Sure Signs You Need to Transform Your Kitchen
Sometimes the obvious is staring us right in the face yet because it’s been there for so long, we become blind to it. The kitchen is the single most used and abused room in the home. We cook, we clean, we even eat and sometimes hang out there when friends and family come over. Over time, this constant use takes it’s toll and our once prized kitchen starts to look shabby, scruffy and certainly not chic.
At first glance, you may not think its time to give your kitchen a well deserved makeover but if any of the following applies to your kitchen, then perhaps it might be about time you did. Here’s the five critical signs its time to make the changes.
Chipping Worktops
It’s very common, especially in older kitchens to have a composite laminate worktop. Being the most economical option, they have been a popular choice for years among homeowners but it’s common knowledge these surfaces do not last the test of time. Exposed edges, corners and joins will eventually start to chip and peel where items have rubbed past them or moisture has set in.
There’s nothing worse than seeing a large patch of laminate missing from a worktop just staring you in the face. It screams of a kitchen that is crying out to be rescued and upgraded.
Peeling Doors
Much like deteriorating worktops, cheaper composite doors also suffer from peeling and chipping. As they are essentially constructed in the exact same way, they suffer from the same problems however, seeing doors are constantly opened and closed, they take a great deal more abuse as they are banged shut at regular intervals.
Older kitchens did not have enhancements like soft closing mechanisms so a door being slammed shut is going to suffer from damage rapidly. Add to this dirt and grease from hands, moisture from cooking and kettles and its only a matter of time until your doors start to peel, chip or crack and they then start to look horrible. Time to change them no doubt!
Discolouration
Time is a great healer they say – not when it comes to kitchens!
Over the course of many years, UV rays, dirt, grime, grease, moisture and cleaning chemicals will take their toll on all of your kitchen surfaces including doors, handles, worktops and finishings. No matter how hard you try to clean, your kitchen never looks like it used to. That’s because the surfaces have discoloured over time and there’s frankly very little you can do about it.
Whites that were once bright are now a shade of pale yellow, sealants that used to look clean and pristine have started to peel away and crack. Door handles that once gleamed just seem to have lost their sheen. And your appliances are outdated and and harking back to a bygone era.
Only a complete kitchen transformation will do.
Loose Hardware
Over the course of time, constant use of doors handles will cause them to loosen and if left neglected, this will start to damage the backs of the doors, making them hard to tighten. The longer you leave it, the more damage will occur to the backs of the doors.
If the doors are made from MDF or chipboard, they will deteriorate as the wriggling of the bolts will start to cut into the drill holes. Factor in moisture and time into the equation and eventually, the doors will be damaged beyond repair. Any attempts to tighten the doors screws will be a futile process as they will eventually loosen again very soon and you’ll be back to square one. The only solution is to replace the doors and most likely, the handles too.
Entertaining Friends is Awkward
If you like to entertain often, you’ll know that the kitchen seems to possess magnetic powers when it comes to gatherings. No matter how hard you try to get everyone into a comfortable lounge or around the dining table, eventually there will be a group that will end up congregating in the kitchen for a chat or gossip. It’s inevitable.
The kitchen naturally creates a less formal environment where people can stand and chit chat in a more relaxing space and the kitchen is ideal for this. If your kitchen looks old, tired and is generally an unpleasant place to be, this could be a real party pooper.
No one wants their friends and loved ones to see a dirty, grimy old kitchen. If this sounds like yours, even a thorough clean up might not be enough to rescue the situation and a kitchen facelift might be in order.
So why wait any longer when the obvious is staring you right in the face? It’s time to speak to a kitchen installation expert about giving your home the transformation it deserves.