Eclectic Kitchen Midcentury Kitchen, Philadelphia

These vintage-inspired turquoise numbers from Elmira Appliances give this kitchen a fun retro vibe without going overboard into Mrs. Cleaver land.

Glen advises keeping your appliances in proportion with one another. A 48-inch refrigerator might end up overwhelming a 30-inch range. Having a massive refrigerator that sticks out beyond your counters won't just interrupt your traffic space; it's unsightly too. Alper also suggests looking into undercounter appliances. While they're often more expensive because they need to be built in, they help minimize counter clutter and can be easily accessed. Countertops often work well for appliances not used every day and that can be stored away most of the time.

Retro source: Elmira Stoveworks is a great resource for retro appliances, including the fridge and stove shown here. Its Retro Northstar collection has the classic curves and fun colors of vintage 1950s appliances.

What's old is new again. The charm of vintage and retro appliances can be appreciated by almost everyone. But not everyone finds the work involved in finding, repairing and maintaining these appliances worth it. See if this investment is worth your while. Get the story: Revel in Retro with Vintage and New Kitchen Appliances

9. Give the appliances some elbow grease. Buyers want stoves that shine, not evidence of last week’s tuna casserole. Clean the oven, refrigerator, microwave, sink and any other appliance that will be included in the purchase of the home. Estimated costs: Most cleaning products start at $4; elbow grease is free.