The 5 Most-Wanted Kitchen Features That Boost Your Home's Value

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According to The Journal of Light Construction's 2024 Cost vs Value Report, a minor kitchen remodel will cost you $27,492 on average. The good news is you can recoup $26,406, a.k.a. 96%, of the invested capital. Yet, according to the same report, you'll only be able to recoup about 50% of your investment if you undertake a major kitchen remodel. The percentage falls to 38% for major upscale renovations. This data makes it clear that you can't just refurbish the room without a strategy. You risk wasting good money on unpopular features (to potential buyers, at least) —  like tile countertops, open shelves, highly personalized color on walls, and subway tile backsplashes — that will hurt your home's resale value.

It's always useful to study reports and review research from realtors to inform your decisions. But this is a time-consuming activity. To help you out, we've compiled this list of the five most-wanted kitchen features that are also likely to boost your home's value. Soapstone countertops, new appliances, a convenient and good-looking kitchen island, well-placed light fixtures, and durable flooring and cabinets are the top features you should incorporate into a kitchen re-do. And if you really want the room to stand out, luxurious features like a pot filler or induction stove can boost sale prices by 1.9% to 2.2% or more.

Made of 50 to 70% talc, architectural soapstone is emerging as a countertop winner compared to other popular natural stone choices. Case in point: Research from Zillow suggests a soapstone counter can boost your home's value by as much as 3.5%, whereas quartz comes in at 2.6%. The material is durable and will stand the test of time. Plus, it's denser than marble and slate, making it non-porous. You don't have to seal it to keep it looking like new; a layer of mineral oil will suffice. This also makes it difficult for bacteria and other nasties to breach the top layer and nestle in, and acidic lemon or tomato juice won't stain it. Moreover, soapstone won't burn or develop scorch marks if you forget the trivet under a hot pot. Although it scratches easily, you can sand the countertop to hide unsightly marks.

There are, of course, some downsides worth noting. Soapstone countertops are expensive to install, with the material costing between $70 and $120 per square foot. The exact amount will depend on the color (you're limited to white, black, blue, green, and gray, but the veins look gorgeous) and edging (chiseled, ogee, and French cove cost the most) you go for. Integrated drainboards will cost extra – at least $300. Additionally, set aside about $550 to $750 for labor. Don't try installing it yourself if you aren't a pro DIYer or lack specialized tools and knowledge. In short, you can expect to spend anywhere between $2,100 and $7,200 to replace your current kitchen countertops with soapstone.

Outdated kitchen appliances won't draw in a lot of buyers. Even if they are modern, consider replacing them if they don't function well or require major repairs. Although you'll have to invest a significant amount if you choose the most trustworthy and reliable appliance brands, you stand to make 2.7% extra or at least get an ROI (return on investment) of about 70 to 80%. And if you set up a few dedicated appliances, like pizza ovens and ice machines, it could fetch you a premium of up to 2%. A beverage center might help you make as much as 1.7% more. That being said, don't follow trends blindly. Research a little and see what the most popular listings in your locale are offering. Also, avoid buying devices in polarizing shades since they might go out of vogue soon and might not suit individual tastes. Matching appliances that complement a kitchen are your best bet.

In case you don't want to invest in kitchen appliances that seem handy but can be a waste of money, stick with the classics. For instance, refrigerators and dishwashers are crowd favorites. Upgrading them will make your life easier today and give you a decent return when you sell your house. If your kitchen features customized cabinetry, built-in ranges and wall ovens will boost the room's aesthetic appeal. Whatever choice you make, always ensure the new appliances are energy efficient and come with an ENERGY STAR certification.

According to Houzz's 2024 U.S. Kitchen Trends Study, open-concept kitchens are quite popular. In fact, 43% of homeowners renovating their home are integrating theirs with the rest of the living space. This is, in turn, increasing the demand for islands (preferably 7 feet or longer) with seating. This is because kitchens are transitioning from merely utilitarian rooms into spaces that people gather in, kids finish up homework in, and a family enjoys meals in. Moreover, the additional prep and storage space are just too enticing to pass up. Plus, they make built-in appliances, like beverage fridges, a reality. That being said, don't add an island if you don't have enough room to comfortably house it. A cramped space will limit movement and give off a shoebox feel, turning off buyers. In such cases, you can opt for a rolling island, like IRONCK's White Island Table on Wheels.

But if you do have the space, be prepared to shell out $4,800 on average for a stunning kitchen island. Prefabricated ones can range between $900 and $5,000, with labor charges running between $50 and $150 per hour. On the other hand, customization will cost you from $3,000 to $10,000, and you'll have to pay the contractor 10 to 20% of the total cost. The size, style, and extra components (such as sink, drawers, cabinets, dishwasher, gas lines, and electrical outlets) you opt for will also impact the installation costs.

You can update your countertops, bring in new appliances, and invest in a kitchen island, but none of it will make much of a difference if the lighting in the room is abysmal. It'll hurt the room's aesthetic appeal and make it all seem dated. Old fixtures and flickering lights won't do your home any favors either. This is why it's important to get beautiful light fixtures for your kitchen. Although swapping the cover (or mounts) for your bulbs will help, you also want to take a layered approach and add task, ambient, and accent lighting to transform the room. While at it, replace all fluorescent or incandescent bulbs with LED ones to save electricity and lower your utility bills. They could also get you about 1.3% more.

Lighting is the most budget-friendly feature of the lot on this list, provided you don't have to get extensive electrical work done, like new wiring, or require permits. To illustrate, you can add recessed lights to your kitchen for about $100 to $300 per fixture. Use them as ambient or task lighting, depending on your preferences. Similarly, you can add ambient lighting beneath your cabinets for nearly $265 per fixture. The type of light you choose and the installation complexity will influence the final cost. Pendant lighting is also popular for accent lighting and to give your space an oomph. Luckily, you won't have to spend much on them if you DIY pendant lights to brighten up your space. Just ensure you choose the right-sized pendant lights to hang over your kitchen island.

Although often overlooked, your kitchen flooring can have a considerable impact on your home's resale value. For instance, LVP (luxury vinyl plank) floors can help you sell your property for 0.9% extra. It's favored by homeowners because it's waterproof, it won't develop scratches from your pet's antics, and it's not high-maintenance (unlike hardwood). Plus, it can mimic the look of natural stone, tiles, and hardwood flooring. It's also budget-friendly and the installation might cost you as low as $3 per square foot (can go up to $10 if you opt for more expensive versions). With that said, if cost isn't a factor, you'll have to spend about $9 to $14 per square foot — white oak flooring might get you about 3.2% extra.

Your kitchen cabinets will also have a huge impact on your home's value. According to data from Zillow, walnut cabinets can get you 2.2% extra, while teak can get you 3.1% more. Alas, all wood cabinets cost between $5,000 and $25,000 (or more if you go with customized versions). Shaker is another cabinet style that'll add value to your home. It'll get you about 1.4% extra. Plus, you can save on labor if you're a pro DIYer and don't mind getting your hands dirty. However, if you're on a tight budget, giving your cabinets new hardware, like handles, pulls, and hinges, will refresh their look, too, for less than $100. You might even find something interesting at thrift stores.