The kitchen is the heart and epicenter of any home. It’s a place where your family and friends congregate to not only prepare and enjoy good food but also have a great bonding experience. When your kitchen space is intelligently designed it can enhance the look and feel of your home, in terms of functionality, efficiency, and appearance.

However, when it’s poorly designed, old-looking, or dysfunctional, it can make your entire property feel dated― which can make it hard for you to find a buyer if you’re looking to sell. And that’s probably why kitchen renovations and upgrades are among the top three most popular home improvement projects.

Though kitchen remodeling is a costly project, it can improve the functionality of your space, increase energy and water savings, and boost your home’s resale value. According to the National Association of Realtors, a major kitchen remodel with an average cost of $68,000 recovers about 59 percent of the expenses at the home’s resale. On the other hand, a minor kitchen remodel costing about $21,000 recovers about 81 percent of the cost. To help maximize your return on investment and ensure the success of your kitchen remodeling project, follow these seven tips:

Be Conscious About Quality

You’ve probably heard that “failure to plan is planning to fail.” Without proper planning, your kitchen remodel project is likely to run into some issues. And if you plan well, you’re more likely to not only find the right fixtures and materials but also stay on budget. When planning your kitchen remodel, you want to focus on durability and functionality. The products you choose should be durable with long warranty periods. It’s also important that they be low maintenance. Avoid buying low-quality products with cheap bargains.

Get Real About Kitchen Appliances

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to be carried away when designing and planning their new kitchen space. The latest, commercial-grade, high-end appliances may make eye-catching and attractive centerpieces, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will meet your cooking needs and fit your personal lifestyle.

Remember your remodel project is about your kitchen’s functionality, design, and efficiency, not the appliances―which are essentially tools for storing and cooking food. You should, therefore, concentrate your money on features that enhance the functionality and design of your kitchen. These include cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, and kitchen sinks.

Update Your Kitchen Lighting

As mentioned, the modern kitchen is the heart of the home as it’s a space where friends and family cook, work, play, and bond with each other. Having a single fluorescent ring light bulb in the middle of your kitchen ceiling might have “worked” before, but it’s worth an update.

Upgrading your kitchen lighting is an easy and fun way to add a fresh dose of style and a little accent to your space. And it doesn’t have to involve exhaustive remodeling or cost a fortune. Here are some easy ways to upgrade your lighting:

• Install kitchen track lighting. If you have an existing overhead lighting fixture, consider replacing it with kitchen track lighting that will allow you to direct light where you need it.
• Add under cabinet lighting. Installing under-cabinet LED light bars or rope lights directly beneath the upper cabinets will illuminate your prep areas and countertops, putting light where you need it most.
• Change to better bulbs. Upgrading your lighting can be as simple as changing to better light bulbs that ensure optimum lighting.
• Add a dimmer switch. If you’re looking to add flexible lighting in your kitchen, adding a dimmer switch will allow you to use your existing light for general lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.

Repaint Your Cabinets and Get New Hardware

According to Homeadvisor, the average cost of kitchen cabinets ranges between $1,900 and $8,350. They are one of the most expensive kitchen features to replace during a renovation. Refacing your cabinets will save you time and cost you nearly half as much as replacing them. Alternatively, if your existing cabinets are structurally sound, secure, and in good condition, you can grab a paintbrush and give them a completely new look. You’ll only spend anywhere from $200 to $350 in repainting costs.

Another easy and cheap way to upgrade your kitchen is to install new cabinet hardware. Practicality should you’re your number one priority when choosing hardware. Choose simple metallics and hardware that will look great with any paint color. You can expect to spend between $100 to $600 in hardware costs, depending on the size of your kitchen and cabinetry.

Swap out Your Countertops

Your kitchen’s countertops may be made of the strongest of materials, but they’ll still show their age over time. If you’re numbed by the unattractive look of your ages-old countertops, replacing them with new ones will not only freshen the look of your kitchen space but also increase your home resale value. Other benefits of replacing your kitchen counters include improved functionality, easy maintenance, and improved kitchen aesthetic. If swapping out your countertops isn’t in the budget forecast, and your existing counters are structurally sound, consider refinishing or resurfacing them instead.

Establish a Good Rapport with Your Contractor

It’s important that you effectively communicate with your remodeling contractor to avoid any misunderstandings or disappointments. Be clear and concise and make every effort to ensure the remodeler has understood your needs and expectations. Take time to explain to them how your kitchen space is used and the look you want to achieve. You also want to be clear and realistic about what you can afford. Don’t hire a remodeler who seems disinterested in your needs and preferences. Make sure the contractor you hire cares about your project and doesn’t seem bothered whenever you express any concerns.