On average, Americans spend over 400 hours a year in the kitchen. Many consider this room the heart of the house, and it’s easy to see why. Not only do we prepare food here, but we also gather around with our loved ones to cook and eat together.
Because it’s such a vital part of our homes, your kitchen needs to be perfect. Otherwise, every moment you spend in there can be uncomfortable or not convenient.
Thankfully, there are many kitchen upgrades you can do. And the bonus is, most (will have a fantastic return on investment (ROI)!
Below are six kitchen updates you should consider this year.
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1. New Countertops
Your countertops make up a good part of your kitchen, so if they’re worn out and/or outdated, it can drastically affect the aesthetics.
Typically, traditional kitchens use quartz and granite, which are both beautiful materials. But if you want to think outside of the box, that’s currently in style!
Homeowners are going for industrial-chic looks, so think of materials like wood, concrete, and stainless steel. These will give your kitchen an instant makeover and create a modern appearance that’s great for Millennial and Gen Z home buyers (if you’re selling soon).
2. Kitchen Island
A kitchen island will add to the value of your home, so it’s a wise investment. Plus, it’ll give you more counter and storage space, and a place to gather around when your friends and family are over.
If you’re worried about quick trends and fads, then you can have peace of mind here. Kitchen islands have always been in style and won’t fall out of favor anytime soon.
The one caveat is that this kitchen update will cost some time and money, although it’ll be a worthwhile investment. Don’t take the shortcut of getting prefabricated kitchen islands, as they won’t add any value to your property. In addition, they might not match your current aesthetic.
3. New Cabinets
Your kitchen cabinets have served an excellent purpose throughout the years. They’ve faithfully stored your plates and cups, and even taken a few slammings when you’re mad at your spouse or your teens were careless. That, plus the years of cooking, may have your cabinets looking a bit worse for wear.
The best thing to do is to completely replace them with something new and more durable.
If you can’t afford to replace your cabinets, or you think they still have years of life left in them, then another route to take is to give them a fresh coat of paint. Try experimenting with a different color if you’re feeling brave, especially if you’ve renovated the rest of your kitchen and you need the cabinets to match.
One other option is to update the hardware. The cost will depend on the materials you select and how many pieces you’re replacing, but it’ll probably only be a couple of hundred dollars.
Something in between is to reface your cabinets. This combines a bunch of tiny jobs so you don’t have to get new cabinets. There are plenty of cabinet refacing ideas too, so there’s something for every homeowner.
4. A Multipurpose Work Area
As we’ve mentioned before, people spend a lot of time in their kitchens. And this area doesn’t just serve dining purposes either. How often have you done your nails while talking with your spouse, and how often have your kids spread out their homework on the countertop so they can get help while you cook?
Adding a multipurpose work area to your kitchen can be a wonderful idea, especially if you’re still working from home after the pandemic and you’re short on space. Even though the countertop works, it’s not very ergonomic.
Plus, a multipurpose work area separates the food prep area from the work one. Not only does this prevent the spread of bacteria, but it also keeps your electronics from getting wet and dirty.
5. New Appliances
You’re probably guilty of having a fridge or microwave that’s been there since the ’80s. Don’t fix what ain’t broke though, right?
Well, older appliances aren’t energy efficient, so you might be paying more in utilities than you need to. Also, they might not function as well as they used to, so you’re not prepping and cooking as efficiently as you could.
More importantly, they’re most likely out of place with your kitchen renovation. It simply doesn’t make sense to keep a decades-old refrigerator when you’ve got new countertops and cabinets.
Replacing your appliances can cost a pretty penny, but they’ll pay for themselves in no time. They’ll be more energy efficient, and their smart capabilities will make life so much easier!
6. A Nook
This won’t work in every house, but if you’ve got the space for it, we say go for it. A nook is an especially useful upgrade if you’ve got unused areas in your kitchen.
You can turn this space into a dining area, lounge, or the multipurpose work area we mentioned earlier. Whatever you choose, it’ll help you utilize your square footage.
Get These Kitchen Upgrades for Your Home
If you’ve been wanting a new kitchen but don’t want to move, then the next choice is to change things up. We’ve listed some of the best kitchen upgrades you can do, so pick the ones you love most and get to work.
Although a kitchen remodel can be tough work, it’ll all be worth it when you have a space you feel completely comfortable and in love with. And the best thing is, it’ll add value to your property too, so if you decide to sell, you’ll fetch a more handsome price for it!
Want to learn more about home updates? Then check out the rest of our blog.