Five Signs it’s Time for a Kitchen Overhaul
When you want something bad enough, it’s hard for you to be an unbiased judge as to whether or not your want is, in fact, a need. Here are a few indicators that your kitchen is due for a complete overhaul, not just a fresh coat of paint or granite countertop.
You Discourage Guests From Gathering in Your Kitchen-Having this happen should be a red flag that you no longer, or may have never considered, the kitchen to be the heart of your home. Your kitchen should be a point of pride and if that’s not the case, it’s time to start evaluating what features can be added or modified to change your feelings. Another similar sign it’s time for a change is when you, yourself, no longer wish to spend time preparing or eating in your kitchen.
Unnatural Layout-In every kitchen you’ll find a stove, sink and refrigerator. While designers often have their own opinions on what makes a room aesthetically appealing, most all agree on the kitchen triangle concept. This approach became widely embraced in the 1940s when kitchens were often tight spaces, overrun by large appliances. To make the most of a small space, stoves, refrigerators, and sinks were set up in a triangular fashion. While this is not the only way to set up a kitchen, bear in mind that breathing room between the primary work spaces makes food preparation less of a hassle by keeping traffic in your work spaces to a minimum. If you’re only stocking the necessities in terms of food, tableware and small kitchen appliances, and you still find yourself using your countertops as a pantry after buying a week’s worth of groceries, chances are you don’t have enough storage and the space you do have is not being put to good use.
Your Home is Going on the Market-It’s no secret that a kitchen remodel is one of the home investments that reaps the highest return. It’s also common knowledge to those buying a home that a kitchen is one of the most expensive areas to renovate. If your current kitchen looks like something seen on The Brady Bunch, utilize a kitchen remodel to get top dollar for your property. FYI-a remodel doesn’t have to include over the top features. Focus on matching appliances, adequate storage space and neutral patterns on countertops and backsplashes.
Appliances Made Before the World Wide Web Was Created-We’ll give you props if you’ve got appliances from the early 1990s that still run. However, we’re still going to argue that it’s time for them to be upgraded. The National Association of Home Builders gives a life expectancy guideline for major appliances as follows: dishwasher and microwave, 9 years; garbage disposal, 12 years; refrigerator, 13 years; range, 13-15 years. In addition to technology and aesthetic advancements, today’s appliances are the most energy efficient they’ve ever been.
Repairing Damage- If your kitchen has been damaged by water, fire, etc., it’s well worth looking into redoing the whole room, rather than just minor repairs to get by. Ignoring or failing to evaluate the full extent of water damage, can lead to the growth of mold which leads to even bigger issues. If water damage has occurred, at the very least, speak with a professional who can tell you for certain whether or not there are signs of mold growth; home tests are not 100% accurate.
