5 Signs It’s Time for a Kitchen Upgrade

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. Today’s homeowners see their kitchens not just as the place where they come to prepare meals and enjoy them together but often as the epicenter of their family members’ daily lives and interactions with one another.

No surprise, then, that many of today’s home buyers inspect the kitchen of a home they are thinking about purchasing more critically than any other room in the house. For that reason, experts advise home sellers to zero in on this hottest room of their house to appeal to potential buyers.

But how can you tell if your home’s kitchen is putting its best foot forward on the market? Here are 5 signs that it’s time to upgrade your home’s kitchen:

1. The Appliances

If the main appliances in your kitchen—the refrigerator, oven, stove and dishwasher are outdated, they are likely not only spoiling the appearance and functionality of your kitchen but also its energy efficiency. Mismatched appliances—either in appearance or vintage—might also be telling you that it’s time to get them on the same page.

2. Lack Of Counter Or Storage Space

If your countertops are cluttered with small appliances, utensils or cookware, it’s a sure sign your kitchen is lacking not just ample counter space but sufficient storage space as well. In a perfect world (or at least kitchen), everything would have its own place, and the counters would be clear for prep work, cooking and serving.

3. Its Cleanliness

If you can’t seem to get your kitchen looking clean no matter how hard you scour, scrub, mop and polish, it’s a good indication that it’s time to make a change. Soiled grout, stained countertops and scratched or cracked cabinetry or flooring are sure to be a turnoff to potential buyers.

4. Its Practicality

If you find yourself filled with dread when it comes time to prepare a meal, it’s a sure sign your kitchen needs help. Whether a bad layout, poorly-functioning appliances or total lack of organization are to blame for keeping you out of the kitchen, when you get to the point that you are avoiding the room altogether, it’s time for a change.

5. Its Time On The Market

If you are in the process of trying to sell your home and you’re not fielding as many solid offers as you would have hoped, your outdated kitchen could be to blame. Knowing that the same things that bother you about your own kitchen are likely to be sticking points to home shoppers as well, it could be worth the investment to address them.

Know When Your Kitchen Merits The Investment

Since today’s home buyers so often prioritize the kitchen when they are deciding whether a home is right for them, it’s important to see the signs that yours isn’t making the grade. You may find it is well worth the investment of time and money to upgrade your kitchen to help get your home sold for top dollar more quickly.