How Much Value Does a New Kitchen Add to a House?

Installing a brand-new kitchen is one of the best things you can do to boost your house’s market value. However, it’s tricky to pinpoint how many thousands of pounds a newly renovated kitchen can add to the price of your home when selling. Plenty of different factors are at play, not least UK property market conditions at the time.

If you’re considering a new kitchen extension, a complete refit or even smaller kitchen upgrades, this article is for you. Here we break down which features add the most value for a worthwhile investment.

The Value Added by a New Kitchen

The kitchen is the focal point of our home: the area where family congregates throughout the day and where we host loved ones.

So, upgrading the kitchen area or remodelling the kitchen entirely makes sense if you want to appeal to a new home buyer – it’s such an important room. How much profit you make on a kitchen renovation depends on the quality of your updated kitchen, the size of the room and the design itself.

Most kitchen renovations can add around 10 percent to a property’s value, so it is definitely worth looking into if you can afford it, provided you get it right.

If your current kitchen is tired and outdated then it makes sense to upgrade with a complete kitchen renovation, if it just needs a facelift you can opt for a simple kitchen makeover to save money.

The secret to making a profit is to keep the renovation neutral so that it will appeal to most home buyers. Quirky design might put people off and they’ll factor in costs for redoing the kitchen into their offer – and that means you won’t get as much money when you come to sell.

It’s easy to make a big difference to a kitchen without spending too much money. For instance, instead of having new cabinets fitted, simply use the shells and fit new doors instead and add new worktops. New tiling and a lick of paint can really add a fresh look too.

Another way to calculate how much property value a new kitchen adds to the selling price is to compare how much you spend on your renovation to the value of your overall home. If your house value is £100,000 and you spend £40,000 on a new kitchen then it’s highly unlikely you’ll recoup that spend. Instead, kitchen designers usually recommend spending from eight to 10 per cent of what the property is worth to add value to your home.

Value Added by a Kitchen Extension

A kitchen extension is a much bigger undertaking than simply refurbishing your existing kitchen. Because of this, you can expect it a single-storey extension to add up to 12 per cent to the value of your home when you come to sell. These days open-plan living is pretty much de rigueur, with a kitchen extension often at the heart of this contemporary design style.

Adding any additional living space will boost your home’s value. Having generous kitchen space in particular is a very desirable feature when it comes to looking for a new property.

Kitchen Types and Styles

There are lots of kitchen design types currently on the market – from traditional Shaker- styles to contemporary, glossy minimalist looks, and everything in between. But upgrading your kitchen isn’t just about adding fabulous new kitchen cabinets or a central kitchen island. Lighting, worktops, flooring and integrated appliances can all be stand out features to consider for a higher selling price.

What to Do to Add Extra Value

Before you start planning your kitchen improvements or extension, consider how you can improve the existing layout. For instance, can you add more storage in the new kitchen? Would changing the layout lead to the room feeling larger? Sometimes, even something simple like better lighting can lead to a room feeling airier and brighter.

Layout

The first question to ask is, is the size of your existing kitchen big enough for the new kitchen that you’re planning. Would a kitchen island work or disrupt the flow of the room? If so, would it be better to fit a breakfast bar? Make sure the kitchen triangle (the sink, fridge and cooker) are all easy to access from one position.

Design

Is the brand-new kitchen you want suitable for the current design of your home? A very modern kitchen in a traditional house is going to look a bit out of place. If you don’t plan on redecorating the rest of your home, you could opt for a more ‘neutral’ or low-key kitchen design.

Cabinets

There are plenty of beautiful Shaker-style neutral designs available these days, or even clean-lined, minimalist and handle-less designs. Often you don’t need to rip out the cabinets but simply replace the doors instead.

Worktops

You can choose from easy-to-maintain composite worktops in various colours, up to solid marble. Like the cabinets, worktops can create a big impact in a kitchen. You don’t have to spend a fortune on the worktops for them to fit in beautifully with the rest of your kitchen colour scheme.

