According to the National Association of Home Builders Remodel Market Index, in 2017 83% of people wanted a new kitchen. You mostly likely fall into that group yourself. And it makes total and complete sense. A LOT happens in a kitchen. Aside from being the only room in the house that can make or break a diet, it’s a room that is filled with as many memories of making food as it is meals actually made. It’s also CONSTANTLY dirty. We use the most resources in the kitchen just by cooking with water, gas, and electricity – and those are just major appliances. It’s no wonder we all pine for a more attractive, more functional, and more exciting kitchen. But are they worth it? Well, let’s take a look at your needs.
Flipping or Sticking With It
Close your eyes. Envision your future. Envision your home. Do those two things go hand-in-hand? If you’re lucky enough to have found your forever home, then of course a quality kitchen reno is worth it. You really do spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing meals and keeping it clean. Having a space that is efficient in basic design as well as energy usage will make having to spend so much time in there more enjoyable and less tedious.
If you’re still in the throes of a starter home, the great news is yes! A minor, cost-effective kitchen renovation will see around an 80% return in your investment when you do sell it to the next lucky homeowner. Updating all appliances to energy-efficient models is a huge attraction for prospective buyers (not to mention the money and resources it will save for you in the interim). Stay within a smaller budget by updating cabinet facing, countertops and flooring. Finally, slap a new, vibrant coat of paint on it and touch up the trim and you’re ready to make a profit on the house that made you a homeowner.
Ready, Set, Go
Before you go all hog-and-suey with your reno ideas, take the time to assess your kitchen needs and budget, as well as what you already have. A new kitchen is worth it, but you don’t need to break the bank knocking down walls to make it so. Working with what you have is a great place to start. As mentioned for those aiming more to flip a house, if you have a fair amount of storage space but it’s stuffed to the gills with junk you never use (do you really need 20 different water canteens, Sheila?!) simply decluttering and organizing the inside means all you need to do is give the outside a facelift with new cabinet facing and countertops. If you’re sticking around a while, up the ante with granite or quartz countertops.
If your floor space is abundant, but storage and prep space aren’t, instead of going for that island bring the cabinetry and countertops out more, increasing their depth, or add a peninsula to the end of a section to create extra space for either working, sitting/eating, or both. Yes, kitchen island is part of everyone’s dream kitchen. But for proper work flow and traffic in a kitchen, you need around 45” of clearance on every side. That takes up a lot more space. However, if you are remodeling to an open floor plan the kitchen island would be ideal for keep the whole space open, while still establishing a distinct area for the kitchen and providing space to work, and a place for guests to nosh while you finish the main dish.
There’s an abundance of possibilities to take your kitchen to the next level. Whatever you decide with your contractor, whether you’re staying put or putting it on the market, you’ll be making an investment worth every penny.
