At Home
Signs it’s time to overhaul
your kitchen — and add value
Remodeling a kitchen
adds value to a home.
Remodeling Magazine’s
“Cost vs. Value Report”
indicates mid-range
kitchen remodels cost about
$66,000, and homeowners
can expect to recover about
60 to 80 percent of that cost
at resale.
Homeowners may wonder
if remodeling their kitchens
is worth the investment. But
homeowners should not just
consider cost, but also the current
conditions of their kitchens
when deciding if a renovation
project is the right move
to make. These signs indicate
it may be time to renovate a
kitchen.
Breakers are triggered
If the lights go dark from
a tripped circuit breaker every
time you try to microwave
and run the toaster oven at
the same time, your wiring is
likely not up to the task of handling
the workload and could
be out of date. A kitchen remodel
COURIER LIFE, S 24 EPTEMBER 10-16, 2021
will assess wiring load
needs and an electric overhaul
may be necessary.
Lack of storage
One of the biggest hassles
homeowners encounter in
their kitchens is a lack of storage
space. If making a meal
involves a Jenga-like stacking
and rearranging of kitchen
tools, or if an avalanche occurs
whenever you search for
an item, you might need more
storage. A carefully planned
redesign can achieve this,
even in a smaller kitchen.
Outdated appliances
Even if your appliances are
not avocado green or mustard
yellow relics of the 1970s, they
might still need to be replaced.
According to CRD Design, appliances
are only expected to
last around 10 to 15 years. If
appliances have become unsafe
or energy hogs, it could be
time for a remodel.
Family is expanding (or
shrinking)
Kitchens often are the heart
of a home. They need to meet
the needs of the family that resides
in that home. A remodel
can add space as needed. On
the fl ip side, when a couple becomes
empty nesters, kitchens
can be redesigned and
downsized to refl ect their new
needs and desires, such as the
addition of a wine chiller or
espresso station.
Poor lighting
Task lighting is essential
in a kitchen, but older
homes may not be equipped
with lighting where it’s most
needed. A carefully designed
remodel can improve lighting
with under-cabinet lights,
pendants, overhead lighting,
and even natural light to make
the space attractive and more
functional.
Frequent run-ins
The notion that you can
have too many cooks in the
kitchen refers to having too
many people trying to pitch in
or offer their opinions. However,
it also can apply to when
too many people are gathering
in a small space. Redesigning
a kitchen can improve the effi -
ciency of a space and make the
room feel larger.
Aesthetic appeal
Many kitchen remodels
have been inspired by unsightly
kitchens. Cosmetic
changes can lead to big improvements.
Kitchen renovations can
add instant appeal and help
address issues that tend to
plague outdated rooms
— Metro Creative Connection
These signs indicate it may be time to renovate a kitchen. Unsplash