5 Low Cost Kitchen Re-dos Buyers Will Love

Kitchen remodeling sales were up 36% in the 3^rd quarter of 2011 compared with the same time a year earlier, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association.  It’s no wonder: The kitchen is the focal point in many homes.  And it’s one of the features buyers compare most closely when they’re shopping for a home.  Here are cost estimates for some of the low-cost kitchen upgrades that are often recommended:

1.   HARDWARE

Replace cabinet hardware, such as handles, knobs, and hinges is  quick, DIY way to enhance kitchen space.  According to Houselogic.com, an average kitchen is 200 square feet with 30 linear feet of cabinetry, which equates to about 40 handles & knobs.  Averaging between $2 and $20 per knob or pull, a home owner can expect to spend from $80 to $800 for this enhancement.

2.   FAUCET

There are myriad of options today in terms of height, spouts, pullout hoses, and folding necks, with quality faucets starting at around $200.

3.   LIGHTING

Adding an LED under-cabinet light can have a dramatic effect for about $40.

4.   ORGANIZATION

Buyers today choose functionality over elaborate decoration, says Jamie Goldberg, a National Kitchen & Bath Association certified designer.  Practical storage in the kitchen will go a long way.  Over-the-door nooks, baskets in the pantry, drawer organizers, wall hooks for pots and pans, and stackable shelves for cabinets will add appeal, typically for less than $100.

5.   COUNTERTOPS

Laminate can mimic the contemporary look of granite at a significant discount.  The cost for an average kitchen with 30 linear feet of laminate countertop is roughly $1,575; the same space in granite would be about $2,400.