Kitchen remodels are not cheap. Is it worth the investment? 
According to recent studies, a cosmetic kitchen remodeling job pays back more than any other home remodeling project. The average homeowner who sells a house within one year of updating the kitchen can expect to recoup 80 percent of the investment in the job. 

The first step in a kitchen remodeling project is wise and thorough planning. Architects  offer this service as do some contractors. There are also kitchen and bath designers, whose expertise is focused on this area. This isn’t a do it your self project. Find a professional to help you make it your dream kitchen. 
 

What is the greatest expense when remodeling a kitchen?

Cabinets are the single biggest cost factor in remodeling a kitchen. They are also what drive appearance and functionality. 
 
Natural woods have made a return appearance, especially coupled with striking colors like navy blue, loden green and burgundy. Popular woods include beech wood, which has pinkish tones; anigre, an orange-type African wood; and rift-cut oak, which is cut cross-grain to give it an almost striped appearance. 
 
Combinations are also popular. For instance most of the cabinets might be in beech wood, but the corner cupboard would be tinted navy blue. The contrast adds a splash of color to a room that would otherwise have long stretches of the same-colored cabinets. 
Cabinets with a retro look can give a house an appropriate period feel, while still building in modern conveniences, such as recycling bins, and hiding modern appliances like dishwashers and commercial-style refrigerators. 
 
 

We have a tight budget. Is there any alternatives to buying all new cabinets?

A low cost alternative to new cabinets is re-facing the old ones. The basic re-facing project consists of installing new cabinet door and drawer fronts and covering the exposed face frames with a matching wood or plastic veneer. Most jobs take two to four days, and depend on kitchen size and extras like replacing counters or adding an extra cabinet.  
 
Three finish options generally are available: plastic laminates, wood veneer and , rigid thermofoils 

One thing to keep in mind is, you only save about 25% to 30% when you opt to go with re-facing.

What type of countertops are the most popular?

Corian, once considered the top-of-the kitchen counter upgrade, is being replaced in upscale homes by other solid-surface finishes. One of the up and coming materials is granite, which adds rich luster to new kitchens in a range of dark colors, from gray to chocolate. Granite countertops are somewhat more expensive to install than Corian. Therefore, Corian still remains pretty popular. 
 
Cost is why the least expensive choice, laminate, is still the most popular. Today, solid colors are out and patterns are in. People who can't have the real thing can choose a granite look-alike in any of a variety of colors. Also popular is a stipple finish, which may also be called a quarry or sparkle finish by different manufacturers. It may sparkle or shine and have a raised, bumpy feel.