A kitchen remodel can help you lead a happier, healthier life

Source: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/kitchen-remodel-healthy-lifestyle.html

Have you ever gone through the drive-through or ordered takeout just to avoid having to cook in your kitchen? Well, you aren’t alone. An outdated kitchen can make it difficult to talk yourself into cooking at home. But a kitchen renovation might be just the thing you need to get back to healthy, home-cooked dining.

Houzz’s Kitchen Trends Report reveals that homeowners with recently renovated kitchens often live healthier lifestyles and eat more home cooked meals than people with older, less functional kitchens that need renovation.

According to the survey, one-third of respondents who recently updated their kitchens said they lived a healthier lifestyle post-renovation. Healthy changes included more meals cooked at home (41 percent), eating less takeout (34 percent) and even eating more fruits and vegetables (26 percent).

Reasons to remodel your kitchen

In addition to revealing that updated kitchens often bring positive lifestyle changes, the survey found homeowners are increasingly willing to spend big on their kitchen renovation. Houzz’s report shows that people are willing to spend up to $100,000 on a kitchen renovation.

Somewhat surprisingly, a majority of homeowners aren’t updating their kitchen with the goal of adding value to their home. Only 8 percent of homeowners surveyed renovated their kitchens to add value to their home. In other words, most homeowners renovate to improve their lives.

If you plan on staying put, here are some reasons to renovate your kitchen:

• Increased family time: A whopping 49 percent of homeowners underwent a kitchen renovation to encourage more family time. Having an inviting space to prepare and eat meals can bring your family together. You’ll spend less time waiting on a table at a restaurant and more time enjoying time together.
• Encourage homemade meals: It’s no secret that homemade meals are generally healthier than restaurant meals. Increased counter space, new appliances and a better-looking kitchen make people want to stay home and cook. Of the respondents, 41 percent renovated their kitchen to encourage more home cooking. Even more impressive, 76 percent of people surveyed said they cooked at home five or more nights a week after their renovation. This means renovating your kitchen can lead to more home-cooked meals, even if that isn’t your intent.
• Host more parties: People who love entertaining–but don’t love their kitchen–renovate to create a nice place for guests to hang out. After all, the kitchen is generally the center of the party. Having a new kitchen for entertaining motivated 40 percent of respondents to undergo a renovation.
• Get a fresh look: Of course, sometimes you need to renovate your kitchen because you just can’t stand to look at it anymore. This was the case with 43 percent of survey respondents who wanted to freshen up their kitchens. While it might not be directly related to your health, having a space you love instead can increase your happiness and well-being.

Bottom line: Should I remodel my kitchen?

If you’re looking for a great excuse to renovate your kitchen, look no further than your health. Renovating a kitchen can help your family eat more home-cooked meals together and give you a fresh space to enjoy. You don’t even need to do a full kitchen renovation to reap the benefits. A new paint color, new cabinets or an island addition are relatively simple changes that can make a big impact on how you connect with your family and friends.