{"id":11291,"date":"2019-07-31T17:18:54","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T00:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=11291"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:56:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:56:13","slug":"how-to-sell-a-house-with-a-small-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-to-sell-a-house-with-a-small-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sell a House with a Small Kitchen: No Major Renovations Required"},"content":{"rendered":"

American kitchens have evolved dramatically<\/a> over the years. Once a utilitarian workspace where mom spent her days over the stove, the kitchen is now considered the social center of the home where design and style matter.<\/p>\n

Since the 1960s, the average kitchen size has more than doubled from 70 to 150 square feet<\/a>. According to a 2019 study by the National Association of Home Builders, 86% of buyers today prefer an open kitchen layout<\/a> complete with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.<\/p>\n

If you have an older or more modest house, however, it\u2019s possible that your kitchen hasn\u2019t kept up with the times. You keep hearing that it\u2019s too small<\/i><\/b> to attract an offer. That puts you in a tough position when the time comes to sell\u2014should you invest in overhauling it to appeal to the modern buyer?<\/p>\n

HomeLight data indicates that\u2019s not always a smart move. Top agents say the ROI on a $23,000 kitchen upgrade is actually -1%<\/a>, meaning you\u2019re bound to lose<\/i> money on any major kitchen renovations. Plus, due to the rise in food delivery services, there\u2019s some evidence suggesting small kitchens are making a comeback<\/a>. Who has time to cook anymore?<\/p>\n

If you get the same feedback from buyers about the size of your kitchen, turn to these tricks top real estate agents, professional stagers, and interior designers vouch for. By the end, you\u2019ll know exactly how to sell a house with a small kitchen.<\/p>\n

Did we mention there\u2019s no sledgehammer required?<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Al Kawasa\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. When you think your counters are clear, check again. What else can you remove?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Any amount of clutter is going to make a small kitchen feel even tinier.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake as much counter space as you can,\u201d says Justin Riordan, interior designer, architect and founder of the Portland-based home staging company Spade and Archer Design Agency<\/a>. \u201cWhile the counters should not be empty, they should never be cluttered.\u201d<\/p>\n

To give the illusion of more space, follow this simple step by step:<\/p>\n

Clear clutter and junk from counters.<\/h4>\n

Kitchen counters become home to junk mail clutter, coupons, party invitations, and old newspapers.<\/p>\n

Clear off anything from your countertop that isn\u2019t kitchen related. Papers can be recycled, stored, or take a picture of them on your phone if you\u2019ll need the information later on. Can\u2019t part with that stack of printed and clipped recipes? Opt for a minimalist recipe box<\/a> to keep them organized with style.<\/p>\n

Depersonalize refrigerators and other magnetic spaces.<\/h4>\n

You might love your kitschy magnet collection that tack on last year\u2019s holiday cards to your fridge but it\u2019s that kind of personalization that can turn buyers off<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Take down family photos and magnets from surfaces and store them for your future home. Put in some elbow grease and remove any stickers from appliances<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Maximize floor space.<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019ve got a bulky trash can or recycling bin taking up precious real estate on your kitchen floor, check out The Wirecutter\u2019s<\/i> top reviewed in-cabinet trash cans<\/a> to save floor space.<\/p>\n

Remove countertop appliances.<\/h4>\n

You might\u2019ve cleared clutter and junk from your countertops, but gadgets like coffee makers and toasters have to go as well. Pack these appliances away in storage, or find them a home in cabinets, space permitting.<\/p>\n

Artfully decorate your cleared space.<\/h4>\n

In regards to staging your countertops, \u201cone item per surface will make the kitchen look functional and spacious,\u201d says Riordan.<\/p>\n

Prop open a popular cookbook<\/a> on a stand<\/a> for a pop of color, display a vase<\/a> with fresh flowers, or place a small glass bowl<\/a> with fruit on an open surface.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Becca Tapert\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Ditch the island, seriously.\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you have an island in your kitchen, get rid of it for pictures and showings. While your floating island might be a necessity for storage and prep on a day to day basis in your kitchen, it\u2019s not helping you sell the home.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s the rub: Nobody will be cooking in the home during showings or open houses. Adding a few feet of counter space is not worth the price of making the kitchen seem cramped. If you shoe-horned in a makeshift island, just shoe-horn that baby right out to your garage,\u201d suggests Riordan.<\/p>\n

This removal might feel weird or illogical, but ultimately, the goal is to open up space in the kitchen, not showcase a functional kitchen.<\/p>\n

3. Paint it white.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Every interior designer, professional stager, and real estate agent we spoke to agreed\u2014if you want your kitchen to look bigger, white paint is your best friend<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more white you have, the cleaner and more open it will feel. Removing the hard edges in the space will make the kitchen actually feel bigger,\u201d Riodran says.<\/p>\n

White will not only make the space look larger, but will also complement nearly any accent color\u2014making it easier for buyers to visualize their linens, china, and kitchen accessories in your home.<\/p>\n

If your backsplash has a loud, or busy pattern, consider retiling it a calming white to match the walls, advises Caryn Schulberg<\/a>, studio director of Stone Interiors, a luxury interior design studio in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

Home Depot has a wide range of classic subway tiles starting at $1<\/a>. If that\u2019s outside your budget, consider stick-on tiles from Art3d<\/a> or LongKing<\/a> on Amazon.<\/p>\n

When it comes to painting the walls, Schulberg swears by \u201cWinter White<\/a>\u201d from Benjamin Moore with a semi-gloss sheen. \u201cThis variation of white is ever-so-slightly tinged with a soothing, cool grey,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the simplest way to prep your kitchen walls for repainting:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Kitchens, especially small ones, are more likely to have grease and grime on their walls. Scrub the walls down<\/a> with a kitchen sponge to make sure there\u2019s no residue before painting.<\/li>\n
  2. Mask or tape<\/a> along the floors, ceilings and countertops.<\/li>\n
  3. Place a drop cloth<\/a> on the floor to keep drips from dripping and staining.<\/li>\n
  4. Use plastic sheeting or masking draped over appliances and large cabinets to protect them.<\/li>\n
  5. Start painting!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you can repaint the cabinets<\/a>, opt for a white or very light grey.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMake sure you paint both the outside and the inside of the cabinet doors a light color,\u201d says Schulberg. With nearly 100 years in the home improvement space, Lowe\u2019s has an easy step-by-step video on prepping, priming, and repainting your kitchen cabinets<\/a>.<\/p>\n