Kitchen renovation is undoubtedly the biggest home improvement project. It’s both time and money-consuming. That’s why many people won’t decide to take on this type of challenge unless they have a pretty good reason to do it. However, if you and your family can’t function normally in your existing kitchen, it’s time to bite the bullet and take this big step. After all, the kitchen is the heart of every home, and you spend most of your time in it. So, it’s only logical to make it functional for everyday use. That’s why we decided to talk to homeowners and examine some of the primary reasons that made them take on this project. Therefore, we’re giving you seven signs it’s time to renovate your kitchen.
You don’t have enough storage and prep space
You don’t have to be an avid cook, but you still need storage and prep space in your kitchen. If you find yourself in lack of these two things, you know it’s time for a renovation project. No matter how little you cook, you still need enough space to prep even the simplest throw-together meal. Likewise, storage for your food, dishes, cutlery, and various kitchen “equipment” is not only prudent, but it’s indispensable.
Even if you renovated your kitchen when you moved in, think about one thing – Was it just a simple cosmetic change to make it look more pretty? Yes, it’s important to make your kitchen look good, but it’s more important to make it functional. That’s why repainting your kitchen cabinets won’t do the job if you can’t put your kitchen to good use.
Therefore, if your kitchen feels cramped or cluttered, if you can’t find a place for huge pots or tiny devices, and if your food gets lost in your overcrowded cupboards, it’s time to renovate your kitchen.
Change of needs
The addition of children to a household, or their moving out, sometimes requires the need to renovate a kitchen. The kitchen that was good for you before children may now drive you insane. On the other hand, perhaps, now that your children have left for college, you’re looking for a more appealing area for entertaining your guests. The fact is that our needs change. Sometimes, homes need to adjust to accommodate these changes and, thus, us. So, if you’re going through this significant change, you may have to remodel your kitchen.
This is a perfect opportunity to either upgrade or downsize and meet all your needs kitchen-wise. It may be a more extensive renovation project, but trust us, it will be worth it. So, it’s time to pack your kitchen and make space for all your new and updated equipment. Just make sure you use the right methods when packing all your kitchen stuff, as it tends to be very delicate.
Outdated appliances
Most kitchen appliances are subject to heavy usage, and their lifespan is limited. For example, gas stoves are predicted to last around 15 years, dishwashers nine years, and refrigerators 13 years. So, if you last redesigned your kitchen before 2005, the outlook for your appliances is not promising. Older appliances may still work, but they can be energy drains and deadly in the worst-case scenario.
Additionally, many homeowners opt to replace all their appliances at once to maintain a consistent aesthetic. Of course, this does not need a comprehensive kitchen makeover. Still, when replacing an entire suite of malfunctioning appliances, it typically makes sense to consider that alternative, along with any desired layout adjustments.
It’s getting dark
Lighting is frequently an afterthought, yet it can significantly impact the utility and attractiveness of a room. Nowhere is efficient task lighting more crucial than in the kitchen, but we see far too many insufficient, poorly positioned fixtures. And no, the tiny light bulb in your oven does not qualify as kitchen illumination! A well-planned lighting scheme, including under-cabinet illumination, in-ceiling lighting, and showpiece pendants, can make your kitchen more practical and appealing.
Therefore, if you notice it’s getting pretty dark in your kitchen and, thus, hard to cook your favorite meal in it, it’s time to renovate your kitchen! Fortunately, replacing lighting isn’t that big a project.
Hard to clean
Do you have a feeling your kitchen is dirty even though you’ve just cleaned it? Is your backsplash looking filthy due to stained grout lines and your countertops or sink dusty and stained? Or is your flooring discolored and full of ground-in dirt? Yap, this happens to all outdated kitchens. Eventually, no amount of dusting, sweeping, or scrubbing down can make your kitchen look clean. You’re simply dealing with deep-set dirt that cannot be cleaned. That’s when you know it’s time for kitchen renovation. Your old wood cabinets, enamel, and linoleum flooring need to go. Believe it or not, new surface materials are so much easier to clean and maintain altogether.
Bad flow
A well-designed kitchen should be functional and efficient. You should be able to move freely around the room and have everything close at hand. Unfortunately, many older kitchens seem to be designed carelessly, without functionality in mind. Elements are often too close to each other or not close enough. That’s why professional contractors and interior designers always ask many questions about how you use your kitchen. They need to know how many people often use the kitchen simultaneously. Or what irritates you about your current arrangement. The benefits of a well-designed layout may not be as apparent as new fixtures and surfaces, but you will feel them right away.
You hate the outdated look
While the appearance shouldn’t be your top reason for doing a kitchen renovation, it’s normal to get tired of being in an old and weary room. Especially if it’s a room in your home where you spend most of your time, and we all know the kitchen is just that. Therefore, if you can’t stand cooking and eating in a room with honey-oak cabinets, linoleum flooring, and green appliances, it’s time for a change.
Kitchens have progressed over time, from the closed-off territory of the house chef to a more open space where friends and family may socialize. Given that the purpose of your kitchen has been transformed from workhorse to showpiece, it stands to reason that you would want it to represent your sense of style.
To wrap it up
Deciding to do a kitchen remodel is a significant step. You’ll have to spend a lot of time and money to make it more functional and appealing. However, no matter how complex this project can get, sometimes it’s necessary to do it. We gave you seven signs it’s time to renovate your kitchen. So, if you’re seeing any of these signs in your kitchen, don’t wait until it starts being unbearable. Roll up your sleeves and see what changes you can make right away!
Photo used:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/kitchen-and-dining-area-1080721/