If you want to update the look of your home, but are not sure where to begin, consider tackling the kitchen first. This room is the heart of a home and one of the spaces where it really pays to redesign. Studies show that kitchen redesigns recoup more of their money than any other space in the house upon resale.

There are some rooms of a house that you can fairly easily tackle yourself, such as a bedroom or home office or perhaps even the family room. However, because of the complexity of installing flooring, countertops and especially cabinets, it is wise to hire a professional kitchen design team to install the new kitchen of your dreams. Kitchens are typically not great do-it-yourself projects, and by hiring pros, you will save yourself a great deal of time and frustration and end up with a much higher quality kitchen.

Before you actually begin choosing the components of the design, you need to think about the space itself and how to best use the shape and size of the kitchen. While you often are constricted in terms of making the space larger, there are ways to maximize the amount of workspace you have and definitely clever ways to increase your amount of storage. You also need to consider where to place new appliances. Frequently, you will be able to move this around from the original space, and sometimes that might not be feasible.

Choosing a countertop is a good first step. There are many different materials to consider from granite to tile to stone to laminates. Each of them has a different look and different advantages and disadvantages. Granite is one of the most popular choices currently, and while it can be pricy, it is durable and long-lasting and comes in thousands of color choices. Once you choose a material and select the color of the material, you can begin to think about other design choices.

Cabinetry is another huge component of your kitchen remodel. While you can purchase pre-made cabinets, opting for custom cabinets can make a massive difference in the overall look of your kitchen. Custom work looks far more professional and original, and you have many more design and color options with custom pieces. In addition, your custom cabinet maker can install different storage aids inside your cabinets, making organization a breeze.

Flooring is another important piece of the kitchen puzzle. This is a high-traffic area where spills often occur, so you need a material that can stand up to the high use. You also want a material that is easy to clean and one that is attractive and complements the cabinets, countertops and appliances you have chosen. Your designer will have many different options for you to consider.