It's unanimous. The National Kitchen & Bath Association, The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, The National Association of Home Builders and The National Association of Realtors all agree: The kitchen is one of three spaces in the home that offer the greatest return for your home improvement effort.

Why? Because kitchens sell homes. Today the kitchen is not only meal preparation central, it is the entertainment hub of the home. Remote, walled-off kitchens are out. Bright, open and airy spaces, in.

Today's kitchen is open to the eating area which in turn is open to the family room or great room. It is in these spaces that most family activity occurs.

The increase in two-income households has resulted in the sharing of meal preparation duties and, hence, the demand for larger, safer, more convenient kitchens.

For some families, this means a major kitchen remodel. What we refer to in our remodeling business as a "complete gut." In this situation, all of the existing elements, (cabinets, counters, appliances, flooring, etc.) are removed to make way for a new design with fresh finishes. Although a kitchen remodel might be a better investment than the best blue chip stock and improve the quality of life within the home, it still has to fit the budget.

Therefore, a kitchen remodel can range from a complex gut and redesign to a less ominous undertaking such as new flooring, new countertops, cabinet refinishing, new appliances or a combination. The key is to do things that will improve the quality of your life and the value of your home without putting you in the poor house.

It is safe to say that there are more design and construction elements in a kitchen than any other single space in the home. Further, while there are basic design criteria for a safe and convenient kitchen, no two families have the same needs or budget. For example, with the kids grown and out of the house, a couple of empty-nesters, might want to trade in their tired, old vinyl for a handsome hardwood floor. Or, a family tired of cleaning tile grout might opt for a new, more easy to maintain, solid surface countertop. Both of these projects can be accomplished without significant disruption or cost.

There are other important elements when updating a kitchen. Among them are lighting, storage options, electrical safety and plumbing fixtures and fittings.

Lighting, natural and artificial, is an important kitchen element. There should always be at least one window in a kitchen, and preferably a second. Where this is not possible, a skylight is an excellent method of adding natural light and balancing the light which is cast by a window.

In addition to improving the safety of the space, artificial lighting can make working in the kitchen a lot easier on the eyes. And, lighting can set the tone for entertaining. A smattering of strategically located recess down lights on a dimmer will do wonders. Also, consider mounting a fluorescent or halogen task lighting surface on the underside of upper cabinets. Whether you replace or reuse cabinets, interior storage devices can significantly enhance storage space and convenience. Pullout shelves, vertical tray dividers, spice racks, lazy susans, recycling bins and tilt-out panels at the sink and cooktop can be incorporated into new cabinetry, or retrofit into existing casework. Most of the retrofit systems can be found at home improvement centers and are designed for do-it-yourself installation.

A crucial element of a kitchen remodel is the electrical system, because the kitchen places a great demand on it. Furthermore, with the abundance of modern appliances such as the microwave, trash compactor, and myriad small appliances, most pre-1970 wiring will likely need updating. Dimming lights, burned fuses and popped breakers are signs of a stressed electrical system which can lead to a house fire.

The sink must be functional as well as attractive. There are many sink styles and colors from which to choose. This is one area where you don't want to be cheap. The inexpensive stainless steel and enameled steel sinks are a waste of money. They dent and chip easily and will shake, rattle and roll when the garbage disposer is operating. If stainless steel is your choice, look for one which is 18 to 20 gauge, (the lower the number, the thicker the sink). If, on the other hand, an enameled finish is your preference, cast iron is the way to go. The finish holds up infinitely longer and is far less likely to chip. There are various other types of materials and finishes that deserve consideration as well.

For some, a new faucet is all that it takes to make a kitchen feel brand new. There is no shortage of styles and finishes when it comes to faucets. Single-lever mixing faucets are by far the most popular. Spray-spout models, where the spout can be removed from the faucet body via a flexible hose, are the rage. Like the sink, the faucet is not the place to cut costs. The inexpensive models don't have the lasting quality of the better ones. Plan to spend at least a couple of hundred dollars on the faucet.

Enough can't be said about the importance of planning. When it comes to remodeling, our credo is plan, plan, plan. Gather ideas from magazines, attend local home improvement expos, visit a kitchen dealer or retailer in your area and consider enlisting the services or a qualified design professional or contractor. You'll be dollars ahead in the long run.