5 dumbest renovation fads

The perfect kitchen feels spacious but keeps everything close at hand. If you really want to have a sense of openness (and more storage room), consider a walk-in pantry.

You can then eliminate some or all of the upper cabinets in your kitchen, which removes a lot of bulk at eye level and makes the room feel more airy. It's also important to create a sensible layout: You shouldn't have to take more than two steps between every countertop and no more than three steps between the work triangle of sink, oven and refrigerator.

The Payoff:

Typical kitchen cabinet: $200 to $800
Counter surfaces: $20 to $150 a square foot

Remember these figures when thinking about designing a vast 400-square-foot dream kitchen.