When Do I Need To Upgrade My Kitchen?
The kitchen is one of the first places a prospective buyer will view when analyzing a potential property. Even if you have no plans to sell up anytime soon, it is still necessary to take a long, hard look at your kitchen to see if you need an upgrade. You could spend a small fortune renovating your home but if the kitchen isn’t up to scratch, all the effort and cash will be wasted. But how do you know if your kitchen requires an upgrade? Read on to find out.
Old Appliances
It’s time to remove your reliable old kitchen appliances and opt for something modern that fits in with the style of your brand new kitchen. You don’t have to spend a small fortune when it comes to upgrading a kettle, toaster, fridge or microwave as online sellers can provide kitchen appliances such as Ship It cooker hoods at prices far below what you can expect to pay in a bricks and mortar store.
Cramped Layout
Take a close look at your kitchen space and think of the problems you encounter on a daily basis. Maybe you are tired of running around the kitchen to prepare meals or else you need extra space for storage of brand new kitchen appliances. The modern kitchen needs to be multi-functional so make changes if yours does not currently fit the bill!
Cracked Flooring/Counter Tops
If you have an old kitchen, it is likely that there are cracks in the sink and the counter tops are chipped. There may be burns on your work surfaces and the finishes of cabinets are worn. If you have hardwood flooring or tiles, the floor may need to be replaced if it can’t be repaired. There is no point adding a splash of color or spending money on new kitchen appliances if the rest of the room looks outdated.
Ancient Cabinetry
DIY experts suggest that even adding new handles to the doors of cabinets can make them look new but in some cases, this won’t be enough. If you have cabinets that are wonky, get stuck when you try to open drawers and have paint or wood chipping, it’s time for a change. Look for a cabinet style and design that fits in with your other changes for a kitchen to be proud of.
If You Are Selling
In the United States alone, roughly $15 billion is spent each year on kitchen renovations which proves beyond doubt that a kitchen is of paramount importance in the home. A remodeled kitchen can offer almost a full return on investment in terms of adding to the price you fetch for your property and it certainly makes the home more appealing to prospective buyers. If you are planning to spend cash on renovating the kitchen, remember that quick fixes will be insufficient as buyers will always see problems beneath the glossy surface.
When selling a property, upgrading the kitchen is advisable and even if you plan to live in your existing home for many years to come, it makes sense to improve your family’s standard of life with a contemporary kitchen that has the best modern conveniences.
Patrick Lynch has been a full-time freelancer writer for 5 years. He has a Master’s Degree in Literature & Publishing from the National University of Ireland, Galway and has written more than 10,000 articles for a variety of international clients such as Fusewave, Muscle & Strength, Guinness and Red & Black Solutions.
