Even if you’re not the next Mario Batali, the kitchen in your luxury Chicago home better be up-to-snuff with today’s modern conveniences and technologies. Whether cooking or not, people spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This room is the home’s major gathering area, where people can socialize and/or cook all at the same time. The kitchen can dramatically affect your Chicago home’s resale value, so you better make sure yours is up-to-date.

Here are some suggestions for bringing your kitchen into the 21st century:

• Ultra-elegant knives are a must-have item for any luxury kitchen. World-renowned French chef Michel Bras developed his own line of sophisticated cutting utensils in conjunction with Japanese knife manufacturer KAI (Japanese knives are known for being very light, thin and agile). A 10-piece set costs approximately $2,700 at Williams-Sonoma. Even if you don’t use them often, make sure these works of art are displayed prominently within your kitchen.

• A built-in cappuccino maker, such as a built-in Miele, preserves counter space without the hassle of storage. If you’re selling your Chicago home, keep in mind that no one enjoys looking at a cluttered counter. These systems cost roughly $3,000, but they fit seamlessly into a custom-built kitchen. Most machines only have the ability to brew one cup at a time, which is their only downside.

• A Sub-Zero refrigerator will no doubt set your Chicago home a part from all the others. Sub-Zero refrigerators contain an air purification system that continuously rids your fridge of odors, bacteria, ethylene gas and contaminants to keep food fresh. Even if you’re not a serious cooker, the Pro 48 will have you looking like one. Made entirely of stainless steel, this fridge looks like you bought it straight from an industrial kitchen. From $6,000.

• Wolf cooktops are every designer’s dream. They are functional, yet look so darn good. With customizable parts such as a steamer or fryer, Wolf’s integrated module cooktops make it hard to leave the kitchen. They even allow you to have an electric cooktop directly next to a gas one. Wolf cooktops, which are manufactured by the same company as Sub-Zero, cost from $1,000.

• A smart, high-tech oven like the TMIO Intelligent Oven is the next wave in cooking technology. This oven let’s you refrigerate your food prior to cooking, and allows you to start the cooking process remotely via the telephone or Internet. A single oven costs $6,000, a double oven costs $7,500.

• A high-end dishwasher, such as Bosch, can sense how dirty your dishes are and automatically adjusts the wash temperature to accommodate. The company’s Evolution 800 Series dishwasher even has a “party” mode that cleans lightly soiled dishes in just 30 minutes. According to the company, “It’s perfect for times when you need to keep your party going.” From $1,200.

• A wine cooler is the new gotta-have item for your kitchen. The Electrolux Icon Designer Series 48-bottle wine cooler has thermal-tempered glass door that protects your wine from harmful UV light rays. This model is approximately the size of a dishwasher and costs $1,900.

Bottom line: Make sure everything is modern and high-end, or at least high-end-looking. In luxury Chicago homes, there should be nothing kitschy about the kitchens.

l. A New Coat of Paint.  One of the easiest way to transform your home is a fresh coat of paint – it will give everything a crisp, fresh look.  It is indeed time-consuming, but painting (or re-painting, as the case may be) your home a neutral color will pay big dividends when it is time to sell. For example, I once had a town home on the market with dining room and living room both painted a retro peach color, and I suggested that the client change the color to a more contemporary hue, like a neutral cream.  After only after six months on the market, my client finally took the plunge and repainted the rooms – and within three weeks, the condo sold.

2. The Condition of the Floors. One of the first things that prospective buyers notice is the wear and tear of hardwood floors, so make the effort and bring in a flooring expert to see how it can be corrected. Keep in mind that refinishing hardwood floors is not particularly expensive – it typically can be done for approximately $4.00 to $6.00 a square foot.

3. Clear the Clutter – Time after time, I have noticed that homes and condos that do not have excess things hanging around and sell faster than those that do.  Clutter is visually confusing, so buyers will not realize the full potential of your home, and besides, messiness is simply unappealing.

4. Minimalism.  Less is more when it comes to selling your Chicago real estate, and I have learned that buyers react very well when there is not a lot of furniture to distract them from the structure and features of the property.  A minimal furniture arrangement can make your condo seem like a more attractive and inviting purchase.

5. Updated Kitchens.  It is definitely possible to update your kitchen on a small budget, and this will go a long way towards selling your property.  For instance, you can change the counter tops – there are plenty of different material options and by changing such a major feature, your kitchen will certainly have a fresh new look.  Also, if the cabinets are old or dull, consider painting them.

6. Clean Carpets.  Even if there are only a couple of small stains on the carpet, it is a real turnoff to a perspective client.  Therefore, you should have it cleaned before the property comes on the market.

7. Sparkling Bathrooms and Tubs – Make sure the grout on the walls and where the tub and wall meet is in perfect and spotless condition.  A dirty bathroom is definitely off-putting, even if it is something fairly easy for a new owner to fix.

8. What’s that Smell?  Ask your best friend (they are the most likely to be honest) if he or she detects any odors especially if you are a smoker or have a pet.  I have had more people than you could imagine walk out of a showing, or not consider a particular home because of odors – especially the smell of smoke.

9. Wall Hangings and Pictures – Again, less is more.  In my experience as a Chicago real estate agent, I have found that when the walls of a home have a large amount of pictures, hangings, or other adornments, the buyer is distracted and may not realize the space’s potential.

10. Empty Space – If you have to relocate before you sell, make sure there is still a minimal amount of furniture and accessories that remain.  Alternatively, you can rent furniture and have the place staged appropriately – it is likely that your agent can help with his.  Furthermore, it is important to note that in the current market, buyers typically reduce the price of the property by approximately $10,000 or more when they walk into a property that is totally bare, because it is a sign that the sellers have to sell as soon as possible.