The average kitchen renovation costs $60,000, which includes cabinet upgrades and multi-unit projects. When you own several properties, investing in the small details is important so renters keep coming back. But, not all cabinets are suitable for large families and big homes.
So, you need to pick the right multifamily cabinets that elevate the interior design and offer functionality. It’s also crucial that you consider the investment cost against the longevity of the rental property kitchen. This is why you should hire a professional company with high-quality materials.
Keep reading to find out how to pick your next kitchen cabinets. Plus, where to browse the selection of trendy designs.
Do You Need Cabinet Upgrades?
As a landlord, there’s a lot to keep track of, and property management can be difficult if you don’t have the right team supporting you. With the rising competition of new people purchasing real estate, it’s vital that you take the time to upgrade elements of your properties.
Even though the most obvious renovation is the exterior which is what people see when they approach the building. Cabinet upgrades could be the missing link between a long-term renter and a short-term prospect looking for an affordable home.
Unlike apartment building cabinets, multifamily units give you the opportunity to add more style and luxury to a space. Ideally, landlords should invest in a kitchen replacement every ten years or more, depending on the property’s condition.
So, how do you know it’s time to replace kitchen cabinets?
Signs You Need To Replace Kitchen Cabinets
When you first buy a property, it’s common for the space to have old cabinets included in the infrastructure. Sometimes, these cabinets can be decades old and look outdated. Appearance is everything in the rental market, so you need to replace old cabinets if they haven’t been upgraded in several years.
If you’re lucky, a simple paint makeover could save the original structure. But, it’s better to invest in complete remodeling if you want to ensure that the units will not break and survive wear and tear from renters.
Mismatch With Interior Design
Remodeling a space means integrating new features like lamps or floorboards, but you need to keep a coherent design theme. For example, a natural decor with lots of wood won’t match marble cabinets that fit a modern aesthetic. So, write down your ideas for the design and search for suitable cabinets.
If the style is not the main priority for the property, choosing a basic white cabinet will give you the option of decorating with other elements. White is an excellent color for creating a neutral space, and it opens up a room if it’s small.
Plus, neutral color tones are calming and help create a peaceful space. If you want extra color, stock the kitchen with colorful plates or curtains. But, having a neutral color is more appealing to renters who want to decorate in their own style.
Dirty Cabinets
After multiple tenants, it’s common for cabinets to develop dirt and scratches. This isn’t a problem if you have the same tenants living in the property, but it can distract from the rest of the building if the damage is severe.
It’s easy to notice damage if there are obvious scratches and dents. But the damage can also be from dirt that’s left on the inside of the cabinets or underneath the unit. Stains that can’t be removed with cleaning methods like sprays or other products need to be replaced.
Purchasing new cabinets is a good way to give your room a fresh look and will rejuvenate old designs.
Can’t Open the Doors
Functionality is essential when children and adults regularly use a multi-family home. Renters don’t want to stand trying to open a cabinet for five minutes. Plus, cabinets that are unable to close correctly can be dangerous if they swing open.
Most of the time, old cabinets warp and become difficult to close. So, replacing the structures with new cabinets will make it easier to enter and close the space. Replacing the doors won’t fix the aging materials, so taking out the entire cabinet is worthwhile.
Renters will look for these details when viewing the property, so it’s important to complete upgrades before you plan on renting out the building.
Color Change
Color trends change with new generations of renters and styles that adapt over time. A modern look from ten years ago can appear old-fashioned now. So, color should be part of your design process when upgrading kitchen cabinets.
Even if the structure is still in shape and functioning, you should replace the units if the color looks dull. New properties can also be altered with a change of color to modernize the space or make it appear bigger.
Some popular kitchen cabinet color choices are gray, black, or brown. These neutral color tones provide a cozy atmosphere while maintaining a luxury design. A vibrant color could be a mistake when installing new cabinets unless you want to go bold with interior design choices.
Once the color is there, you will need to repaint or remove the units, so think carefully before applying a bright yellow or pink to the kitchen.
It’s a good idea to work with the other features in the kitchen, like countertops and flooring. Decide on the surrounding elements, then start looking at color and tones. This will give you an overview of the whole space and what it will look like when it’s completed.
You’ll need to pick between resurfacing existing cabinets or removing them and adding new cabinets. Consider your budget and timeline to ensure the remodeling is realistic. Otherwise, your renters will show up for keys to a new home that doesn’t have kitchen cabinets.
How To Choose Kitchen Cabinets for Multifamily Homes
Besides color, the materials, size, and cost of the cabinets will determine your final decision for a cabinet upgrade. It can be tempting to save money on design materials as it can be expensive to buy natural wood when you have multiple rooms to refurbish.
