We renovated our kitchen. Got rid of the living room and doubled the size. We put in a large island. I have 2 small kids 5 and 2. The renovation has completely changed the dynamics of are family. It used to be that the kids would come home and play in the play room. I would be in the kitchen making dinner until someone yelled. Then dinner making would be interrupted. Getting dinner on the table even it it was just noodles took forever.

Then the kids would eat in 10 min and I would be stuck cleaning up after dinner. Kids went back to play and again clean up would take forever as I was continually interrupted by one child or the other screaming.

Then it was time to make lunches for the following day.

Now, we all hang out in the kitchen from 5-7:30. I'm easily able to referee. The kids bring their toys to the kitchen floor or color or do puzzles on the island.

We spent over $100k on the renovation. I have no illusions that I will recoup that money. But the way that it has changed our family is worth the money.

We use our kitchen constantly. It's the most important space in the house. If guests come over, they congregate around that space because that is where the cook is working! My husband and I cook together, so there'd need to be at least enough space that two people could work there at the same time. I don't need fancy appliances or cabinets or whatever, but I definitely want space to spread out for when I bake a cake, for example. An island or a peninsula would be mandatory for me in a house, just any flat space where I could spread out my ingredients and tools when I cook or bake. I'd also want it to be open to the family room so I could watch my kids while I cook. I also require a large-ish pantry because I have a LOT of cooking supplies and tools. Oh, and enough counter space that I could have a kitchenaid, a toaster, an electric grill, and possibly a slow cooker on the counter at all times without things getting crowded.

Buyers want kitchens that look current and in good shape. My parent's 15 year old white cabinets have held up extremely well (they take care of things and bought good quality). They updated the countertops from formica to granite a few years ago. The house showed and sold well.

And even though we're introverts, we entertain monthly. We have family come over and small dinner parties regularly. We like to cook and with kids, it's easier to entertain at home vs. going out.

Anonymous wrote:My kitchen does not have the island in the middle, and we do not have a 6-burner stove like this one. Can this be done with $30k budget?

I know the cost of that pictured kitchen and it's funny how much overhead the contractors are making on everyone. The 6 burner oven/ stove is not the real cost.

As the prior poster said at 30k it can be done, you just need to find a contractor who isn't going to rip you off and charge 60k+

Anonymous wrote:My kitchen does not have the island in the middle, and we do not have a 6-burner stove like this one. Can this be done with $30k budget?

We did the pictured kitchen with 30K. But we had a handyman contactor and the kitchen is smallish. Might be smaller than the picture. Just regualr appliances. I think buyers want a new kitchen. Does not have to be very much more elaborate unless you are over ... a certain amount, I can't think what, exactly. OP if you are really wondering look at the RE ads.

I think it depends on the house and the buyers standards. The more you are looking to spend the more you expect. If someone is buying a $1m+ home then yes, they will expect a certain level of high end finishes in their kitchen. Whether they use it or not they expect that an expensive house will have a nice kitchen. At the same time throwing $50K into a kitchen of a house worth $300k is just stupid. People in that budget are not expecting to have a gourmet high end kitchen.

I do laugh though when people on HGTV are all into "entertaining" when the truth is most people are not having people over all that often.

We spent $$$ on a kitchen reno. But it's because we use the kitchen. We like to cook and entertain and do it more than 3x per year. However we don't like the kitchen being a gathering place. We have other rooms for gathering. It's not big enough for an island. We opted not to do an open kitchen. It's where we cook.

OP I highly recommend under cabinet lighting. It's not expensive and makes a difference. And I am surprised that you opted for marble counters if you don't like fancy kitchens. Marble is expensive. We only used it in a hutch.

My kitchen does not have the island in the middle, and we do not have a 6-burner stove like this one. Can this be done with $30k budget?

Anonymous wrote:This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands

I really like this kitchen. I bet the cabinets are not cheap!

This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands

I do cook and entertain, but not all the time. I don't care about stainless steel, finishes, etc. unless the kitchen is so dated it looks like it hasn't been updated since the 70s or 80s. If it's still blonde oak from '96, I'll live.

The most important things to me are adequate cabinet space and adequate counter space. After that, open concept just because when I do cook or entertain I don't want to feel isolated.

Anonymous wrote:HGTV or Kitchen/Bath magazine is just total crap, in my opinion.

What kind of kitchen do people really want, you think? I think people are spending less time preparing a meal, am I wrong? How often do real people entertain, 3-4 times a year. We have an open concept kitchen (4 years old), stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances, no gourmet island, no undercabinet lighting, and basic marble. Our cabinetry is from IKEA. It is good for us. We only entertain small groups of people a few times a year. We certainly do not use the kitchen counter to work, mingle, etc.

How many people really drop $80k on a kitchen reno, I wonder? Is it really just to show off?!?

I just really do not get the hype of huge, expensive kitchens.

But boat loads of people do. Hence all the HGTV stuff.

A dear friend of mine is thinking about renovating her kitchen. She is looking at high end appliances and elaborate custom cabinetry. She lives in a townhome worht about $300k now. I definitely think she will overspend the money on renovation!

Not sure of the answer to your question, but I do know it's definitely possible to over-improve a house. Yes, "kitchens sell houses" but you rarely ever recoup 100% of the investment. Your kitchen sounds lovely. There are people who spend loads of $$ on renovations, but I think it's less now that spending home equity is not in vogue anymore (and there's less equity to spend all around). Then again, I think people are renovating instead of moving up.

HGTV or Kitchen/Bath magazine is just total crap, in my opinion.

What kind of kitchen do people really want, you think? I think people are spending less time preparing a meal, am I wrong? How often do real people entertain, 3-4 times a year. We have an open concept kitchen (4 years old), stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances, no gourmet island, no undercabinet lighting, and basic marble. Our cabinetry is from IKEA. It is good for us. We only entertain small groups of people a few times a year. We certainly do not use the kitchen counter to work, mingle, etc.

How many people really drop $80k on a kitchen reno, I wonder? Is it really just to show off?!?

I just really do not get the hype of huge, expensive kitchens.