Undertaking a home renovation can be an excellent way to improve your property value and your overall quality of life. But choosing the right remodeling project may not be as simple as you’d think. If you have multiple rooms you’d like to improve upon or there isn’t a particularly glaring issue that’s causing frustration, you might not know where to start.
Kitchen and bathroom renovations are among the most popular choices for homeowners — and with good reason. We use these rooms throughout the day for a multitude of purposes. They address both our basic needs, as well as our desire to improve our appearance or socialize with others. For most Americans, the bathroom and the kitchen are two of the most utilized spots in the home.
But which space should you renovate? And if you eventually plan to remodel both, which should be first on your list? Every case will have slightly different circumstances at play, so there’s not an answer that will automatically apply to your situation. But if you keep the following factors in mind, you’ll be able to come to the right decision for your next remodeling project.
Choosing Between a Kitchen Remodel and a Bathroom Renovation? Be Sure to Consider…
- Budget and ROI: While cost might not be the only determining factor here, it’ll probably play at least a small role in deciding which renovation to pursue. For both kitchen and bathroom remodels, there’s a relatively wide range of potential costs. Minor remodels may cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,00, while room additions and major renovations might cost $50,000 or more. It really depends on the scope of the project you have in mind. Remember that if you need to relocate plumbing, your remodel will likely cost more. However, you’ll also want to keep ROI in mind when determining your renovation choice. A minor kitchen remodel has an average ROI of 82.7%, while bathroom additions offer an 86.4% ROI on average. If you’re planning to sell your home, the potential return on investment might sway you in one direction over the other. No matter what, you should determine what you can afford to spend first and make your decision based on that figure.
- Urgency: If you’re trying to choose between a kitchen and bathroom renovation, a sense of urgency might play an integral role in your decision. For example, a bathroom that’s too small for your family and is in need of extensive repairs may be a constant source of frustration, while the kitchen could have a better layout and updated cabinets. In this scenario, bathroom remodelers might be able to relieve some of that stress and restore much-needed harmony in your home. If one space is a source of conflict and another is simply a bit outdated, it’s wise to pursue the renovation that would quickly improve your quality of life. While an updated kitchen might be nice to have, it’s something that could conceivably wait in this situation. Families that are planning to stay put for a while should prioritize their most pressing needs first.
- Current Use: Along that same vein, the amount of time you spend in a given space might also help you make your renovation decision. If you aren’t much of a cook and order takeout several times a week, a kitchen renovation might make the room look better — but would it really improve your life that much? Conversely, someone who lives alone with no partner or dependents might not get as much out of a master bathroom addition. That said, if a lack of functionality in the kitchen or in the bathroom is negatively impacting how much time you’re able to spend there, you should consider which renovation would allow you to get more out of your house.
- Life Disruption: One point you might not have considered when selecting a renovation project is how much disruption it might cause in your everyday life, espeically if you need to replace a drain line. Certainly, either a bathroom or a kitchen remodel will make it harder to fulfill basic living activities. However, kitchen remodels are usually easier to deal with, as you’ll have alternatives to cooking available to you. If you have only one bathroom in your house, this type of remodel can make life a lot more difficult (or make it impossible for you to stay in your home during the renovation). That said, if you’re adding another bathroom or you have an extra full bath you can use, it might be worth pursuing. Think about what kind of conditions you’re willing to deal with — and how quickly the renovation will be completed — before you decide.
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