Does your kitchen look more like the set of a 1980s sitcom than the sleek, efficient, and stylish hub of your home? Maybe you’ve considered giving it a facelift, but just aren’t sure where to begin. And, given the investment required, it’s not something you want to jump into uninformed.

Before you hire a contractor and start swinging that sledge hammer, here are some things to consider.

• Budget – This may seem like an obvious starting point, and yet many kitchen remodeling projects go over budget, sometimes by thousands of dollars. Factor “surprises” into your budget, especially if you’re opening walls or changing the footprint of the space.
• Stated Reason – Are you updating to make the space work better for you or is your primary concern greater resale value? If it’s the latter, consider speaking with a real estate professional about what upgrades buyers in your neighborhood are looking for. You want to make your home desirable without going overboard.
• Use – How does your household use the kitchen now, and what more could you do if you had the space and the means? If you’re a frequent entertainer, maybe an open layout, a large French-door refrigerator, and lots of prep space would make entertaining easier and more enjoyable.
• Style – Do you prefer a modern look with simple lines and sleek surfaces or is traditional more your style? If your dream cabinets, counters, and flooring are out of your price range, look at alternative materials that still deliver the look you want for a fraction of the cost.
• Storage – Even a small kitchen can have tons of storage space if you make the most of the space you have. Upper cabinets that reach to the ceiling can hold seasonal or special occasion dishes, platters, and other items. A small rolling island or cart offers extra prep space and storage, while a small bistro table with a drop-down side offers casual dining for two.

Any time you have a significant amount of work done inside your home, it’s a signal to burglars who pay attention to such things that here is a family of means with items worth purloining. They’ll see the extra cars and vans parked outside your home, sometimes for weeks at a time. Which means that before you launch your next remodeling project, make sure your home security equipment is functional and up to date. And that the company that monitors your system is as fully responsive to your needs. For a first-time system or a home security upgrade, contact Now Security Systems today for more information or a free in-home security analysis and proposal.