It’s exciting to be able to renovate your kitchen or renovate any part of your home. Not only does it feel like you finally have the money to do something great, but it feels like you can make some changes and add some value to your house, especially if you’re looking to sell it.

If you’re not looking to sell but you’re just tired of cooking in an outdated kitchen so it’s time to renovate. Dreaming up a space that is not just functional but beautiful is something that you’re doing everyday anyway, so you may as well make it your reality. There are plenty of upgrades that you can start off with in your kitchen so that you can have a space that really works for you. Let’s take a look at some kitchen upgrades you’ll absolutely love.

• Start with the countertops. Switching out your current countertops for quartz worktops is just one of the ways that you can upgrade your kitchen. Installing new countertops can completely change the feel of the space and when you select them, consider the aesthetics and the functionality of the material. Granite, for example, is highly durable and can withstand high heat. Quartz gives you that non porous service that resists any stains. Marble has that elegant veining adding a touch of luxury, but requires a little more maintenance to keep it looking great. Before you make any decisions, think about your cooking habits and what you need for your kitchen.
• Be smart with your appliances. If smart technology is revolutionising other areas of life, then it absolutely will revolutionize your kitchen too. The way we cook and the way we entertain in our kitchens is changing, so one of the biggest advantages of smart appliances is the convenience that they bring to your space.Imagine preheating your oven from your phone while you’re in the grocery store, or thinking about a smart watch being loaded up to when your roast is perfectly cooked. Smart refrigerators can even track your grocery inventory. Make sure that you add these into your budget.
• Upgrade your lighting. You don’t just need overhead lighting in your kitchen, but you need task lighting. It’s essential when it comes to food preparation, and task lighting provides focused light exactly where you need it the most. Under cabinet lighting, for example, is a popular option for task lighting because it illuminates the countertops and makes chopping easier. LED strip lights or puck lights are ideal choices in pantries due to their energy efficiency as well as their sleek design.
• Upgrade the layout. Sometimes the upgrade that you need is a functional layout and a well designed kitchen layout can make a big difference when it comes to efficient cooking. You want to establish a flow to minimize unnecessary movement. The work triangle concept is a good starting point where the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator are positioned in a way where you can streamline your cooking experience.
• Take a look at your cabinetry. If your cabinets are showing signs of wear and tear, consider upgrading them with new doors or hardware. A simple switch of the hardware on the cabinets is an instant facelift, but the actual cabinets themselves may be tired or they may not be set in a way that you like. Not every renovation that you make to your kitchen has to be one that changes the functionality entirely. Sometimes you just want to upgrade the colour scheme and you can upgrade your cabinets in an instant.
• Upgrade your range. It may be tempting to overlook the range hood, but if you’re looking to renovate the kitchen, then you need to invest in something that’s great quality and the range hood can make a big difference in your kitchen overall. You’ll efficiently remove smoke, steam, and any cooking smells from your kitchen, so you can make sure that your kitchen doesn’t just look good, but smells good too.

• Add some more storage. When it comes to storage solutions, the key is to maximize space as efficiently as possible. You have to do this while keeping everything accessible, and one of the most effective ways to achieve this is by keeping pull out shelves in your cabinets and using Lazy Susans to help you to find your things. If you have the ability to have one pantry cupboard in your kitchen that is a walk in pantry then that’s a luxury upgrade you need.
• Change out the flooring. When you’re choosing new flooring for your kitchen, you need to look at durability and style, but you should also be looking at how easy it is to maintain. Hardwood flooring is a very popular choice because it’s got timeless appeal and warmth. Hardwood can be more susceptible to moisture, but proper sealing and maintenance can protect it from spills and stains. This makes it a long lasting option.
• Add a pot filler faucet. If you have a deep enough sink, which you should do after your renovation, adding a pot filler faucet to your sink is going to be one of the best upgrades you do. You can even make it so that this particular pot filler faucet also releases instantly hot water. It’s one of those luxury upgrades you don’t think you can afford until you realise you can. Installation of a pot filler faucet requires some plumbing work, so this is not something you should do yourself.
• Add some personal touches. Lastly, kitchen upgrades that you’ll love should include personal touches that make the space really yours. Think open shelves with your favorite cookbooks or decorative bowls that you’ve collected over the years.Consider hanging some artwork or prints that resonate with your style, whether it’s a vibrant painting or a photograph to bring back some memories.

The upgrades that you give to your kitchen are going to be transformative, so make sure that you’ve planned your space effectively and it all fits into your budget.