In earlier days people would live in homes for thirty to forty years before considering selling their home. But those days are gone. Now, home buyers, and those who renovate them, have to consider several things when selecting an upgrade for the home which they will sell.
Kitchen countertops now need to be based on more than just beautiful looks.
When choosing kitchen countertops, there are three things you want to consider:
- potential resale value;
- whether the style/color will easily integrate with any future decorating designs/themes;
- how easy the countertops will be to care and maintain.
When choosing just the right kitchen countertops, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Consider Their Effect On Your Home’S Resale Value
Looking back at how our parents bought and/or remodeled their homes, they had a much easier time compared to us. For them, they assumed they would be the only ones living in their homes for generations which meant the countertops they chose were fine, because they had no designs on anyone other than themselves looking at whatever strange pattern they chose. Unfortunately people no longer have expectations of living in a home for this long.
When you select kitchen countertops it important you meet your aesthetic needs, but also create something beautiful to look at for future home buyers. The average person stays in their home about seven to ten years. And while there are some people who enjoy the occasional fixer-upper, most want to move into a live-in ready home.
Certain countertop materials like Corain, quartz, and granite will certainly add value to not just your kitchen but your entire home. So consider material choices for overall value. Your countertop needs to be timeless and add as much value as possible.
Choose Color Schemes That Can Be Worked Into Various Decorating Motifs
Decorating trends change over the years. What was fashionable during your parent’s time has gone out of date and a new trend has taken its place. An as much fun as redecorating and remodeling can be, you don’t want to be changing your kitchen counter tops every five years. You want to choose a color scheme which is either neutral or varied just enough so decorating choice in the future will continue to work with the countertops you have now.
You can select earth tones, more neutral colors, or granite patterns; to ensure you are not closing yourself into a specific design scheme. It also reinforces Point #1 – choosing something which people will be attracted to if you do sell your home in the future.
Consider The Long Term Maintenance And Upkeep
Depending upon your choice of kitchen countertop they may, or may not, require regular, routine maintenance and upkeep.
Depending upon your lifestyle, the maintenance of a countertop should be a major factor. Families which are busy may not want a material which requires a lot of regular sealing to prevent any water damage and/or staining. Other families/homeowners may find the annual maintenance of such a countertop enjoyable.
Countertop materials, like granite, need sealing on a regular basis. If damaged they can also be expensive to repair or replace. It is their appearance, however, which gives homes a high resale value.
There are quartz products like Cambria which give you the same high-end look and eliminates the maintenance requirements. And if you want an affordable way to give your home a contemporary look without the maintenance, laminate surfaces such as Wilsonart HD are beautiful. However, you do lose potential resale value.
It is always fun to change the appearance of your home. And when you take into consideration the fact others will be most likely be enjoying it as well, you will enjoy your dream kitchen knowing others will love it as much as you do.
