Should you remodel your kitchen before selling your home?

The kitchen is often one of the most valuable rooms in a home, so it is also one of the most commonly remodeled rooms in a home.

“We emphasize kitchens a lot because they’re the most important space to really wow someone,” said Beverly Parkinson, a Los Angeles-based interior designer who stages homes. “Kitchens are the place where buyers start envisioning themselves living in the home — entertaining, cooking, spending time with family. It sparks something emotional.”

Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive and time-consuming. Kitchen trends also shift over time, so a modern space in 2005 might be seen as dated by 2015. Some designs lend themselves to a timeless feel. Bill Darcy, CEO of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, a trade group for remodelers, dealers, distributors and others, said a recent survey of designers suggested that homeowners consider upgrades in the context of the overall home.

“The integration between the kitchen and whole home is a really exciting opportunity for the kitchen and bath industry,” Darcy said in a statement. “The 2026 Trends Report further confirms this evolution, as homeowners desire connection and cohesive design between spaces for entertainment, functionality and wellness.”

More than 70% of the 634 people the association surveyed said transitional and timeless is the top kitchen style.

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When considering whether to remodel before selling, determine whether you can recoup the money you'll spend in a higher sale price. That means assessing what sellers might be looking for in terms of homes and features in your neighborhood. A real estate agent who knows the market can help you with this estimate on your return on investment.

If you have updated the kitchen in the past decade or so, then it’s likely you won't need a major update. If you inherited a dated home or never updated your own, then more work may be needed to maximize the sale price.

For a mid-market home, Parkinson, the LA interior designer, suggests sticking with a facelift. Luxury and high-end homes may require a full remodel to compete for top-dollar offers.

“In high-end homes, a dated kitchen often requires a full renovation to meet buyer expectations,” Parkinson said. “That’s a bigger investment but necessary (to realize a return on investment) in that tier.”

Luxury kitchen renovations are expensive, and there is no guarantee that the upgrades will result in a higher home sale value. Renovations take time and tradespeople are in high demand, so if you are planning on remodeling before selling, give yourself enough time.

A kitchen remodel can take up to six months in some cases, Parkinson said.

• Minor remodel — $10,000-$20,000

  • Painting walls, refinishing cabinets, replacing a single appliance, upgrading countertops and flooring, and installing a new sink.

• Major remodel — $20,000-$65,000

  • Painting walls, upgrading all appliances, installing semi-custom cabinetry with new hardware, upgrading countertops and flooring, adding an island, and installing new light fixtures, sink and faucet.

• Complete remodel — $65,000-$130,000-plus

  • Changing the kitchen footprint; relocating plumbing, electrical, and gas lines; installing luxury countertops and high-end flooring; adding custom cabinetry and built-ins; upgrading to smart appliances; painting walls; and installing a new luxury sink, faucet, filtration system, and light fixtures.

The average cost to remodel can vary depending on the region, with the Northwest being the most expensive, ranging from $25,600 to $61,100, and the lowest range in the Mountain Prairie costing from $6,000 to $37,400. Kitchen remodels on average have a high return on investment, from 70% to 80% according to home services marketplace Angi, which also reports that a small kitchen remodel can have as much as a 96% return on investment, while major remodels range from a 38% to a 50% payoff. If time or money is an issue, there are likely several more affordable options to refresh a kitchen before investing in a full renovation.
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For mid-market homes, there are more affordable ways to refresh a kitchen before selling that won't cost thousands of dollars.

The major aspects of the kitchen are the cabinets, counters, appliances, floors and paint.

Painting the cabinets is an affordable way to spruce up the kitchen. White and other neutrals can help brighten and refresh the space.

“Warm whites are really popular right now,” Parkinson said.

When painting, be sure to clean the cabinets with a degreaser, remove the hardware, take down the doors, scuff sand, clean again, and apply thin layers of paint. Simply painting over finished cabinets can make them look sloppy and prone to chipping. Paint that is too thick can cause the doors to stick when opening and closing.

Pro tip: One of the simplest tricks to spruce up your space is replacing the hardware on your cabinets. “Changing a knob is like witchcraft — it transforms the whole kitchen. Hardware is the jewelry of the space,” Parkinson said.

