There are lots of great reasons to update your kitchen. Walking into a newly refreshed room every morning is an incredible mood booster. A properly done upgrade increases the value of your home. No matter the reason for your update, there are a few tips to remember.
Your Appliances Need Love Too
Old cabinets, floors and countertops can definitely make a kitchen look dated. But remember to think about your appliances as well, as they can have good resale value. Appliance details, such as color and size, go in and out of style. Honestly assess whether your stove and fridge look outdated or even damaged. If your dishwasher always seems to need repairs, this may be a good time to replace it. Even if your older appliances are working well, they may use too much energy. Replacing them with more energy-efficient models will lower your utility bills and can increase the value of your home.
Make Room For Storage
It seems there’s never enough storage space, especially in the kitchen. As you’re replacing and updating items, make sure you have enough room for all your cookware and other items. Sometimes going for a sleeker, simpler look can cost storage space. If your new countertop or cabinets will take up less room than the old ones, think about using an island or moving cart for extra storage. Proper storage is particularly important if you have a small kitchen. Adding a shelf or two to unused corner spaces can help.
Don’t Overdo It
Putting too much work into a house can get in the way of a quick sale at a fair price. If you use a lot of high-end materials, you may have the nicest kitchen on the whole block, but you probably won’t get that money back when it’s time to sell. Making a home too upscale potentially increases the value of your home above the other homes in the neighborhood, which can make it hard to sell. Choose a more modest approach for your upgrade. Ask yourself if everything really needs to be replaced. It’s possible that you need only a few new touches to improve the look of the room.
Changing minor items, such as light fixtures or wall color, is a less expensive way to overhaul the look of your kitchen. Or, rather than replacing entire cabinets, you may decide to update just the cabinet doors and hardware. You can also change other smaller items, like rugs and curtains, for a seasonal pick-me-up.
Food is central to life, which means that a good portion of your life is spent in and around the kitchen. Whether you’re moving soon or staying put, updating your kitchen with a new look can be an invigorating way to refresh your environment.
