If you’re considering investing in home renovations, there are probably a few questions going through your mind…
“How long will it take?”
“How much will it cost?”
“Will it help increase my home’s value?”
The answer to all of these questions ultimately depends on what type of renovation you choose to do. As experts in design remodeling services, we believe that upgrading your kitchen is one of the best ways to increase your home’s value.
Why are kitchen upgrades valuable?
It’s been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and for good reason. Kitchens are high-traffic rooms, used for everything from the obvious, like making dinner, to other special family moments, like working on homework, laughing during late-night talks, and hosting guests.
According to an article from Forbes, “Kitchens will give you one of the biggest returns on your investment.” The article goes on to say that even simple updates can make a significant impact on your home’s value.
Experts at HGTV agree, saying, “Ask any real estate expert what the No. 1 upgrade with the greatest return is, and the answer will be the kitchen.”
So, how can you decide which kitchen upgrades will be worth your time and money? Start by thinking about what will provide the most value to you and your family. Then, narrow down your projects by reviewing the following list of upgrades that can help increase your home’s value.
Areas of your kitchen you should consider updating
Here’s a closer look at some of the most valuable kitchen renovations you can to in your home.
Floor plan
Open floor plans are becoming increasingly popular because they give your home a warm, open, and inviting vibe. Millennials, in particular, look for open concepts when house hunting. Additionally, opening up your kitchen allows you to choose from more customization options, like adding a kitchen island to your space.
Countertops
Updating your countertops can give your whole kitchen a refreshed look, but it can be hard to know which type of counters are best for your needs. At Gehman Design Remodeling, we offer the following countertop options:
- Quartz
- Granite
- Laminate
- Concrete
- Solid-surfacing
Our remodeling experts on staff can walk you through the differences of each type and help you determine what you should choose.
Floors
The most valuable upgrade you can do to your floors is to install or refinish hardwood floors. Why are hardwood floors a smart upgrade? Homelight, a real estate referral company, explains, “The NAR’s (National Association of Realtors) 2017 Remodeling Impact Report projects that homes with existing hardwood floors will likely see a 100% return as the average $3,000 cost to refurbish them adds $3,000 in value.”
The Homelight article continues, “Installing wood flooring pays off almost as well, with a 91% return. Wood flooring installations that cost $5,500 are projected to add around $5,000 to the home value. However, these estimates vary depending upon the type of wood flooring you install.”
Appliances
If you’ve ever seen a house with pink appliances from the 1970s, you know that old appliances can make your whole house look outdated. When upgrading your appliances, be sure to look for energy-efficient models, which can help lower your energy use, and in turn, your monthly utility bill. You may also consider “commercial look” appliances which will give your home the look of a beautiful, high-end commercial kitchen, in a size that fits your space.
Cabinets
Cabinets are one of the first things someone sees when they walk into your kitchen. What kind of impression are your cabinets making? Whether you only want to upgrade the look of your cabinets, or you want to reconfigure them to maximize your storage space, we recommend installing all-wood cabinets in your home.
At Gehman Design Remodeling, we offer a variety of styles, colors, finishes, and hardware so your cabinets will perfectly fit your aesthetic.
What is the average ROI of a kitchen remodel?
So, how much value can you expect to get back after investing in kitchen renovations? It depends on the project, but a minor kitchen remodel can recoup an average of 81% of its cost. However, it’s important to remember that all renovations are not weighted equally.
Minor kitchen renovations have a higher ROI than luxury upgrades since they are more appealing to the masses. So, unless you want stone countertops or commercial-grade appliances for your own use, you can skip them during your renovation since they won’t add much to your home’s overall value.
What NOT to do when renovating your kitchen
Now that you have a better idea of which kitchen upgrades are worth your time and money, here are a few things you should avoid.
Non-neutral paint colors
Skip the bright colors in favor of shades of beige or gray, which will appeal to more people when you go to sell your home. If you really can’t live without a bright green wall, just be sure to paint it a more neutral color before putting your house on the market.
Wallpaper
Similarly, wallpaper can be a polarizing design choice. It can also be difficult to remove, so it’s best to avoid it altogether during the design phase of your remodel.
Luxury kitchen renovations
Like we mentioned above, luxury upgrades don’t always have a high ROI. For example, a brick pizza oven could be cool to have in your house if you’re a chef or a pizza connoisseur, but the average person doesn’t gain many benefits from having one in their home.
You’ll need to find the balance of upgrading your home with features you genuinely want and will use with features that will also appeal to a large number of people once you decide to sell.
Get a free estimate today
Ready to get started on your kitchen upgrades? Contact Gehman Design Remodeling today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. Or, check out our kitchen design portfolio to get a better idea of the work we’ve done in the past and how we can help you with your project.
As a company that’s been around for nearly 30 years, you can trust that if you come to us with an idea for your home, we’ll get it done with the highest level of customer service every step of the way. We can’t wait to help you bring your kitchen dreams to reality.