Upgrading your outdated kitchen is a great idea for many homeowners and would-be sellers. A complete kitchen makeover not only adds a modern and aesthetic touch to your home, but also increases the value of the property when it comes time to sell.
Let’s take a look at the process of kitchen makeovers, when it makes sense to do one, and the steps for a successful renovation.
When To Do a Kitchen Makeover
Homeowners start a kitchen makeover for a variety of reasons, but here are the most common situations when you may want to consider it:
- Outdated or Worn-Out Appearance: After many years or even decades, kitchens start to look outdated with worn-out cabinets, countertops, and appliances. Your kitchen colors and style may have been “in” twenty years ago, but times have changed and it may be time for a makeover.
- Functionality Issues: Some kitchen layouts may not be conducive to your needs as a homeowner or growing family. You might start to lack adequate storage space or notice your once-pristine appliances turn into inefficient machines that run up your utility bill.
- Safety Concerns: Many older kitchens start to present safety issues for homeowners. Issues like outdated wiring, gas lines, and structural problems pose a safety threat that should be addressed before major issues arise.
- Before Selling: Like we mentioned, one of the biggest selling points for a home is the kitchen. It’s where homeowners spend most of their time cooking meals and enjoying quality time with their families. A complete kitchen makeover adds value to your home and allows you to command a higher sale price when you decide to sell.
Steps for a Complete Kitchen Makeover
Now that you know when it’s time for a kitchen makeover, let’s talk about the steps to get it started.
Set a Budget
Budgeting is a crucial part of a kitchen renovation for several reasons. First is the ability to not overspend and account for any unexpected costs that may arise. Homeowners looking to start a kitchen makeover must establish a budget that considers all expenses like materials, permits, and labor costs.
Also consider your goals for the renovation. Are you aiming for complete overhaul, or do you want to focus on specific aspects like cabinets and countertops?
Design Plan
Most homeowners renovating their kitchens work with a designer to create a detailed kitchen renovation plan. Work with the designer (or create the plan yourself) to determine the layout, color scheme, cabinetry, countertops, and lighting for your new kitchen.
It’s important to not only choose attractive colors and finishes, but to also consider the functionality and layout of the kitchen to suit your lifestyle and kitchen needs.
Assemble Your Team
After budgeting and creating a design plan, it’s time to get started! You’ll need to assemble a team of contractors to handle important tasks like plumbing, gas lines, electrical work, cabinet assembly, and countertop installation.
Lifestyle Changes
As your kitchen makeover is underway, you and your family may not be able to use some or all parts of your kitchen for several days or weeks. Make sure to plan for these lifestyle changes and how you’ll navigate them during the renovation.
The Bottom Line
For homeowners living in their homes for many years or decades, a kitchen makeover is all but inevitable. Colors and designs go out of style over the years, and a complete kitchen makeover can add new life to your home and increase its value before selling.
Are you looking for a real estate agent in Massapequa? The Kim Holland Homes team is the #1 real estate team on Long Island. Contact us or call Kim today at 516-236-6303 to start the process of finding your dream home.
