One of the most common home improvement projects in the U.S. is kitchen remodeling. Napa ROLLING Kitchen Center - Kitchen Island
Solid wood construction. Built in spice rack, paper towel holder, utility drawers, adjustable shelves, open storage on 3 shelves. Easy to assemble. When asked which room in their house they would most like to remodel, Americans overwhelmingly chose the kitchen. And that's a good choice, because kitchen remodeling has the highest average return on investment when selling your house.

A wise investment

According to a report by MSN House & Home, kitchen remodeling projects generally pay back at least 90% of the investment and almost always help sell a house faster. Save up to 40% on kitchen products at The Inside Store
Choose from a wide selection of fine kitchen faucets including the Vintage II Collection Wall Mount Faucet with Gooseneck Swivel Spout. The report estimates that minor kitchen remodeling projects ($2,000-$8,500) return 94% to 102% of the cost, while major kitchen remodels ($9,000-$25,000) yield around 90%. A similar study by Remodeling Magazine found comparable results; the national average for cost recouped for a minor kitchen remodel was 88%. This means that you'll enjoy a new kitchen and it won't cost you much in the long run.

So where do you start? First you have to decide on the scope of the remodel. You can spend a few thousand dollars to spruce up your kitchen by simply revitalizing the cabinets, replacing countertops and installing new faucets. Or you can go for a complete makeover by redesigning the floor plan and starting from scratch - or somewhere in between.

The possibilities are endless. Movable Stainless Steel Kitchen Island with Maple Top
Food Service Grade Stainless Steel with Hard Rock Maple Wood - working craftsmanship and the art of stainless steel fabrication. How you choose to remodel your kitchen depends on your personal taste and budget. You can replace countertops, sinks and faucets, refinish or replace cabinets, change the flooring, install new lighting, and replace appliances. You can also paint, wallpaper or tile the walls, install a new ceiling, replace the doors - there really is no limit.

Franke TRIPLE SINK
Regatta triple undermount sink with highly polished satin finish. Start by examining your wants and needs. Clip ideas from magazines. Visit some home improvement stores to get a better idea of what's out there and the costs, so you can discuss your options withyour kitchen remodeling contractor.

New efficiency for the modern age

When designing your new kitchen, think of the three basic functions that are usually targeted for improvement: storage, preparation and clean-up. How can you make your space more efficient?

Traditionally, kitchen layouts have put the three major kitchen components (refrigerator, stove and sink) in a triangular pattern. But things have changed from the 1950's. FREE SHIPPING at The Inside Store
Colanders,cutting boards,draining baskets, drains, pot racks, sink grids, soap / lotion dispensers and more... Food is no longer mostly made from scratch so we need double the storage space. And meals are more likely to be prepared by several people. Therefore, modern kitchen remodels focus on work stations that allow more than one person to work efficiently without getting in each other's way. A popular choice to create multiple work stations and increased storage space is to add an island.

Follow NKBA guidelines

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has created a set of guidelines for planning your kitchen with the highest level of safety and functionality. The guidelines provide minimum standards for kitchen efficiency, convenience, traffic spaces, distances between items, and countertop and cabinet space. Ask your kitchen remodeling contractor if they're familiar with these guidelines.

You may want to hire a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) to help you with the project. CLICK IMAGE for more info.
Franke Apron Front Manor House Double Sink
Double compartment convienience for rinsing and draining precious possessions. Large compartment with integral shelf to suspend drain grid. CKD's have several years of experience in kitchen design and have completed a rigorous set of tests administered by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Although this is a national accreditation program, the CKD designation is not required to work in the field.

Trust the value of experience and a good reputation

Non-CKD contractors and interior designers may have the experience and ideas you're looking for, as well as other licenses or accreditation. Whatever certification a contractor possesses, it is a good idea to check references and have a look at the contractor's previous work.

Use the Cost Estimator Tool to help you get a rough estimate of various types of kitchen remodeling projects.