Which should you renovate first – bathroom or kitchen?

Renovating your home is an incredibly exciting project for anyone, with not enough of us taking the time to improve our homes and impart our style and inspiration. A household is so much more than where you lay your head at night. It’s where you create memories, entertain loved ones and raise a family. Why wouldn’t you want to make the most of what you have? Choosing where to start can be a tough call, with the two most popular choices (bathroom and kitchen), both rooms you will spend a lot of time in. If you aren’t sure whether to renovate the bathroom or kitchen, let’s find out which space you are leaning towards.

Trust your gut

When comparing a bathroom or a kitchen renovation, it can be very easy to look at the scope of the project and go with the lesser of the two first. Before you go ahead and use that methodology, ask yourself where you spend most of your time? The answer for most people is the living room or the kitchen. If you are someone who loves to whip up a meal for the family or friends and enjoys experimenting with new treats, then you will probably want to start with the kitchen. Basing your decision on what you will see more of every day is a great way to choose.

Budget

When it comes to any kind of project, one of the most important factors will always be the budget. When choosing between the kitchen or the bathroom, there is a clear winner here. A kitchen renovation, done properly, will include appliance costs as well as the component of putting a kitchen together. A bathroom usually has fixtures that can remain and already has the infrastructure to start. If you are particularly concerned about value for money or your renovation budget bottom-line, then the bathroom is probably the best place to start your makeover with your learnings later applied to your kitchen renovation.

Return on investment

Whether you are starting to renovate because you need to update to a more modern style, or you are looking to add value for resale, most people want to see some form of return. Depending on your goals, you can choose either option. If you are looking for a stylish upgrade, then perhaps the bathroom is a great place to start. If you are looking to add to your resale value, then the kitchen will provide more bang for your buck. Kitchen renovations often require new appliances, benchtops and even flooring. So don’t take on this project unless you plan to see the return in years spent there or with a significant bump to your asking price. All of these elements are far more likely to add to your resale value.

Going without

One of the more straightforward ways to choose which room to start your renovation with is by deciding which room you can afford to go without for a while. Losing your kitchen for a few months may be bearable if you have a list of restaurants to try. Although if you only have one bathroom that might be a different story altogether. There are probably only so many times you can ask your neighbour for a shower in their bathroom, and it’s best you don’t find out what that number is. Planning a workaround for the disruptions that construction will cause is a great way to decide where to start and when to start.

Renovating your home is a rewarding and interesting project to undertake. Bathrooms and kitchens are the go-to as they are two hotspots that most potential buyers or guests will see. Deciding where to start between the two can be tough. If you’re undecided, then take all these considerations into account and begin your process of elimination.

This article was orginally published by Realestateview.com.au