A kitchen remodel can be a stressful and costly project that you can’t perform every few months. If you don’t know whether a kitchen upgrade would be a good idea, look for these signs. If you notice them, you should begin interviewing kitchen remodeling companies for your kitchen makeover.
Countertop Space Is Insufficient
The countertop is where you prepare everything apart from cooking. If you notice that your counter space is not enough for your needs, such as when you cut vegetables and can’t find more space to place anything on the counter or you don’t have enough counter space when more than one person tries to work in the kitchen, then you need to remodel your kitchen to add more counter space and refresh the kitchen layout.
During this, you can either add or remove a kitchen island. If you have a small kitchen and the kitchen island is taking up space, you can remove it. On the other hand, if you think you can get more counter space by adding an island without restricting floor space, you can add one.
You Have Worn Kitchen Floors And Walls
Floors and walls are the base of the kitchen upon which everything else is installed. They should be in good shape. But if there is visible damage like cracks, stains, mold, peeling paint, bubbles, failing grout, and other signs, the walls should be repaired.
Moreover, floors can show signs in the form of gouges, cracks, discoloration, rot, loose tiles or planks, splintering wood, or soft or wobbly areas. This should compel you to repair or replace the flooring.
These are the signs that are safety concerns as well because they are beyond regular factors, like appearing outdated and old.
Ineffective Layout
An ineffective layout is one of the biggest reasons to remodel your kitchen because it means the layout is not right for you, or the layout wasn’t planned well in the first place when the kitchen was built or remodeled before.
Many things can lead to a bad kitchen layout, like disrupted work triangle, not enough circulation space, poor appliance placement, no counter space near the stove, insufficient storage, and others. These things mean you should change your kitchen layout, which is a major kitchen update project and costs more than the remodels where you only replace flooring and countertops.
Appliances Breaking Frequently
Appliances make your kitchen a convenient place and although you can repair appliances and avoid replacements, if your appliances are old and breaking down frequently, you should replace all of them at once and also remodel your kitchen. And if one or a few appliances are not easily accessible, this is the time to replace them.
Now, you can replace appliances without renovating your kitchen as well, but newer models may not have the same dimensions, so remodeling the kitchen and replacing appliances together is a good idea. You can also use this opportunity to place appliances where they are easier to access and don’t disrupt the workflow.
Warped Or Sagging Cabinets Or Shelves
The entirety of your storage space consists of cabinets and shelves. So, if they are showing signs of damage like warping, sagging, water damage, or are old, it’s time to replace them. This is a good reason to remodel your kitchen because cabinet replacement is commonly the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel. So, if you’re replacing cabinets and your kitchen appears old, it’s better to remodel your kitchen, which will include cabinet replacement.
However, if you like your kitchen’s appearance and it’s functional, and you only want to change the cabinets, you can go ahead with a standalone cabinet replacement project. You can choose from various options of Timberlake cabinets Silver Spring.
Insufficient Storage
If you see yourself putting more and more of the kitchen items in unusual places, like on the refrigerator, in the pantry, or leaving them on the countertop because there isn’t space for them, then you have insufficient storage or your storage needs have grown.
You can get portable cabinets, racks, and many accessories, but they will take up space. You might bump into these accessories due to them using up the floor space. And if you place them on the counter, you will be left with a smaller area for cutting food and cooking. Therefore, you need to remodel your kitchen and create built-in storage that will be invisible and won’t cramp your space.
Plumbing Issues
Plumbing is the critical part of your kitchen and much of it is not visible, so many homeowners make the mistake of ignoring this sign. You can fix some kitchen plumbing problems, like a leaky faucet and clogged drain, but many issues such as low water pressure, water damage, hidden leaks, corroded fixtures, frequently clogged drains, and other problems can’t be fixed without a remodel.
If you remodel your kitchen, one of the earliest steps would be demolition, which will expose the plumbing, and the expert will be able to determine the damage and replace the damaged pipes and components. Upgrading to modern and effective materials like PEX or copper for water supply and PVC for drainage is also suggested.
During the remodel, you can install modern fixtures, a deep sink, and other features as well. This kind of remodel will not only improve your kitchen aesthetics but will also lead to better water efficiency and water pressure, ensuring a reliable water supply.
Outdated Aesthetics
Raised panel cabinets, dark and speckled granite countertops, dim lighting, non-uniform cabinet heights, ceramic tile counters, bright and non-matching appliances, and walk-in pantries are considered outdated, among many other designs and styles.
If you think your kitchen looks dated or stuck in the past, then you should consider remodeling it to get a fresh-looking and contemporary kitchen. If you want, you can still keep a few old elements to add character to your kitchen space.
Your Habits Or The Number Of People Have Changed
New habits form over time and the kitchen style that was perfect for you once may feel inefficient for you now. This means a kitchen remodel is due.
In the same way, you may have new home members making the kitchen space limited for the newer requirements. So, remodeling the kitchen will help you create a kitchen space that aligns with your current lifestyle and home members.
Insufficient Or Poor Ventilation
You cook in the kitchen and the steam and smell have to go out. If it doesn’t or stays for too long, there will be weird smells, smoke, and moisture in the kitchen. Poor ventilation is a common cause of this issue. If ignored, you may see moldy cabinets and greasy walls. So, you need to address this problem by renovating your kitchen, which will include improving ventilation.
Start by choosing a high-quality range hood, which will fix many of your ventilation problems. Plus, you can include windows, under-cabinet exhausts, and ceiling vents in the remodeling plan for improved ventilation.
Safety Hazards
Kitchen wiring, plumbing, and flooring are important parts of a kitchen, and if they are damaged or not managed well to your needs, they can become a hazard. Faulty outlets, misplaced outlets, damaged wires, damaged flooring, loose tiles, hidden leaks, etc., can pose a threat to your safety, so you should fix these problems by remodeling your kitchen.
Conclusion
Usually, a kitchen remodel is due if there are damaged walls or flooring, worn or warped cabinets, insufficient storage, plumbing issues, inefficient layout, or other issues. Consult a kitchen remodeling contractor Bowie to assess your kitchen space and create a remodeling plan.