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lucy0214

Need inexpensive ideas for kitchen decor!

10 years ago

What are some inexpensive things I can do to spruce it up a bit. Obviously paint the walls. That half wall is a breakfast bar, no idea what to do with that other room on the other side with carpet. This house was built in the 70s and the cabinets are in great shape, not sure if they are original. Thanks you!

Comments (18)

  • 10 years ago

    Great house! The cabinets are unusual with the horizontal grain. I like 'em! I sort of like the green walls, but maybe it's not as nice in person. I'd be tempted to move my stuff in and then see what needed to be added. It's just empty right now. Wall paint and maybe new knobs.

    Gently lift that carpet and see if you have wood under it--I could see making that my office, right next to the kitchen! (Or a dining room if yo don't have one elsewhere.) I don't like the white wainscotting with the green in there...but it might be the rug.

    lucy0214 thanked Fori
  • 10 years ago

    I think it's a lovely kitchen. Paint it any color you like. But there is nothing wrong with it as it is. Like Fori said, it's empty. It will liven up with a big bowl of your fruit waiting to be munched, a utensil crock, tea towels, maybe some pretty dishes hung on the wall over the breakfast bar. Pick things that are not too busy- stick to a color scheme and you will be fine. I am moving into a pretty modern kitchen where I feel like everything I put out, like utensils, and dish towels and spoon rests will detract from the design. Your kitchen is functional and pretty and will evolve as it is used. Congratulations and enjoy!

    lucy0214 thanked Abby Krug
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I like the wall color but would paint those cabinets white. Look at the thread of the woman who just did that- total update!

    lucy0214 thanked Anglophilia
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    (but it was an expensive professional job)))

    I like the cabinets, I like this shade of green less, but it's not about me..you'll find a color you love, and basically, I'm with Abby here-the kitchen will evolve. It won't stay empty..it will contain some of your favorite things. They can be all functional-and still very pretty, and add a lot.

    I buy either cheap and old-or new and (relatively) expensive. Then it looks good:)

    You can change the lighting fixture, you can buy (or find in an antique store whatever you fancy) nice tea towels, you can put your crockery in an interesting jar, you can try and grow kitchen-related things there like rosemary or mint..in short, you can really have fun there:) This kitchen has all the potential to become very cozy, and to make you and yours very happy.

    lucy0214 thanked aprilneverends
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I would change the light fixtures to something larger and more dramatic - to be the star of the room, and would paint the walls a darker shade of green. jmho

    lucy0214 thanked mdln
  • 10 years ago

    I think it's a lovely kitchen! I might repaint and replace the "boob" light in the middle.

    I was thinking you could add a backsplash but maybe not with the counter going up a bit?

    I agree with others, it will evolve as you put in the items you need/use on a daily basis. A filled fruit bowl will look great!

    lucy0214 thanked Lauren0319
  • 10 years ago

    Cute kitchen. New light fixture, paint, runner, and perhaps hardware. It might be cool to add crown molding to the top of cabinets.

    Dining room cum library or den where that carpet is. And, yes, hopefully, you find wood floor underneath.

    lucy0214 thanked nosoccermom
  • 10 years ago

    I would start by painting the walls another color. I would look at the countertop to see if any colors stand out that you might like for the walls.

    I think moving your stuff in is a great place to start and go from there.

    I agree a new light fixture and rug would help warm it up.

    It is a lovely kitchen!

    lucy0214 thanked amykath
  • 10 years ago

    Changing the light fixtures or adding carpet are things that are really easy to do so you really shouldn't feel obligated to do them before you move in. I really like the green paint, at least as it appears on my monitor. But if the paint is not in good shape, then I would pick a color that I liked and repaint it now. If the paint is in good shape but it is a color that you do not like then I would repaint it now. If you repaint, then yes you need to swap out the light fixtures before repainting. Other than that I would move your belonging in and then see where you are. To me that breakfast bar is probably the only thing that I would end up removing (removing it will leave you with flooring issues so that is not something I would attempt to do at this point), you on the other hand may find that once you have your furniture in, the breakfast bar is a perfect and handy space. Speaking from experience, I can only say that the first 10 of my impulses upon moving into a new house were wrong so I really do recommend living in it for a while.

    lucy0214 thanked practigal
  • 10 years ago

    I would paint the window over the sink all white - get rid of the stained parts.

    lucy0214 thanked numbersjunkie
  • 10 years ago

    I agree- I think the window should be white as well.

    lucy0214 thanked Lauren0319
  • 10 years ago

    Can't tell if you like the green or not--I do, though it's hard to tell the exact shade on the monitor. I think that the white trim paint may be a bit bright-white for the green, might be better to have something more cream? The white looks like it'd clash with the counter a bit too.

