In much the same way as bringing a bathroom up to par is almost always a good investment, minor kitchen improvements are generally a safe bet. Unfortunately, going overboard during a kitchen remodel is common, and many folks end up spending way more than they planned before the job is finished. To keep your investment budget-friendly, focus on the things that really need attention, and leave the elements of the room that are functioning just fine intact. Remodeling Magazine puts the average cost of a “major” kitchen remodel at a whopping $55,503, while a “minor” kitchen remodel comes in at $21,185 (and recovers 5% more of its construction costs, to boot)!