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Many of us dream about a new kitchen. We watch remodeling shows or read articles and see the gorgeous designer kitchens of the rich and famous. We imagine how pleasant it would be to have one of those magazine-worthy kitchens in our own home.
There’s no question that a kitchen remodel is a big project that will disturb your household routine for a while and cost several thousand dollars, but you can’t postpone it forever. Maybe what you need to get going is an understanding of how many benefits you’ll realize once it’s complete.
Get Rid of the Bad
Older kitchens often limp by for years with stuff that’s broken or worn out: cabinets and drawers that don’t open or close smoothly;; flooring that’s worn thin;; chipped, peeling paint;; windows that leak heat and let in the cold;; or semi-functional appliances that force you to do workarounds in your cooking, cleaning or food storage.
Out with the Old
Even if things still work okay, there’s a lot to be said for modernizing. That countertop pattern from the 1980s? The refrigerator with a non-frost-free freezer and no icemaker? The passé flooring and light fixtures? Yes, you could replace only the appliances with something sleek in stainless steel, but that would just emphasize how out-of-date everything else is.
Save Energy
A new kitchen can save energy, which will save you money on utility bills. New, larger windows or skylights that let in natural light and seal out drafts will reduce the need for artificial light and make the kitchen look so much better at the same time. A new Energy Star refrigerator or dishwasher will be much more efficient than any appliance that’s 10 years old. You might even qualify for financial incentives like rebates or tax breaks for installing energy-saving measures in your home.
How You Live
A kitchen can become obsolete because your lifestyle has changed. A few years ago, few families watched television during meals, and who would have thought that a computer would be important in the kitchen? Children might need a place to do homework, or you might want to add an eat-at counter to make breakfasts easier to serve. A breakfast nook might now suit your needs better than a formal dining room. You might even want to include a special place for your dog or cat to hang out while you cook.
Special Needs
Does someone in the household have special physical needs? These can be accommodated with lower countertops and cabinets, different cabinet pulls, wider lanes for wheelchair users, special sinks and faucets, and other adaptive technology.
Express Your Gourmet Side
Any craftsperson will tell you that skill is paramount, but having the right tools sure helps a lot. Every good chef needs a lot of counter space, quick access to tools and ingredients, an efficient layout, a big sink, and professional-quality appliances that often require more space than their consumer counterparts.
Increase Your Home’s Value
Two of the best hot-button ways to improve interest in a home that’s for sale is to be able to include “gourmet kitchen” or “recent kitchen remodel” in the listing. The condition and appearance of the kitchen is the single most important factor for many home buyers.
Change Because You Want It
Don’t minimize the importance of having the kitchen the way you want it just because. You’ll probably spend a lot of time there, so it should be visually pleasing, comfortable to work in, and pleasant for yourself and your visitors. A new kitchen environment could restore your interest in cooking and family meals.
Do two or more of these motivations apply to you? If so, you may be ready to move forward on a kitchen remodeling project. If you live in or near Moorsetown, NJ, contact R. Craig Lord Construction to discuss options for your new custom kitchen.
