I'm an interiors expert – the kitchen colour and style combo that adds £19,000 to your home's value

The Sun

a day ago

THE KITCHEN is often described as being the heart of the home, so it's no surprise that it's one of the first things people look at when they're buying a property.
Kitchens are often seen as the central hub for a bustling family - it's where people gather, meals are shared, and guests are entertained.
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Not only is it a true hub for everyday living, but it can also set the tone for the entire home.
And since it plays a central role in both home design and functionality, it is likely to hold more sway in a buyer's decision than other rooms.
But did you know that your kitchen could also add a total of £19,226 to the value of your property?
An interior expert has now revealed that there is a specific colour and style combination that could quickly see the value of your home go up by thousands.
Property pros at More Kitchens looked at 140 homes across 14 major UK cities to find out what it is that buyers love about the kitchen.
And they found that when it comes to colour, charcoal grey kitchens were most loved by potential buyers.
Homes with this colour sold for on average £13,020 (around four per cent) over the asking price, and spent around 5.2 months on average on the market.
This deep grey tone offers a dramatic yet neutral base that offers both sophistication and versatility that homeowners love.
Its popularity likely stems from its ability to add depth, visual weight, and also adds a sense of neutrality to a kitchen, without overpowering the space.
Julie Gokce, Senior Designer at More Kitchens, says: 'It doesn't surprise me that Charcoal has ended up at the top.
We completely transformed our fake-wood, dated kitchen for less than £150 - there was ZERO sanding OR priming needed too
"It's been gaining far more popularity in recent years, and we've certainly seen an increase in customers opting for these types of shades.
"It's great because it appears to be fairly neutral at first glance, but it can still make a statement when contrasted with other 'standard' kitchen colours, like white and wood-tone."
As well as the top colour, the experts looked at the top kitchen styles that boost your house value in 2025.
And they found that the highest-performing kitchen trend is Cottagecore.
These types of kitchens celebrate the charm of rural living, with features like open shelving, natural textures, vintage-inspired fixtures, combined with soft, welcoming colours.
The cottagecore style evokes a sense of warmth and tradition, which appeals to many buyers.
And homes with this kitchen trend also spend an average of 5.2 months on the market before being sold, alongside an average £6,206 increase in the final selling price.
This means that a charcoal grey, Cottagecore kitchen could add a jaw-dropping £19,226 to the value of your home.
Julie Gokce added: 'I've noticed that homeowners are increasingly choosing to design cosy and inviting homes, places where you truly feel like you can relax.
"I think the Cottagecore trend perfectly encapsulates that.
"After years of ultra-minimalist interiors, people are turning towards these layered, personality-filled designs.
'I think it's partly been influenced by shows like Great British Bake Off, with its 'lived-in' and accessible kitchen (inside a tent) that features open shelving, lots of reclaimed wood, and that classic, natural charm.'
Five kitchen tips for 2025 buyers and sellers
JULIE has also shared her five easy kitchen deisgn tips that can add value to your home in 2025.
Swap out tired worktops for less - New worktops make your kitchen feel fresh and well-maintained, a key selling point for potential buyers. However, you don't need granite countertops to impress. Modern laminate worktops are a more affordable, durable alternative and are available in a number of finishes. The wood grain finish is one that is especially fitting with the Cottagecore trend, which data shows can increase your home's selling price further.
Paint (don't replace) your cabinets - Painted cabinets give the impression of a recent makeover, but for a fraction of the cost. A couple of tins of cabinet paint and some new handles can completely transform tired cupboards. I'd recommend opting for charcoal and soft greys, or sage greens. These neutral tones appeal to most buyers, and they pair well with popular kitchen styles, like the luxury or contemporary trends.
Upgrade your lighting for under £100 - A well-lit kitchen looks bigger, cleaner, and more inviting, especially in estate agent photos. To achieve this on a budget, I'd recommend replacing dated ceiling fixtures with modern pendants or track lighting. It's also worth trying out stick-on LED strip lights under your cabinets, this trend is incredibly popular in most modern kitchens, and it works well for an instant brightness boost.
Add a peel-and-stick splashback - For a quick, DIY-friendly upgrade that adds both function and a visual pop, peel-and-stick tiles or waterproof panels are easy to install and cost a fraction of real tilework. Options now mimic expensive materials like subway tile or patterned ceramics, both of which are commonly found in retro or vintage style kitchens.
Declutter and organise with smart storage - Buyers love to see a tidy, well-organised kitchen, it allows them to easily imagine themselves living in the space. To help declutter your home and improve those first impressions, it's a great idea to install inexpensive drawer dividers, shelf risers, or stick-on hooks inside cabinet doors. You can even use baskets or labelled jars for a uniform, intentional look.