Does a kitchen renovation pay for itself when it comes to adding value to the home? The answer is, in a lot of cases, yes. It is true that the kitchen has fast become the most expensive room in the home, with some people paying as much as 250,000 for a bespoke upgrade Chairman of the Society of British Interior Design Vanessa Brady says an attractive kitchen is vital when it comes to home sales. When buying a property, the woman usually has the ultimate say and she bases her decision on the kitchen, she says. Property agent George Franks, of Douglas Gordon, agrees. Extending and updating the kitchen is the single most valuable improvement you can make. Its the one room that can easily stand out as an aspirational showpiece for the property, he says. So how much should you spend and what trends should you include if you want your new kitchen to add value to your home as well as impress your dinner guests? Fortunately, according to primelocation.co.uk you dont have to fork out 250,000! Even a budget of 1,000 can provide an instant makeover, with the average fitted kitchen costing between 5,000 and 10,000. Good reproduction stone tiles, affordable units or fake granite worktops can be smartened by an expensive set of taps or a stylish sink. George Franks also recommends good lighting. Now that kitchens have become multi-use rooms, lighting should reflect that, with subtle options for dinner parties as well as underneath and within units, he says. David Adams, head of Residential at Chesterton Humberts, advises making sure there is plenty of room for storage to keep your kitchen neat and tidy. Make sure there is adequate storage space, so theres no clutter, he says. Also replace any cabinet doors that appear dated or damaged. he adds. Kitchen designer Johnny Grey is a fan of soft geometry with the emphasis on gentle curves on counters or islands. Grey also prefers the unfitted kitchen and predicts a comeback this year for freestanding kitchens. He plans to exhibit examples at the Decorex Interior Design Show this September. Free-standing furniture gives more flexibility and you dont have to commit to a large financial outlay all at once, he says. You can pick up vintage pieces such as butchers blocks or dressers. Recent kitchen trends have also included the brushed-steel commercial look and concrete worktops. Extra-large pan drawers are also proving popular. So, no matter whether your budget is a few hundred pounds, a few thousand or tens of thousands, there is much you can do to add value to your home by improving the most important room in your house your kitchen.