Kitchen needs updating but how?

Comments (26)

gtolley11
Original Author
4 years ago
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Jon Page
4 years ago
I'd be painting the cupboard doors and maybe changing the handles... That will give you a new look to your kitchen on a modest budget!
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The cheapest option is to paint the doors, but it’s also the most time consuming. The units look very French country. I wonder if it is worth all that effort if you are going to change everything in a couple of years? To paint them properly they need a through clean, then a light sand, then painted with 2 coats of primer and then 2 top coats of eggshell. Each coat must be allowed to dry between coats otherwise they will feel tacky. You could get a decorator to do it for you but that normally costs at least £150 + a day so will bust your budget.
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Having open end(s) and side(s) would free you from constraints of doors and adds visual interest. Access from both sides makes the internal space more usable, since deep cabinets tend to lose things at the rear. Incorporating some drawers facing the table, sink, and cooker could be helpful for cooking gadgets and tools and serving items (cutlery, hotpads, and napkins) can be handy and reduce counter and wall/backsplash clutter. I recently had an island included in my newbuild with access from 3 sides, which included deep drawers, shallow drawers just under the countertop, and the end access is a door on one end and is open on the other. I also included electrical sockets under each end and these are very handy for things like toaster, mixer, blender, grill, waffle iron, phone charger, etc., some of which can be stored below but readily accessible for the dining table or for cooking prep work. Be sure to include some overhead lighting (and decide if it will be recessed or a feature). Consider an overhead pot rack but don't get hung up on the idea- it has advantages and drawbacks. Keep the walkways to 1.2m minimum and 1.5m if there are 2 cooks! One of the best things you can do is make a model (or several) using posterboard. It's easy to do and you can view it from various side angles rather than just a plan view from above and even photograph it from different angles to get a better sense of a future reality. Put the model (or photos) where you can see it/them over several days before deciding on the final form and placement. If you want to use off-the-shelf (vs custom) components, you could join upper wall units mounted on a base facing different directions. Consider having a different countertop surface and colour or texture of materials to make your island a feature. If you are retaining the wood cabinets shown in your photos a light colour island will keep your kitchen feeling more open. I chose a stunning cultured stone top but a very plain laminate for the wall counters to emphasize the island as a feature.
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vanessa2088
4 years ago
I would paint the lime green, probably just white. Maybe introduce some new accessories, perhaps clear some of the current things on worktop if possible and add a new colour.
romper65
4 years ago
change the style of door,bit of expense but the effect will be instantaneous, also clear all the worksurface clutter. It can be tricky to do but it's worth it. I see you have a heater in your kickboards,so therefore see about small kickboards lights. They are cheap to buy and easy to fit. Paint over the green splash with a toned down colour. If the handles are dull replace with new shiny.
mudsi
4 years ago
i agree with all of the above, fresh paint on the walls and either paint the cupboards or get new doors... IKEA, B&Q or somewhere similar may have something budget friendly :)
gtolley11
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you for all the comments... I have cleared all the work tops back to just the kettle toaster and microwave ready to start a fresh. Definitely covering the green, just trying to pick a colour! Still not sure about painting the cupboards as they aren't real wood they have like a shiny finish... Not sure how well the paint would stick?
Jon Page
4 years ago
Maybe use some sandpaper to give the paint something to stick to if necessary? Or maybe some sort of primer?
New Kitchen
4 years ago
I would not paint the doors as you will never get factory look on wrapped doors ( I looked it into it for my last update) but you could change handles if they fix from back and there are no holes go for wood or ceramic knobs or look at cup handles for a change. You could look at a low splash back in acrylic. I agree with others sales are on and you might get a very good deal on doors if these are standard size. Then look at Houzz pictures for ideas and source new bits from not on high street or new but via eBay
kerryowang
4 years ago
This is easy to say as I know how much 'stuff' there is in a kitchen, but is there any chance you can lose some of the wall cupboards? I notice there is a space at the side of the fridge- you may be able to get a pull out larder cupboard in there?? Maybe some open shelving...it would make the room feel much bigger. Maybe a mirrored splash back? Or lose the stainless steel splash and tile that whole space- cheap metro tiles are always a winner...good luck!
kerryowang
4 years ago
looking again, is it possible to to use the wall space around the fridge to create a floor to ceiling storage area so you can lose the wall cupboards...?
obnic
4 years ago
You can make a big difference by covering your existing worktops (and possibly splash backs) with a synthetic granite. It looks very good, it's quite cheap, and is actually harder wearing than real granite. Google 'granite transformations'

I'm not a huge fan of statement grey appliances in small places, I prefer them to fade away. You can buy large sheets of hard wearing sticky back vinyl on eBay and cover your fridge and washing machine. You can get an 'appliance enamel' finish too. Up to you to choose the colour. White would fade them away but you might prefer a different statement colour (think SMEG fridges) yellow, red... Up to you. The big advantage is its cheap and you can just peel it off if you change your mind. Otherwise Hammerite appliance paint can be a permanent solution.

Finally, if you are going to change the colour of your doors, get it done professionally. They chemically treat the door and then dip it so that you get a perfect and lasting finish. Since you have shaker doors I'd avoid shiny - it's fashionable but works on flat doors best. However, you can get the doors matched to a light Farrow & Ball colour like 'Elephants Breath'. It will make a huge difference. I've done it before and it was a stellar bargain.

Kitchen layout looks fine. I'd stick with it and just work on colours and textures. Less clutter will make it feel bigger.

