Kitchen Remodeling Ideas You Won’t Regret

If you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen, you’re probably hoping that this is the first/last time, right?  Especially when you start looking at the mounting costs.  The national average cost of remodeling a kitchen is $60,000.  That’s the average, folks.  So while you want to make your kitchen fit your own unique taste and style, you should probably look at features that will retain your kitchen’s marketability and value as well.  Unless you don’t care about recovering your investment if you ever decide to sell.

According to the “Remodeling Impact Report” from the National Association of REALTORS®, these are the timeless kitchen features…

White Walls.  And Cabinets, Counters…

In the  National Kitchen and Bath Association’s annual survey of most popular kitchen colors, white rules the school. It simply doesn’t go out of style, and it’s uber-tolerant of both your budget and taste: A standard color for any manufacturer, you’ll find white cabinets, tile, counters, faucets, sinks, and appliances at any price point. And with a white backdrop, you can be as conservative or expressive as you want. After all, it’s about your enjoyment, not just dollars and cents. For example:

Heck, with a white palette, you can change your mind about paint color on a whim. Those all-white basics will make any hue you choose look fresh and contemporary.

Hardwood Floors.

Today, more than half of home buyers who purchased a home without hardwood floors say they would have paid an extra $2,080 for them, according to the “Home Features Survey” from the National Association of REALTORS®. And among buyers of any age, upwards of 80% say hardwood floors are “somewhat” or “very important.” “It’s the one feature men and women agree on,” says Debe Robinson, NKBA treasurer and owner of Kitchen Expressions Inc. in Sheffield, Ala., who’s also worked in the flooring industry.  Hardwood has warmth, personality, and makes our homes cozy and inviting, and it pairs well with any kitchen style — from casual cottage and sleek contemporary to the most chi-chi Park Avenue traditional.  Hardwoods like oak and maple are tough and durable, and can be refinished 10 to 12 times over a 100-year lifespan.  Hardwood is also eco-friendly and good for open floor plans.

Shaker Cabinets.

Shaker cabinets are an enduring legacy of American style and, like wood flooring, have the knack for looking good in any setting. Their simple frame-and-panel design helps reduce the amount of busyness in a kitchen, making it a soothing, friendly place to be.

“In a kitchen with a timeless look, you want the cabinets to be part of the backdrop,” says Alan Zielinski, a former president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. “You don’t want to be overpowered. You’re looking for plain, simple, clean lines.” Those plain, simple, clean lines are a perfect fit for “transitional style” — a beautiful combo of traditional and contemporary styles that has become the most popular kitchen style nationwide.

Carrara Marble Countertops.

Carrara marble is a timeless classic that’s been used in homes for thousands of years. (Michelangelo’s “David” was carved from Carrara.)  Carrara’s lacy graining and subtle white colors look terrific in a white kitchen (or any kitchen, for that matter), it’ll last for generations, and budget bonus: it’s readily available, making it less expensive than other high-end choices, such as quartz.  Some people are anti-marble, because it can stain easily, but if you reseal once or twice a year, it’s a moot point.

Subway Tile Backsplash.

Classic subway tiles are white, 3-inch-by-6-inch rectangles — a look that became popular in American kitchens and baths, and has stuck around ever since.  In the kitchen, ceramic tile excels as a backsplash, where it guards against moisture, is a snap to clean, lasts forever, and always looks classy.  And while a backsplash can be an opportunity for you to insert your whimsical side with bright and bold accents, neutrals will always be current and blend with any look. Plus, a subway tile backsplash and a marble countertop make a dashing couple that will stand the test of time.

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