Experts recommend that you should NOT skimp on a kitchen remodel. New cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, space savers... everything should be revamped and remodeled to yield the highest ROI. Do it right with a licensed Colorado Springs general contractor, and you can expect to see a 90 percent (or higher) ROI in this room of the house alone!

Most homeowners believe the kitchen is the heart of their home. So when planning a kitchen renovation, a well-designed plan is critical to insure your family’s comfort and a good rate of return on your financial and time investment. Traditional Home Magazine rates the top 10 smart kitchen updates that pay you back both financially and emotionally:

1. Islands

Score big with cooks and kids! Kitchen islands define work areas and create additional countertop space and seating. Instead of matching the kitchen island to the rest of the cabinets, interior designer, Kathy Speas, recommends changing up the color and surface materials to replicate furniture.

2. Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy Star rated appliances not only save you money on your monthly utility bills, many are eligible for government credits and rebates. For a complete list visit EnergyStar.gov.

3. Comfortable Seating

Dinners for guests and family are often served in kitchen spaces instead of formal dining rooms. Kathy recommends incorporating comfortable seating (like a cushy window seat) near the kitchen to encourage family and guests to socialize while you’re preparing meals.

4. Open Floor Plans

Often harder than it sounds, creating open floor plans with kitchens flowing into family rooms, dining areas, or sitting spaces facilitate casual, kitchen-focused entertaining spaces. This open space also allows family members to do a variety of tasks in a well-used common area.

5. Lighting and Faucets

Renovating your kitchen is a huge undertaking! Be sure to personalize your space with fun lighting that also provides and excellent light source. An elegant way to implify your future chores is by adding stylish and functional kitchen faucets and pot fillers.

6. Get Organized

Plan organized storage to minimize countertop clutter and ease food prep. Items can be grouped by function such as baking, breakfast, and snacks.

7. Start Computing

Kitchens need to be mulit-functional. Desks are always an option in new home designs – be sure to incorporate one into you new kitchen! Kitchen computer stations are perfect for cooks who need to research recipes and food-prep techniques online or for kids doing afternoon homework. While a laptop computer can go anywhere, it’s helpful to have an actual station in your kitchen with a printer and other accessories.

8. Stone Countertops

You just can’t go wrong with a stone countertop. While granite continues to claim the crown as the top choice for kitchen countertops - engineered quartz, marble and limestone are also an excellent upscale alternative.

9. Mudrooms

Solve a multitude of problems with a mudroom. The mudroom can function as a drop-off zone for kids’ gear, pet feeding stations, laundry room, and more. Mudrooms allow for an easy transition from the messy outdoors to the rest of your home.

10. Timeless Design

Your kitchen isn’t the place to go trendy! Timeless design means your kitchen won’t look dated for years to come. Choose cabinets with clean, classic lines, tone-on-tone textural tile treatments, and simple architectural details in keeping with the rest of your home.

A kitchen renovation is a big investment of time and finances but one that is sure to pay in both lifestyle and when you go to sell your home. Planning a livable and stylish kitchen remodel will be hard work, but experts and homeowners agree the rewards are well worth the time and effort.

Remember when designing (and building) your kitchen renovation, you need to hire a professional. Don’t trust the heart of your home to just anyone. Make sure to select an experienced licensed general contractor who can communicate with an experienced and talented interior designer. An experienced design build team will work hand-in-hand with you to insure that you new kitchen is functional, stylish, and a good financial investment. At Sikora Creations (in conjunction with Speas Interior Design), we’re experts at creating award-winning kitchens!