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If you’ve watched our show Flip or Flop, you know that I love to design our flips. I think it is so fun to pick out paint colors, flooring, light fixtures, etc., especially when it comes to the kitchen. Transforming an ugly, outdated kitchen into something beautiful is so satisfying to me.
When designing the kitchen in each of our flips, I consider how our potential buyers would use it on a day to day basis and I make sure the kitchen design will work with our buyers’ needs. I always feel like the kitchen should be timeless and practical. I would hate to design a trendy kitchen that would be out of style five years down the road and then our buyers would have to rip out the cabinets or counters because they are too dated.
While I’ll agree that today’s kitchen trends are stunning, there are a few that you should avoid when it comes to designing your flip’s kitchen.
Farmhouse/Apron-Front Sinks
I know everyone loves the popular farmhouse sinks, I do too, but they are one of those trends that will become outdated way too fast! As much as you might love these sinks, your buyers probably won’t in a couple of years. Instead go with a stainless steel sink, which is by far the most popular material for kitchen sinks. Not only are stainless steel sinks easier to clean and maintain, they are very versatile and are a practical option in any kitchen.
Kitchen Nooks
Kitchen nooks were all the rage at one time. People loved the idea of having a desk in the kitchen to take phone calls, pay bills and work. In reality the desks ended up becoming a spot for unorganized clutter, mail and keys. If your flip has a built in niche, consider removing it and use the space more effectively by extending the counter and cabinets. This extra space is especially helpful if the kitchen is small to begin with.
Appliance Garages
I hate appliance garages, I think they are tacky and take up quite a bit of valuable counter space that could certainly be used more effectively. Even though they were so popular in the ‘80s and ‘90s, they aren’t used as much now and I would definitely avoid including them in your flip. Instead provide additional cabinet and counter space that your buyers can use to store their appliances. There is nothing wrong with storing a blender or mixer on the counter!
Colorful Appliances
Colorful appliances have recently started gaining popularity again. Blue refrigerators, yellow ovens, green dishwashers, you name it! Appliance companies love to release products in trendy colors every year with the hopes that everyone will go out and buy the latest colored dishwasher. Don’t buy into the trend. Instead go with black or stainless steel appliances. These appliances will be able to stand the test of time for much longer than a blue refrigerator will. Plus they will look good in any kitchen.
Open Shelving
This is a popular trend that I’ve been seeing all over Pinterest lately, yet I feel like it wouldn’t be practical in many homes (especially those with children). While it may seem appealing to display all of your beautiful stoneware dishes out in the open, it’s easy to overlook that open shelving isn’t as efficient for storage as standard cabinets are. Keep the open shelving in your own home and stick with kitchen cabinets in your flip, which won’t go out of style and will provide necessary storage space.
I’ll admit that it’s fun to experiment with all of the latest trends, and there are some that are appropriate for a flip, but you’ll save your buyers a lot of headache if you avoid taking the trendy route and stick with what is tried and true. Plus, you’ll save yourself money by not going with what’s “in” right now.
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