Need refresh help w/ Kitchen

9 years ago

We have a 1916 home with a functional kitchen. We are painting and redecorating the main living and dining room of the house so we have some major funds going to that. I am wondering if a refresh of new paint and more modern door handles would be enough to make me like our kitchen a little longer. The cabinets are not in good enough shape for refacing so that is out. We've thought about just replacing the cabinets around the stove so that we have counterspace on either side and can put in a real vent hood. I'm just worried I'd hate the mismatch unless we could find the exact door style again. Other thoughts or suggestions for a refresh on the cheap?

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mama goose_gw zn6OH

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

If you aren't doing the work yourselves, and moving the gas line at this time is not a possibility, then I would advocate for changing out the cabinets around the range, as you are considering. Having different style cabinet doors would bother me much less than not having landing space beside the range.

I DIY'd a kitchen from the 80's, in my older house, using some existing cabinets, some new, inexpensive cabinets, and some vintage cabinets from Craigslist. The differences in door styles do not bother me at all. If you like the idea of a two-tone kitchen, you could paint the new cabinets a different color, so that it doesn't look as if you were trying to match, but missed. Or use glass in the uppers, so that the doors look different at first glance. I wanted my kitchen to look as if some of the cabinets were original, and some had been added over the years, but I realize that's not a style everyone would embrace. When someone walks into the kitchen, I honestly don't think they notice the different door styles unless I point them out.

So, if you can move the range over a few inches, you might try an 18" drawer base to the left, with 18" upper, and whatever drawer base will fit on the other side, with corresponding upper. If you can't match the counter top, use wood tops (I lived with a scrap of T111 beside my range for a couple of years before we actually started the kitchen remodel.)

Check Craigslist and Re-Stores for used cabinets, especially if you plan to paint the cabinets. I converted an existing 18" tall pantry to an upper, by cutting it in two pieces, adding a new bottom, face piece, and trim, using wood scraps, so it cost nothing. I dismantled the remaining section, and used the sides for shelving in a closet. Do you have space in the laundry or garage to re-use the existing cabinets?

Good luck, and when you get ready to remodel the kitchen, come back and let us help with the layout. :)

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Comments (8)

mama goose_gw zn6OH
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If you mean all the appliances function, you might be right ;), but having no landing space beside the range is not functional. What's to the left of the sink? Moving the range and rounded off shelves (ETA, and corresponding uppers) over to where the DW is, and putting the DW to the left of the sink, if there is sufficient space, would be more functional. You could carefully cut the countertop over the DW, and put that piece (and the tall uppers) where the range is now located. The rounded piece doesn't have much landing surface, but at least there would be space to the left. I'd then use a large cutting board covering the right bowl of the sink, to add some prep space between the sink and range.

The range won't be in the traffic, and you won't need to cross to the sink with hot pots of water.

I think a good layout will go a long way toward making you like the kitchen.
sheloveslayouts
9 years ago
Ditto Mama G's comment. What's to the left? Range is probably better where the DW is.
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suzanne_sl
9 years ago
I see a high chair tray over at the sink. For me, that would be the years when there's no way we had the money to be moving the stove, adding a vented hood, cutting the countertop, etc. If that's the case with you, I recommend giving the cabinets a good cleaning. If there are nicks in the paint, take a clean door to the paint store and get them to mix up a color match for touch-up. Change the hardware if you like. Maybe change the wall paint color?

Meanwhile, you can plot and plan for the day when you can start over with a better layout for this kitchen. People here are really good at helping come up with the best layout for the space available. Whoever thought that was a good place and space for the stove?! Yikes! Bet that side of the pantry needs touch-up.
Fori
9 years ago
New hardware, wall paint, backsplash behind the range, and start planning Future Kitchen. :)

Is the hood not vented? It might be worth ducting it out if you're pretty sure Future Kitchen will keep range in same spot.

Overall at least it's very cute. Not saying I'd want to work there, but it's CUTE. Floor looks great from here.
3z3z3
9 years ago
A new coat of a pretty wall color paint would be refreshing. More undercabinet lighting would make the countertop more inviting. If there is room for a cart or larger set of shelves beside the stove I'd add that as you need work space there.
Anna S
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you so much for all of your input!!! Apologies that I forgot to put the picture of what is to the right of the sink. That is where our refrigerator is right now. Ideally in a kitchen remodel I would try to fit the fridge where the stove is currently and move the stove where the fridge is. We have no venting to the outside right now and that drives my husband and I nuts! All the appliances are relatively new so that is good and the fridge is counter-depth.

I've been playing around with the IKEA home planner thinking of a total remodel with Semihandmade doors. But that gets us into a whole new level of time, cost and inconvenience. We also have a 1 year old, so that is a consideration too. Locating the stove to this wall would mean we could vent directly outside which would be easier vs current location especially if we want to move it in the future. Maybe we could move the stove without a complete redo and just reuse the cabinets... You guys have got me thinking...
Anna S
Original Author
9 years ago
An additional question. If we keep the current cabinets and swapped the fridge and stove do you think it would be too cramped having the fridge on this wall? When I just measured, there would be about 32 inches from the countertop edge to the front of the fridge at the tightest point. This is the main doorway coming in from the dining room to the kitchen.