If you are going to spend your remodel dollars anywhere, choose the Kitchen first! The more modern, spacious and glamorous you can make it, the better! And remember, lighting is so important here! Light makes everything look clean..and of course, everyone wants their food cooked in a Clean Kitchen. So get some inexpensive LED undercounter lighting installed. Canned lighting and Pendant lights have replaced florescent fixtures. White subway tile backsplash goes with almost every ceramic or quartz countertop choice. If you are looking for ideas, just watch HGTV shows like Flip or Flop or Fixer Upper one weekend.

Eliminating walls to open up a kitchen to the family room and/or dining area is also a good idea. Mama doesn’t want to be stuck in the kitchen away from the family activities nowadays…so knock down those walls and add a breakfast bar. Of course, this could get expensive depending on whether the walls are weight bearing or not. Check with your local contractor and get an estimate before you get out the sledge hammer!

Appliances are less expensive when you buy a package deal such as microwave, dishwasher, stove and refrigerator all at the same time. Check with Lowe’s or Home Depot for their “deals”.

Flooring in the kitchen needs to flow with the adjoining rooms. Consider bringing those hardwoods into the kitchen. Or choose a ceramic tile that will enhance the granite or quartz countertops, not detract from them. If you have too many busy patterns going on, it will not look good! If you open your kitchen to a dining or breakfast area, continue the same flooring into those areas. Never put carpet under a table….that is NOT family friendly! Kids (and adults) are going to spill stuff. It just happens!

Stay tuned for more improvement ideas to come…

Make it a Happy Day and Bless someone with your Smile!