Homeowners spend more budget remodeling their kitchen than any other room in the house. It’s no surprise when you consider that in most homes, the kitchen is the hub of home life. When doing such a pricey home improvement project, you want to make sure you get the most out of your budget and your kitchen remodel. Here are some strategies for getting the most out of your kitchen remodel.

1. Plan it well – Planning is the biggest key to a successful remodeling project. When you plan every detail down to the hardware, you’re more likely to stay on budget and follow your planned timeline. Most experts say a well-planned project should take about 6 months to plan before work begins.

2. Design with ergonomics in mind – Make sure you make the best use of every nook and cranny by using pull out shelves, drawers and other options that make items stored in higher or deeper cabinets easier to reach and use.

3. Consider traffic – Think about the traffic in your kitchen. Do you usually cook solo or do you usually have help preparing meals? Work aisles should be at least 42 inches wide for solo cooks and 48 inches wide for multiple cooks.

4. Be realistic about appliances – Appliances can get very expensive very quickly. The last thing you want to do is blow your budget on a set of appliances that will have to be replaced in 10-15 years. Opt for sensible but durable appliances that are more affordable instead of the high-end models. Use the money you save on appliances on your cabinetry and flooring, which is meant to last much longer.

5. Understand the power of lighting – Lighting is an essential and often overlooked part of the remodel plan. Plan for a few different types of lighting, specifically two types: task lighting and ambient lighting. Task lighting should be bright and located where you will do the most work in the kitchen such as under cabinets (highlight counters) and above the sink and stove. Ambient lighting is the softer lighting that lights up the overall room, seating areas and provides a sense of comfort and mood.

6. Add storage – Avoid leaving empty space that could be used for storage. Storage never goes out of style and will also add value should you ever decide to sell your home. Take cabinetry all the way up to the ceiling. Mount shelves in small spaces and corners to increase storage space where cabinets don’t fit as well.

7. Plan for the unexpected – Know that no matter how well you plan your kitchen remodel, there will always be something unexpected that comes up. So, plan for the unexpected in both your budget and your timeline. For example, if you want your remodel to be complete before Thanksgiving, plan to have it complete before Halloween so you have a buffer of time before the holidays for the unexpected. Same goes for budget, be sure to set aside budget for the unexpected also.

We hope these 7 strategies for getting the most out of your kitchen remodel help you have a successful and lower-stress home improvement project. For help planning, you can also count on The Cabinet Market. Our professional design services can help you ensure you have everything accounted for and budgeted in your remodel plan.