Spend or save?

Do what makes you happy. We need a new bathroom but at our age (76 and 80) we are not doing it. We are spending on enjoying ourselves and treating family. We have just come back from Seville where we walked miles every day, ate lovely food and drank wine. We intend to do this while we can. I know we are lucky as some are not so mobile. It's personal choice of course.

Go for it but as other posters have said do get several quotes - also some estimators have better design ideas than others and can come up with things you haven't thought of.

When we moved in, the kitchen looked terrific but it just did not work, so we went back to basics and had the whole thing replaced (about 17' x 12' with some fiddly bits beside the AGA). The cost was around £12,000 last year.

But, as Alira said, drawers, drawers and more drawers! I can certainly no longer scrabble on the floor to get to the back of a base unit and DEFINITELY no wall units. There undoubtedly some very athletic young oldies but who wants to be teetering on a kick stool when in their eighties when the knees and back have disintegrated?

Also, I really wouldn't advise going away. Whoever does the kitchen and however well planned, there are always snags for which the fitters need an instant decision. Not knowing the layout of your house, it is difficult to tell but there are invariably ways of "making do", otherwise is there a local B & B where you could stay while the work is being done, so that you could get back home each day?

You will love your new kitchen when it is done.

dollydaydream68 - make your kitchen, a place you probably spend a lot of time, work for you in your older years. Have it done, get what you use frequently within easy reach - no reaching up or bending down for everyday items, have your waste bins nicely hidden in a pull-out cupboard, near where you chop veg etc ., or throw away wrappers/cartons, make it labour saving and you'll have more time and enjoy being in it for many years to come.

I'd advise getting an American style fridge/freezer too, if you have room.
We, deftly, chose an upright and it's too tall for me and not easy to keep tidy. We shrink as we get older.

Not deftly! I am no longer deft.
daftly

spend and enjoy you cannot take it with you

Allira

We decided to have a new kitchen rather than replacement doors and we're older than you!
I'd recommend deep drawers rather than all cupboards, so much easier to access everything.

I agree with Allira, I'd have a new kitchen rather than replacement doors, then you can have deep drawers instead of cupboards and you can also change the layout if it can be arranged in a better way.
I have a full height fridge, this meant having less furniture but I don't think you can ever have too much fridge space.
A new oven is always a treat, just make sure it is pyrolitic so you never need to clean it.
Enjoy!

I always say, saving for a rainy day🙈🙈….…these are our rainy days

OP made no comments I can find about appliances.

If I were to spend on a new kitchen, I'd surely purchase a large American-style Fridge. One can never have too much fridge space, imo.

We purchased an American-style fridge years ago, no smart features, no water in door, easy for us to access all stored foods.

Spend and enjoy! You need 3 quotes for new kitchen units though!

Norah

OP made no comments I can find about appliances.

If I were to spend on a new kitchen, I'd surely purchase a large American-style Fridge. One can never have too much fridge space, imo.

We purchased an American-style fridge years ago, no smart features, no water in door, easy for us to access all stored foods.

I think OP states that the company quoted for replacing appliances, too. First sentence.

I agree about fridge space. I wanted a trendy retro pink SMEG fridge but DH said he didn't like the colour, so we went for light blue. It looks nice, but big mistake, it only has two shelves, so I also have a boring white one in the utility room as well. Who only has two shelves?

Make your home age proof and easy clean. Regarding the kitchen ‘pan’ drawers and pulldown shelves. However, that been said I really can’t be bothered with the mess in updating 37 year old kitchen except for having the walling and ceiling repainted again. It was/is originally a very good one.
I had the rest of the flat 10 years ago and my only regret was to keep a bath in the bathroom even though I have a small one in the shower room.
I do have money in the bank incase my 11 year old car cannot be repaired, I am secretly waiting, in my dreams, for a self drive car some time in the future, otherwise it will go to my ‘club med’ nursing home. Here the children have to pay for a place at a retirement home for their parents.

mokryna - if you don’t me asking, where are you ?

When you have worked and saved hard it becomes a mindset and difficult to think about spending it. My children say with raised eyebrows for goodness sake spend and enjoy but it’s difficult to make your self do it. I’m now doing a bit better spending wisely so go on you do the same

MartavTaurus

Norah

OP made no comments I can find about appliances.

If I were to spend on a new kitchen, I'd surely purchase a large American-style Fridge. One can never have too much fridge space, imo.

We purchased an American-style fridge years ago, no smart features, no water in door, easy for us to access all stored foods.

I think OP states that the company quoted for replacing appliances, too. First sentence.

I agree about fridge space. I wanted a trendy retro pink SMEG fridge but DH said he didn't like the colour, so we went for light blue. It looks nice, but big mistake, it only has two shelves, so I also have a boring white one in the utility room as well. Who only has two shelves?

I have always fancied a Smeg fridge but as you say they are tiny inside. I will console myself with a Smeg!

I agree to spend what you have rightly saved as you can sell the house if you become too frail etc.
Last year I went on a short cruise then stayed with one of my sons as he lives in New Zealand which I may do again next winter.

Norah

OP made no comments I can find about appliances.

If I were to spend on a new kitchen, I'd surely purchase a large American-style Fridge. One can never have too much fridge space, imo.

We purchased an American-style fridge years ago, no smart features, no water in door, easy for us to access all stored foods.

Yes, I suggested that too.

Neither of us likes our tall fridge-freezer so we've kept the others in the utility room too.
They all get filled when family are here.

We dont use the air fryer ,,, only use it for chips ...

Suzieque66

We dont use the air fryer ,,, only use it for chips ...

I'm still dithering about whether or not to buy one .....

What's the point of having money for it to sit in a bank? Your house will pay for any necessary care, spend every penny you have and enjoy it.

YES, DO IT!!
I’m 66 and had my first new kitchen 18 months ago. We’ve lived in 8 houses and I’ve endured other peoples ‘dreams’. Also had many holiday houses so I had developed very clear ideas of my Dream Kitchen. I love it. 6 months disruption was worth it. Every day I relish everything about it. Please go for it and enjoy!

crazyH

mokryna - if you don’t me asking, where are you ?

Versailles

Cabbie21

Go for it, but incorporate things that will make your lives easier: better storage, less bending, easy taps, smooth running drawers, pull out shelves etc.

Electric plugs in the right place, eye level ovens not bending down...all those things that will make life easier and when one is at home more.....go for it.

Perfect 🌷

If you can get it for that price go for it. We're in the same boat, a brand new kitchen, nothing particularly fancy was quoted at £24, 000 plus the cost tiling, plus electrics, plus floor covering, etc. Weren't having it done.