But, having an expensive material on the cabinets can elevate the space and make it more desirable for tenants.
Browse Material Options
Wood is one of the best choices for kitchen cabinets as it comes in various styles and can be adjusted to suit different spaces. Popular options for kitchen cabinets are walnut or cherry wood. But, there is flexibility with the material as long as you can source it from a high-quality seller.
Polyester is a cheap option for kitchen cabinets, but it’s not as durable or attractive as wood. This material is more readily available in large quantities, so it’s useful for landlords with lots of properties. The downside of using polyester is it can take away value from the home.
If scratches develop, removing them from polyester is hard, so this material shows damage quickly and costs more money to repair.
Installing wood cabinets might be more expensive at the beginning, but this is a durable option, and you won’t need to worry about constant uptake to keep it looking new. Wood ages well, and part of the charm is having the old details on the surfaces. For designer homes, wood is the perfect choice for a luxury kitchen space.
To achieve a timeless look, wood is great as it’s a traditional material that highlights small or large homes.
Don’t Forget About Cleaning
Selecting your cabinets is not only about the appearance of the material; you need to consider the cleaning process. If the material is hard to clean, it will need to be replaced more regularly and develop stains. Renal properties need to be easy to clean, as different renters are moving in every year.
Hiring cleaners to remove tough dirt and damage will be more expensive if the cabinets are difficult to maintain. So, research the material and ask your cabinet company for recommendations.
Small details and engravings are hard to keep clean, so it’s not a good idea to pick detailed cabinets with many features. A flat surface in one color or material is better for cleaning and maintains a coherent theme.
There should be space for storing cleaning supplies, so the next thing to consider is storage space.
Storage Space
Storage space is a top concern for multifamily kitchens as there are typically a lot of utensils and equipment. If there isn’t sufficient storage, the clutter will build up, and renters might look for bigger homes to move to.
Every kitchen should have a variety of small and large cabinets. There should be small cabinets for glassware, cutlery, and plates. But, it’s important that there are larger cabinets for storing vacuums and other items. Don’t make the mistake of only having small cabinets, as this will stop tenants from being able to hold bigger belongings.
Make a list of the essentials, such as small, medium, and large kitchen appliances, and ensure that you cover all these when selecting the set of kitchen cabinets. If the kitchen is small, you should think about creative ways to combine the function of a large cabinet into two sections.
For instance, the top section can be a drawer for cutlery, and the lower half can be used for storing pans.
Landlords should always check the kitchen cabinets when old tenants move out, as sometimes old kitchenware is left in these spaces. So, cleaning out old equipment and making space for new renters is important. This is also a good occasion to supply new basic utensils like mugs or cutlery.
But, if you rent unfurnished property, you can clear and clean the cabinets.
Think of a Style
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. People spend much time sitting in this space and cooking with loved ones. So, style is a critical factor that can enhance a cozy atmosphere or make settling into a new home challenging.
One tip for creating a relaxing kitchen space is to break up the empty spaces between cabinets with baskets and hanging wall decor. Uniform kitchens with new soft elements like woven baskets or tapestry wall features can look too formal. From a renter’s perspective, they want to be able to imagine themselves living in the space.
Plus, textured elements highlight the new cabinets and contrast with the color.
Go for High Cabinets
Stretching cabinets all the way to the ceiling might not be standard, but this is a clever trend that can make a space feel more inviting. Old homes had high ceilings associated with home comforts and hosting parties. Modern buildings are smaller, but you can still achieve this luxurious atmosphere with tall cabinets.
Small kitchens benefit from these high features as it opens the space and creates more storage for renters.
High cabinets are also ideal for cleaning as they prevent grime from gathering on top surfaces. Combining tall cabinets with beautiful light fixtures will draw attention to the design.
Hardware is the foundation of any kitchen cabinet upgrade, so don’t overlook the hardware function. Always test the open and close feature as well as the screws that hold the unit together. A professional seller will be happy to let you try the cabinet for durability and allow you to examine the fixtures.
A good relationship with a reliable handyman is also an excellent way to pick suitable cabinets. These professionals will advise you on different hardware and how to install it in the kitchen.
Kitchen Cabinets for Luxury Homes
Cabinet upgrades are the best way to make the most of a property without ruining the original infrastructure. Over time, it’s common for these units to wear down and become outdated. So, when the time is right, you want to hire a luxury company that can provide high-quality materials.
Enhance your kitchen area with our cabinets and watch the space transform from old and boring to modern and classy.
Click here to view our website and look over the kitchen cabinet options. There’s something for every size and style on our page.
