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If you’re preparing for a remodel but unsure of where to start, you’re not alone. Kitchens and bathrooms represent a $134 billion industry, with as many as 10.2 million kitchen remodels and 14.2 million bathroom remodels every year.
Fortunately, if you’re waffling between a kitchen or bathroom renovation, it’s helpful to know that there isn’t really a right answer. Choosing which room to renovate first depends on a number of factors from your budget to your long-term goals.
We spoke with three professionals in the home design and renovations industry to help you evaluate four key considerations and determine whether to prioritize a kitchen or bathroom remodel first.
Should You Renovate the Kitchen or Bathroom First?
The short answer: it depends.
You might attempt to answer this question by answering another: Which will yield the greatest return on investment (ROI)? Unfortunately, many experts, including ours, differ in opinion.
“Homeowners, in general, should plan to renovate the kitchen first,” says Elissa Hall, the lead designer at Awning.com. “Spending here usually pays higher dividends, financially and emotionally.”
Meanwhile, Liz Young, the founder and CEO of Realm, says just the opposite.
“On average, homeowners can recoup 112% of what they spend on a full bathroom remodel,” she says.
The average kitchen remodel, however, recoups just 55% of the renovation costs, according to proprietary Realm data.
But if there’s one thing our experts do agree on, it’s that choosing whether to prioritize a kitchen renovation or a bathroom renovation ultimately depends on your unique circumstances and goals.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all answer,” says Courtney Batten, the founder and lead designer at Paige Studio. “It’s not just about resale.”
4 Factors to Consider Before Renovating
What is your budget? Is your primary goal to resell? Are you pursuing a total overhaul of each space or minor alterations?
The question of ROI alone is insufficient. Instead, consider these four factors to determine whether a kitchen or bathroom remodel should come first in your home.
Budget
Before beginning any renovation project, establishing a budget is essential. In many cases, your answer to this question alone can help determine not only what you can accomplish, but where.
According to research from Home Depot, bathroom remodels can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 or more. Minor kitchen renovations, however, can cost the same as an upscale bathroom remodel, with total project costs ranging from $24,000 all the way up to $136,000.
Hall generally advises clients with a slim budget to prioritize a bathroom remodel and says there are plenty of opportunities to cut costs along the way.
“Baths offer a lot of potential for impactful, cost-effective tweaks,” Hall says. “Years ago, I counseled a young couple with a tight budget on whether to renovate their small master bath or their kitchen first. They replaced old vanity lights, repainted, and installed trendy yet inexpensive fixtures. It was a no-fuss… project that…contributed a lot with little expense.”
For those who can afford to complete their kitchen and bathroom remodel simultaneously, it can be a great way to cut costs for both projects.
“If you can swing it, I always suggest homeowners consider tackling both spaces at once—especially if they’re already planning a major renovation,” says Batten. “It’s far more cost-effective to consolidate labor…and you can often save on materials too.”
Timeline
Any renovation project will interrupt your life for days, weeks, and even months, so timeline is another key consideration when it comes to choosing a bathroom or kitchen remodel first.
In the vast majority of homes, a kitchen remodel will always be a larger project than a bathroom remodel, based on the sheer size of the space alone.
Kitchens house a collection of cabinets versus a single vanity and require plumbing and electrical work for a series of lights and appliances. So if you really want to get the job done quickly, nine times out of ten a bathroom renovation will take far less time than a kitchen remodel.
“If budget and timeline are the primary drivers, I often recommend starting with the bathroom,” Batten says. “I’ve seen bathrooms completed in six weeks, while a full kitchen gut can easily stretch to six months or more.”
Lifestyle
Aesthetics are a major motivator for many homeowners pursuing a home remodel, but renovations can, and should, improve utility as well. As you contemplate a bathroom or kitchen remodel, it’s important to not only think about what you want the spaces to look like, but how you want your life to look within them.
Do you want to cook elaborate meals for frequent dinner parties? Does the dysfunctional layout or a lack of storage in your bathroom frustrate you? Questions like these can help you identify which room will provide the best value for the time and money invested in the remodel.
“Think of this as an ‘enjoyment ROI’,” Young says. “Consider what spaces you use the most, what pain points exist in your daily routine, and what areas you wish looked different. It’s important to prioritize projects that improve your home’s functionality and aesthetics.”
Real Estate Goals
Finally, the long-term goals you have for your home should also play a crucial role in determining how and where to invest your money.
Perhaps your motivation for remodeling is not to improve your own lifestyle but the life of a future tenant or homeowner. This might require prioritizing whichever space needs cosmetic upgrades that appeal to the masses.
Or maybe you’ll need to pursue urgent repairs first, such as fixing leaks and replacing outdated appliances as well.
“If your focus is on increasing your property value or generating income, you should prioritize high-ROI projects,” says Young, who adds that a bathroom remodel is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the value of your home.