Savvy Homeowners Maximize Their Homes' Value by Installing a Kitchen Backsplash

Homeowners looking to increase the value of their homes find a simple kitchen backsplash installation to be a cost-effective solution.

Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) June 15, 2006 -- As residential real estate values continue to rise, savvy homeowners are finding overlooked ways to further boost their home's value and maximize return on investment.

According to a 2004 survey by Kitchen Remodeling magazine, a mid-range kitchen renovation yielded the highest return on investment, at a whopping 92.9 percent.

Traditionally, a kitchen renovation entailed replacing the countertops, floors, and cabinets. However, the cost of doing such renovations can be quite high due to the professional labor typically needed to undergo the installations.

Budget conscious homeowners looking to ease their checkbooks have found alternative ways to remodel their kitchen in a beautiful and functional way.

Amongst these alternatives is installing a kitchen backsplash, an under-utilized improvement that is rapidly gaining popularity in the residential sector.

About a decade ago, kitchen backsplashes were primarily used by restaurants for ease of cleaning and maintenance. Now, the extensive growth of the home improvement industry has brought with it new and creative ways to spice up the kitchen.

A kitchen backsplash is usually tile, stainless steel, glass, or granite installed on the wall space between a countertop and cabinet. It serves as a beautiful and functional background.

For around $200-$500, a brand new backsplash can be installed in most kitchens. The most popular low to mid-range materials include stainless steel and glass, while ceramic tile and granite are in the high-range.

There are several designs such as mosaic, mural, and rustic. Mural is basically artwork on a surface, and this design is gaining the most popularity due to the unique and artistic feel it can bring to a kitchen.

Most homeowners choose the style of their backsplash based on the fixtures and countertops rather than the appliances. Appliances change over quite often while fixtures tend to be permanent.

Another inexpensive kitchen renovation that can bring in big returns is refacing the cabinets, as opposed to replacing them. Lastly, cleaning the stove, installing new kitchen faucets and sinks, and installing nice light fixtures are great ways to improve value.

The second and third best home investments are bathroom remodelings and new siding, at 90.1% and 92.8% ROI, respectively. The home improvements that yield the lowest returns are adding a pool, finishing the basement, and remodeling the home office.

A resource for additional information on kitchen backsplashes is the newly launched website by kitchen design expert Sajid Nasir: http://www.mykitchenbacksplash.com

About Sajid Nasir

Sajid Nasir is a kitchen design expert helping homeowners maximize the aesthetic and financial value of their kitchen. He operates the newly launced http://www.mykitchenbacksplash.com and regularly writes informative articles on kitchen design.

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