It's safe to say that the kitchen is the most important room in the home. It's the focal point, where meals are made and enjoyed, where families spend time together. So whether you're planning to sell your house or want to make it feel a little more like home, remodeling the kitchen is a great place to start.  

Of course, remodeling your kitchen is a big and potentially costly undertaking and not one that should be approached lightly. Our REALTORS® want to make sure you're ready before you take on that kitchen remodel, and we have a few tips that will help you get the most out of it. 

1. Save on Materials
   Resist the temptation to splurge on your remodel, especially if the end goal is to increase the value of your house before resale. Shop around for materials, and consider buying them secondhand. Options ranging from Reuse Centers to eBay and Craigslist give you lots of low-cost options, and you may even be able to find a local Freecycle group where you can pick up some stuff for free. And if your old cabinets and fixtures are still in good shape, you may be able to use these same resources to sell or trade them.
   
   
2. Focus on Details
   If your kitchen is perfectly functional but not particularly eye-catching, you can make a big difference by improving small details rather than jumping into a full-scale remodel. Minor improvements like new faucets, lighting fixtures, and cabinet hardware can revitalize the space at a minimum of time, energy and cost.
   
   
3. Choose an Island or a Peninsula
   A spacious kitchen island is one of the most common features on most people's "dream kitchen" bucket lists. It turns your kitchen into a central gathering point, making it easy to hang out, chat and prepare a meal all at the same time. But it's not a great fit for every kitchen, and the choice usually comes down to space. Go for the island if you have room for it – at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides – but if your kitchen is a little more cramped, consider an L- or U-shaped peninsula, which offers many of the same benefits without taking up as much space.
   
   
4. Think About Open Shelves
   Another common kitchen choice is between closed cabinets and open shelves. Either can be great, depending on your personal preference and how you plan to use them. Cabinets are ideal if you have a lot of kitchen clutter that you need to stow away. But if you're organized, clutter-free and have a lot of handsome dishes and cookware that you want to have on display, open shelving lets you show off. Shelves add the feeling of more space to a room.
   
   
5. Revamp Your Countertops
   New countertops can revitalize the entire kitchen. Choose a countertop material that suits your style and budget. Laminate is the cheapest option and is easy to install, but it's also very susceptible to scratches. Solid-surface materials made from acrylic and/or polyester are a bit more durable, but not nearly as scratch resistant as high-end materials like granite and quartz. A wooden butcher-block counter is also a great option, especially if you want a rustic look, but it can also be vulnerable to stains and scratches. 

Ready to learn more about planning your next home improvement project? Contact Wright-Patt Realty today. From remodeling the kitchen to boosting your curb appeal, our team is here to help you do what it takes to increase your home's value and get the most out of it.