Which Should You Renovate First? Kitchen or Bathroom?
Many homeowners have renovations nestled amongst their future plans. The two focal areas, which can really make a house feel more like a dream home, are the kitchen and the bathroom. When executed intelligently, they can completely change the feel of a home, and the way you interact with it. Expert renovations can have significant ripple effects on improving your general quality of life. But which one should you tackle first? The kitchen or bathroom? There are many factors to consider before you renovate your home, so here are some major hurdles to help you get down to business.
Honest Standings
The very first thing to do when considering a renovation is to manage your expectations. Whether your budget extends to a relative pittance or an almost endless stream, there are plenty of intelligent and dramatic changes you can make. If you want to get the most out of your investment, being honest and aware of your financial limitations can help you make smarter choices. If you’re working with a smaller budget, focus on simple things you can do or change, like storage solutions, paint or fittings which can make an enormous visual and functional difference.
The ‘Real’ Family Room
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home. People tend to gravitate to it, whether cooking a 5-course meal for the family or simply sharing leftover pizza from the fridge. But if you’re not fond of cooking, nor family-oriented, it may be on the bottom of your priority list. Regardless, it’s always vital to think about things in the long term, whether you’re staying put or moving on. Whether you’ll be using it or not — newly renovated kitchens are highly sought after if you are thinking of selling in the future. They also have a direct correlation with people forming overall healthier lifestyles, which is always a promising perk.
A Home Spa Retreat
Your master bath can be a luxurious place to relax, get ready, and just exist. Plus, generally speaking, they cost less to renovate than a kitchen does. Having a place to escape to for some alone time can be immensely valuable for your mental health. If you renovate your bathroom can also help make it a safer space for young children or those with accessibility issues. Alongside the spa-like additions of sconces and spa baths, wider doors and non-slip flooring can easily be incorporated for better peace of mind.
Conflicting Designs
A bathroom can stand alone aesthetically, and often have a more unique visual theme from the rest of the house. In contrast, when you are renovating your kitchen, one generally has to keep it visually thematic with the rest of the house. This can have a domino effect when renovating the kitchen, where if you change one thing – you suddenly need to change the rest of the fittings and fixtures in the house to match. Likewise, if anything else in the house requires some sprucing, it starts to stick out like a sore thumb.
Hidden Priorities
Regardless of which room you start with, another problem many home renovators face when calculating costs is weighing up the price of products versus installation. Although it seems like an almost invisible factor, installation is not somewhere you want to skimp. Investing in good appliances is also worth considering. Although they may cost more upfront, picking the most energy-efficient items you can afford will save you a pretty penny in the long term.
Final Decisions
When it comes to both the kitchen and bathroom, trends come and go, but functionality will always be relevant. Ultimately, which room you begin with all depends on your priorities. If you ensure you’re working with honest and clear expectations, you will no doubt come through the other side with a happier home.