Kitchen upgrades: Stewing over whether to renovate?

There are some signals that some kitchen renovations might be needed, from peeling paint to shabby flooring.

Many homeowners see their kitchens as their pride and joy – a space that represents cooking, entertaining and family time. For others, the kitchen can be a source of gripes, particularly if it's in poor condition or the appliances are out of date.

Kitchen upgrades: Stewing over whether to renovate?
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There are some signals that some kitchen renovations might be needed, from peeling paint to shabby flooring. If any of them apply to your property, it might be time to pick up some paint, some rollers and work on turning your kitchen into a space that you enjoy using.

What are your sore points?

There's no point launching into a full-scale kitchen renovation that takes months if the space could benefit from a simple coat of paint.

Likewise, if you're prepared to invest and you know that new flooring, countertop surfaces and appliances are a must, you may as well go all-in. If a renovation is going to involve building professionals, you may as well make all possible changes while your space is out of use and make the most of the time!

Establish whether you need to make superficial renovations that could be completed in a day – or weekend – or whether you need to undergo a more significant re-modelling job, such as replacing flooring, adding cabinetry and even knocking down walls.

Big or small?

It's not uncommon to spend several thousand dollars renovating a kitchen, or even well over $10,000 or $15,000.

Larger projects will obviously cost more, so consider planning ahead by putting some money aside each week into a dedicated account until you've got adequate funds to take your kitchen from grim to glorious.

That's not to say that you can't make visually stunning improvements on a small budget. For instance, if your whiteware and bench space is up to standard, there's no reason to replace it all just for the sake of it. However, if your kitchen's original wallpaper is peeling faster than a monkey with a banana, it might be worth stripping it.

Stripping wallpaper yourself requires a bit of persistence and muscle, but it's largely an inexpensive process. Following this, you can add a few coats of paint – think a contemporary hue like Resene Tea, which is a soothing river-boulder beige.

Sometimes, all it takes is a new colour scheme. In other cases, the actual structure of your kitchen will need a rethink. If the latter applies, you'll likely need to hire the services of professionals, such as electricians and plumbers.

What design aesthetic suits?

Some kitchens look stunning with Scandinavian white throughout, from the bench space and kitchen island to the flooring and overhead storage.

A shade like Resene Half White Pointer on the walls and Resene Colorwood Whitewash on the floor will open up even the smallest of spaces and add a modern, fresh feel.

Perhaps you're drawn towards different colours and textures. If so, a neutral beige or cream on the walls complements a mottled stone countertop and concrete floors.

Consider how the fixtures and appliances blend into the space, too. For instance, if you store the kettle and toaster on the bench, brushed stainless steel models add a chic look. Conversely, if you prefer to keep your bench space spare, the design of these products may be less important.

Give some thought to your fridge, dishwasher and oven, too. Given how precious space is, you might consider a narrower fridge model than what you're accustomed to or a slide-out dish drawer to maximise space.

While a careful consideration of wall colour and countertop style is important, don't forget to think about the space itself. For many homeowners, the biggest problem with their kitchen is the difficulty to navigate it. Have plenty of storage located near food preparation areas, while keeping an open-plan vibe to maximise the impression of space in the area.

Colours and products mentioned in this article...

Testpot colours and products marked as "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, they can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.

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Resene Half White Pointer