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Boosting your homes value in the kitchen

January 12th, 2012 6:02 AM

Picking the right upgrades can help set your home apart and above the competition in a hotly contested real estate market. Moreover, kitchen upgrades are the sorts of improvements that you and your family will benefit from and enjoy, given that the kitchen serves as the nexus for many families. You cook in your kitchen, you eat there, you talk there, and you even play there, so why not make it the best it can be?

When you pencil things out, the numbers of a kitchen upgrade are quite compelling in terms of adding value to a home while giving you upgrades that you will enjoy throughout the use of your kitchen. A major kitchen upgrade with a budget of $57,500 can recoup 66 percent of its cost when the home is sold, according to Remodeling magazine's "2011-12 Cost vs. Value Report." If you want to give your home a competitive edge while adding to its enjoyment, here are some great kitchen improvements to consider:

A professional-style sink that helps you prepare food in addition to cleaning dishes. Many options offer features such as removable trays for cutting food and racks for knives and other cutlery so that you can chop veggies and quickly clean up.
A hands-free faucet you operate by tapping it with your arm or elbow. This is a great way to prevent cross-contamination by keeping hands that have been cutting food from spreading germs to your faucet.
A pot-filler above your stovetop. This lets you fill up cooking pots while they sit on your range, which obviates the need to toddle back and forth across the kitchen balancing full pots while trying not to suffer a major spill.
A kitchen island that incorporates both a sink and electrical outlets along with the extra countertop, drawers and cupboards. This gives you additional workspace that you can truly use for food preparation.
A kitchen wine cooler to properly store your wine collection so that it is at the right temperature and well preserved. This will motivate you to collect and reserve unique bottles to highlight special occasions.
New countertops that buck the dominant trend. Sure, granite has been the trendy counter material, but there are some new options, such as recycled wood, bamboo, recycled glass, and unique tiles, that not only give your kitchen a custom look, but are also friendly to Mother Earth.
Kitchen cabinet replacements that focus on functionality. Don't just go for looks. Add kitchen cabinets that deliver storage and organization features that emphasize efficient use of space and that truly improve your kitchen efficiency.