When choosing how to spend precious dollars on kitchen upgrades, bear in mind that a minor kitchen remodel will return more of your investment dollars upon resale than a major overhaul will.

According to Remodel Magazine, a minor kitchen remodel of approximately $15,000 will return 92.8 percent of its cost. There are some ways to get the biggest bang for your buck when remodeling your kitchen. There are a slew of kitchen remodeling ideas out there, but which of them are really worth the cost? These are the top upgrades to prioritize during a kitchen remodel, according to realtors, interior designers, and contractors

Kitchen Remodel Ideas

1. Replace cabinets and drawer.
2. Replace oven tops and cooktops with energy efficient appliances.
3. Replace laminate countertops.
4. Installing new mid-priced sink and faucet.
5. Add a tile backsplash.
6. Paint kitchen or add new wall covering.
7. Replace flooring.
8. Change lighting fixtures.
9. Repaint trim
10. Add new hardware.

When you follow this list, you will be concentrating your efforts in areas that make the biggest impact and yield the biggest return on your investment. Keep quality and warranties in mind when making your choices. According to HGTV, you can expect to recoup 60%-120% of your investment on a kitchen remodel, as long as you don’t go overboard. You should never make your kitchen fancier than the rest of the house, or the neighborhood.

Add Storage

If you are not changing the footprint of the kitchen, it is important to add storage wherever you can. If your cabinets are worn-out and cannot be refaced, consider adding new ones that go to the ceiling. You can also add a ceiling mounted rack for hanging cookware.

Don't Forget Lighting

The newest trend in kitchen lighting is to use task lights, including under cabinet lighting. Pendant lights with dimmer switches work very well over sinks, islands, and counter space with no overhanging cabinets.

To Sum Everything Up

In order to receive the best return on investment in a kitchen remodel, concentrate the bulk of your money on those items that add the most long-term value such as cabinets, flooring, and countertops. Then, replace old appliances. Finally, pay attention to details like new hardware, lighting, additional storage and fresh paint. 

To stretch your remodeling budget even further, choose a building supplier that offers quality surplus and discounted deals directly to the public. By following these guidelines, you will achieve a look that you love and that will increase the value of your home.