Kitchens aren’t just for cooking, they’re where life happens. When our readers decided to renovate, many turned to real estate pros for advice on designs that could boost home value.
But here’s the twist, while some followed expert tips to the T, others got creative and went off the beaten path. And guess what? Their unique choices ended up stealing the show.
I love how a little personal touch can turn a kitchen into something truly special.
1. All-White Kitchens
Real estate agents love recommending pristine white kitchens because they photograph beautifully for listings and appeal to the widest range of buyers. Many of our readers installed white cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes after hearing this advice.
Though the resulting spaces looked magazine-worthy, several mentioned feeling like they were cooking in a laboratory! Maintenance became a full-time job with every tomato sauce splash showing up like a crime scene.
2. Two-Tone Cabinet Colorways
If you’ve ever stared at your all-white kitchen wondering where the personality went, you’re not alone! Our readers fell hard for kitchens featuring navy blue lower cabinets paired with white uppers or sage green islands contrasting with wood-toned perimeter cabinetry.
Someone called it “the mullet of kitchen designs – business on top, party on the bottom!” The color combinations added character without overwhelming the space, and bonus: lower cabinets in darker hues hide scuffs from kids and pets.
3. Granite Countertops
For years, granite has reigned supreme in the countertop kingdom, with agents pushing it as the gold standard for resale value. Speckled beige and brown varieties topped many readers’ renovation shopping lists after consultations with property experts.
While granite certainly delivers on durability, several homeowners complained about the limited color options that actually maintain resale appeal. “My realtor basically told me I could have any color as long as it was neutral,” joked one reader.
4. Butcher Block Workspaces
Warm wooden countertops won hearts despite warnings they might turn off future buyers! Readers raved about how butcher block adds instant coziness and complements nearly any cabinet color.
Many installed wood on islands or sections of counter while using stone elsewhere. “My maple countertop has scratches and stains after five years, and I love every single one – each mark tells a cooking story.”
5. Stainless Steel Appliance Suites
Walk into any model home and you’ll spot them immediately – matching stainless steel appliances gleaming under recessed lighting. Real estate pros consistently push this option as the safest bet for maintaining property value.
Our readers dutifully purchased complete suites from single manufacturers. Yet many later complained about fingerprints, cleaning difficulties, and the cold, commercial feeling these appliances brought to their family kitchens.
6. Colorful Statement Appliances
Sometimes going bold pays off! Readers who dared to install bright red ranges, cobalt blue refrigerators, or mint green dishwashers reported smiling every time they entered their kitchens.
One family chose a sunshine yellow refrigerator that became their favorite conversation piece when entertaining. “Our realtor nearly fainted when she saw it,” laughed one homeowner, “but we figured we’re living here now, not selling tomorrow!”
7. Subway Tile Backsplashes
White rectangular subway tiles have been the darling of real estate professionals for years. They’re classic, inoffensive, and supposedly timeless – the safe choice our readers were steered toward repeatedly.
Upon installation, many found them underwhelming. “After all that renovation excitement, I ended up with the same backsplash as every fast-casual restaurant in America,” one reader sighed. Others mentioned grout cleaning becoming their least favorite weekend activity.
8. Handmade Tile Accents
Zellige, cement, and handcrafted ceramic tiles turned ordinary kitchens into personal galleries! Readers splurged on these artisanal options despite warnings about potential buyer preferences down the road.
Green zellige tiles with their characteristic color variations became particularly popular. “My handmade backsplash isn’t perfect – some tiles are slightly different sizes and the glaze has subtle variations – but that’s exactly why I love it,” explained one homeowner who has zero regrets about ignoring her agent’s advice.
9. Open Shelving Displays
Real estate staging experts love showing off kitchens with open shelving – those Instagram-worthy displays of perfectly matched dishes and coordinated glassware. Many readers installed these after being told they make spaces look larger and more current.
Reality hit hard when dust accumulated on rarely-used items. “Unless you enjoy weekly shelf-cleaning sessions or own only beautiful things, skip this trend,” warned one reader who eventually reinstalled upper cabinets.
10. Glass-Front Cabinet Sections
Smart compromise alert! Instead of committing to completely open shelving, readers found joy in kitchens with just a few strategic glass-front cabinets. These display windows showcased special pieces while keeping everyday items hidden behind solid doors.
One reader installed interior cabinet lighting that transforms ordinary drinking glasses into a glowing display after dark. “It gives me the pretty display aspect without the dust problem or pressure to keep everything looking perfect all the time,” she explained.
11. Kitchen Islands With Seating
“You absolutely must have a kitchen island with seating,” declared countless real estate experts to our renovation-planning readers. The promise? Better resale value and improved flow for entertaining.
While some readers loved their new islands, others discovered these massive fixtures ate up valuable floor space. “We followed the advice and now have an island that seats four people who never use it, while I bump into it constantly when cooking,” lamented one homeowner still nursing bruised hips.
12. Rolling Workstations
Flexibility won the day for readers who rejected built-in islands in favor of movable kitchen carts and butcher blocks on wheels. These adaptable pieces could be positioned where needed for meal prep then tucked away to create open floor space.
Families particularly appreciated this approach. “Our rolling island comes to the center when we’re baking cookies together but disappears when the kids want to dance in the kitchen,” shared one mom who ignored her agent’s horror at skipping a permanent island.
13. Pot Racks Above Islands
Hanging copper and stainless pots above islands looks impressive in listing photos. Agents often suggest these statement pieces as ways to showcase high ceilings and create that coveted “chef’s kitchen” look that supposedly commands premium prices.
Several readers installed these only to find themselves constantly ducking. “I’m average height and still managed to hit my head at least weekly,” reported one frustrated cook. Others mentioned pots collecting grease and dust in this prominent position.
14. Appliance Garages
Goodbye counter clutter, hello sanity! Readers fell in love with dedicated cabinet spaces that hide toasters, coffee makers, and blenders behind retractable doors or in specialized nooks.
Morning routines improved dramatically with these thoughtful additions. “My kitchen looks completely tidy even when I haven’t cleaned up properly, just by closing my appliance garage door,” confessed one reader who prioritized this feature despite her agent suggesting the space would be better used for display shelving.
15. Undermount Sinks With Disposal
Stainless undermount sinks paired with garbage disposals top the list of must-haves according to property pros. Readers installed these practical combinations after hearing they’re expected features in resale-ready homes.
While certainly functional, some found themselves missing the character of farmhouse or colored sinks they’d originally wanted. “I wish I’d gone with my gut instead of what would supposedly help us sell someday,” admitted one reader who described her standard sink as “perfectly fine but forgettable.”
16. Farmhouse Sinks In Unexpected Colors
Rules are made to be broken! Readers who installed blue, black, or copper farmhouse sinks against expert advice created stunning focal points that bring them daily joy.
One family chose a deep forest green fireclay sink that pops against their white cabinetry. “Every morning I wash dishes looking out my window, and the combination of the green sink with the garden view makes chores almost pleasant,” shared a reader who has no regrets about ignoring resale concerns.