Kitchen upgrades are among the most common home improvements people undertake for a wide variety of reasons. As high-traffic and intensely used areas, kitchens tend to be subjected to a lot of wear and tear over time, so sooner or later, you’ll have to repair certain parts or purchase new appliances and equipment to keep your kitchen in top-notch condition. Or, maybe you just moved into a new house and realised that the existing kitchen doesn’t suit your needs or your design vision. It may also be that your kitchen still functions perfectly, but you simply grew tired of its outdated look, and you feel the need to modernize it a bit.
Whatever the reason might be, kitchen improvements will eventually make an appearance on your to-do list. And when the time comes to upgrade your kitchen, you’ll have one big decision to make: to renovate or to revamp. These are two different approaches that will influence not only the process but also the final result, so you’ll need to figure out which option is best suited for you.
Renovating your kitchen – the pros and the cons
Kitchen renovations vary from case to case, depending on the reasons you’re undertaking the project, the elements you’re targeting, or the outcome you’re aiming for. But regardless of specificities, the process typically involves removing outdated or malfunctioning appliances, fixtures and décor elements and replacing them with new ones in order to create a space that fits your current requirements, both in terms of performance and looks.
Many homeowners choose to get rid of all the stuff they have in their kitchen and start from scratch with a blank canvas. This allows them to bring in all-new kitchen units, equipment and design features so they can build a space that is truly unique and personal.
The pros
Although starting a kitchen renovation project may seem daunting, there are numerous benefits to choosing this approach.
For starters, renovating a kitchen gives you the opportunity to increase the level of comfort and functionality of the space. You get to remove every unit and piece that you’re not happy with and replace these with items that can make your kitchen far easier and more pleasant to use.
When you decide to renovate your kitchen, you get to take advantage of the latest technologies and materials available, not only for comfort purposes but also as a way to improve energy efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint. LED lighting fixtures, energy-saving appliances, or smart home automation systems and devices are just some of the tools and technologies that can make your kitchen work like a dream and significantly reduce your monthly bills.
Then, there’s also the possibility of increasing your home’s value. If you’re planning to sell your house in the near future, investing in a brand-new kitchen that’s both visually appealing and highly functional can make your property much more attractive to potential buyers and increase the selling point.
The cons
Unfortunately, kitchen renovation projects also come with a series of drawbacks that you need to be aware of before making a final decision.
The first and most notable disadvantage of taking on a full kitchen renovation is represented by the cost it involves. As you can imagine, making all the above-mentioned changes doesn’t usually come cheap, so you need to make sure you have a healthy budget before you break ground.
And if the high costs are not a problem, not being able to use your kitchen for a while might be. Kitchen renovations can take weeks or even months to complete, depending on the scale of the job, so you’ll need to figure out how you’re going to manage during this time.
Finally, kitchen renovations are not the kind of projects you can handle on your own, as skilled as you may be. Therefore, you’ll need to hire a team of professionals to get the job done, which further enhances the complexity of the process. You may be able to relax and have someone else do all the tasks for you, but you’ll also have to find skilled contractors and deal with higher overall costs as a result.
The case for (and against) kitchen revamping
It’s understandable that not everyone is ready to take on a complete kitchen renovation project. That’s where revamping comes in as the most suitable alternative. This implies making just a few tweaks and upgrades wherever you feel necessary, so you can give your space an instant refresh. But, similar to the previous option, kitchen revamps also have their pros and their cons.
Let’s start with the advantages first and see why revamping your kitchen might be a good idea. Firstly, this approach works best if you already have a functional kitchen and all you want to do is give it a quick and mostly effortless facelift. Small changes such as replacing the hardware, the benchtops or repainting your cabinets can make a huge difference to the look and feel of your space.
Another huge advantage is that you won’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of a full renovation. You’ll still be able to use your kitchen all throughout the process with only minor inconveniences.
Last but not least, you won’t have to dig too deep in your pocket to make your kitchen look amazing. Compared to renovation projects, kitchen revamps are a lot cheaper, so you’ll be able to save money and maybe use them to improve other parts of your home.
On the other hand, revamping your kitchen does limit you when it comes to improvements. You’ll have to decide on just a few specific changes and stick to them as you won’t have the possibility to replace every unit and appliance. This might not be the best option if most of your equipment is worn out or in need of repairs. Apart from this, as pretty as your kitchen may look once you finish the projects, it’s highly unlikely it will make a big difference to the property value of your home.
So, which one should you go for: revamping or renovating? The answer to this question obviously depends on your specific circumstances, so make sure you take all the key elements into consideration if you want to make a smart decision.
