Once you decide that you want to remodel your kitchen, magazines, home improvement shows and Pinterest will hijack your dreams. Since the kitchen is the ‘heart of your home’ you want to include all the latest, most convenient, most stylish features. But after an extravagant daydream, you will need to get serious about maximizing the budget. Here are some tips to help you contain your excitement and still get the kitchen you will love.

Where To Save…

The easiest way to save is to keep your current layout. Moving gas lines, plumbing connections, or electrical wiring, plus removing walls will quickly erode your budget. Can you rework the problem areas without changing the mechanical structure?

Save on the actual cabinet material. Take a look at solid wood next to a quality veneer; can you tell the difference? Today’s finishes can offer rich looks without the big price tag. However, insist on plywood instead of particle board in the hidden spaces. Avoid custom glazed, distressed, and crackled finishes. These can increase cabinet costs by as much as 30 percent and will date you home in a few years.

Worth The Splurge

Go for granite. No matter the price range of your home, buyers want to see and feel solid countertops. Even if you choose a solid surface like Silestone , choose one that looks like granite. If you want the beautiful surface on a budget, choose a more common color and not an exotic; go with a rated level 2 or 3 instead of a 5. You’ll save money and you’ll get a better return-on-investment.

Choose cabinets with soft close drawers and doors, which has evolved from luxury to a must for convenience and resale. Solid wood is best, plywood interiors are good. Avoid pressboard anywhere in the kitchen.

Be practical and look for energy-efficient appliances with warranties. Use only one major brand manufacturer for all the appliances; keep a consistent style.

Also:

• Stainless steel is the standard and buyers expect it.
• Invest in a waste-recycling center.
• Consider a secondary sink outside of the main cooking zone for prepping food, washing hands, or serving drinks during parties.

Focus On Resale

Although you will design your new kitchen to make your life easier, you also consider the next owners’ needs. Industry experts suggest that a quality kitchen renovation should earn a 70 percent return on investment when you resell. The biggest mistake homeowners make is spending more on the remodeling project than their home value can support. Target spending between 6 and 10 percent of the total home value to get an optimum return.

However, consult an expert remodeling team and successful realtors in your area. The best case scenario depends on the features you choose, the overall design and the inherent growth potential in your neighborhood.

Swift Restoration & Remodeling

If you are looking for new ideas (or need help with what you should avoid), contact Swift Restoration , designers of hundreds of Ogden kitchens.

When you choose Swift Restoration and Remodeling , they’ll take care of everything including:

• Custom kitchen layout and design
• Materials selection
• Removal of existing cabinetry
• Wall patching, texturing, and painting
• Professional installation of cabinets, countertops, flooring, fixtures, and tile
• Appliance installation

Call us today at (801) 657-3496 to schedule services, request a quote, or to ask any questions you may have about our business or services in Ogden, Utah.