Renovation Warning Signs

​In the kitchen we cook, clean, eat, and socialize with friends and loved ones.  The kitchen is a focal point for many homes, so how do you know when you should renovate?  It would be impossible to change your kitchen based on the trends that change like socks – every six months a new floor, back-splash, or just not have access to it during the remodel.  Who has the time or money to do that? (If you do please share some tips!)
 
So how would you know when a good time to renovate is?  I have done some research and found 7 of the best reasons to renovate your kitchen:

1. There is a lack of space or surface
2. You hate your kitchen layout
3. Your Back hurts
4. Bad Lighting or high utilities
5. Worn out surfaces, yellowed finishes, peeling, etc..
6. Broken drawers or damaged appliances
7. Others on the block are renovating

​​Having no space is a serious inconvenience and can be very annoying when you’re trying to make food  in the kitchen for your children while they are having a full-blown melt down.  You many have had to store essential tools and ingredients in other rooms of the house and not being able to have all those items in the kitchen can lead to a lack of organization and a lot of frustration.   
 
You may be like me and not love cooking in general, but if you absolutely detest cooking in your kitchen the reason could be due to the layout of your kitchen. A lousy layout could make you feel cramped, draining, or could cause you to avoiding cooking.   
 
Kitchens in the past were not designed with ergonomics in mind, which means you back could be sore from having to bend over farther to reach the counter top, or from crawling around in cabinets to find important items. 
Did you know that the right lighting can change the whole space? If you are not quite ready to throw in the towel and get a whole new kitchen, try changing the light bulbs to a more white light, or a softer warmer light.
 
Is there cracked, peeling, or other damages to the floor, counter top, cupboards, are knobs or handle falling off,  are there chips in the wall? The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home meaning it receives the most wear and tear.  Old cabinets and counter tops often have a peeling delamination of the finishes from wear and tear, heat and steam, or even water damage – This are usually superficial and purely aesthetic, but if not looked after could lead to more impactful damage.
 
Are your drawers broken, or don’t open properly?  That is a perfect indication that your kitchen could use a face-lift.  
 
If you have noticed other homes on your block are being renovated, it could be time to start looking at new designs.  Due to the life cycles of homes there will always come a time when things become so outdated that renovating these important items will ensure the enjoyment and resale value of your home.
 
Old appliances in your kitchen are probably the biggest reason for a high utility bill.  Older appliances make more noise and work less efficiently than the newer energy saving appliances.  The dishwasher is so small, outdated, and only partly cleans the dishes - it could take a few cycles to come clean, or may be it is that electric stove top that cooks unevenly, or it could be from appliances leaking and causing moisture to leave it’s mark.  When was the last time you checked for mold? 

Kitchen renovations are an investment, and if the right steps are taken the money you save on utilities and spending more time in the kitchen then at restaurants is a fiscally smart long-term investment. 

If your kitchen has you checking off one or two of these points, come check us out at our downtown location in Lethbridge, and let us help you want to spend more time in your kitchen.  

​p.s. we really like cookies!