"Small" Changes to make Our Kitchen less 'Dated"

10 years ago

We are trying to make some minor changes to our kitchen to make it not appear to be 'dated'. One change would be to replace all the cabinet and drawer pulls. They are currently white ceramic knobs. We would like to replace them with some style of Stainless pull. What would you recommend, considering existing screw holes. Other changes suggested are to replace the Fridge and Dishwasher with Stainless Models rather than the style shown that have the front piece to match the cabinets. Thanks.

Featured Answer

Barbara Almandarz

10 years ago

Certainly changing the knobs/pulls will make a change, First make a list what you would ultimately like to do to update your kitchen. Go on-line and get some pictures of kitchen you like, to determine what you might want to ultimately have in your kitchen. Re-stain the cabinets? Update the Corian counters? Add a backsplash? Change appliances? Change the floors? Before you spend a lot of money making minor tweaks, consider the long range plans so when you DO make your minor tweaks, it's towards a final end rather than spending money on things you'll need to change later. When you update the fridge, realize the cabinets will be the same old cabinets. While it will update the look of your fridge, the older items may stand out more. You may need to get as many as 40 knobs/drawer pulls. That can run you hundreds of dollars. Be sure you select ones that you can use when you alter your cabinets later on. You might want to consider a backsplash that will take more of the focus away from all that wood. It can make a huge visual change. Good luck!

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Comments (10)

Judy Mishkin
10 years ago
are you trying to get your house ready to sell, or to please yourself?
chloebud
10 years ago
We bought our home 3 years ago, and your kitchen reminds me of ours with the oak cabinets. I want to change them but my husband doesn't. We do have all stainless appliances which helps, and our cabinet hardware is brushed nickel (used to be white porcelain with gold centers). Maybe add some under cabinet lighting. Are you changing the counters by the stove? I like that you don't have the space above the cabinets cluttered with "stuff."
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chloebud
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Yes...good question from night. To sell, I wouldn't do nearly as much.
chiflipper
10 years ago
Kitchen is very pretty. Don't replace anything except the cabinet hardware, I would suggest black rather than SS.
chloebud
10 years ago
If you're selling, I wouldn't change the appliances. Odds are buyers will change what you do. I would only do black appliances if you love them and are staying. I think stainless is more neutral, less harsh and more helpful with your "dated" issue.
chloebud
10 years ago
Barbara has agood point about the knobs/pulls. I had to buy 60.
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JudyG Designs
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Change the knobs to brushed stainless and paint the walls a dark charcoal gray. Kendall charcoal is a great foil for any color that leans toward yellow or orange. Your white counters will look better, too.
cbailie
10 years ago
Are your cabinets oak or maple? On my monitor they appear to be maple. Your kitchen is very similar to mine. Although I wouldn't use the term "dated", ( because your kitchen really is just fine), I wanted to freshen mine up a bit, so I changed the hardware to brushed stainless. I used cup pulls on the drawers and round knobs on doors. My backsplash is beadboard in off-white. Counters are quartz, but darker in color. I can't tell from the pictures if you have the trim pieces on the sides of the cabinets, but I added those too. It makes it look more finished. I added stainless appliances too. For a more cohesive look you could replace the fridge and dishwasher with stainless. I like your granite, very pretty.
jhmarie
10 years ago
I agree that the cabinets are not "dated" - I saw both mid tone wood and surprisingly, arched cabinets on the recent Parade of Homes. You also have pretty countertops and a nice faucet. The paneled fridge is the one thing that would bother me a little and easy to replace. I have similar cabinets and added a farmhouse sink (pics in my "my pics" idea book.) This would be difficult to do since you already have nice counters installed. If you watch HGTV take a month break and see if you don't start liking your kitchen better. That doesn't cost a thing:)