go to home depot or lowe's and look at all the glass mosaic tiles they have now. You may be able to find some mixed with ceramic and glass that have your grays, creams and other neutrals. You can buy 12x12 squares of different ones and then return the others that you don't like.
I actually did stainless steel tiles for my backsplash, but I was going for a more modern look. I got them online from a tile company in florida. Great deal and no shipping costs. Look on ebay for hardware too. I got mine for half the cost of any of the home improvement stores. You CAN find deals out there if you are patient and want to save money on certain things. You can find the hidden hinges at Home Depot too. Buy the contractors pack. Cheaper that way. I think my mom found hidden hinges online though for a good price as well.
If you ARE going to invest in expensive countertops....pick that out first and then get your paints and backsplash to match it.
Another alternative backsplash these days is back-painted glass. It's a really clean look, but not sure about the cost??
That was the other thing I was going to mention to you too...
If you wanted to paint lower cabs, then upper frames and take off all doors on top......you could get the frameless frosted glass doors.

never seen the framless frosted doors- i don't think. Thanks for all of your suggestions. it's coming together in my head

[houzz=]

example of frameless cab doors...

ok, melinda, can't wait to hear what you decide to do. make it your own....so YOU will love it!!!
you got some shoppin to do girl! :)

Laminate is really plastic, and it's hard to paint to achieve a nice, lasting look. These were shop built and were not very expensive at the time. If I were you - I'd consider a 'band-aid' until I could save up enough for new cabinets.

Your cabinets are face frame construction-meaning you have a box with a front frame with cut-outs where you store your items and doors that just cover the opening. With the face-frame construction you will not achieve a really clean look that many of the photos posted look like.

You might consider just replacing the upper doors with a maple wood face fram- finished to match one of the colors in the laminate; and have a Lumicor insert in them, like this: http://www.lumicor.com/images/stories/UploadFiles/Image/DRI/DRI_app07.jpg

Then change your hardware to something with more style like:

just passing the time, reading design dilemma issues... I agree with J&D Interiors. If the cabinets are laminate faced, I believe it will be very difficult to achieve a look that will not look like "painted laminate". Also, depending upon your lighting, if the painted finish has any sheen (semi-gloss or high gloss), the finish would have to be near perfect or you would see any imperfections. If your budget allows, the cabinets could be re-faced with a new laminate. Or, you could possibly re-face the boxes and go with new doors and drawer fronts. Regarding the doors, colors, textures, etc., it really all depends on what look you want to achieve.

Paint and counter tops!

I agree. Too much clutter. Add simple backsplash e.g inexpensive tile. Paint cabinets darker color. Change hardware. Take all that stuff off frig. Use a few larger accessories or bowls to top of cabinets. Too many small objects around.

Why not try to replace 3 top doors with glass and add top moldings than you might have a better idea of colors for cabinets They could be any color from bisque to blue or green. About the clutter. It is the hardest habit to break. But the best advice I ever got! Everything off the counters !

I think you could definitely do white cabinets even though your appliances are off white. For the cheap redo, paint the cabinets, purchase countertop transformations paint in a dark color, and paint the walls. If budget allows, new hardware for the cabinets would be a fairly inexpensive update also. I colored your room in 2 ways, one with white cabinets, and also with greige. Not feeling the greige personally, it just looks gloomy. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what your kitchen would look like with different color ideas. Sometimes colors look great in other kitchens, but not so much in our own, since size plays a huge impact. Start with a blank slate with the whatever color you love, and then add some simple accessories too! Have fun!

Some decluttering and a new wall color might be all you need.

Melinda. Really a bit negative a preachy

Oops Melinda sorry I didn't realize you were the original poster. You really must not like the kitchen.

I want to thank all of you that posted on my kitchen dilemma yesterday! So many good idea from all of you - now to mull it over for a while. I especially love the paint idea from nancy reese. Got to show these pics to my husband who wishes I would stop obsessing over making so many changes. I guess I am like most women - I want it done now!!!

I painted my pinky beige laminate cabinets white 9 years ago. They still look great. We didn't want to spend money to do the kitchen with having small kids. All I did was lightly sand the, down then I used what's called a glossy surface primer and two coats of semi gloss interior paint. I did take the doors off and did it in the garage and put them back on after doing the same to the cabinet frames. Do that get some updated hardware and maybe some standard off the shelf counter tops to replace what you have if you don't like it. That will hold you over until you are ready to do the entire kitchen over!

Thank you bocadog - do you live in boca raton?

No I live in the Orlando area. But my dogs name was Boca!

Melinda, Rustoleum has a site for it's Transformations line of paint and you can play with their kitchen to see color choices and countertops. It might be worth a look even if you go with real granite, just to see how different colors go together. And you can print them out to show your husband to convince him how much better the kitchen will look, lol.

Melinda, go with your gut on this one. These are without a doubt the ugliest cabinets I have ever seen. I haven't met you but I am sure you are too nice to live with these. In addition, the pictures of the cainets suggested are pretty bad, too.

Paint!!!!!!!!!! It will not cost that much and you will have something much easier to live with. There is something to put on the laminate first before you paint that will help the paint stick. Go to the main Houzz page and type in "painted cabinets." You will like what you see. Lots of great inspirational ideas that will make your kitchen more calm and welcoming.

