10 Kitchen Design Upgrades Realtors Say Are Worth the Investment

When buyers are hunting for a house, an upgraded kitchen is a major selling point. Whether it’s stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors or new cabinets, homebuyers are drawn to modern kitchen designs — and, they’re willing to pay more for one.

Renovations, both large and small, can significantly boost your home’s value. According to Remodeling’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, minor kitchen remodels (such as updating walls, hardware, or lighting) offer an impressive 96% return on investment, while major remodels (like installing new cabinets) yield an ROI of around 50%.

The hard part? Not every kitchen project is worth the investment — and sometimes, it depends on the condition of your current space. We asked real estate agents which kitchen upgrades are most appealing to potential buyers and when you’re better off skipping the renovation.

Kitchen Upgrades That Are Always Worth the Investment

New floors

Replacing old floors — like damaged hardwood, outdated tile or stained carpet — is a great way to increase the value of your house. “Floors are always worth the investment,” says Amber Ludwinek, broker and owner of Realty ONE Group Optima, who finds that beautiful flooring will wow buyers as soon as they enter. “Nothing hurts a house sale more than having multiple different floorings or bad carpet, even if the seller is offering a carpet concession.”

Buyers prefer when flooring feels seamless, whether that’s hardwood throughout the entire house or smooth transitions from room to room. When choosing a new floor, always consider your space as a whole, but most realtors agree hardwood (or wood-look) floors are the most requested flooring type among today’s buyers.

A fresh coat of paint

“The best money you can spend getting your house ready for sale is on professional paint,” says Grace Wagenman, interior designer and Realtor with Parks at Home. “Refreshed and neutral walls and trim throughout a home helps buyers more easily picture themselves putting a personal touch on a space.”

Think gray, off-white or cream paint colors that will brighten and soften the interior. “New paint is a must, even if the existing colors are neutral,” adds Ludwinek. “New paint makes the home feel move-in ready.”

New or painted kitchen cabinets

Not only do kitchen cabinets determine a kitchen’s functionality, but they have a major impact on the overall aesthetic. “Refreshing cabinets with new fronts or a professional paint job, rather than replacing the entire cabinet, is a great way to save money, time and hassle,” says Wagenman. Affordable upgrades, like installing soft-close hardware, can also make a kitchen feel more expensive.

In some cases, it might be worth installing new cabinets, especially if you’re already planning to invest in other expensive kitchen upgrades. “If you choose to put new countertops over existing outdated or low-quality cabinets, even if you paint them, the cabinets will stand out more — which could actually negatively impact the investment,” says Ludwinek. “Replacing cabinets may not be that much more expensive and can have a greater resale impact on a home,” adds Ludwinek, who suggests lower-cost cabinets from retailers like IKEA.

Cabinet hardware

For cabinets that are in good condition, new hardware is “the best cheap investment,” says Ludwinek. Swapping outdated hardware for a modern style will make the space feel more expensive, and you can easily find options that don’t cost more than $100.

Appliances

For a few thousand dollars, a set of new appliances will give the kitchen a streamlined style. Realtor Caroline Gau says, “new appliances look good in photos and are of value,” especially if the current appliances are cheap or old. According to Houzz’s 2024 Kitchen Trend Study, stainless steel remains the overwhelming favorite appliance finish — with 77% of homeowners choosing stainless steel during kitchen renovations.

“Most importantly, appliances should match in finish and brand whenever possible,” adds Wagenman.

Sink faucet

A modern faucet, especially one with high-tech features, like touch-free activation, will make a kitchen feel newer. Since installing a new kitchen faucet is budget-friendly (it’ll likely cost between $100 and $400), realtors agree it’s a worth-while renovation. “It can be an inexpensive way to update a kitchen,” says Wagenman. “If you’re just updating the finish but keeping the same setup (like a one-hole faucet), that’s going to be the easiest and most budget-friendly option.”

Kitchen Upgrades That Are Sometimes Worth the Investment

Modern light fixtures

Kitchen lighting has the power to transform a space — not to mention it’ll make food prep, cooking and cleaning easier for the future homeowners. “Upgraded lighting is like adding beautiful jewelry to a basic outfit, says Ludwinek. “It makes the whole look feel high-end and designer.”

While it’s likely worth parting with old fluorescent light fixtures or unattractive flush mounts (we’re talking the dreaded “boob light”), it may not be worth replacing newer fixtures. If the current fixtures are in good condition, don’t swap in pricey, custom lighting that may or may not align with the homeowners’ future style. “Updates, like lighting, may be valuable to a buyer, however, depending on the customization, may not bring a return on the investment,” says Gau.

A new kitchen island

Many buyers dream of a functional kitchen island. They provide extra space for food prep and often serve as a gathering area, especially when there’s room for a few bar stools. “I haven’t met a buyer who didn’t love a kitchen island for the extra counter space, storage and flexibility,” says Gau.

As for whether it’s worth building a kitchen island, it depends on your kitchen layout. “If adding an island in your home will inhibit the flow of the kitchen or limit storage and seating options, skip it,” says Wagenman. Instead, you can buy a rolling kitchen island to create a similar effect for a much lower cost.

Quality countertops

When it comes to replacing countertops, realtors share mixed reviews. Ludwinek argues that “bad, cheap or non-matching countertops will make the main parts of a home look outdated and in need of a renovation.” Whereas others find that the majority of homeowners aren’t deterred by old-fashioned countertops. “Buyers know countertops are an easy upgrade they can tackle and choose on their own,” says Gau.

Consider the quality and material of your current countertops. A quality countertop, even if the style is outdated, is always better than an old, inexpensive material that homeowners know they’ll need to rip out immediately. “It’s a good idea to upgrade your countertops if you have laminate, but if your countertops are in good shape but perhaps not the most on-trend style, you can usually elevate the overall look with complementary paint and styling,” says Wagenman.

Backsplash

If the current backsplash is worn or outdated (think small mosaic tile), it might be worth replacing. And if your house doesn’t have a backsplash at all, it’s definitely worth installing one. When selecting a kitchen backsplash, it’s best to stick to neutral designs — as anything too bold or bright can deter buyers. According to Houzz, the most popular backsplash material is ceramic or porcelain tile, followed by engineered quartz.

Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.