The kitchen is often considered the most important room in a house: it’s a hub of activity and, of course, that’s where all the delicious food is.
 
It’s no surprise, then, that the kitchen is usually the focal point of a property during showings. So we spoke with Brent Melnychuk, a senior stager at Dukora in Vancouver, about what agents should be doing to make sure their client’s kitchen shows its best.
 
1 – Keep it clean
Cleanliness is next to Godliness, after all. Melnychuk says the most important thing an agent can do is clean the kitchen – even if it’s brand new.
 
“Buyers look everywhere – in the drawers, the cabinets. They’re looking for quality so make sure it’s clean,” he tells REP. “If your property is a little older, it’ll take a little more elbow grease, but keeping the counter surfaces wiped down [and] don’t have too much on the counters. It makes the room look smaller and look less clean. Kitchens and bathrooms should always feel fresh.”
 
2 – Flowers and fruit
You’ve seen it on every HGTV show: the bowl of green apples. But, according to Melnychuk, it works.
 
“It sounds simple, but what can be effective is a large bowl of green apples and a vase of fresh flowers can be really good,” he says. “Fresh food, fruit is best. Baking cookies and leaving them on the counter is a passé thing that’s not really done anymore. But fresh fruit and flowers can go a long way.”
 
3 – Complete the picture
You’ve got food on the counter and flowers by the window; Melnychuk says you need to complete the picture by adding details that make the space look loved.
 
“You want people to feel like they want to be there or picture themselves working in that environment,” he says. “So having a stack of current and relevant cookbooks beside the cooktop can make a difference. If you have an island, nice counter stools will really make a difference. Buyers pull out those stools and picture themselves in the space.”