Many homeowners remodel their kitchen because it’s the room where they spend the majority of their time. Over years of repeated use and high traffic, the water, heat, smells, and stains take a toll.
For some, their current kitchen is simply too small, lacking adequate storage, or so poorly designed that it hinders optimal functionality. Along with bathrooms, kitchens are the space most often upgraded or remodeled.
Most people remodel the kitchen for reasons related to function or style, and quite a few kitchen renovations happen out of necessity after water damage. In both cases, return on investment is not a primary consideration. However, if you’re remodeling in order to sell, or you know you plan to sell your house in a few years, upgrading the kitchen will help the home match local comps and sell faster. But design choices that make sense will help boost your ROI.
Kitchen Design Choices with Broad Appeal
When making decisions for your kitchen remodel, don’t just go for what looks good to you. Of course, you want to pick appliances and styles and layouts that make you happy — after all, you’re the one living in the home. But if you know it’s not your forever home, then making design choices with broad appeal is going to serve you better in the long run.
Here are some tips from industry experts:
- Avoid ornate cabinet trim because this is not a common style. Instead, opt for white shaker cabinets or something similar that most people prefer.
- Choose quartz countertops. Prized for their durability and beautiful textures, these popular countertops will bring elegance and artistry to your kitchen.
- Absolutely no traditional laminate — anywhere. Not the floors, not the counters, not the cabinets.
- When it comes to materials for cabinets, avoid particle board (also known as chipboard or low-density fiberboard). It’s cheap and won’t last. Plywood is a better choice for durability and aesthetics.
- You don’t have to buy the most expensive appliances or fixtures, but always go with a recognizable and reputable brand.
- You might love an extravagant backsplash or dark paint, but wild tile or unique colors might turn away prospective buyers.
Generally speaking, it’s advantageous to limit the bells and whistles if you’re planning to sell. These might include items such as under-cabinet lighting and pot fillers (wall mounted faucets installed above the stove to add a convenient water source). Avoiding “extras” like these will also help keep the project on budget without sacrificing quality and function. Besides, these add-ons tend to only increase your remodel costs, not earn a noticeable ROI when selling.
Finally, remember that you should hire a pro for your kitchen remodel (plumbing, electric, construction) because when it comes time to sell the house, you’ll need permits and inspections that certify the work was done by licensed professionals.
Kitchen Remodels That Won’t Break the Bank
With remodels, one challenge many homeowners face is cost. Everyone starts with a budget and a general idea of how much the project will cost, but it can be difficult to know from the beginning of a project where the final numbers will end up.
To address this challenge, you should sit down with both the design team and contractor to receive detailed options with price quotes. Reputable companies will usually provide an initial consultation for free. This will save you money upfront and also help define project expectations from the get-go, which also saves you money in the long run.
A Local Kitchen Remodel Company You Can Trust
Kitchen renovations aren’t just about the latest countertop trends and new appliances. The upgrades you make in your kitchen will improve your day-to-day experience at home and give you one more reason to host family and friends. Create a luxury kitchen you can’t wait to show off!
Straight Line’s team of experienced construction professionals have more than 13 years of experience completing kitchen renovations in North Central Florida. We can guide you through current kitchen remodel trends, help you achieve the right feel with design suggestions, and take care of everything you need for a full kitchen makeover so your house can get top dollar at selling time.
Browse our kitchen renovation gallery for inspiration, then call or text us at (352) 453-6909 for your free renovation consultation.