The Dated Kitchen Appliance Trend That's Hurting Your Resale Value

It wasn't too long ago that bigger meant better in the kitchen. Homeowners couldn't get enough of appliances like a stovetop that could handle six separate simmering dishes or a freezer big enough to house all the household staples bought in bulk from Costco. The pandemic didn't help — people were making fewer shopping trips, so they'd buy more at once, increasing the need for massive refrigerators and other storage spaces. Plus, with more cooking at home, extra-large microwaves or cooktops meant more kitchen tasks could get accomplished all at once. Unfortunately for your resale value, though, those giant kitchen appliances are beginning to look dated and overwhelming. Given the option between big, high-tech gear and a more compact, unfussy kitchen, many buyers are turning away from the giant fridges that hold enough food to feed an army. 

Instead, modern homeowners are excited about kitchens that prize efficiency and minimalism on every front. They're thinking about which of their household appliances uses the most energy, and they're looking for the most efficient gadgets that will help them lower both their carbon footprint and their utility bills. Kim Abrams, CEO of Abrams Roofing, told Yahoo Finance that "these appliances are much more expensive to maintain and repair, which will deter buyers from your home." It also doesn't align with the current emphasis on more streamlined, functional spaces. "Massive ranges or double refrigerators can overwhelm smaller kitchens and alienate buyers," interior designer Cathy Hobbs told The Spruce.

If you plan to sell your home, one of the smartest moves you can make is creating an efficient kitchen. That's because rather than be bogged down by a kitchen overwhelmed with huge, energy-sucking machines, modern homeowners are looking to declutter a crowded kitchen with space-saving, multifunctional appliances, and they're willing to pay more for homes with energy-efficient upgrades.

One big reason is cost. Large appliances, especially those that run 24/7 like refrigerators, guzzle more energy than compact machines. With electricity costs spiking, people are looking for ways to cut back on their bills. But it's not just energy costs that can add up. Appliances really aren't built like they used to be. Many of today's big, modern kitchen appliances are outfitted with high-tech components that quickly break down or become outdated in the fast-paced world of smart devices. Sometimes, it can cost just as much to repair one broken element as it would to replace the whole machine. Rather than deal with the costs (especially for a feature that they may deem unnecessary), new buyers are scaling back to more sustainable, well-made appliances. 

They're also looking to minimize bulkiness. One DIY kitchen remodeler on Reddit suggested, "You need a counter-depth fridge," citing what a big difference it makes in the appeal of a kitchen compared to heftier models. People are also swapping huge, fancy gas stovetops for sleek countertop induction burners and ditching overwhelmingly large appliances for ones that can be seamlessly integrated or even totally hidden into minimalist kitchen design. The design shifts appeal to the growing market of home buyers who want simple, functional, and efficient spaces that feel inviting without being overwhelming.