The kitchen is arguably the busiest and most frequented part of any home. It's where you prepare your go-to recipes, spend time with family, have friends over for meals, and enjoy your morning coffee. That's why the room should always be functional and have enough space to meet your needs.
If being in your kitchen no longer makes you as happy as before, it might be time to consider giving it a much-needed renovation. Perhaps you've been setting the idea aside for some time now, since kitchen remodeling isn't an easy undertaking. However, doing so can allow you to appreciate the area more, improve functionality, and add more value to your home.
How can you tell if it’s finally time to renovate your kitchen? You can take the guesswork out of such a major decision by looking into the following telltale signs:
- Inefficient kitchen layout
- An efficient kitchen floor plan should simplify routine tasks, such as prepping for a quick meal or washing the dishes. If you're moving from one end to the other just to accomplish a regular task, that means the layout lacks flow, and you're not comfortable moving around.
- A well-designed kitchen should allow you to work quickly and efficiently, with everything close at hand when you need it. In most cases, older kitchens appear to have been thrown together. Although all the necessary elements are present, they're either too close together or not close enough. (1)
- If you decide to work with skilled kitchen designers for the renovation, they will likely ask questions to better understand how you use your kitchen, how many people often use it simultaneously, and what your concerns are about the current layout. These things will factor into the design they come up with for your kitchen.
- Though the benefits of a well-designed layout may not be as evident as new fixtures and surfaces, you will feel them right away once implemented.
- Lack of storage space
- Even if you aren’t a big foodie, you'll still need enough space in your kitchen to prepare meals and store groceries. Unfortunately, some kitchens are lacking in cabinet and counter space. In those cases, the available space is often inefficiently laid out, thus making cooking and moving around difficult.
- Even if you were able to “update” your kitchen at a certain point, the changes were likely limited to a face-lift, which may be looking a little dated now. More often than not, a lack of square footage is not an issue. There’s a chance you might just have plenty of poorly designed drawers and kitchen cabinets that don't provide organized or adequate storage for your appliances and cooking equipment.
- A kitchen that doesn't have enough storage often requires constant decluttering. Additionally, the countertop and sink may become easily crowded. Adding more storage to your kitchen will free up more counter space for meal preparation while maintaining standard functionality. Having a clear space will give you more room to host your friends and family, and you won't dread preparing meals at any time of the day. (2)
- Outdated appliances
- Most kitchen appliances are subjected to heavy use, and their life span is sparse at best. Gas ranges should last about 15 years; refrigerators are good for maybe 13 years, and dishwashers for about nine years. If you last remodeled your kitchen more than 15 years ago, the outlook for your appliances isn't promising.
- Although older appliances may still work, they could amp up your electricity usage and, in the worst-case scenario, be unsafe for use. Many homeowners choose to replace all of their appliances at once to maintain a consistent or uniform look. Of course, this doesn't necessitate a complete kitchen remodel. But when replacing a suite of underperforming appliances, it often makes sense to consider a complete makeover, including layout changes you may want done for the space. (2)
- Recurring plumbing and electrical issues
- Burnt-out bulbs, flickering lights, and blown breakers are all signs of electrical problems. It's easy to have a beautiful kitchen in terms of appliances and design, but without sufficient and functional lighting, you can’t enjoy or maximize the space at all. Lighting should not be overlooked, particularly task lighting, which is essential when working in your kitchen.
- Similarly, constant leaking of your sink, dishwasher, pipes, or garbage disposal should not be overlooked. Recurring electrical and plumbing issues are a telltale sign you need to renovate your kitchen. These problems can cause significant damage, such as mold and fire hazards, which you should look to avoid for the sake of your family’s safety. (2) (3)
Final word
There are plenty of reasons you may want to renovate your kitchen. However, if you need to pinpoint some pressing signs, the list above can help you out. A well-thought-out and well-designed kitchen remodel is a time-consuming process, but it can pay off greatly in terms of comfort, safety, and satisfaction. If you spot any of the four signs listed above, it may be time to consider a renovation.
References:
- “Signs That Indicate You Need Kitchen Renovation”, Source: https://www.atidymind.co.uk/signs-that-indicate-you-need-kitchen-renovation/
- “15 Signs Your Kitchen Needs A Remodel”, Source: https://www.collomconstruction.com/15-signs-your-kitchen-needs-remodel
- “4 Signs You Need To Renovate Your Kitchen”, Source: https://blog.homestars.com/4-signs-need-renovate-kitchen/