Kitchen Updates Suit Families’ Lifestyles, Home Values

For many, the kitchen is the centerpiece of the home. It’s here where families gather to chat, catch up, read, discuss the day’s schedules, hover over textbooks and laptops, tune into news … oh, and of course, cook and eat! These days, the kitchen is command central.

Recent statistics prove kitchen remodels are one of the best investments you can make in your home. A national average, midrange remodel costs about $21,695 with a resale value of $15,790 and a cost recoup of 72.8 percent, according to Remodeling magazine's 2010-11 “Cost vs. Value Report.” Kitchen updates, in fact, fall in the top five best things you can do for your home from an investment standpoint.

“Upgrading kitchens still provides a great return on investment for the homeowner,” said Suzanne Walker, a Realtor for Max Broock Realtors in Birmingham. “It’s wise for homeowners to carefully consider the upgrades and cost versus the value of the home. Some kitchens just need paint or countertop and appliance replacements. Others may require a complete upgrade.”

Walker suggests that if homeowners are on a limited budget, they should make a plan of improvements and then prioritize their plan. “It’s also beneficial to contact an experienced real estate adviser before making any significant improvements,” she added, noting that homeowners can learn about neighborhood values and at what level neighbors are making improvements.

In Berkley and Huntington Woods, homeowners who have opted  not to sell in the current real estate market are working to create more free-flowing spaces and add creature comforts instead, said Gordy Oliva of Gordy Oliva Remodeling in Huntington Woods.

Many homes in the area were built in the 1940s and 1950s when it was popular to have separate rooms with doors, Oliva said, whereas today's homeowners prefer open floorplans.

"A good option is to look at eliminating the walls that are dividing a small kitchen and a small dining room" and adding a bar and stools, he said. "That's hugely popular for entertaining."

In addition to saving the cost of an addition, rethinking the kitchen layout allows homeowners to maintain the charm and character of their existing house, he said.

Another way to save money on a kitchen renovation is to do some of the work – such as demolition or painting – yourself, Oliva said. "It's also good for the environment," he said, adding that materials such as sinks, faucets, countertops and cabinets can be donated to Habitat for Humanity, where they will be recycled.

Along with investment benefits, a whole host of additional reasons inspire homeowners to upgrade their kitchens.

“The kitchen is the room that everyone uses everyday so why wouldn’t you want it to be one of the best rooms in the house?” said Arturo Sanchez, an interior designer and co-owner of Art-Harrison Interior Design in Royal Oak.

“We are designing more kitchens today than in the past few years,” said Sanchez, who attributes the increase to the fact that people are not moving as much but are opting to upgrade what they have.

Rick Carmody, owner of Au Courant Interior Design in Ferndale, agrees. "In this economy, everyone wants to be careful," Carmody said. "For resale, of course, the kitchen is on the priority list for potential home buyers. However, in the meantime, what a joy to have a wonderful kitchen for not only cooking and eating, but for gathering."

Small changes make a difference

Realtor Suzanne Walker invested in extensive upgrades to her kitchen when she and her husband, Gary Walker, moved into their Bloomfield Township home, but did not opt for what she calls “a gut and replace.”

With a 1980s vibe, the kitchen called for a refreshing look so the couple decided to incorporate some new cabinets, granite countertops, stainless appliances, lighting and cabinet hardware into the design. “That cost around $10,000, vs. the $60,000 we would have spent had we installed all new cabinetry and wood floors.”

Lowe’s Companies’ Colleen Carbott tracks several upgrades similar to the Walkers’ project. “Painting, adding tile backsplash, replacing the hardware on the cabinets or replacing a faucet are simple updates that take less than a weekend to accomplish and still provide a big impact in the space,” Carbott said. 

"Small changes can make a huge difference," Au Courant's Rick Carmody added. "Lighting, counters, color are all easily altered."

Adding natural woods and stainless steel appliance also are popular upgrades in Berkley and Huntington Woods, Oliva, of Gordy Oliva Remodeling, said.

As for cabinetry, Carmody said one doesn't have to spend a fortune. "I recently consulted with a client about selecting cabinets from Lowe’s, which has a private cabinet line, Schuler, that features great quality," he said. "Although not a custom line, the selection is generally extensive.  It certainly added value to the property, but more importantly will ensure an additional quality of living for the client."

Builders Mark and Walter Pytiak of West Bloomfield-based Walter Pytiak & Co. offer several tips for homeowners who are interested in affordable upgrades. "One simple tip to up your ROI (return on investment) on a kitchen remodel is to find less costly standard cabinets, then add custom drops at the top," Walter Pytiak said. "This will give your cabinetry a high-end look for a low-end price."  

Upgrade entertaining space, retail value

“My kitchen is the heart of my home,” the West Bloomfield resident Carla Schwartz said. She hired Jodi Caden, who also lives in West Bloomfield and runs in Birmingham, to orchestrate her kitchen makeover.

“We consider the kitchen as a gathering place where we spend a lot of time,” Schwartz said. “We updated it to be more functional and more aesthetically pleasing, not to mention that we believe it will be great for the resale value of our home.” 

Schwartz’s favorite attributes include a table built into the island and her Pewabic-inspired tile backsplash that includes two images of dogs. Now that her golden retrievers are no longer alive, the tiles are a nice remembrance, she said. Schwartz also adores her gas stove. “I swear it has helped my cooking improve,” she added with a laugh.

Berkley Patch editor Leslie Ellis contributed to this article.