A New Kitchen or A New Bathroom
Which is a Better Investment?
When it comes to making improvements around the home, is it better to remodel the kitchen or the bathroom? There are a few factors that may influence your decision. The price of the project, the condition of the existing space, who will see either space the most, and the amount of entertaining you do are just a few things to consider. Although we are biased towards kitchens and bathrooms, we can honestly say, and most would agree, that those are the two most important rooms in the house.
Reasons to Consider Remodeling Your Bathroom Instead
If your bathroom is not currently functioning, there is no doubt that starting with your bathroom is the right choice. If you have found a leak and can no longer use the tub, shower, toilet or sink, those issues should be addressed before anything else is considered. Even small leaks can lead to large issues and should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid damage to your structure or mold from developing. Damage from a leak can lead to the increased expense of replacing subfloor, floor joists, wall studs, and wall coverings. Although some issues can be addressed without a complete remodel, if you are on the fence about whether to remodel the bathroom or the kitchen, it may be a good time to go ahead and start with the bathroom.
Remember, your kitchen and bathroom are where you start your day set the mood for the rest of the day. Sometimes you just hate your bathroom so much and just dislike your kitchen. All other things being equal, this may be a reason to start by remodeling your bathroom. Then when things are wrapped up with the bathroom remodel and you are otherwise ready, you can move on to the kitchen.
If your family situation changes and you find yourself needing an additional tub instead of a shower or a walk-in shower instead of a tub (none of us are getting younger after all), you may need to start with the bathroom before tackling the kitchen. If you will have young ones and you don't have a tub, you may need to add one and might as well incorporate it into a bathroom remodel. If you or someone else in the home has or will have mobility issues, you may need to ditch the tub for a walk-in shower and this may play into your decision as well.
Reasons to Remodel Your Kitchen Instead
If your bathrooms are functional and you are finding it difficult to cook dinner in your existing kitchen, you should probably start with the kitchen. Even if you don't cook much, it is always good to be prepared and proper placement of cabinets, organizational options, and counter space is essential. No one wants to navigate a kitchen that is not properly layed out when the heat is on.
If you entertain and you always end up crammed into the kitchen, maybe start with the kitchen. There is a reason people started moving to open concept kitchens. These days, people tend to end up in the kitchen and that is where we have so many wonderful conversations and create so many memories. Even if you would prefer that people stay out of your kitchen when you are cooking, the layout of your kitchen is important. For example, people will tend to stay out of your way if you place the items they go into the kitchen to find where they can get to them more easily. Refrigerator, microwaves, pantries, and trash cans are usually what brings people into your work area and redesigning your kitchen may reduce the amount of traffic in those areas.
And, of course, all other things equal, if you hate your kitchen and are okay with your bathrooms, start with the kitchen and then move onto the bathrooms when you are ready. And remember, you can change most other rooms in the house by simply painting or replacing the flooring. Some may disagree with that statement, but few will disagree that the kitchen and bathrooms are the most important rooms in your home. That is why our company name is By Design Kitchen and Bath Solutions, Inc. and why we only do kitchen and bath.
Javier @ By Design Kitchen and Bath Solutions, Inc.
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