Before & After: A Dark, Decrepit Kitchen Gets Resale Ready

Knowing there would be a move at some point in the future, Heather and Doug had resolved not to remodel the less-than-attractive vintage 1980s kitchen of their Park Slope condo. But that was before the cabinets and appliances started to give out. With duct tape holding together the shelves in their fridge, Heather and Doug were faced with a challenge: creating, with budget in mind, a new kitchen that they would be happy with and that future buyers would be happy with, too.

Knowing they would eventually be selling the apartment, Heather and Doug decided to go with a neutral color scheme in the kitchen, adding color with paint (which would be easy for successive homeowners to change). They chose classic white Shaker-style cabinets from Home Depot, classic white subway tile, and a contrasting black Caesarstone countertop.

The layout of the new kitchen is mostly the same, but the cabinets do extend a bit farther into the space, which adds extra storage that’s particularly welcome for a family of four. The new cabinets also extend all the way to the ceiling, a detail that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing. A single glass-front cabinet provides a spot to display particularly pretty dishes, and the open shelves are the perfect spot for cookbooks.

Another small but impactful change was moving the stove a little farther from the sink, so there’s a small strip of counter between the two. Heather appreciates having a spot to leave pots or dirty dishes that’s out of view of the living room.

The new kitchen feels much fresher and brighter — and, as a bonus, nothing is held together with duct tape. It’s an elegant solution to this family’s needs, and, hopefully, one that will appeal to future buyers as well.

You can see the transformation of Heather and Doug’s dark 80s bathroom here.

Heather and Doug found their contractor on Sweeten, a free service matching homeowners with local general contractors. You can read more about the project, see more photos, and find sources on the Sweeten blog.