Increase home value by adding outdoor-living space

Increasing a home's value is typically thought of as requiring months of construction and thousands of dollars.

However, taking home renovations outdoors to create a unique living space can take minimal time and provides valuable square footage.

In fact, three of the four types of home-improvement projects that significantly increased a home's value at the time of resale were exterior upgrades, according to The National Association of Realtor's "2007 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report."

The improvements include replacing siding, adding decks and upgrading windows. Other upgrades that increase a home's value include landscaping, outdoor lighting and outdoor kitchens.

With recent housing market fluctuations, it's more important than ever to make economical home upgrades. Expanding outdoor-living space adds valuable square footage to the home, but it's also functional. Increasing outdoor-living space creates another area of the home where people can cook, play, entertain and relax, ultimately increasing the home's value.

Some examples of outdoor rooms are covered eating areas next to the pool, covered outdoor-cooking spaces with refrigerators and gas grills and even outdoor home theaters.

Finding creative ways to increase home values can leave many homeowners at a dead end. But, by thinking beyond the four walls and taking design ideas outdoors a new world of possibilities opens up.

Which Renovation Contractor is Right for You?

Now that you've decided that it's time for that much needed home renovation project, do you know exactly what kind of renovation professional is the ideal choice of your project? In order to choose the most qualified home renovation professional, it's important to know which kind of renovator is best-suited for your particular project.

Home Renovation Professionals: Who Does What

Following is a list of various types of renovation professionals, and brief descriptions of the home renovation projects they are best qualified to perform.

• Renovation contractors are professional renovators who handle a variety of projects ranging from large to small. These contractors handle all aspects of your home renovation project, from initial design all the way through to completion. If you want someone who'll handle the entire project for you, inside or out, a renovation contractor should be your first choice.


• Specialty renovation contractors are those who concentrate in one particular area. Looking to renovate a kitchen or bathroom? The most obvious advantages for hiring a specialty renovation contractor for the job are specialized experience and knowledge, which can come in handy if your job involves maximizing a small kitchen or renovating an outdated bath on a tight budget.


• Trade contractors typically work with renovation professionals; however, if you only need a new roof or a new heating system for your home, you might choose to work with a trade contractor directly rather than hiring a renovation contractor.


• Not all renovation pros offer design or architectural services. If that's the case, you may need to hire a designer or architect to help you create your ideal space and draw up the necessary plans before your renovation begins.

As you can see, whether you're planning a complete renovation of your entire home, or just want to make your kitchen renovation as easy as possible, choosing the right type of renovation professional for the job is the perfect place to start.

Cooking Style Dictates Kitchen Design

Let Cooking Style Dictate Kitchen Design

As you plan your kitchen remodeling project, start by defining your cooking style. Do you:

• Spend hours cooking a meal on stainless steel appliances?


• Toss leftovers in a microwave oven?


• Cook as a team with your spouse or roommate?


• Care more about the kitchen design than the appliances?

Focus on Kitchen Cabinet Layout

The layout of your kitchen cabinets should reflect the way you cook. If you bake casseroles and cookies, look for granite countertops in the workspace and large ovens for cooking. If you use plenty of spices and large pots and pans, then add:

• High-quality stainless steel appliances.


• Built-in spice racks near the oven.


• Roll-out drawers near the oven or cooktop.
  

How Much To Spend on Kitchen Appliances?

Kitchen appliances are a big investment and can provide a big payback in the way the kitchen functions. For the novice cook, a $500 range might work fine. If you are a serious cook, look for:

• Stainless steel appliances with high BTUs and convection cooking.


• Warming drawers that fit in kitchen cabinets.


• Large capacity refrigerators that are built into kitchen cabinets.
  

Kitchen Designs for Quick Cooks

If your cooking style revolves around the microwave, look for appliances that help speed the cooking process. Many microwaves have computerized settings that let you store recipes, for example. Then make sure your kitchen design features:

• A layout that groups the appliances together.


• Kitchen cabinets with storage systems.


• Lots of kitchen cabinet space for storing prepackaged foods.

Kitchen Designs for Two Cooks

If two people in your household plan to cook together, then you'll need two workstations. The main granite countertop can provide the main workspace, while the island is used for food prep and baking.

Avoid Mistakes With Island Kitchen Cabinets

The beauty of having an island with kitchen cabinets is the added storage. Aside from the aesthetics of the fancy wood and countertop, you can store large platters, serving dishes, and small appliance in the cabinets. Here's how to avoid some common home improvement mistakes and get the most out of your cabinets.

Dividing Your Kitchen Cabinet Space

The size of your island and the cabinet space you allocate obviously plays a big part in your storage capacity. Many people forget, however, to plan how to divide the cabinet space. This can be a critical mistake, because you may end up with cabinets that are too narrow or the wrong configuration for your needs.

As you plan the width and depth of the kitchen cabinets, think about what you store in them. Will the island be used just for plates and platters or do you plan to prepare meals there? Do you need space for large serving platters, tall pots, or small appliances? Here are a few home improvement solutions to help maximize cabinet storage:

• Add wider cabinets (24 to 36 inch) for large serving platters



• Add a cabinet with deep drawers to store cooking utensils



• Add roll out drawers to store pots and pans

Consider Island Seating

Many people love to have seating around a kitchen island, but forget to plan their storage accordingly. You don't want to store the toaster you use every day in the cabinet below the bar stools, for example. Instead, plan to store items you use infrequently in those busy spots.

Involve Your Contractor

Some people forget to talk with their contractor about storage before the cabinets are installed. This can be a critical mistake, because it is costly to change the cabinetry afterwards. By talking with the contractor, you can help ensure the layout fits your functional needs and works with the contractor's structural parameters.

By adding an island with plenty of kitchen cabinet space you can greatly increase your storage capacity. The key to avoiding these common mistakes is to think about how you use the space, plan carefully, and involve your contractor.