If you need to truly improve your lifestyle, you may need a kitchen renovation. As one of the most used spaces in the home, it should be a place of harmony, happiness, and gathering. If your kitchen only gives you stress and anxiety because of the design, it's time to renovate. According to Architectural Digest, kitchen renovations are the most popular upgrade for home renovations and account for the highest budget. Below are some things to consider when you renovate your kitchen.

Add an Island

If your kitchen has an open-concept plan, consider adding an island. If you aren't sure you want one all the time, you can get one that is mobile and can be moved to a corner when you aren't using it. For permanent islands, you can get substantial counter space and even have a bar off one side to enjoy. Also, add cabinets to your island to have instant cabinet space that your kitchen may desperately need.

Upgrade Countertops

Invest in quality countertops when you do your kitchen renovation. Some of the best materials are marble, granite, quartz, and other stone options that will hold up and last in your kitchen for many years. Marble is the easiest to maintain and has strong durability with heat. This is great for kitchens where you spend a lot of time cooking. According to Made in CA, 70% of Canadians think renovating large spaces like kitchens or washrooms will add value to their homes. If this is what you're going for, the high-quality countertops should be at the top of your renovation list.

Add Backsplashes and Artwork

One of the most common trends that kitchen renovations have seen over the last decade is the addition of tile backsplash to particular walls in the kitchen. You can do the entire area between the upper and lower cabinets or just the space behind your appliances where you're cooking to break up the room's look. Either way, make sure you opt for tile so that it's easy to clean and you're not having to replace it in a few years.

Adding artwork and pieces to accent the kitchen has become more popular in the last few years. These can be canvas prints placed around the rooms or small accents at the top of cabinets. 87% of homeowners have started adding new decor as part of their kitchen renovation, but they avoid large pieces so that they don't take away from the other features in the kitchen.

Upgrade Appliances

During the renovation, inventory your appliances and what needs to be replaced. This is an excellent opportunity to replace an appliance unless you've purchased something in the last few years. If you do an entire overhaul on your appliances, you may get them at a discounted cost by buying them. You can also get matching appliances that keep the theme and improve the kitchen renovation. Remember that this can be a significant cost for your renovation, so make sure you budget for what you need and get the trim you want while still keeping it energy-efficient.

Move to Tile Flooring

Some homes may have older floors, but with a kitchen renovation, this is the right time to bite the bullet and add tile floors back to your kitchen. With so many patterns, modern tiles can take on any look you like while still being waterproof and the correct type of flooring for a kitchen. It is the easiest to keep clean and will last many years in the kitchen without much repair.

If you are still trying to figure out what you need to do for your new kitchen, consider your lifestyle and how these renovations will help you in the future. They all serve functional purposes and add to your home's value. Based on what your budget allows, see if these are in your kitchen renovation plans for the near future.