Only exception is if you have the cash, you might think about changing your washing machine for one you can put behind a matching cupboard door.

Good luck.
PRO
Aspect Kitchens
4 years ago
Why not replace the stainless splash back with glass? You can find them cut to site quite cheap and in plenty of colours. Definitely cover the green, greys are really popular at the moment so maybe choose a lighter grey than the work top to add some contrast. This will also go with the stainless steel if you don't change it!
theresajones
4 years ago
I feel the surfaces need to be cleared, move the microwave,( if you need to still use one), and square it next to the freezer. Tile the walls with a light grey brick tile with dark grey grout this would create cohesion and spaciousness Change the door handles. Definitely utilise the space over the freezer. Good luck and have fun!
hillary59
4 years ago
Sounds like you would prefer a lowcost update right now rather than a makeover so best to probably search for an appealing colour to repaint walls and change splashback..Stainless steel can have a harsh look although practical and popular.

(If you have a good paint card tick the shade closet to your worktop and the door finish and take with you to see what wall colour appeals to you and sits well with your existing finishes .) Could you find a nice roman blind as a starting point and redress your window and go from there for inspiration. Try Next etc. for readymades.

Maybe find an exciting wallpaper to go on the end wall to cheer you up and make it more personal.

The green shade is too harsh with black / grey.

Changing the handles could help but measure carefully cos you dont want to be be making good if the screws are different position.

Maybe some shelving directly under the wall units could accommodate some items and free up workspace and could allow for some colorful storage tins to help boost your new scheme while being practical storage.

There is special paint ("International Paints " BQ is one ) which provide very effective primer and successful topcoat even on wrap finishes. IF you follow instructions carefully. However, unless you are desperate its a tedious pointless job if you can update some other way and save up for some units in the future.

Your kitchen isnt huge , get some local quotes to keep on hand for future reference.

Local carpenters will often source units from their trade supplier. The quality will be good but not expensive.

Changing doors is also not ness a great idea , esp changing drawer fronts.

Ikeas latest range of doors is not compatible with most others now including yours

by the looks of it. Sizes are unique to them these days.

BQ doors will probably fit but again having worked in kitchens all my life ,,Id say dont be halfhearted best to do it all properly in the future.Then youll get the worktop of your choice etc. and enjoy the result .

All the best with your new look!
teenytinyhouse
4 years ago
The cheapest option would be to paint the green and the doors. I would suggest looking up some wood grain effect painting tips, which should help "disguise" the fact that you won't get a perfect paint job by hand by making it look like you've painted over wood. It's also a nice rustic finish :)

It's a bit dearer, but you could also actually spray paint the doors, which will give you a smoother finish (it will be more expensive than a brush job, though).

Check out eBay for new handles, but I'd definitely recommend doing the paint first. You may find you fall back in love with the existing ones. And do the undercoat/primer first (you know what I mean) and live with it for a few days. As it's white, it'll help you decide if you want white or colour. otherwise you might end up taking paint back and swapping it, which is a pain!

Post us some after pics, it's always lovely to see the finished results! :)
PRO
Oisin Butler - Painting and Decorating Specialist
4 years ago
OK. Paint the high kitchen cabinets white, paint the walls white too and lose the green. Paint the lower kitchen cabinets a dark grey to match the counter top. Make sure to go for a low sheen eggshell finish on the cabinets. Hey presto! Complete makeover!

http://oisinbutler.ie/painting-kitchen-cabinets-new-look-kitchen/
PRO
Oisin Butler - Painting and Decorating Specialist
4 years ago
By the way, even if you had the money for a new kitchen you would still be better off having the existing kitchen painted. We do lots of these and they always come our looking great. Money well spent!
PRO
wallmanproperties
4 years ago
My dining room is separated from the kitchen one side of both rooms have no windows and the other side has 2 Windows in the dining room then a back door attached to an above worktop height window and the end of the kitchen has French doors out to the garden. Do I knock the dividing wall down and open up the dining room to the kitchen changing the kitchen as the first room and the dining room opening to the garden or leave it as it is
gtolley11
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you so much everyone for your comments going to look into all the options! Will post the completed pictures :)
Lynn Robbo
4 years ago
Hi I would have to clear the work tops push things away X
H H
4 years ago
Maybe buy a bracket for the microwave to mount it off the worktop or even change it for one that can be mounted in a wall unit. The flooring is quite dark and doesn't really compliment the units so I would be tempted to go for something lighter. I think white on the walls would work well.
Ant Dales
4 years ago
I've had a similar problem. I painted the walls, and used a small roller to paint the cupboard fronts, which I then clear varnished. It's a pretty good finish, and great on a budget.

I also covered up some hideous wall tiles with white tile paint. Took a lot of coats but the difference is amazing!
PRO
HomeAnnaWay
4 years ago
Changing the handles can make a big difference, and as many others have suggested painting the cupboard doors would too. It's quite a tedious task, but wort it in the end. Make sure to not skimp on paint - get good quality stuff from the beginning or you'll find yourself having to repaint agin in no-time due to chipping and/or scratching! Good luck!
gtolley11
Original Author
4 years ago
Ant Dales do you have any pictures? Thanks everyone!
Alison Heppell
4 years ago
Clear the work tops
Jan Johnson
4 years ago
Looks all good to me. what do you want to change?

United Kingdom

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Kitchen needs updating but how?

Comments (26)

gtolley11Original Author

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