The kitchen, often called the "heart of the home," can raise or lower the overall value of a home. Do your research when planning your kitchen remodel and you will have a space that not only functions well for your family now and in the future, but that will add a significant dollar value to your home should you decide to sell.
As you begin the kitchen remodeling process, consider the following in order to balance improving your home's overall value with creating a functional, long-lasting kitchen design.
Keep costs reasonable
When setting a budget, keep it realistic. If you plan to eventually sell and expect to recoup your kitchen remodeling dollars, it is important to keep the budget in line with the house value and the average home values in your area. A good rule of thumb for a complete kitchen remodel is to keep the budget at about 10 to 15 percent of the home value.
If you are working with a professional, be honest about your budget. They are trained to work within reasonable guidelines. If you have difficulty sticking to a budget or tend to get distracted and leave projects unfinished, you may even save money by going with a professional designer. They have the experience and resources to keep the kitchen remodel within a budget and on a timeline. They can save you a lot of time and frustration, as well. They know dependable builders, contractors and other service people and can help you navigate local rules and regulations.
Plan for your needs
There is no doubt that remodeling a kitchen can be a big expense, but with proper planning you can end up with a kitchen that will be beautiful, meet your present needs and function well into the future. Determine your needs by taking into consideration how you use your present kitchen. Ask yourself these questions:
- What do you love about your kitchen? What do you hate about it?
- What would make it easier for you to work in and enjoy the space?
- How do you expect your kitchen to function, now and down the road?
- What are the needs of the cook or cooks?
- Do you need extra work space or extra sinks to accommodate more than one cook?
- How much storage do you need?
Plan for kitchen islands, breakfast bars and extra seating areas, keeping in mind how they will function and the amount of use they will receive.
Consider the home's design
The kitchen design should be pleasing and not so customized that it detracts from the general usefulness and design of the home. You want a well-designed, beautiful kitchen, but not a kitchen that is over-specialized or out of sync with the rest of the home's character.
When planning your remodel, invest in good quality floors, cabinets, countertops and backsplashes that will last, but avoid too many trendy touches you may regret a few years down the road. Trends are best suited for paint color, minor furniture pieces or basic appliances -- things that can be easily and inexpensively redone.
Focus on functionality
The kitchen's layout should focus on ease-of-use. Appliances and cabinets should be placed to provide an easy cooking space with a logical flow pattern for most of the kitchen's users. If the kitchen design is laid out logically, it will save years of frustration.
An efficient and long-lasting layout makes use of stations or zones. Adding a food preparation space, coffee brewing area, and baking area to your kitchen design can make the area much more functional for everyday users as well as for guests. Think of other tasks you regularly perform in the kitchen and plan for them, as well.
Good planning and using the best materials that fit your budget as well as your needs will ensure a kitchen design that will serve you well, complement your lifestyle and add value to your home.
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