5 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Kitchen

Published:
November 8, 2019
Last updated:
November 11, 2021
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Out of all the spaces in a home, the kitchen is probably the most important. It serves as the hub of the home and is not just a room where meals are prepared and eaten, it’s also where family and friends come to gather.

The kitchen is a huge selling point of a home and adds tremendous value to the property. If it’s in great shape and is up-to-date with modern finishes and materials, a kitchen can be key to property value. But the opposite is also true: a kitchen that is outdated and showing major signs of wear and tear can pull the value of the home down.

Like any other room or components of a home, the kitchen needs to be tended to and updated from time to time. Styles change, and over time, materials can weaken and need a little TLC. This is the case in all areas of a home, including the kitchen.

Whether you’re selling your Washington home sometime soon or are just looking to improve the esthetics of your home for your own desires, updating your kitchen can be a great way to give your house an overhaul.

So, how can you tell that your kitchen needs an upgrade?

Here are 5 signs to look for:

  1. Wear and tear
  2. Counter Space is Lacking
  3. Storage is an Issue
  4. The Appliances Are Outdated
  5. It Turns Your Off, as well as Buyers

#1. Wear and Tear

Obviously, any signs of wear and tear on a kitchen – or another space for that matter – is a sign that the room may need to be upgraded. Nothing lasts forever, and sometimes things need to be repaired or even completely replaced.

And not only does wear and tear compromise the look of your kitchen and the components within it, but it also impedes the functionality of your kitchen. Wear and tear can show itself in many different ways, such as peeling counters, chipped tiles on the floors, or cabinet doors that are coming off the hinges. Whatever the case may be, updating and repairing various components of your kitchen may be warranted.

The update can be something as simple as replacing the countertops or refacing the cabinet doors, or it can be something more involved like completely ripping out the cabinets and counters and configuring the entire layout. How far and in-depth you go with your kitchen makeover in your Oregon home will be largely dictated by how much wear and tear the kitchen has experienced.

#2. Counter Space is Lacking

Are you finding that your counters are constantly cluttered with small appliances, utensils, dishes, and anything else that you need the counters to store? If so, it might be time to make some changes to add more counter space to your kitchen to accommodate more items. Or, you may simply want to see more empty space for a more modern, minimalist, simplified look to your kitchen.

If the space permits, you may be able to add a center island to your kitchen. This will add plenty of extra counter space that you can use for whatever you need, including adding more space for dining. You could use this extra component to add another sink or to house your dishwasher, or add even more cabinet and storage space.

If that doesn’t work, you may want to consider reconfiguring the layout of the kitchen to allow for more countertop space. Again, how in-depth you go with the changes to your kitchen will depend on a number of factors, including your needs, the condition of the kitchen, and your budget.

#3. Storage is an Issue

If you’re finding that your cabinets and drawers are overflowing with pots, pans, dishes, linens, utensils, and anything else that your kitchen needs to house, the storage may be a big factor that needs to be updated. In many cases, you might not even be able to find what you’re looking for, which can be a real issue when you’re trying to prepare meals in a timely fashion.

This can make mealtime stressful, which is the last thing you want. Instead, what you want is a seamless process to prepare meals, which can be improved by adding more storage space.

You can do this in any number of ways, including:

  • Add wall-mounted storage shelving on the backsplash, or other parts of open spaces on the wall
  • Mount items under the cabinets, such as paper towel holders or wine racks
  • Add decorative boxes or baskets above your cabinets if there’s room
  • Hang a pot rack above the island
  • Add additional cabinets, a kitchen island, or extra pieces that provide for more storage

Of course, there’s always the option to rip everything out and start from scratch. This is often the best idea if your current kitchen is very outdated and storage space is extremely limited.

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#4. The Appliances Are Outdated

You want your kitchen to not only be visually attractive but functional, too. And your kitchen appliances play a key role in the functionality of this space.

Maybe the appliances that are already in your kitchen are the original ones that came with the Colorado home when you bought it. Or maybe you bought them years ago when you first purchased the place. Whatever the case may be, it might be time to replace them if they’re not only unattractive but also giving you problems.

If you’re finding yourself having to call for repairs more often than you’d care to, it may be time to get yourself a new set of appliances. Today’s models are not just more aesthetically appealing, but they’re a lot more energy-efficient and convenient to use, too.

#5. It Turns You Off, as Well as Buyers

At the end of the day, if the look of your kitchen turns you off, it may be time for an overhaul. Space may be functional and may serve all your needs, but if you find it ugly, then maybe a few tweaks should be made.

What’s even more telling is if you’re finding it tough to sell your Washington home (if you’re selling) because the kitchen is an eyesore. If buyers are not impressed with the kitchen, it could deter them from putting in an offer. What ends up happening is that your home will sit on the market for longer than necessary before you can get a sale.

If that’s the case, it may be worth the investment to improve the looks of your kitchen. I could even help increase the perceived value of your home and help it sell for money.

Need Help Getting a Mortgage in WA, OR, ID, or CO?

If you’re a buyer who’s ready to find a new home in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, or Colorado, Sammamish Mortgage can help. We’re a local, family-owned mortgage firm based in the Washington area and serve the entire state, in addition to the broader Pacific Northwest region including Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho. We offer a wide variety of mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria. Please contact us if you have mortgage-related questions.

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