A 2022 One Poll study found that Americans spend over 400 hours in the kitchen every year. With that much time spent in one place, many homeowners have decided to take home designs into their own hands. Because of these changes, refurbishing or redesigning kitchens in the Greater Austin area has become a big business.
Before you join the hype, you should consider your current relationship with your home. If you intend to sell it in the future, you might wonder, “Do kitchen islands add value to a home?” Our team at Catalyst Construction, Austin’s kitchen remodeling contractor, has the answer, and the results may surprise you.
Defining Traits of Kitchen Islands
A kitchen island is a freestanding set of cabinets that do not connect to other parts of the kitchen. You can customize them in various ways, from colors to additions, and compliment or contrast them with your other cabinetry.
Many homeowners add them for additional kitchen space, to assist the transition from the kitchen to other living areas, and more. Some also use them for additional seating options, like adding a bar area. When looking for new, more efficient kitchen appliances, an island can provide installation space.
How You Can Customize Your Kitchen Island
When adding an island to a kitchen area, you don’t have to confine yourself to the same style as the rest of the room. For example, you can use different-colored cabinets for the island, perhaps one that matches the present accent color. Some homeowners also change the shape of the island from a typical rectangle to something circular.
Other customization options can add specialized space to your kitchen, such as:
- Side shelving
- Mobility wheels
- Wine storage racks
- Different countertop materials
For instance, someone with a small kitchen may not have room for a traditional island. However, rolling cart islands can move from the wall to any other space in the kitchen. It can provide additional storage and surface area without cluttering the room.
Potential Benefits of a Kitchen Island
The additional storage and surface space allow you to declutter your kitchen and add more quality-of-life elements to it. For example, if you don’t have enough room for pots and pans, you can store them in the island. You can also install a hanging rack above the island that would otherwise hover over empty space.
As noted before, a well-planned island can also contribute to creating proper barriers between rooms. To change an enclosed space into something open-concept, you could place an island where the wall used to be. Then, you can see the living room from the kitchen and create a better community space.
Potential Downsides to a Kitchen Island
As with any new kitchen installation, there are potential downsides to adding an island to your space. Consider both the pros and cons before deciding to add one.
For example, if you don’t carefully design the kitchen to accommodate an island, it can disrupt the natural flow of the area. Natural flow refers to how you enter, exit, and move around your kitchen. When islands block this flow, the room becomes uncomfortable despite the amount of time you’d likely have to spend there.
Certain islands also tend to cost a lot of money, which can spike remodeling costs beyond your budget limits. Remember to check with a kitchen island design specialist for a free quote on any kitchen remodeling services.
Defining the Value of an Island
One aspect of the question, “Do kitchen islands add value?” includes what value means to you. The definition of value depends on your relationship with your property.
Are you going to sell or rent out your property, or will you continue living in it? Do you intend to benefit from the remodeling project with monetary gain or personal use? Already having an idea of how you will use the property will make defining the island’s value easier.
Kitchen Islands Add Personal Home Value
A high-quality kitchen remodel should always add value to the personal use of your property. Professional contractors can help you find the perfect style and layout for your kitchen island so it can suit your needs. Then, you can take advantage of the benefits these cabinets provide while increasing satisfaction with your home.
Keep in mind that, while potentially expensive, the island will add direct interest and utility value to your home. This circumstance changes if you intend to rent or sell your home.
Kitchen Islands May Not Add Resale Value
Some articles and advice tend to suggest remodeling so you can have a fantastic and attractive focal point in your property. The theory states that you can then increase the asking price of your home and receive direct repayment benefits. Presumably, you’ll receive a positive return on investment (ROI) equivalent to or close to the cost of the remodeling job.
However, you generally do not receive increased dollar-for-dollar value on most home renovation projects. Even if you restyle your kitchen and add an island, that doesn’t mean you can immediately increase your asking price.
If you have an outdated kitchen, refurbishing might be a better idea than a new island installation. While redesigning the kitchen, you can still include an island if you want. You could receive property price gains, but you should perhaps lower your resale price expectations.
See if a Kitchen Island Is Right for You with Catalyst Construction
At Catalyst Construction, we help homeowners in the Greater Austin area see their kitchen, bathroom, and storage dreams become a reality. We are family-owned and -operated, with a keen eye to help you find the perfect spot for your kitchen island. While the answer to the question, “Do kitchen islands add value?” depends on the circumstances, we also have definitive answers to common questions.
For instance, what is the deal between a kitchen island vs a peninsula? How often should you replace your kitchen cabinets if you need to do so at all? Our experts can help you answer these questions and more.
Call 512-535-0544 today to speak with one of our dedicated customer service representatives to help you start your remodeling journey.
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