The kitchen is easily one of the most important parts of the home.
In fact, over 80% of home buyers ranked the kitchen within the top three most important spaces. It’s no surprise then that the homeowners get an average of 54% return on investment for kitchen remodels.
For every $30,000 you invest in a kitchen remodel, your home value will go up at least $45,000.
That said, you can’t just throw new counters and cabinets at your kitchen and expect a phenomenal return on investment.
If you want to make the most of your kitchen remodel, or if you just want a nice, updated kitchen, you have to have a design plan.
Not super knowledgable about kitchen design?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Read on for some killer kitchen design tips that’ll get you your dream kitchen and an incredible return on investment!
Plan Ahead
Before you take any action on your kitchen remodel, it’s important to sit down and plan everything to the very last detail.
A kitchen remodel done on the fly is likely to be a spectacular failure.
Plan ahead when building your plan. What are your design goals? What’s your style?
Then, create a blueprint for everything from layout to aesthetics.
Any time you run into a snag, you can refer back to your master plan and make decisions that are in line with your plan and goals for your kitchen.
Keep the Future in Mind
Any time you invest a ton of money into a space, you want to make sure that the design stays relevant for as long as possible. Thus, while trendy designs may be tempting, you should stick to designs that are going to have some longevity.
For example, remember the glass blocks that made every upscale 90s home look a tiny bit like an igloo?
Those same glass blocks are now an indicator that a home hasn’t seen a significant update in a long, long time. A kitchen with a butcher block counter, however, is a classic design choice that will remain relevant for a very long time.
But what if you’re designing to sell?
Kitchen design is quite different when you’re remodeling to add value to your home and to encourage a sale.
In those cases, update your kitchen to reflect what is currently in demand in order to get the most bang for your buck. Avoid personal style choices such as bright colors to avoid alienating buyers.
Find an Aesthetic (and Stick to It)
There are so many kitchen design styles to choose from, but in order to create a cohesive space, you should stick with one style for the entirety of the kitchen. That doesn’t mean you have to pick one color and make your kitchen a monochromic monolith.
Instead, choose a source of inspiration.
Love mid-century modern style?
Then all your design choices should be geared toward making your kitchen a tribute to the 1950s. More into modern farmhouse?
Go for light and bright materials, reclaimed wood, and shabby chic accessories.
Every piece you choose, from backsplash tiles to appliances should fit within that aesthetic. In the end, you’ll have a cohesive space you absolutely love.
Maximize Natural Light
If you’re in the mood for a major project, try rearranging your kitchen space so that more natural light comes in.
If you have a single story home, try installing a skylight so that natural light flows in from above. If not, you can bring in more light by adding a window above the sink.
Bonus! You can place little pots of herbs on the windowsill for use in the many meals you’ll be cooking.
It might take a little extra work, but a large, open, and bright kitchen will go far in adding value to your home and making your kitchen a more liveable space.
Make It Functional
Always keep in mind the number one thing you’ll be doing in the kitchen — cooking!
It doesn’t make much sense, then to design your kitchen in a way that makes cooking more difficult than it was before.
Here are some things to keep in mind in order to keep your kitchen functional.
First, the key elements of your kitchen are the stove, refrigerator, and the sink. Keep these three elements close together, but not so close that the operation of one impedes the operation of another.
Aim for a triangle of space in your future kitchen, with each essential kitchen element at the tip of the triangle. This way you can move from element to element with ease.
Speaking of functionality, there’s nothing worse than a gorgeous kitchen with no counter space!
Make sure to leave plenty of room for counter space in convenient locations – not in a cramped corner.
Last, don’t forget to maximize your storage!
Storage is great for resale value and will help declutter your kitchen counters. When creating your design, consider how much cabinet space you’ll need for kitchen size and storage needs.
Read more about storage space planning to perfect your design.
Quality Over Quantity
It is better to do a little bit less than to do a lot with cheap materials.
You’re investing a lot of money into your kitchen, make sure to make design choices that will hold up for a long period of time.
For example, spring for beautiful quartz countertops over acrylic or laminate countertops. Quartz countertops have more longevity, add more value, and will look much better 20 years from now.
Loved These Kitchen Design Tips? Check Out Our Blog for More!
Designing your dream kitchen may seem daunting, but thankfully, these kitchen design tips took some of the guesswork out of it for you.
The greatest tool you can use for a successful kitchen remodel is planning ahead. What layout do you want?
What aesthetic do you want to stick with? By not making decisions on the fly, and by planning a functional, beautiful kitchen, you’re sure to end up happy!
Interested in more helpful articles about home life?
Check out the rest of our blog for more about everything from home life to lifestyle news. Happy remodeling!
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