Can you please clarify-the refresh is something you want for your own enjoyment, or something you think is needed for resale? Asking because the thread appears in "Buying and selling" subforum, and because answers might/will depend on that

@aprilneverends thanks for asking - the latter. We plan to sell in the next six months (ideally).

It's a great space with lots of character. The cabinets look attractive enough (I'd personally go for slab doors here and elongated hardware/no visible hardware-but only if considetring it for myself.

maybe elongated hardware can be tackled, but you can also leave this one to buyers to decide)

I think white won't work here, unless again it's some cool modern mix of slab doors in stain plus color..or different colors.

Something like Orla kiely's kitchen: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/inside-orla-kielys-house-9mvtvp20wbq

(but even then I'd go for less white, more of other colors)

https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/home-garden/interiors/inside-designer-orla-kiely-s-riotously-patterned-clapham-home-a120746.html#gallery

For somebody else though I wouldn't go into expensive remodel like this, and even for myself, I'd have just to think for half a year, what exacly I want and how I combine it all.

Are appliances in good condition? If yes-I might change the fridge only. Stainless steel and black do work together better than stainless and white, imo. It's just my impression..I find it hard to explain why.

I don't prefer microwaves over the stove, it's too high for me, and the hood would look better-but again I'm not sure I'd be overhauling it for resale purposes only. If you can though-that's what I'd pick to do I guess. Then one needs to decide where microwave goes, but oh well.

In short I wouldn't be rushing into doing much, if it's for resale only. Maybe just small stuff I mentioned above.

As a buyer I might also appreciate an opportunity to take it slow and remodel as I wish-or not remodel at all-or do just minor changes.

I'd be following this thread with interest, maybe others will have ideas I can't think of right now.

Again, it's a very cool space, and I'd try to keep to its character as much as possible. .

Frnkly I'd fall in love with it all, and as for the kitchen- I'd think "it's a nice functional kitchen..let me think about it ". Even if you as a seller don't change a thing.

Exactly.

Leave it alone.

Thanks all for the feedback. @aprilneverends - the appliances are very old but functional.

The space/kitchen in general has not been renovated since the loft was converted to apartments ten or so years ago. We were told that in this neighborhood (a trendy "young professionals" spot), aesthetics, listing pictures, and staging all go a long way in helping garner interest quickly / sell for top dollar quickly. The other comparable units in our building and similar buildings did have stainless steel appliances, updated countertops, etc. I understand its a push / pull - i.e., invest in upgrades to list higher vs. make no changes and list lower. Struggling with where to draw the line to maximize proceeds from sale.

You will not get your money back from any work you do. You will probably spend more. And have more headaches. If it helps sell the property faster, that's harder to monetize, Will you have trouble transitioning to your new home if the sale isn't immediate?

Thanks @sushipup1. We actually do not live in the condo now. It is rented. Depending upon the market in the spring, we may continue to lease it out.

If you do renovate: 1-Definitely not white. 2-Orient the island to view the space not the kitchen wall. 3-No micro over stove - you are not venting anywhere anyway. 4-Put it in the island. 5-The simplistic, predictable, boring , monotonous cabinet arrangement does nothing for the height of the space. 6- See photos of designs I've done.

Just because the other units have all that stuff unless a potential buyer has seen the other units they have no idea what is in them. With the current idea that a buyer must rip out and redo immediately in some areas you will be wasting your money and effort with little return on your money or time.

Don't do anything. It looks fine. Keep your money in your pocket. If the appliances work, leave them. The only thing that a potential new buyer will want to see is clean and good repair. Anything else will be a waste of your money and effort.

I would do the SS appliance package. You will get your money back with that.

I would select a counter depth fridge in order to turn the corner in your space.

Remove some of the upper cabinets and replace them with open shelves

Get a glass door cabinet from IKEA

Get base cabinets from IKEA or some RTA source or Cliq.

Install a hood if there is a way to exhaust which I don't see in your photos.

See these images below from Fixer Upper Loft to be your guide. If you go this route you will see the money back for your efforts provided you did not buy too high for this market.

There is so much potential in this kitchen and many design ideas can be executed.

IMO 6 months turn around is not worth the money to change anything .Waht is the market like , what sells units? Those are the questions that need to be answered beofre sinking money into a space that has not ROI. IMO maybe the appliances package deal might be worth it but certainly now painting the cabinets which BTW would cost almost as much as new same for the counters .

