I spent $50,000 remodeling my kitchen. Here are the 5 smartest decisions I made — and one thing I wish I'd avoided.

• Reupholstering my dining chairs saved me money, but I wish I hadn’t done this project during summer.

Reupholstering my old dining-room chairs saved me a lot of money.

Workers were in and out of the house all day, causing my poor AC unit to work overtime. If I ever do another remodel, it’ll be during a more temperate time of year.

This story was originally published on November 17, 2024, and most recently updated on October 22, 2026.