Got a Small Kitchen? Here's How to Stage It

When you’re selling a home in Boston and have a small kitchen, it’s normal to wonder if that space is going to be a huge turn-off for buyers. Fortunately, if you follow the tips in this guide, you can make your kitchen look bigger and more open – and you may not have to worry that buyers will think it’s too cramped.

Got a Small Kitchen? Here’s How to Stage It

Check out these nine tips to help you stage your small kitchen to sell:

Hire a professional cleaner (for your whole home)
Think about repainting in a bright, cheerful color
Make sure windows are spotless and there’s nothing on the sills
Put away all countertop appliances
Clear out your cabinets and put some items in storage
1. a good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used something in 3 months, store it off-site
Organize your pantry and get rid of manufacturer packaging
Use small furniture
Invest in modern fixtures and cabinet hardware
Brighten the space with new lighting

Scroll down for a closer look at each.

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Small Kitchen Staging Tip #1: Hire a Professional Cleaner

A clean home always looks better to potential buyers, and that includes the kitchen. If you don’t have the time or energy to do a deep cleaning of your entire home before putting it on the market, consider hiring a professional cleaner. This is an especially good idea if your small kitchen needs some extra attention. A professional cleaner will know exactly what to do, including scrubbing the baseboards, pulling out the fridge and stove, and making the sink and fixtures sparkle.

Remember: When you’re selling a home, you’re doing more than putting four walls and a roof on the market. You’re selling a lifestyle, and you want prospective buyers to see that your kitchen is neat as a pin (and easy to keep that way).

Small Kitchen Staging Tip #2: Repaint in a Cheerful Color

If your small kitchen is looking a little dreary, it might be time to repaint the walls. When choosing a color, avoid anything too dark or busy – you want the space to look open and airy. Consider a light, neutral shade like white, ivory, or light gray.

If you’re not sure what color to choose, ask your real estate agent for their opinion. Your agent has seen a lot of kitchens and can give you a good idea of what buyers are looking for right now.

Small Kitchen Staging Tip #3: Make Sure the Windows are Spotless

When staging a small kitchen, it’s important to let in as much natural light as possible. That means cleaning the windows – inside and out! Remove everything from your windowsills, too; you want as much light as possible to come in, and you don’t want anything interrupting a buyer’s line of sight.

Small Kitchen Staging Tip #4: Put Away All Countertop Appliances

When you’re trying to make a small kitchen look bigger, one of the best things you can do is remove everything from the countertops. That means putting away all small appliances. Tuck away your toaster, coffee maker, and blender. They all belong inside your cabinets while your home is on the market. The less clutter on your countertops, the bigger and more open your kitchen will look to buyers.

Small Kitchen Staging Tip #5: Clear Out Your Cabinets and Put Some Items in Storage

If your small kitchen has limited cabinet space, you may need to get creative with your storage. Before putting your home on the market, clear out your cabinets and get rid of anything you don’t need. After they’re empty, consider adding some shelving to help organize everything. You may also want to put some items in storage. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used something in 3 months, store it off-site.

Small Kitchen Staging Tip #6: Organize Your Pantry and Get Rid of Manufacturer Packaging

Another way to make your small kitchen look bigger is to organize the pantry. Remove everything from the shelves and get rid of anything you don’t need. Consider investing in some clear storage containers to help keep things organized. You should also get rid of any manufacturer packaging; it takes up valuable space and can make your pantry look cluttered.

Small Kitchen Staging Tip #7: Use Small Furniture

When you’re staging a small kitchen, it’s important to use furniture that’s the right size. That means using small tables and chairs. If you have a dining table, make sure it’s not too big for the space. The same goes for chairs; choose pieces that are proportional to the size of your table.

Small Kitchen Staging Tip #8: Invest in Modern Fixtures and Cabinet Hardware

One of the best ways to make a small kitchen look more modern is to invest in new fixtures and cabinet hardware. If your kitchen is looking a little dated, replacing the hardware is a quick and easy way to give it a fresh new look. You may also want to consider replacing outdated light fixtures.

Small Kitchen Staging Tip #9: Brighten the Space with New Lighting

In addition to using small furniture, another way to make a small kitchen look bigger is to brighten the space with new lighting. If your kitchen doesn’t have a lot of natural light, consider adding some additional light fixtures. You might also want to add some under-cabinet lighting to help brighten things up.

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Got a Small Kitchen? Here’s How to Stage It