Wondering where to invest? Real estate agents break it down.

• Strategic kitchen updates like fresh countertops, new lighting, and painted cabinets can make a big impact on buyers without requiring a full remodel.
• Timeless and high-quality finishes—like real tile backsplashes and neutral color schemes—tend to appeal more than trendy or overly personalized choices.
• Even small staging details, such as decluttering counters and using subtle scents, help create a welcoming kitchen that stands out during showings.

Most people spend a lot of time in their kitchens, so when it comes time to buy a home, they often take a closer look at this room than others. And if you’re a seller, it pays to make sure your kitchen is feeling fresh, according to real estate agents.

“Kitchen remodels are pricey—and disruptive to everyday life,” explains Susan Thayer, founder of the Thayer Group and a market trends committee member at the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. “Many buyers will put an offer on a home that has an updated kitchen even if the rest of the home is not as updated, simply because they know the cost and disruption of having to do this update themselves.”

Pamela Bathen, a broker with Oak Realty in Ashland, Massachusetts, notes kitchen upgrades bring a strong visual impact to a home, making them smart investments for sellers. But what projects are most attractive to buyers? Here’s what home-selling experts say. 

New Countertops

It’s worth it to consider adding new countertops to your kitchen, especially if your current counters are dated. “If the kitchen has an island and acres of counter space, new countertops can become a highlight and make other deficits, if there are any, seem less urgent,” says Bathen. 

According to a recent Zillow analysis, soapstone countertops fetch a 3.5% sale premium. The dark and richly veined natural stone adds depth and drama to a kitchen, explains Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. Quartz, meanwhile, can help a home sell for 2.6% more than expected.

“Porcelain is very popular right now and more budget-friendly than quartz, however buyers will not usually pay more just because the counters are a certain material,” Bathen adds. “In most cases new is new, and both are fabulous options.”

Updated Lighting

Kate Terrigno, a Realtor with Corcoran in Charlotte, North Carolina, says good lighting can completely transform how a kitchen feels, bringing it from dim to bright and inviting. “I recommend focusing on under-cabinet and statement fixtures,” she says. “Swapping in modern pendants immediately eludes warmth while adding a touch of luxury without the huge expense.”

According to Houzz’s 2025 kitchen trends study, 9 out of 10 renovating homeowners install new lighting over their kitchen islands, with pendant lights coming in as the top choice. 

A Real Backsplash

The finish that wows the most is typically the backsplash, explains Kristen Hunter, an agent with Keller Williams Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. “But it has to be timeless and real tile,” she says. Translation? Skip the peel-and-stick backsplashes, which are viewed as a project since the drywall underneath can get ruined. “It also can’t be specific to the decor of the seller or the paint on the wall because the buyer may not have the same taste,” she says. 

Refreshed Cabinets

“Sometimes, lipstick on a pig works,” says Andrew Abrams, a broker at Guide Real Estate and another market trends committee member for the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. In other words, painting outdated or dingy kitchen cabinets can go a long way, as can swapping in new hardware.

“If the kitchen is older and only one upgrade is realistic, painted cabinets usually have the biggest impact,” adds Bathen. “A light, modern color draws the eye up and gives a fresh, new feel to the room.”

Pendleton, however, suggests one specific paint color: olive green. Zillow’s latest paint color analysis found buyers will pay nearly $1,600 for an olive green kitchen. “Leave any major renovations to your home’s next owner,” she says.

Just Don’t Go Overboard

In most casts, huge renovation projects and over-personalized selections won’t do you any favors, explains Terrigno. “Less is more—keep it clean, neutral, and simple,” she says.

With that in mind, it’s important to sufficiently prep any kitchen for a showing, no matter how many upgrades you did or didn’t make. Taylor Lucyk, the team lead at Taylor Lucyk Group, suggests clearing off countertops, hiding garbage cans, and putting away pet bowls.

“Try not to cook right before a showing, and consider lighting a lightly scented candle to create a welcoming atmosphere,” he adds. “Small touches like these can make the kitchen feel more inviting and leave a strong impression on potential buyers.”