5 Signs That Your Kitchen is Due for a Remodel

Your kitchen is a focal point of your home and an essential room that needs to match your lifestyle. Other rooms in your house might need a fresh coat of paint or some new decor, but your kitchen is a high-functioning area. Remodeling your kitchen could be an important step to upgrading your entire house. If you’ve been on the fence about the condition of your kitchen and if it’s time for a remodel, here are some telltale signs.

1. Counter Space and/or Storage Space

If you constantly find yourself frustrated as you’re trying to prepare a meal or when Tupperware falls out as you open a cabinet, it’s not necessarily you — it’s your kitchen. Even if you’re not the most organized person, your kitchen should work to fit your needs. There are plenty of tips online on how to organize a kitchen and make the most of the space you do have, but in the end, tidiness might not cut it. 

A kitchen also grows with your life changes and needs. Young people might only start out with the essential pots, pans, and dishes, but as you age you acquire more kitchen items that take up more space. For example, your storage space could depend on whether or not there are kids in the house and how many people are living there in general. Also, someone might develop a new interest and need more room for an appliance such as an espresso machine. If you’re finding that your kitchen just doesn’t work for you anymore, it might be time for a remodel. 

2. Kitchen Lighting is Unattractive or Not Functional

You might have thought a fluorescent lightbox was a good idea years ago, but as styles change your lighting might need an update. Even if you already have a modern light fixture, you may realize you need more lighting to make it functional or want different kinds of lighting, such as ambient light for different times of the day. 

Improving the lighting could be as easy as adding a light strip under your cabinets, but a true transformation might require help from a contractor. Lighting upgrades such as changing one main light into three pendant fixtures, adding a light above the kitchen sink, or replacing a lightbox will require a professional and would be a great time to remodel your kitchen. 

3. Appliances are Outdated or Not Working Properly 

Appliances are such an important part of the functionality and aesthetics of your kitchen. If they are outdated or aren’t working properly, they’re likely not energy-efficient and bring down your entire kitchen in both looks and use. 

If your appliances aren’t working properly and you’re not sure whether to repair or replace them, try the 50/50 rule. If the appliance has already lived over 50 percent of its lifespan and it would cost half as much to repair it as it would to replace it, then it’s advised to upgrade and replace it. 

According to Consumer Reports, here are the average life expectancy for common kitchen appliances:

• Dishwasher – 9 years
• Microwave – 9 years 
• Electric Oven/Stove – 13 years 
• Gas Oven/Stove – 15 years 
• Refrigerator – 13 years

If you do decide to replace any appliances, you’ll probably want to replace all of your appliances so they match, especially if they’re outdated. While you’re updating your look and already moving your large appliances, this is a practical time to update your entire kitchen. 

4. The Kitchen Lacks Flow 

Your kitchen might lack flow in a number of different capacities. This should be your workspace, and it’s hard to work if you’re constantly bumping into the counter or can’t work alongside your partner in the kitchen. It’s also hard to streamline your cooking if the layout isn’t strategically planned. Some examples of optimizing your kitchen include: 

• Having a place to store ingredients such as spices or olive oil near the stove 
• Storing dishes, glasses, and silverware near your dishwasher 
• Having easy access to a garbage can as you’re preparing a meal 

Maximizing your kitchen’s efficiency could be an easy fix of rearranging, but older kitchens weren’t designed with this in mind. They were also built smaller and closed-off, but modern kitchens are usually bigger and more open. Redoing the entire layout of your kitchen, and possibly knocking down a wall to add space, could maximize the use of your kitchen and the flow of your entire home.

5. You Avoid Having People Over 

A kitchen is a place of gathering, especially during holidays or dinner parties. You shouldn’t be ashamed of your kitchen, and it shouldn’t hold you back from having people over to your home. Whether your kitchen doesn’t have enough space, is too closed-off, or feels too outdated to host guests, you should consider remodeling.

Remodel Your Kitchen With a Trusted Local Contractor 

If your kitchen meets one or more of these criteria, it’s likely due for a remodel. Revamping your entire kitchen can be stressful if you don’t know where to start. Cyclone Contracting is your local contractor who will walk you through all the possibilities of the space, create a plan, and give you a kitchen you’ll love for years to come. Contact us to talk to one of our remodeling experts and schedule an appointment to get started on your kitchen makeover. We look forward to hearing from you!