In the kitchen, people gather for food and conversation. A winning combination is one that includes food, family, and friends. Therefore, it is very understandable why kitchens are the primary focus of so many remodels. What if you considered your kitchen in terms of investment and return over the long term? Will the projects you undertake to remodel your kitchen increase or decrease the value of your house? Keep the fundamentals in mind and steer clear of trends to get the most money out of your kitchen renovations. Although consumers are more aware than ever and give more weight to reliable aspects like counters, cabinets, and adequate lighting, trends are still entertaining. One thing to keep in mind is that expensive kitchen renovations don't necessarily yield high returns.