THE YEAR!

[Anonymous]

this one is nice too

[Anonymous]

See, I find these very dark, with weird dated tilework.

The dark kitchen/light kitchen thing is cyclical, but we're in a light kitchen moment, here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:See, I find these very dark, with weird dated tilework.

The dark kitchen/light kitchen thing is cyclical, but we're in a light kitchen moment, here.

wut

[Anonymous]

I'm currently looking to buy. Honestly, I prefer kitchens that are in decent usable shape with newish appliances, but not recently renovated. The thing is, your beautiful renovation job is probably not my style. I'd rather pay to renovate it exactly how I want than pay more for something that's your taste.

If you can do an addition to add space, though, that's of value. I like a kitchen big enough for at least a table so it can be a gathering place.