    I wouldn't paint the cabinets--they are neat!--but if you want to make 'em sparkle some, consider replacing the knobs. 100s of options out there. What you've got there looks very low-contrast.


    I suspect it'll look a lot less bare with your furniture in the room next door & stuff on the countertop & all.

    lucy0214 thanked Meganmca
  • 10 years ago

    Is there a particular style you like? I like a relaxed cottage style which is somewhat inexpensive. The current on trend style does tend to be a little minimalistic on decor with a focus on beautiful surfaces like countertops. More homey kitchens of the past depended more on decor. I have seen many really sweet cottage kitchens that have ordinary cabinets but the room was done in such a pretty manor that the kitchen was charming. Sometimes with older cabinets, going for a vintage style can work well.

    The center panels are interesting, but if you wanted to you could have the center panel removed from some of the doors and replaced with glass. Your could display something pretty or use a beaded or frosted glass to keep the inside less noticeable. If you use clear glass and do like a cottage style, you could shear fabric behind the glass - any kind for any style. If you want more cottage style ideas just ask. My kitchen is in my "my pics" idea book and I have oak cabinets too.

    You have a lot of cabinets. Assess your storage needs well, and if you can do without some, you could remove the uppers along the window wall. You could just leave it open or put up a few shelves to put primarily decor items, though the lower shelf could be used for dishes. Beadboard or beadboard textured paintable wallpaper could be used as a backdrop for shelves. I did that in my basement kitchenette which is also in my idea book.

    No uppers - open space and pretty window treatment:

    Glass panel cabinets:

    This might not be inexpensive, but you could move the microwave and install a dedicated pretty stove hood - stainless or wood:



    lucy0214 thanked jhmarie
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Since I am not a fan of green, painting would be on my list of things to do; but if that shade of green sings to you, work with it. Maybe Roman shades (kitchen/dining?) in a print and some lighting changes. Replace the overhead fixtures and research under-cabinet lighting...some systems are very reasonably priced.

    lucy0214 thanked rantontoo
  • 10 years ago

    (Great suggestions by jhmarie..except I wouldn't call these ordinary cabinets- they're pretty great cabinets. Let's face it. Somebody did a great job on these cabinets. Kudos to that carpenter whoever he was. What wood is it? Because if they happen to be oak-that's the first oak I officially like lol. )

    Ah, and. Just wanted to add-don't paint that window frame:) Pretty please?

    (I'm joking of course..but I wouldn't paint it. Why to paint it. You have some beautiful scenery out there. It being a tad different, takes your eyes even more to that scenery, to take it in and admire it.

    Use soft window treatments on the white window on the opposite wall-and nobody would care that it has a different frame.



    lucy0214 thanked aprilneverends
  • 10 years ago

    New hardware on the cabinets! Nice current knobs and pulls. Lighting. Remove the old carpet! I don't like green paint either, so I would paint. Add some accessories with pops of color. Dress up the window with some type of treatment. I hate boob lights we are trying to replace all of the ones in our house, there's a lot of them. I can see 3 different wall paint colors in the one picture, that's a lot! And they don't necessarily look great together I would like to have them flow better. I don't see the need for that half wall if it was mine I would take it out and open it up.

    lucy0214 thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
  • 10 years ago

    Agree with ravencajun, except for couple tiny things:

    -current knobs and pulls are great when you want current knobs and pulls. If you're not interested in "current" but rather in charming vintage-y look-by all means buy different hardware if you're inclined to do so, but it doesn't have to be "current". Can spell the "old world" as much as you want. This kitchen can be taken different directions-go with what you imagine the mood and style of your home will be.

    -I wouldn't dress this window with any treatment, it's pretty as is, and of course I can't see details but they seem like a quality frame and quality trim, and as I've said already underscore the beauty of what's out there. I personally wouldn't cover that window, and wouldn't interfere with it.

    That's obviously a very personal preference, I just thought I'd share mine.


    lucy0214 thanked aprilneverends
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