I really like white cabinets and marble tile backsplashes. Also, you will want to put in quartz countertops. The are NO maintenance and the most popular choice right now. Expensive, but you should get your money back when you sell if you invest in he kitchen and baths. Stainless steel appliances. If there is an island, it is popular to have that in a different color than your other cabinets.

You should also consider talking to one or more realtor(s) who specialize in selling in your area. They will have some ideas as to what is popular with your target group of buyers.

Ask a local real estate agent. Look at the MLS listings for houses in your area in your price range. Use the MLS to look at kitchens in brand new condos and townhouses in your price range, too.

The agent can help you figure out if a budget update is a good idea or if it will be a waste of money because the kitchen will be gutted and redone.

I missed the part about the house being built in 1903. The buyers may be sensitive to historic preservation, in which case a kitchen design that blends in to the overall architecture may be more desirable than the latest kitchen in a shiny brand new modern condo. 1903 kitchens were functional, not showplaces, so your kitchen was probably remodelled several times in the last 110 years.

I think you should stay true to the house. Would help if we could see what you have now. In our area it's not always advisable to sink $60k ish in before sale.

Please post a pic of your kitchen in it's current state. It will help people give better and more specific ideas. Considering you want to sell it, you may want to weigh the cost to benefit of actually remodelling it. As someone suggested, also speak with a realtor in your area to get some guidance. The last thing you want do is throw $50k (for example) into a kitchen and then not get the return once you sell it. As a recent home buyer, when I was in the market one thing I found annoying were people that remodeled their homes to try to squeeze a higher asking price, but they did it in such a backwards or horrible way. I would have preferred to pay less and fix it up myself. A lot of these said homes are still on the market because they put so much into the place, and they're now stuck with a place no one wants. Maybe these are just NYC problems :) Not to deter you from fixing up at all. I guess my suggestion is to get guidance from professionals. People in your area may want newly modernized kitchens or maybe they may want something modern but more period appropriate (I am guess the latter based on your location)... or maybe a lot of these techies like gutting the places themselves. Best of luck to you!

Although I can't speak for popular design details in Seattle, the NKBA has done national studies that are showing that people are moving toward transitional styles. In our area, we have been seeing a ton of white and grey painted cabinets with very simple door styles, stainless appliances, lots of interest in Quartz countertops, darker floors, and subway or glass tile backsplashes.

If you select classic leaning towards industrial, I don't think you can go wrong. You may want to look at kitchens on Houzz for inspiration for light fixtures, hardware, color for cabinetry. A contractor came into our room re: how much to update a bathroom prior to selling and he said to do the bare minimum..just enough for people to feel comfortable to live with...prior to ripping out. Don't spend a ton of money and don't do too far in advance, so everything (ie: paint on cupboards) still looks fresh.

Thanks everyone. So far this has been immensely helpful. As requested, here is a picture of my current kitchen. Excuse all the clutter please, but this should give an idea. The refrigerator is to the right of the doorway on a 6' wall surrounded by same style cabinets. The house is smaller, 900 sq ft, 9 ft ceilings. Thanks for all your comments!

Ps, in agreement with Shakuff about expensive, yet ugly remodels. I did have an agent over, she said do a very basic remodel to freshen things up, so I'm thinking paint, cabinet faces, basic range in stainless and a new vinyl floor. (which I can install myself so it won't cost a lot) Anyway, as mentioned, I was confused about what style, so far everyones comments have helped a lot!

I agree with asking a realtor. Seeing the photo I could live with this kitchen until I could do exactly what I want. Some people like period appropriate but others like the juxtaposition of a modern or contemporary kitchen in an old home and I honestly don't know which category 20-30 something's with money fall into. (I do know it's more common to see the old home modern kitchen in urban areas). A realtor should have a better idea of what people in your neighborhood want and if it makes sense to put the $ in.

I see my post crossed with yours that you have had a realtor in.

Nothing wrong with that kitchen that decluttering and cleaning won't remedy. If you're feeling the need to do something, then paint the cabinets and add hardware to them.

What most people forget is that real life isn't HGTV. You don't spend 60K on a new kitchen and add 70K worth of value to a home. You spend 60K, and, if you're lucky, you get 35K of added value to the home. You lose 25K. And that is if your taste in the redo 100% mirror the ''current'' look. 2 years after a remodel, and that look isn't current and you might only get 10K for that not new anymore remodel.

What style is the exterior of this 1903 house? That might help to lead the kitchen style. Craftsman? Victorian? Farmhouse?

Subway tile is both classic and current!

Agree that paint and new pulls could do it just fine -- cabinets look decent. If they're more rickety than they look, then new fronts. I think I'd go white, both because it's popular and because it would allow you to keep your white appliances (easy for a buyer to replace); still the same advice if you decide to go for the appliances, because it lets people imagine their fantasy counter material(s). Would suggest light gray for flooring. Probably also worth it to drop $150 on a new higher-necked faucet, which will update notably.

The faucet is a great inexpensive idea thanks!
Also, in Seattle, I have noticed a trend to put modern in the older houses, (right wrong or indifferent) but I believe it is definitely because it is in an urban area, good observation.
After reading the comments I will be very conservative about getting too gung ho on a remodel, I'll see if I can just refinish the cabinets or freshen them up somehow-advice well taken, thanks!

IMO at these interest rates a good portion of buyers want to finance renovations into the 30 year note. I would do countertops and stainless appliances #1. Keep in mind that buyers overestimate how much it costs to renovate and also have little imagination. That is why a 33% premium for new homes....current style, brand new stuff w warranties, no work and all in the 30 year note. Older has location, trees and in your case, character.

Any decisions since the original post in July?

Just did my research on that. Grey painted cabinets, white quartz counters with marble look, natural wood floors, subway tile, open shelves are the biggest trends of the moment. I would say that open shelves is fad, but the rest have staying power. Especially the quartz counters.

Hi Franki! Before you start, I'd love to help you out. I own a boutique kitchen design company and I think we can work on a budget yet still update the kitchen in a classic and beautiful way. Please contact me if you're interested!