In the South, the kitchen is the heart of our homes. There are a few obvious signs that it might be time for a kitchen remodel like cracks in the countertop, sinks falling in, cabinets cracking, or outdated appliances. But if you are unhappy with your kitchen and have been thinking about a remodel, it’s time for one! Pam Jordan, owner and founder of EatGatherLove Nashville South shares with us the benefits, process, and trends of kitchen remodels this year.
What are the largest benefits of a home remodel?
Updating the kitchen offers the homeowner an uplifting center for their home. With a tired, old kitchen you don't want to go in there and you aren’t as excited to cook or prepare meals. So by updating your kitchen, not only the aesthetics but also the functionality improves. Whether it’s adding an island, getting a larger sink, replacing countertops, or redoing the whole room, it increases functionality and overall happiness in the kitchen. It also helps with organization. The whole space becomes more usable because you spend less time trying to find what you are looking for and reaching into the bottom shelf of cabinets that haven’t been touched in months.
How is this process specified to the homeowner?
The remodeling process can be specified to you and your own family in any way. It is so important to have a hand in your own kitchen remodel so that every detail fits your family's needs and style. For example, families with more kids can make a bigger island so that they can all sit and do homework while dinner is being made on appliances that are much safer for kids to be around.
How can kitchen remodels help with future home value?
They help so much. I read an article recently that said that the ROI (return on investment) on kitchen remodels are at 86% right now, which is huge. I can remember when I started this business, the ROI was around 53%. That shows us that when people are walking into a house, looking to buy, they are wanting an updated kitchen. No one wants to purchase a new house knowing that they already have a ton of work to do because the kitchen is outdated. And these remodels can also help the house sell faster and get multiple offers. There is so much value in doing a kitchen remodel before putting your house on the market because an updated kitchen is what people are looking for right now.
How does the feel of a new kitchen affect the rest of the home?
It is the center of the home, so it affects the entirety of the home. It all starts in the kitchen. All day, every day with breakfast, lunch, dinner. If the kitchen is updated and fresh, it makes everything else feel doable. Usually people call us 3-6 months after the kitchen remodel wanting to do the rest of the house because of how helpful it has been. And the kitchen isn’t just the center of the home for the family. Friends, family, neighbors, guests, everybody gathers in the kitchen. It is more convenient and efficient for the cook of the home to get around when the kitchen is welcoming and neat. Instead of worrying about a messy, outdated kitchen they can be excited to host in their own beautiful, remodeled kitchen that they got to pick out and customize.
What trends have you seen this year in kitchen remodels?
There has been a lot more organization with drawers, inserts, and other things since kitchen organization has become popular on social media. There has also been a shift in color schemes. White will always be standard in the kitchen, but people have started putting much more color as well. And lastly, countertop replacements have been big in the past year. The choices, colors, and veining are so much more organic and sustainable. We replaced about 90% of countertops in the past year with quartz which is much healthier for the home.
Where is the best place to start with these kitchen remodels?
Gather some inspiration for things you like so that we can incorporate your style in a way that you will love. One thing that makes our company unique is that we bring a designer out with us to assess the kitchen, but we look at the other decor in the home as well to get a feel of the homeowners style. And then we open the floor to you asking, “What’s your vision for this space?” so that we can get into the details and help make suggestions.
EatGatherLove.com
It all starts in the kitchen. All day, every day with breakfast, lunch, dinner. If the kitchen is updated and fresh, it makes everything else feel doable.