Not everyone wants to remodel and start from scratch but before you drop a penny I would examine the comps closely. There's always buyers that want 'move in ready' and are willing to pay for it. I've been looking for a new home and it is true that the first few pictures either turn a buyer off or entice them to look further. A mix of color and texture would work well with your floors. I'd do a plain white quartz to tie in with your fireplace. This is IKEA.

Another non pro opinion but I'm not joining the group think. I disagree. You have a gorgeous loft btw but I would pass it by. Downtown ChiTown is a pia for renovations and a hot spot to live. Do buyers in that market have the time to spend on it? Most don't and don't want the hassle. I feel like if you go white on the cabinets it'll pair well with your wall color and trim and fp, but your floors will start to look more yellow and you'll lean traditional suburbs instead of cool loft vibe. The color experts here can help you with color. Maybe dramatic dark with light wood elements? Minimally as a buyer in downtown I want new appliances, a range hood, open shelves-a few only-with wall sconces, a bigger island with furniture ends. Something modern and fun with lighting. You have enough counter space to move the sink to the island, make the island bigger and do a dramatic focal point on that wall. Definitely upgrade the countertops! Your market isn't suburbia where everyone does their own thing. They want it done already. Study what Alison Victoria has done -look up Windy City Rehab on HGTV reruns. There's my 5¢ ☺️ 💕 Chicago!

If your budget allows, I would also resurface your fp and run it all the way up to highlight the tall ceilings. Maybe look at metal surrounds. Someone on here building a new house on the December Building thread has a photo of hers. It has a gorgeous blue vein in it.

I would go with the SS appliances change out. Remove the over the stove microwave, put in the vent. Change out the hardware on the cabinets to SS pulls. In the pictures they look like white knobs to me. Leave the counters as is. Let the next owner put in what they like. Definitely do not do white. It does not go with the warmth of the brick and wood of the condo.

Thanks @Keepthefaith MIGirl. You bring up a good point about Downtown Chicago - when I look at the units that have sold for top dollar recently, they have all been upgraded across the board. In fact, the condos that are updated well sold for significantly more than those that were not.

We will need to refinish the hardwood floors regardless, as they are pretty beaten up from tenants, so we will likely stain to a more modern finish (something with more of a gray tint?). That may allow us to use white for the cabinets, if we did update them. We certainly have enough cabinet space to swap for some open shelves, but what do you think about glass-front cabinets instead? I worry that open shelves are too "trendy" / not as practical. I'm new to this forum - who are the color experts that you refer to?

How about painting the island? I would prob replace the appliances as long as you are able to get a good price on them and would put in a hood to replace the microwave. What material are the counters now?

Unless you would get significantly more money by replacing the cabinets (or painting them) I am not sure I would bother. Have you spoken to a realtor?

Without knowing how far you want to go to update, I'll just throw it my opinions on all of it. I think the previous pictures others put on here of industrial kitchens were good suggestions. Here's a few more: https://images.app.goo.gl/Ae35QdWNYU5TrHtt5

If you want to keep those cabinets then paint them black, with a white quartz countertops and possibly butcher block for island. If you really want white then yes I'd go dark and hone or leather or soapstone on counters. But then Your fp mantle still says traditional and a white kitchen will repeat it if you don't have enough industrial elements. I'm thankful you're not trying to make it something it's not and change the style.

If you keep the sink on the wall then a couple shelves with black pipe would look better than what's there. Shelves are trendy so don't over do it. A couple with decorative items and a wall sconce-industrial style would look nice. I would also invest in a pantry cabinet for the far right corner so it balances the left. If you want glass doors, if it were me, I would do some next to the fridge. I'm not sure you need them. One thing that you might consider is staying away from gray. It's on your wall and looks great so don't over do it. Are your floors oak? Look at natural white oak images. If they're maple that's a whole different conversation because you might want a darker stain. Stay away from gray in the floor. It's too trendy.

One thing that can help you is to categorize your original post for kitchen, remodel, paint. That should get some attention from the pros I've seen that are very good. You'll likely also get some disagreement or arguing so sift through it if needed.

No to gray flooring. Gray is a trend that is dying out.

If you are selling I'm not sure you actually need to do anything to the space. Housing has become so scarce and prices so inflated it's amazing what will sell these days at very good prices.

I would just paint the existing cabinets if they are in good repair and change the hardware. Switch the appliances to stainless steel. Make sure to use someone that will give you a quality paint job though.

I think a dark color would look good on the cabinets, but white could work too since it appears to be some white on the bricks as well.