Lighting

Lighting really matters in a kitchen, especially since we tend to use our kitchen both during the daytime and at night. Kitchen lighting that can switch from task for prepping vegetables, to ambient for a cosy supper late at night, at literally the flick of a switch, makes a difference to the design. Pendant lighting over a kitchen island is a very contemporary look, so too is under-cabinet lighting and even island baseboard lighting.

Decorating

Altering the colour scheme of your kitchen, adding a stand-out splashback design, or simply changing the tiles can all make a big difference to its appearance. After all, first impressions do count with potential buyers.

Fixtures and Fittings

Fancy kitchen cabinet and drawer handles, a knock-out central kitchen light fitting or fabulous new taps, can all prove a winner in a kitchen refurbishment project. Even contemporary light switches can make a difference.

Appliances

If you plan on selling the home with some kitchen appliances, built-in modern appliances are popular since they tend to take up less space. An energy-efficient dishwasher, washing machine and fridge freezer etc can also prove a strong selling point when you put a property on the market. Coordinated appliances give an elegant, streamlined look to any kitchen.

Storage

Is there enough storage space in the new design to contain a kitchen pantry? This is an excellent solution for storing foodstuffs. If there’s not, then you could consider a pull-out parlour. Not only does this cut back on clutter, but this type of design feature – along with pull-out cupboards – also keeps the kitchen looking clean and efficient.

Flooring

Having new flooring and, more importantly, the type of flooring you choose for your kitchen renovation can make a huge difference to its overall appearance. Light floor boards or neutral-coloured luxury vinyl tiles can help ‘open up’ a room.

Then again, if the rest of the kitchen is neutral and you’re looking to add the ‘wow’ factor then a vibrantly coloured floor can work wonders. Black and white tiles can also provide a smart ‘café-style’ design touch.

Tech and Gadgets

A built-in coffee machine and an automatic drinks dispenser with ice are gadgets people will probably use so it makes sense to install these in a new kitchen. But too much smart technology can put people off. It’s best to let the new owners install their own.

Features that Add the Most Value

Features of kitchen refits that significantly boost property value focus on functionality, modern design and quality materials. Integrated appliances create a sleek, streamlined look that appeals to most people, while high-end appliances from respected brands like Bosch or Siemens are valuable assets, potentially increasing home value by up to 4-5%.

Built-in storage solutions, particularly floor-to-ceiling cupboards and pull-out pantry units, are highly attractive to potential buyers. Quartz and granite worktops remain premium choices, signalling quality and durability.

Open-plan layouts that create multifunctional spaces are particularly sought after too, potentially adding 5-10% to overall property value.

New Kitchen Costs

An average kitchen can set you back from £6,000 up to £12,000. The quality of the units and fixtures or fittings, the size of the kitchen and the appliances all make a difference to the cost of the final invoice. So too do the labour charges, of course.

A luxury kitchen installation can result in costs in the region of £35,000 to £60,000.

Budgeting Advice

When planning a kitchen renovation, allocate your budget strategically to maximise your return on investment and prioritise essential elements like quality worktops, reliable appliances and practical storage over purely aesthetic upgrades. If your budget is limited, you could consider a phased approach, focusing first on structural improvements and key functional elements.

You can also research local property market trends to ensure your investment aligns with standards in your area and to get a feel for value added.

Finding a Kitchen Installer

The Page can help you find the perfect kitchen renovation contractor. Just get in touch and we will walk you through the process and supply you with a list of vetted tradespeople.

You can also look up trade associations and ask other tradesmen, neighbours or colleagues if they can recommend anyone.

Always check the kitchen fitter’s reviews and ask to see previous work they’ve carried out for other clients. You want to make sure they are capable of helping you add value to your home, after all.

Also make sure they are insured so if (heaven forbid) anything goes wrong with your installation (ie they can’t complete it for some reason), you won’t find yourself out of pocket.