DESIGN NOTES
The kitchen should be top if you consider home renovations to boost your property value. A well-designed, updated kitchen can significantly increase your home’s return on investment (ROI) when you decide to sell. Here’s why a kitchen remodel is worth the investment:
Cabinetry, kitchen, and bath upgrades are among the most impactful renovations when it comes to ROI. These areas are central to a home’s functionality and aesthetics, making them key selling points for potential buyers. Upgrading cabinetry, countertops, and fixtures can modernize a home, increasing its appeal and value.
Kitchens Sell Homes
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms for homebuyers. It’s the heart of the home, where families gather to cook, eat, and socialize. An outdated, cramped, or poorly laid-out kitchen can turn off prospective buyers immediately. On the other hand, a beautiful, functional kitchen creates a huge selling point that can make your home more competitive.
High ROI Potential
Remodeling your kitchen often recoups a large percentage of the renovation cost at resale. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report, a mid-range kitchen remodel recoups over 70% of its price on average upon selling the home. High-end, upscale kitchen projects can recoup around 60% of costs. These ROI percentages are among the highest of all home renovations.
Increases Home Value
Even if you’re planning to wait to sell, an updated kitchen adds tangible value to your biggest asset – your home. It boosts your equity and makes refinancing or taking out a home equity loan easier if needed. Plus, you get to enjoy the remodel benefits while living there.
To maximize your return:
- Focus kitchen updates on features that appeal to buyers, like new appliances, countertops, cabinets, sinks, lighting, and flooring.
- Replace anything that’s damaged, worn out, or highly outdated.
- Keep the layout functional and incorporate modern design elements without going overboard on customization that limits broad buyer appeal.
- Stick to mid-range materials and finishes versus ultra-high-end for the best cost vs value ratio.
Kitchen Remodel:
According to the National Association of Realtors, a minor kitchen remodel can have an ROI of 81%, while a major remodel can have an ROI of 59%.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
There is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Light is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…







Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking

