The prefix “trans,” from the Latin for “across,” implies that there’s a change being made. In the case of “transmogrify,” there’s a drastic shift, and there might be a comedic effect at play. Don’t use this word for every kind of alteration. It might be more appropriate to say “transform,” “metamorphose,” “mutate,” or “renovate,” but if there’s an abrupt or bizarre change being made, that’s the time for “transmogrify.”