“Kitchens are made for bringing families together” –Author Unknown.

Whether you are situated in a swanky condo such as high park or taking up residence in a subdivision, we all collectively agree that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is the place where not only food is prepared and shared but is also the place where the family comes together. As the kitchen is in many ways, a working station, it has been widely accepted that the messier it is, the happier its occupants are.

However, this is not always the case—after all, if it is indeed the heart of the home, then people should take better care of it. Additionally, it would be incredibly off-putting to prepare food in a disorganized and rundown scullery that is begging for a renovation. So, if the kitchen counters are looking a little worn, the kitchen paint wearing thin and the cupboard doors unhinged, perhaps it is high time to give your kitchen that much-needed facelift.

With the tips below, you are sure to enjoy spending more time in a cozy and warm kitchen baking and cooking as you please.

1.)    Splurge on cabinets and flooring

If there is anything you should splurge on, it should be your kitchen cabinets and flooring. These are two elements of the kitchen that take the most abuse and for that reason, you need to invest in sturdier and more durable materials. Choose solid wood cabinet faces and full plywood box construction.

Install drawers and cabinets that have mechanical slides to make it easier to pull out. Hardwood floors are inadvisable considering your kitchen will most probably have a lot of food spills and the like, consider porcelain tile as an alternative. The tile’s resilience and indestructible tile surface will be excellent for a room that sees a lot of foot traffic.

2.)    DIY within reason

Modern trends in renovation today would include DIY techniques and with very good reason: It allows you to skimp on labor costs as well as incorporate personal details into your project. However, do not go overboard and try to do everything yourself—most especially if you are a novice at renovation projects. Hiring professionals may cost you more, but if you end up doing a botched job, then you are likely to spend an even more exorbitant amount just to have them fix what you have begun.

In addition, you can buy a food vacuum sealer for your kitchen and there are a number of food sealers available online at cheap rates. As we already know, vacuum sealers are very useful for storing food including dried, refrigerated or frozen foods for a long time and preserving the quality of the food stored. So give it a try to preserve food in your kitchen.

3.)    Stone countertops may look great, but they require upkeep

Undoubtedly, marble surfaces and Formica countertops would make exquisite additions to your kitchen. These materials would certainly be the premier choice for those seeking to give their kitchens a bit more of an aesthetic appeal. However, it comes with a price: Formica countertops would give your kitchen a cheap kind of aura.

This is why most kitchen renovations would include a stone countertop surface. Granite would be your best choice with its durability and price in consideration. Additionally, granite is easier to maintain and clean than marble.

4.)    Ventilate your kitchen

Even a kitchen that has windows installed would feel stuffy after a long day of cooking if appliances such as industrial-like stoves are used. If this is the case, you should invest and overcompensate on an exhaust system (particularly if you do any consistent, serious cooking). Additionally, get your stove installed on an outside wall so that you would not have a long run to the outside(with your vent tubing). Remember, you may be in the kitchen, but you would not want the entire place feeling like an oven.

5.)    Do your research before buying materials

Everyone wants a great deal when it comes to kitchen renovations, and undoubtedly, kitchen remodeling is going to cost you. You might think that by buying cheap materials, you are getting an excellent bargain for half the cost of the original projected price of the entire renovation, but this might be detrimental in the long run. You might have saved on costs in buying a particular appliance, but all that would be for naught if it breaks down after a few months of use.

Do your research first, and do not settle for cheap alone, but consider all of the factors before choosing a particular appliance, material, etc.