When selling your home, you want buyers to walk in and imagine themselves living in the space. To best accomplish this sensation, many homeowners choose neutral colors to provide a blank slate. And when it comes to the kitchen countertops, this is no exception.
However, some buyers may be leaning toward a countertop color or undertone that turns many buyers away, preventing a successful sale. Today, we’re giving you everything you need to know about yellow kitchen countertops and why you shouldn’t keep them if you intend to sell your home.
Why you should avoid yellow countertops
When we say “yellow countertops,” you might imagine bright yellow vinyl or laminate counters from the 1960s and 1970s. While these midcentury countertops still exist in some homes, yellow countertops also had a comeback in ’90s and early 2000s revival designs but on a subtler scale.
Yellow undertones in stone and marble countertops were popular for a while. Even today, some homeowners choose to install kitchen counters with a yellow undertone or yellow/golden hue. However, this can look a bit tacky. Here’s why.
Yellow can resemble aging
Yellow can be a great color to invite sunshine and brightness into a room. However, on the kitchen countertops, yellow resembles aging. Particularly against bright white tones, yellow looks discolored, stained, and aged. When a homebuyer steps into your kitchen and notices those yellow-toned or golden marble or granite counters, they might immediately associate them with a poorly maintained or unhygienic space.
It’s a dated countertop hue
Additionally, yellow countertops in the kitchen appear dated. Bright yellow counters are too bold and often reflect the ’60s and ’70s contemporary decor that favored primary colors. While some homebuyers may be interested in this, the lack of neutrals will deter others who don’t favor a dated style. Also, golden or yellow undertone stone countertops feel just as dated as ’60s vinyl. These counters were popular in McMansions in the ’90s and therefore feel outdated and tacky to many modern buyers.
Can you use yellow in the kitchen?
If done well, yellow can be used in the kitchen. Many cottages or cottagecore-themed homes look great with a pastel yellow kitchen wall. Farm homes also enjoy yellow on vintage refrigerators, floor mats, seat cushions, or throughout decor. However, you’re unlikely to see yellow countertops making a feature as they often look unappealing.
What countertop colors are best?
The best countertop color to use in a modern-day kitchen is a neutral tone. White quartz, veined marble, and light granite are popular choices. Avoid bold colors, vinyl, or tile if you want to appeal to the majority of buyers. Whites, beiges, creams, and tans are OK. Some homeowners even opt for black countertops, which can look sleek and sophisticated. Avoid yellow undertones whenever possible to prevent an aged and dated look.
The kitchen is one of the strongest selling points of any home, so investing in your kitchen is important to ensure it appeals to buyers. Avoid dated countertops and yellow countertop colors, which don’t sell well. Instead, keep your palette neutral so homebuyers can see themselves in the space.
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