Older homes have many advantages over new builds. They are in established neighborhoods, they have mature trees, and they tend to have more personality than the average new model. However, older homes often come with older kitchens. The kitchen is where everyone gathers. It is the center and hearth of the home. Your kitchen should be an attractive and practical place that people love to be. If your recently purchased house sports an outdated kitchen, that is one area you might want to consider upgrading before you move in. Here are some areas to take into consideration.

Replace Your Floors

Chances are high that the old floors in your kitchen are showing signs of wear and tear. Whether the floor is terribly outdated linoleum, or the tiles and grout are cracking, it is a good idea to change out the flooring for something modern and functional. There are many trendy options to consider for your kitchen floor. Maybe you want the durable and modern-industrial look of concrete. You might decide to try eco-friendly bamboo. Wood-effect laminates look beautiful and are less prone to water damage than real wood floors. However, people still love the timelessness and versatility of hardwood floors. For functionality and unlimited options, you can always choose an updated tile. Whatever you go with, laying the floor before furniture arrives will save you some heavy lifting!

Upgrade Your Appliances

Much has changed in the efficiency and design of appliances, and nothing dates a house quite like old kitchen appliances. Most likely, the older models that came with your home are nearing the end of their life anyway, so it makes sense to go ahead and upgrade with new, matching, smart-tech appliances. Ideally, you will do this before the installation of your new floor in order to avoid damage to it. New appliances are far more energy efficient than old ones and will likely save you money over time. They also perform many more desirable functions than their dated counterparts.

Granite Countertops

Countertop materials have evolved through the centuries, and the most common ones that show up in older homes are metal and laminate. Both of these materials tend to sport wild colors and patterns that will likely not suit your contemporary tastes. These materials are also more damage-prone. Stains, cuts, cracks, and burn marks are some of the more common permanent markings that may grace your old countertops. Many people prefer installing granite countertops . Granite is extremely durable, easy to clean, and can be found in a variety of colors. Generally, however, simpler color patterns are more trendy than bright and heavily contrasted ones.

New Cabinets

Older houses were simply not designed with storage in mind. These homes generally have fewer cabinets than modern ones, and the cabinets they do have are often narrower, misaligned, and showing significant wear and tear. You will take years off the look of your house by installing new cabinets. You can also include additional storage space into the design of your cabinetry. You will be surprised how much more storage you can create, even in the same amount of space. There are many attractive options at most home improvement stores, or you can hire a professional carpenter to create custom cabinetry that will suit your desires and needs perfectly. Either way, consider functionality in your design. For example, roll out shelves minimize frustration when you need to grab ingredients from your cabinets.

Replace Lighting and Plumbing Fixtures

Lighting and plumbing fixtures are inexpensive and easy to replace, and yet these features can either make or break the entire look of a space. If your kitchen has dated fixtures, the entire kitchen will look dated. But modern fixtures can make an old-fashioned kitchen look intentional and rustic. Change out the water faucets and handles plus any built-in towel holders. And for the most impact, update your lighting to make a huge difference fast. Installing track lighting is a popular option .

The Kitchen Sink

As the saying goes, you may feel that you are replacing everything but the kitchen sink! However, your sink really might need to be replaced too. Older sinks are often too small, constructed of chipped or cracked porcelain, and often don’t include a garbage disposal. Furthermore, some older sinks come in the craziest of colors. Garish colors do nothing to contribute to a feeling of peace, love, and harmony at home. Additionally, you don’t want to complicate your life trying to wrangle large amounts of dishes in a tiny sink! Consider installing a deeper stainless-steel sink, complete with garbage disposal.

Consider the Walls

The color of the walls sets the tone for the entire kitchen, and splashing on a fresh coat of paint is cheap and easy to do. Use online guides to choose modern colors that will flatter the rest of your kitchen. Consider the mood you want to inspire. Interior design, including colors, textures, and patterns, has been shown to impact the entire feel of the house. As soon as you are finished painting, it is time to think about some embellishment by adding a backsplash. With just a few essential tools and a little hard work, you can create a one-of-a-kind backsplash with fun tile patterns.

Fun and Practical Amenities

Now that you get to start from scratch with a new kitchen, it might be fun to add the amenities you have always coveted! You might want a built-in wine cooler or espresso machine. Maybe you have always dreamed of your own composting unit or kitchen-garden. You could install a trash compactor or an in-cupboard disposal system. Pebble ice makers are all the rage. Whatever you fancy, it could be time to splurge on a few amenities that will draw more people to the heart of your home.

You just bought your dream home, now create your dream kitchen. It is so much easier to complete upgrades to your home before you move in. Within a few weeks, a fresh and inviting space will be ready and waiting for you to arrive!

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