Even with busy, modern households, it's common for family members and even guests to congregate in the kitchen, especially while food is being prepared. With so much happening in this one room, it should come as no surprise that kitchen updates are the ones that increase your home's value the most. Here are seven updates our real estate agents recommend.

Rethink Your Layout
If you're starting a kitchen renovation project, take a good hard look at your kitchen's layout. While a large, open kitchen may seem appealing, someone who cooks frequently knows the value of having everything close at hand. Design your kitchen so that you don't have to walk around a lot while you're prepping or cooking, and leave the open spaces for the areas where you relax and entertain.

Task Lighting
Anyone who cooks a lot knows a poorly lit kitchen makes prep time difficult. Supplement overhead lighting with focused task lighting, such as under-cabinet lighting to illuminate counter space and pendant lighting for bar seating areas for a modern and welcoming kitchen.

Add Outlets
While you're wiring up that additional lighting, consider adding outlets too. Outlets are one thing you can never have enough of in a kitchen, where small appliances are frequently in use. You want enough outlets to run your daily appliances, such as the microwave and coffee machine, plus plenty of available outlets to run all of the appliances needed to make a big meal.

Upgrade Your Counters
It's important for countertops to be durable and long-lasting, especially if you cook a lot. Look for something that is durable, won't scratch easily, and will tolerate high heat. Being able to refinish the countertops is also a plus. Granite countertops are a hot feature in Cedar City homes for sale but they do require some upkeep, so don't forget about more durable options such as compressed quartz, butcher block, or soapstone.

Expand Your Sink Area
Another thing it seems like there's never enough of is sink space, especially when you're in the midst of cooking a large meal. While you're upgrading your counters, make room for a larger sink. A double bowl sink is a must, and you may find a prep sink on one side to be especially handy. Design your sink area so that there's space on each side for a dish drainer, a staging area, and other inevitable uses of sink space when you're cooking.

Maximize Your Storage
From food storage in the pantry to small appliance storage in the kitchen, kitchen storage is all-important. Clean countertops require some creativity with storage. Consider pull-out stands or small appliance garages to keep microwaves, coffee machines, and mixers tucked away and out of sight. Make sure your cupboards and pantry offer plenty of storage for food as well as cookware and appliances.

Provide a Place to Socialize
Family and guests tend to gather in the kitchen, so it makes sense to provide a place for socializing where they won't be in the chef's way. Consider a setup that can double as a prep area or social space, such as an island with bar seating.
Kitchen upgrades offer a lot of value, but it's important to choose wisely where you spend your money. For more information about what upgrades add the most value to your home, contact us today.