Kitchen remodeling trends for 2012

Last week we discussed design trends for the whole house. This week we will focus on the 2012 trends for the kitchen.

Kitchen updates rank among the most popular home improvements. The reason: Kitchen upgrades provide an excellent return on the investment, even in a down economy.

While a sluggish housing market and high remodeling construction costs continue to push down remodeling return on investment, a kitchen remodel has stayed relatively steady. A major kitchen remodel still has a 68.7 percent return on investment for the 2011 cost analysis. On a national average, customers spend $58,367 for a major kitchen remodel and recoup $40,126 in resale values. Keep in mind this figure is a national average, but whole kitchen remodels are expensive.

When you are determining your own return on investment, cost should be in line with the value of the home. To avoid over-remodeling for the neighborhood, real estate professionals recommend setting a budget at 15 percent of the home's value for specific remodeling projects. They point out that this will ensure a higher return on investment, though if you do the math you will see that this amount will not generally be sufficient for a whole kitchen remodel.

Therefore, a popular option is a kitchen "face-lift," Minor kitchen remodels that cost under $20,000 see a return on investment of 72 percent on a national average. This project is considered more of a replacement project than a remodel. The minor kitchen remodel project at that budget usually includes new cabinet doors, drawer fronts and hardware, as well as new countertops, appliances and flooring.

Plumbing fixtures and appliances generally stay in their same location. Not surprisingly, since 2004, when Minor Kitchen Remodel was added to the project list for the Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report, it has been the best-performing project in every year but one.

Basically, the logic is that smaller budget projects have a bigger impact on resale value, especially for areas of the home in high demand, such as luxurious new kitchens.

Even with a minor kitchen remodel, you can get creative and clever with appliances, countertops and lighting to create a significant impact. The top five kitchen remodeling trends for 2012 are doable with a minor kitchen remodel budget, though you will have to temper your selections (especially appliances) always with an eye on the budget.