This is the first part of Bob Vila’s Most Valuable Projects of 2022, a month-long series featuring high ROI home improvements. Each week, we draw from our extensive library of informative content, vetted buying guides, and links to industry professionals to showcase the top projects to tackle this year.

Kitchen renovations come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing is certain: they increase property value. Even if you don’t plan to sell your home in the next few months and just want to make it more livable while you stay put for a while, return on investment (ROI) can be a factor. useful for determining which home improvement projects to tackle and when. With an estimated return on investment of 71%, according to the Remodeling 2022 Cost vs. Value, a kitchen renovation is worth prioritizing.

You also don’t have to completely gut your existing space, remove load-bearing walls, or splurge on high-end fixtures to reap a return on your investment. Even modest kitchen updates, such as refinishing existing cabinetry or replacing older appliances with new, more efficient models, can improve the aesthetics and functionality of a home while you live in it. as well as increasing its value each time you choose to sell.

Of course, upgrades can be interpreted differently between homeowners and future buyers, so don’t get caught up in making updates that aren’t beneficial to you and your home now. It’s best to consider individual projects as part of a renovation and choose those that will have the most impact on your day-to-day life and the final, cohesive look you desire.

Once you’ve identified what you want to tackle and how much you want to spend, you can find ways to reduce construction costs and minimize waste, both paramount to any home improvement project today.

Ready to undertake a kitchen renovation? Keep reading for the key considerations, cost estimates, how-to’s, expert-recommended products, material comparisons, and money-saving solutions you need to know.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Cabinets

Like most kitchen items, cabinets come in a wide range of styles and price points. Replace or freshen up with paint, DIY or hire a professional – these are some of the most important decisions in planning this project. The following articles break down the details to help you get the look you want at a price that fits your budget.

6 things to know before buying
Popular types of kitchen cabinets
The best kitchen cabinets of 2022
The average cost of kitchen cabinets
How to install kitchen cabinets yourself
Should you paint your cabinets instead of replacing them?
The best paint for cabinets
How to Refurbish Cabinets
How to paint kitchen cabinets
The average cost to paint cabinets

Counter

Replacing old laminate countertops with engineered stone — arguably the most popular choice today, according to Houzz’s kitchen trends study — is an expensive project in a kitchen remodel. That’s why it’s important to carefully compare different countertop materials with trending options like quartz, as each varies in durability, maintenance, cost, and potential resale value.

Popular types of countertops
All About Engineered Quartz
The average cost of quartz countertops
Quartz versus Quartzite
Quartz against granite
Quartz against solid surface
Quartz against marble
The Best Countertop Installers of 2022

Photo: istockphoto.com

Energy-efficient appliances

It’s no secret that older devices use more power and cost more to run than newer models. Investing in appliance upgrades will not only pay off in the long run by helping to increase home value, but it will also help reduce utility bills in the short term. And incentives like rebates on Energy Star-certified purchases can help renovators recoup even more of the initial cost. Consider the following buying guides and expert recommendations when shopping for new kitchen appliances.

The best kitchen appliance brands of 2022
The best places to buy home appliances
The best time to buy new appliances at a discount
How long do kitchen appliances last?
9 times to replace rather than repair devices
The Best Appliance Repair Services of 2022

Floor

Parquet is both trendy and timeless, but it’s not always the best choice for spill-prone kitchens. Materials such as vinyl plank and laminate, on the other hand, can mimic the attractive design of hardwood while providing greater durability, moisture resistance, and cost savings. Bonus: Vinyl and laminate flooring are also easier for DIYers to install than traditional hardwood, offering even more ways to cut the cost of a kitchen remodel.

Advantages and disadvantages of hardwood in the kitchen
The average cost of hardwood floors
The Best Vinyl Flooring of 2022
The average cost of installing vinyl flooring
How to DIY Vinyl Flooring Installation
The best laminate flooring of 2022
The average cost of installing laminate flooring
How to DIY Laminate Flooring Installation

Photo: istockphoto.com

Sink and Faucet

Replacing the sink and faucet is another small-scale project that can make a big difference in the kitchen. Often an update combined with new countertops, the sink and faucet provide opportunities to inject even more functionality and personality into the overall design.

If you are not planning to change the location of the sink/faucet, which would require rerouting the plumbing lines, the costs for this project are mostly dependent on the specific products you choose. The following tips will help you narrow down the wide array of choices to find a kitchen sink and faucet that suits your needs, style and budget.

Popular types of kitchen sinks
The best kitchen sinks of 2022
The average cost of hiring a plumber
How to do a kitchen sink installation yourself
Don’t forget about waste disposal
Popular types of kitchen faucets
The best kitchen faucets of 2022
How to install a kitchen faucet yourself

backsplash

A backsplash is used to protect the walls in various “splash areas” of a kitchen, such as around the sink and stove, so it should be easy to clean. A backsplash can also serve as the focal point of the room. Tile usually combines function and form, making it a go-to material in this part of the kitchen. It also offers plenty of customization options, ranging from bright colors and interesting shapes to muted tones and simple lines.

Tiling a backsplash is also a DIY project that requires minimal tools, especially if you choose to install peel and stick tiles that don’t require putty to adhere to the wall.

Popular tile types
The average cost of installing tiles
How to tile a backsplash yourself
How many tiles do you need?
The best peel and stick tile of 2022
Dos and Don’ts of Peel-and-Stick Tiles

Photo: istockphoto.com

Lighting

You could say that lighting is the unsung hero behind a successful kitchen renovation. It helps define spaces, enhance safety and express style. If you choose dual-purpose ceiling fan lights, these fixtures can even increase airflow to help cool the kitchen and reduce steam, smoke and odors while cooking, perfect for when the range hood doesn’t. don’t cut it.

To maximize the potential of each kitchen area, a mix of mood, task and accent lighting is recommended. Find out which fixtures Bob Vila’s team recommends for each type of lighting in the researched buying guides below. Next, weigh the cost of hiring an electrician against the complexity of doing it yourself to determine which installation method is right for you.

Important Kitchen Lighting Considerations
The best recessed lighting of 2022
The best suspensions of 2022
The best track lighting of 2022
The best under cabinet lighting of 2022
The best ceiling fans of 2022
The average cost of installing a ceiling fan
DIY ceiling fan installation