6 signs your kitchen needs an upgrade right away

Home is where the heart is.

And a kitchen is where the art is - the art of cooking, the art of décor, and making people happy.

Gone are the days when kitchens used to be small and rusty. It is now the meeting place of the entire family, acting as a nucleus.

However, sometimes this nucleus becomes a catastrophic setting. The wallpaper might be chipped off, the sink starts leaking, and the cabinet is squeaky. It turns into a frustrating space. Cooking and sitting here is not so much fun anymore.

The majority of interior renovators endorse how the kitchen plays a central role in every household. According to Houzz's 2018 Home Study, kitchens were named the top priority for interior renovations. Of the 72,000 surveyed homeowners (with renovation completed in 2018), 31% of them decided to renovate their kitchen. It drastically improved the resell value of their homes.

Suppose you are a homeowner who can’t figure out whether the kitchen needs an upgrade. Here are a few signs to make sure:

1. Cramped for Space

Storage is an integral part of enhancing the functionality of a kitchen. If you could only fit one or two people inside or use the stovetop to prep your meals – it is time to upgrade your kitchen.

This gets even more urgent if you have little or no space to store pantry items. We know how annoying it is to manage cabinets brimming with containers, lids, and spices. It is one of the reasons why many people have to kill their desire to buy fancy crockery.

You might want to consider adding better storage options or fixing the layout to make your kitchen look sophisticated.

A great design team can lead you in the right direction if you put your miseries on their table. They help you craft creative storage solutions if you can’t get the required square footage. Another direction they can take up is to go for an open kitchen setup. It is spacious and encourages social interactions too.

2. Countertop Clutter

Countertops littered with utensils and boxes create an unpleasant space and a dysfunctional kitchen. Earlier in the days, countertops were filled with cooking stuff, despite the decent square footage. If you find yourself resorting to the counters to store food or other stuff, it is an indicator that you must examine your storage options.

You can get a more oversized countertop or install an island to increase the space. Or, seek advice from the professionals on ways to double or triple your food prep space and counter space. Open countertops free of clutter can create an airy kitchen that allows instant food preparation and comfortable conversations.

3. Problematic Cleaning

Kitchens can be a lot of things. But dirty is never the word that should apply here. Unfortunately, kitchens have the most problems, and they could end up in a disaster. Here are some problems that make cleaning a hectic task:

• Greasy surfaces
• Smelly drainage
• Stuck drawers
• Clogged sink
• Broken water pipes

Apart from these, there might be some other things causing a mess in your otherwise clean kitchen. A sloppy layout, cracked surface, and poorly planned space make it hard to clean the kitchens. If it persists for long, know that now is the time to invest in new countertops, quality flooring, and modern appliances that are easy to wipe clean.

4. Mold or Mildew

Mold thrives where there is humidity, moisture, and little ventilation. When the interior of a kitchen cabinet is wet, and dampness lingers, mold can develop. It can create health issues for people living in the home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that some studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to asthma development in some children.

If you notice mold or mildew developing in your kitchen, you must go for an upgrade stat. The pungent smell it brings out gets unbearable over time. Opt for remodeling before the time comes when you have to rip it out and start all over again.

5. No One Wants to be Here

Your kitchen may be big enough with ample counter space. Still, it may be dark, old, or gloomy. Unless someone wants a snack, no one enters the space to have a hot cup of tea and sit by the window, let alone cook a meal.

A kitchen should be warm and welcoming for all family members. If it is not, look at what is causing the repulsion. Perhaps it is lousy lightning, shoddy appliances, or inaccessible cabinets. A luxury kitchen remodeling can draw people like never before. Members of the house might want to try new dishes or love to have conversations over wine after dinner.

6. Old Appliances

Whether you got an obsolete set of appliances when you moved into this house or you haven’t upgraded them in years – it can have a significant impact on your kitchen functionality. So even if you love that cute, pink toaster gifted by your grandma years ago, it might continuously deliver bread that is burnt on the edges.

Such appliances contribute to inefficiency. They also escalate the utility bills as they require more power. If you are holding onto such appliances, upgrading now would be a wiser choice. Kitchen appliances have traveled a long way in the past few years. They are swift, efficient, and consume much less power.

Parting Notes

There are lots of reasons to upgrade your kitchen. It is an upgrade that pays back immensely if you decide to sell your house. In the meantime, it is the hub of your family’s enjoyment and bonding. As they walk in here, a well-designed kitchen will encourage them to discuss all good that happened during the day, instead of rambling about all that is wrong in their lives.