By Kelly McCall Branson
For New Homes & Ideas, Jodi Sauerbier, Publisher

There are no areas of a home that will date it faster than its kitchen and its bathrooms. These rooms are becoming increasingly central to today’s lifestyles—the kitchen truly is the nerve center of most homes, and master bathrooms are more and more being enjoyed beyond their utilitarian function, as an oasis for restoration and rejuvenation. It’s no wonder then that kitchen and master bathroom renovations are among the top ten when it comes to the biggest return on your remodeling dollars.

So what are the latest trends in kitchens and baths? And how do you get started overhauling these spaces from outmoded to up-to-the-minute? We’ve talked to area professionals and gotten their expert advice on rehabilitating the kitchen and master bath to make them more beautiful, more livable and your house more sellable.

Define and Prioritize

“One of the first considerations in any remodeling project is setting your budget,” says Amanda Welch, designer and manager at Kitchen & Bath Galleries. “Not only should what you can afford be a consideration, but also what the value of your home and its neighborhood can support.” Welch says that there are options in all price ranges and that finding the best balance between your wants and needs and your budget is a matter of prioritizing.

Effective prioritizing requires that you clearly define your goals for the project. An experienced professional can help guide you through this process. For a kitchen remodel, are you seeking to open up the space? Will you want to entertain here? Eat family meals? Do you need a place for kids to do their homework? Are you a gourmet chef, more concerned with top-of-the-line appliances, or are high style and elegant finishes most important to you?

“One of the features we are able to offer clients is sophisticated 3D modeling software,” says Barry Corbett of Corbett Design Build. “This allows the homeowner to get a very accurate feel for what the end product will look like.” The more up-front thinking and planning that goes... READ MORE on kitchen design.

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