The kitchen is considered the heart of the home and for a good reason.
It’s where we gather for meals, celebrations, and parties.
This is the reason for the space being so high up on the homeowner’s kitchen remodel wish lists.
Unsurprisingly, kitchen remodels also have the highest payoff in terms of return on investment and increasing a property’s value.
You can expect around 80-100% ROI depending on your remodel. Of course, due to its intricacy, kitchen remodels can be among the most expensive projects.
Before you can start planning how to kitchen remodel, you need to think through and have a reasonable spending plan in place.
Having a budget will help you to decide how much you can achieve, the materials you can order, how much skilled professionals help you will need, and what the outcome will look like.
You can find more information on the average cost to kitchen remodel here.
Now that you know what to expect to pay for your kitchen remodel, let’s dive into the different elements of kitchen remodeling and see how they can increase home value.
Tips On How To Kitchen Remodel
When people are asked why they are improving their house, one of the most popular responses is that it would increase home value.
Although this is often valid, it is far from universal as some people may believe.
When you’re about to spend money on a home renovation, think about whether the value of your home will increase enough to cover the cost – or, worse, whether it will potentially depreciate the value of your home.
Let’s look at kitchens. Though well-maintained and attractive kitchens add value to a house, there’s no rule that they have to be the most up-to-date.
The kitchen remodel checklist comprises of the following elements:
Appliances
Unless your kitchen is modern with drawer microwaves, point of use refrigerators, and everything else hidden behind the doors of the cabinets, people’s eyes are naturally going to be fixated on the appliances.
They’ll put people off if they’re obviously aged, whether it’s a white that’s dingy from years of use or the dreaded avocado green.
Replacing your older appliances with modern stainless-steel appliances is a relatively inexpensive option.
It has the same look, protection, and feel as complete stainless steel but is less expensive.
You don’t have to replace it all at once. Take it one at a time, making sure they’re all in sync.
When it comes to what to buy, avoid the high-end brands because they don’t bring in enough value. Look for a reputable consumer brand with positive reviews.
When it comes to replacing appliances, another important consideration is that it looks sleek and modern.
Get rid of your old electric coil stove and replace it with a smooth top stove.
If your budget allows, install a cooktop separate from the oven. And place the oven against the wall, with the door opening at about waist height.
If your refrigerator has a large ice maker with a lot of buttons, consider replacing it with one that has a water filter installed on the inside and out of sight. The less cluttered the visible surface, the better.
Cabinets
Cabinets could be the second most expensive component of a kitchen remodel, if not the most expensive.
If you have the funds, replacing all the cabinets with a modern design that emphasizes simplicity would be beneficial.
When doing so, look for cabinets that extend all the way to the ceiling, which will add valuable storage space while also eliminating dust and junk collection points on top of lower cabinets.
A simple paint job can achieve a similar effect if you already have wood cabinets and doors.
White is a popular color for kitchens, but greys are also in style. Make sure you use high-quality paint for the cabinets that can stand up to the abuse a kitchen receives.
Going cheap here can result in a slew of scratches and chips within weeks or months, degrading the effect.
On the cabinet front, replacing the hinges, handles, and pulls can also give an existing cabinet an improved look.
You can go for a uniform brushed nickel look or add a splash of color to break up the white with accented pulls.
Slide-out drawers and shelves are another great feature to incorporate, whether as part of a full-scale remodel or as a separate project.
This makes it easier to organize and access the contents without having to lean over and grope around the back of a cabinet for the can of beans you swear you put there last week.
Counters
Many kitchens used to have laminate counters as the standard countertop. Butcher-block tops, quartz, and even concrete have increased in popularity in recent years.
Granite was once the go-to choice for a countertop upgrade and is still very common, but it has lost a lot of its luster.
This is because it has become quite mainstream. Others should be resealed every year to avoid stains. They are also difficult when it comes to something that is dumped on them. Crushed quartz countertops have become more common as a result of this.
If your budget allows, quartz is an excellent choice because it comes in more colors, is more forgiving, needs less maintenance, and is less expensive than granite.
Butcher block is another great choice that won’t break the bank if you have a relatively balanced budget. It also has a distinct appearance that contrasts strongly with natural stone.
If none of those choices are available, a new laminate floor is a very cost-effective choice, and there are now several models that mimic the look of granite and quartz.
Using the same material for the backsplash will help give your kitchen a modern look for a fraction of the price.
If there is some room in the budget, one project to tackle is eliminating any choke points.
As previously mentioned, the kitchen is often a high-traffic location, with people passing through it to get from one end of the house to the other.
Considering this is the case, it’s odd that a peninsula used to be commonplace, extending straight across from the refrigerator.
The refrigerator is one of the most frequently used areas of the kitchen, and it is frequently opened for snacks or to collect ingredients for the next meal.
This creates a natural bottleneck that can be eliminated by relocating the peninsula or the refrigerator.
Sink
The sink is unquestionably the most frequently used area of any kitchen.
Any homeowner visits their sink several times a day for a variety of reasons, including dumping unfinished drinks, washing, and having a drink of water.
As a result, it should be one of your kitchen’s most eye-catching features.
Replacing the faucet is the most straightforward way to modernize a sink.
Choose a modern sprayer with several spray settings, an extendable nozzle, and an integrated filter.
Consider investing a little extra to replace your old sink with a new under-mount sink if you’re also doing the countertops.
This provides a cleaner-looking counter and makes cleaning easier by allowing food to be swept directly from the counter to the garbage disposal.
Lighting
Increase the wattage of your bulbs and consider replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, as well as updating your fixtures. However, there are a few kitchen-specific ideas to remember.
Food preparation requires a lot of light, but old cabinets can block most of it, leaving counters in the dark.
As a quick fix, get adhesive lights or rope lights to place under the cabinets. You can turn them on and off as needed, and if they’re strategically located, they can add significant value to your kitchen for a relatively small investment.
These are nice options for any dark pantries or cabinets in your kitchen, as well as other parts of the house.
Naturally, if you’re already replacing cabinets or the backsplash, it’ll be more convenient to only run the requisite wiring for the mounted lights underneath the cabinets.
Think Outside The Box On How To Kitchen Remodel
You’ve followed our advice and made the necessary updates to your kitchen while still getting a decent return on your investment.
Regardless, it is in need of something. It’s time to get creative.
Is there any unused wall space in your home? Install open shelving. It is inexpensive, leaves the room looking more accessible than if cabinets were added, and allows you to transform everyday dishes into a display item.
What about the roof? You can install a ceiling rack for storing pots and pans if it is tall enough or if there is room in an area where no one can pass directly under it.
This provides a fun environment and allows you to see what you need without having to dig through a cluttered cabinet.
Is there a lot of open space on the floor? If so, a separate island can be installed. A simple countertop with some additional storage drawers can greatly enhance the functionality and appearance of your kitchen.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that a kitchen redesign is one of the most profitable home improvement projects you can undertake.
According to the Appraisal Institute (AI), a kitchen renovation would increase home value and provide you with an ROI of 80 to 100 percent of your investment.
If you are new to kitchen remodeling, you can check out the beginner’s guide on how to kitchen remodel and get started with your project.