The Best $1,000 You Can Spend on Your Kitchen, According to Real Estate Experts
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Getting a home ready for sale doesn’t require a total renovation, but it does require some key upgrades or fixes that will make sure your home catches the eye of interested buyers.
If you don’t have a lot to spend, consider that just $1,000 well invested in your kitchen can pay off in spades at sale time. Here are the best ways to improve a kitchen with $1,000.
Focus on Lighting
The place to focus your money on in a kitchen is lighting, according to Rebecca Hidalgo the CEO and designated broker of the real estate firm Integrity All Stars Realty.
“Lighting is the jewelry of your home. You can spend $10 on a rope light and put it under your cabinets, and suddenly your cabinets look really cool. Anywhere you can add new light fixtures is a win.”
She pointed out that lighting changes every aspect of a space for the better and, in your kitchen, “it helps someone imagine spending time in there.”
Refresh a Kitchen Backsplash
It’s often the little touches that catch a prospective buyer’s eye. A tile backsplash beautifies your kitchen, Hidalgo said (and hides old stains and char marks!). Whether you actually purchase fresh tile, utilize wallpaper accents or paint, those spaces behind and above appliances can pop with fresh energy.
Improve Functionality
In a kitchen, functionality is key, especially the synergy of what Hidalgo called “the triangle.” This refers to a working harmony and proximity of sink, stove and prep spaces.
“Depending on the layout, maybe you can incorporate an island with wheels to add more workspace and create that triangle,” Hidalgo said. “This gives you a center prep area in your kitchen that looks great, improves functionality and most importantly is under $1,000.”
Refresh Your Paint
One of the biggest transformations you can make without gutting the kitchen is paint, said Brittney Luedecke, owner of Signature Styles by Brit LLC. “If the cabinets are still structurally sound, a fresh coat of paint completely changes the vibe.”
Better yet, she said there are paints made for a variety of surfaces, from cabinets and countertops to tile and walls, so you can refresh almost any surface. “Outdated tile? Paint it a solid color or go with a peel-and-stick option that looks like new tile,” she said. While it won’t last forever it’s a great ‘get you by’ solution,” Luedecke suggested.
Update Hardware
Other quick and not too pricey upgrades include updating cabinet hardware, swapping out faucets or changing light fixtures, Luedecke said. She recommended shopping at places like Habitat for Humanity ReStores, clearance aisles and salvage yards as “treasure troves for budget finds.” Depending on the size of your kitchen, you can even replace countertops in phases.
She also suggested looking for “personality pieces” such as washable rugs, greenery and stylish essentials like cutting boards or knife blocks to instantly warm up the space.
Luedecke knows of what she speaks. She “completely transformed” her tiny galley kitchen for less than $1,000 by doing it in phases: “I painted the cabinets, found knobs at Marshalls, painted over ugly laminate countertops and even turned an old fence panel into a rustic counter with food-grade resin,” she shared.
Wait For Sales
Don’t spend more money than you must even on these small touches, Hidalgo said. Look for seasonal sales at places like Wayfair or during Amazon Prime Day. “Smart shopper will wait for deals like that to house shop.”
Luedecke agreed with this idea as she did this for her own remodel. She shopped clearance for backsplash tile and got creative when there wasn’t enough of one style by mixing tones to make it look intentional.
The biggest takeaway, she said, is that $1,000 “is absolutely doable if you’re willing to shop smart, get creative and pour a little love and labor into the project.”
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