Refinished cabinets cost $1,800 to $4,200 on average, according to Angi. This could be repainted or restained wood.

If you are buying new cabinets, there are a few options at varying price points: stock, semi-custom and premium.

Stock$: Between $100 and $300 a box or cabinet

This is the standard cabinet without any modifications.

Semi-custom

$$: Between $300 and $700 a boxThis setup allows for some alterations and dimension changes.

Custom$$$: Can start at $7000Premium kitchen cabinets are completely custom

Overall, replacing cabinets can set you back $2,000 to $28,000, depending on the level of customizations and size of your kitchen.

Replacing your countertops can cost from $1,800 to $10,000, Angi reports.

Quality is often tied to the price. Granite, natural stones and quartz on average cost $70 to $80 per square foot, while less expensive materials like laminate go for about $35 per square foot, according to Home Depot.

Pro tip: Installing new light fixtures or lights under cabinets is a small investment that improves the kitchen’s look.

Installing new floors in just the kitchen costs $1,000 to $5,000 on average. Laminate, vinyl tile and linoleum will be more affordable than stone tile, ceramic tile and hardwood.

If you are retrofitting for under-the-cabinet lighting, it can cost $230 to $300, including labor, Angi said.

For chandeliers and other light fixtures, those costs vary because of the range — from thrift store finds to chandeliers. Angi reports new lighting can cost from $500 to $2,000 or higher.

If you are not able to take on a full renovation because of the cost, then consider breaking it down into phases while keeping the kitchen functional.

Stylistically neutral but warm kitchens are trending, said Stephanie Pierce, director of design and trends at MasterBrand Cabinets.

“Now … gray is the sign of just how old your home is,” Pierce said.

Pierce suggests sticking with light-stained woods, off-whites and even warm colors in kitchen remodels. More and more kitchens offer accent colors, two-toned cabinets and a mix of traditional and modern finishes. Whatever style you land on, it’s important to consider how it will fit with the rest of the home.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association report supports Pierce's advice, stating that “neutrals remain supreme.” Neutral colors continue to be the most popular in the kitchen, with greens and blues coming in second and third.

“Some of the biggest mistakes I see people make in a remodel is they just think of it as a singular project and not a holistic solution for the entire home,” Pierce said.

While cabinets and counters lend to the home’s aesthetics, but, first of all, they should be functional.

“Consumers will look for … how is this space going to function with my lifestyle,” Pierce said.

For counters, durable and functional slabs are the best investment.

Granite tends to be more expensive than quartz but is also an easy stone to maintain.

Pro tip: “Quartz is king. It’s durable, flexible and gives you that marble look without the upkeep,” Parkinson said.

More porous stones like marble and concrete require more upkeep. Other materials like wood, laminate and tile are less popular and harder to maintain than quartz and granite.

“Porcelain slabs are another great option. They’re beautiful and budget-friendly, but you need the right fabricator,” Parkinson said. “That’s part of protecting your investment.”

Cabinets come in several styles, but Shaker and slab are the most common. Shaker cabinets have the classic look with a flat center framed in a simple border. Slab cabinets are simply flat with no groves for a modern, sleek look.

“Shaker and slab cabinet styles are always safe bets. You can dress them up or down depending on the vibe you want,” Parkinson said.

For function, open cabinetry and shelves have become more prevalent, along with drawers over traditional cupboards.

“One of the biggest changes that we've seen as far as accessible organization in kitchens is a lot more drawers and pullouts,” Pierce said.

When redesigning, consider whether an island could elevate the function and look of your kitchen.

“I also believe that every kitchen should have an island,” Pierce said. “Islands really create a wonderful gathering space for a multifunctional use of your kitchen.”

But not every home can fit one.

You will need about 42 to 48 inches of space on all sides of the island for it to be functional and not crowd the space.

Islands provide extra storage and could house a sink or a microwave. They also could just serve as a table or bar with stools around the end.

Design-wise, islands are very powerful and add personality to the space.

“They can be a standout focal feature,” Pierce said. “They don't have to match the rest of the kitchen … You can definitely create a focal point by adding a different color, a pop of color, a pop of texture.”

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