Top Reasons to Remodel Your Kitchen

The kitchen gets possibly more traffic than any other room in your home. From brewing your morning coffee to packing lunches for the day to an after-work glass of wine to whipping up gourmet meals during the holidays, you spend a lot of time in your kitchen. Besides wanting to update your kitchen to increase the aesthetic appeal, there are many other reasons you might want to remodel your kitchen. Older appliances and worn-down countertops can become both a nuisance and a health and safety hazard. Here are some of the top reasons you might consider remodeling your kitchen.

Your Family is Growing

A growing family requires more space around the kitchen table – as well as more food! A tiny, minimalist kitchen might have worked when you were single, but a growing family requires more cabinet space, more countertop space to prep, and more places to sit! If your family has outgrown your kitchen, but not necessarily your house, remodeling the kitchen could be just what you need!

Increase Home Value

If you are thinking of selling, or are in the process of listing your property then remodeling a kitchen is one of the best ways to increase value and make more money off the transaction. When potential home buyers are viewing properties, kitchens are on the top of their lists. Homes with remodeled kitchens sell a lot quicker than those with outdated ones, so make the changes you need to — no matter how small — and you’ll love the look of that new asking price.

Modernity

Keeping up with trends can be challenging, but one way to fall back in love with your kitchen space is by upgrading simply for the sake of upgrading. Tear down a wall and create an open floor plan — your dinner guests will love coming over, and you’ll feel a warm sensation every time you step into your new cooking area. Modern upgrades are not strictly aesthetic, either. With new smart appliances, you can turn cooking into a stress-free affair. For example, smart ovens, hot pads, and slow cookers can connect to your phone and you will never have to worry about over (or under) cooking.

Remodeling your kitchen can change the entire feel of your house. As it is likely one of the most prominent areas in your home, a fresh remodel can make you feel like you’re living in a brand new home!

Countertops are Damaged

Laminate countertops are common, especially in older homes. However, laminate countertops can be easily stained and damaged, and years of use are certain to cause cracks, chips, and scratches that can additionally harbor harmful bacteria — making your kitchen counter a health hazard for your family. Laminate countertops are outdated and prone to staining, making them unappealing to potential buyers should you want to list your home on the market.

One of the fastest-growing trends in kitchen remodeling is stone countertops. Stone countertops are durable, heat resistant, chip-resistant, and overall aesthetically pleasing. Some of the most popular choices for stone countertops are quartz, marble, and granite. All are extremely functional and long-lasting but vary in terms of care and appearance. Here’s what to keep in mind when considering quartz or solid surface countertops.

Efflorescence

A large difference when comparing quartz vs marble countertops and many other materials is efflorescence resistance. Even if you don’t know what efflorescence is, there’s a high chance you’ve already seen it. Efflorescence is the chalky-looking white powder that appears on stone, caused by water carrying mineral salt to the surfaces. Solid surface countertops require efflorescence treatment while quartz is immune to efflorescence. Concrete countertops are especially prone to efflorescence, and if it gets bad enough, you will definitely want to consider replacing them with more durable material.

Aesthetic

While all stone countertops have their own unique appeal, there are many more solid surface colors to choose from versus quartz countertops. If you are looking for a more customized experience, you might choose a solid surface countertops instead of quartz.

Staining

Much like wood kitchen countertops, marble and granite are porous surfaces, making them much more likely to stain than quartz countertops. Quartz is naturally stain-resistant does not need to be sealed, while solid surface countertops need special care and sealing to keep them from staining.

Flooring is Outdated

Considering that your floor spans the entire kitchen, an old, stained, damaged floor can be souring to look at, as well as dangerous and detrimental to your home. Chipped or broken tile can cause a fall leading to serious injury, and cracked flooring can lead to water damage. No kitchen remodel should go without the consideration of the condition of your floor! And if you’re going to replace your kitchen floors, now is the time to consider layout changes, cabinet updates, or adding a center island. In this case, you’ll save money in the long run if you replace and reconfigure all at once.

Safety & Energy Efficiency

There’s something to be said for frugality, but constantly fixing a leak in your oven or short in your microwave is a sign that your appliances need to be replaced. A fault in the electric in your appliances could cause a house fire, especially in appliances like dishwashers that are frequently running while unattended. Upgrading your appliances to more energy-efficient units will also help you save on your gas and electric bills in the long-run. 

If you feel like your kitchen is outdated, too small for your growing family, or want to increase your home value, call 844-ELITE-03 to book your free in-home design consultation with one of our professionals.

Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.