To many families, the kitchen is more than a place where food is cooked and eaten. It's where parties begin and end, bills are paid, pets are fed, homework is done and the day’s events are recalled over cups of coffee. As the kitchen becomes the focal point of the home, it has gained in size and importance.

Homeowners are investing more in their kitchens and allocating generous space in their designs, taking into account its multiple functions as a food-preparation and cooking area, serving and eating area, food and dish storage area and as a social area. More and more, open kitchen designs that blend into the dining and living area are practically the norm these days.

As the demand for additional functionality, technology and ergonomics increases, newer kitchens feature more useable space and modern conveniences such as high-tech lighting controls, audio/visual input and output and internet connectivity. In addition, functional elements such as center islands, high-performance appliances complimented by finely crafted cabinetry in any number of wood finishes, durable counter surfaces such as granite, concrete and engineered stone, backsplashes, multipurpose sinks and high quality tile floors showcase the kitchen as the new entertainment space in the home.

From a financial standpoint, the kitchen has become an area of the home that has a very high rate of return for money invested. Most homeowners are savvy enough to realize that money wisely spent in the kitchen will bring back a good return on appraised value of the home.

Foyers make an entrance inviting and warm for visitors as soon as they step through the front door. Serving as a waiting area, foyers are usually where first impressions are made and also one of the only areas visitors may see in the home. For homeowners who want to spruce up their entryways, there are several home improvement projects to consider that will help attain a desirable look.

In smaller foyers, where space may be an issue, adding windows will bring in more outside natural light. New lighting fixtures and large mirrors will give the effect of a larger room. Painting and wallpapering are one of the most cost effective ways to make an immediate impact. By changing the wall color of your foyer, the room will have more depth and distinction. With a larger foyer, adding an elegant light fixture such as a chandelier, gives the room certain stateliness. In addition, incorporating hardwood, marble or stone flooring will differentiate the space from the other rooms in the house. Bringing in furniture also adds more visual weight. Your foyer should make a unique statement and also serve as a preview to the other rooms in the home.