Renovating your kitchen will not only add ease to your lifestyle but add value to your home. Here are the 10 most important things to consider when you’re renovating your kitchen.

Use quality materials.
Top-quality drawer slides and hinges mean cabinet doors will stay closed and drawers won’t stick. For cabinet interiors, wood veneer is more durable than melamine, laminate, MDF or particleboard.

Determine cabinet heights.
If you have eight-foot ceilings, choose cabinets that go to the ceiling. They offer more storage, enabling you to use extra wall space for artwork or open shelves. If your ceilings are higher than eight feet, leave 15 to 18 inches above the cabinets.

Decide whether to paint or stain.
Though stained-wood cabinetry is forgiving, most finishes date quickly and aren’t easily altered. Brush-painted cabinets can lend a unique personality.

Select an elegant countertop.
White marble and stained wood add elegance and warmth.

Install an island that works.
Beware of placing a bulky cube in the middle of the room. Choose an area that won’t clutter up the room.

Don’t overdo the details.
Design accents such as pediments over stoves and plaster mouldings on cabinet fronts can represent decorative excess.

Avoid maintenance nightmares.
Smooth surfaces in light colours, such as white laminate counters or ceramic floors, are easy to clean but show everything.

Stick to basic appliances.
Instead of lots of appliances and gadgets, consider selecting a few reliable basics. For example, a commercial-quality stainless-steel range makes an interesting focal point and takes up less space than separate wall ovens and a cooktop.

Incorporate the feel of the house.
Make sure you keep the feel of the house flowing into the kitchen, the kitchen will be a focal point of the house.

Add interest.
Your kitchen should reflect you so make sure you add your personality into the space.