Schurer - You are too funny. I want you to know that some people that viewed those cabinets actually liked them and urged me to keep them. I would rather scrub grout for the rest of my life that live with those butt ugly things LOL
I am going to find the rustoleum sight. Several people have advised to go with their product line. Lots of work , but anything to get those covered. By the way - the bathroom was even uglier. Spent 5K on that first.

Yes, I read that. But, actually, $5K is not bad for redoing a bathroom. Post some pictures, I would love to see it! I once watched a show on tv about a bathroom redo that came out great--but the final cost was $50K!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I think you are on track. Good luck!

Hi Melinda, I am the person that posted my kitchen transformation. I used the rustoleum kitchen transformations. You can paint them any color with the kit and it can be used on laminate cabinets, but you will not see brush strokes with the kit as you will with regular paint. The only way you will not see brush strokes on laminate is with spray. Good luck!!

HI JAnet, I was just reading on line about the rustoleum product you mentioned. Did you use the glaze too?

Hi Melinda, I started with the glaze but it was really time extensive. So I did the glaze on the boxes and not the draw faces or doors. The glaze is good if you want a wood grain or antique look. You can try one with the glaze if you don't like it you can start over. The Rustoleum is very user friendly. Hope this helps!!

yes it does - it really looks like it alters the color a lot

especially the lighter ones. I thought about doing a cream/ white on cabinets. What do you think? two things I know I need to consider. The appliances are cream and I am afraid they will stick out like sore thumbs if I use something darker. I will eventually replace them but not this year. The kitchen is a part of a larger room and gets a lot of natural light. I would like to use some color but afraid to. What do you think?

I had the same issue with the black appliances one of the reasons I went dark. If you go with white or cream the appliances will probably clash. You know how hard it is to match whites and creams!!! What colors are in the connecting rooms maybe you can play off some of those.

I also got another piece of wood and bought the sample paints from Home Depot and painted first to see if I liked any other color comination but I have a lot of red and green in my house so I had to stay somewhat neutral.

I would talk to a good painting contractor before planning on painting laminate. In general, I think if you remove the white in your kitchen, the cabinets will look better without doing anything else.

other colors are beige, brown and a little red walls are beige I really wanted a white or soft white cabinets and what ever counter top that turns me on- love darker counter tops. wanted to do the island in a difference color that cabinets

i meant different color on island- cant spell

Here design - with all due respect they are hideus. Some one else called this visual choas

No white, white cupboards are stark use a creamy french white with the creamy appliances. The back splash color will be decided by the color you choice for counters hopefully you will use a dark shade. Glass, marble back splashes can be expensive as well as granite, use a tile stone and once it is grouted and sealed you will not have a problem and it will look amazing. Subway tile is used often but is never outdated and not as costly. Remember to use a stone for the back splash that is easy to clean, so many beautiful tiles are not that easy to maintain, like the beauty of a more porous stone such as Travertine. If you have an island you could reverse your color theme..use black on cupboards and white counter tops or a soft blue or green cupboard with the dark counter top.
Much of what you do may depend on if this is a DIY project or contractor.
So many ideas, comes down to what you want to live with.
Just your friendly, Interior Architect.

loved your advice . Creamy french white is a must. love a dark counter top now. Going to paint first and do the counter and backsplash in a few months. My problem is patience - i want it done now and I can't relax until those ugly cabinets are gone

melinda...why are you not at the paint store already??? lol
go get your creamy white paint woman!

Well I am stuck in a classroom of 6th graders at the moment- I am going to hit home depot before I go home and check out the rustoleum line of cabinet transformation stuff

hahahaha...i forgot that school wasn't out yet! my bad!

I have been a professional decorative painter for the past 20 years [ I now own a cupcake store, but still paint on the side :) ] I totally agree that the cabinets should be painted white/off white to lose the "appliances" in such a small space. Pure white could be used to hide then completely, but then you would have to paint the walls a color to offset it. If you decide on an off-white, get a paint deck ( they cost about $10 at the paint store, but are invaluable) and lay it on your tile floor to get the right hue. Give the cabinets a coat of Zinsser Bin first ( a primer that will make paint much more durable), then paint in your preferred color and sheen (I'm a huge fan of Ben Moore Aquapearl). top with 3 coats of water based poly ( I like McKenzie and Stewart Isle of Skye)and your cabinets will look amazing. I have done countless kitchen cabinets this way
My daughter painted her mica countertops using this method, but stippled 3 colors to mimic granite...and it does! You can paint your backsplash, but using glass mini-tiles is very, very easy as you can cut then to size with a scissor, rather than doing battle with a tile cutter.

ooops, just read that the appliances are cream ( they read white on my monitor). There ya go...one less decision to make, LOL For what it's worth, I don't care for Behr paint

thanks so much- have you ever worked with the rustoleum cainet transformation products?

No, I'm a Ben Moore girl from way back, although rustoluem makes some good products. Ben Moore has a wonderful range of colors, their depth of color and color fastness is unmatched (especially their Aura line). You might take a look at their Affinity colors, which are very modern colors specifically designed to compliment each other ( I'm in the process of painting my den Weimeraner right now, taking many board breaks, LOL

i need to go by a ben moore dealer and check out the colors

Well if you want help this is the site to go to!!!!!

Hi Melinda, I didn't read all of the comments but I recently redid my log cabin kitchen which was small like yours. The cabinets were wood but the finish was in bad shape as was the laminate counter top oand yellow tiles from 1960.. I prepped and painted the cabinets. I did 2 coats of primer and two finish coats. It will take a while to really cure and will chip easy and its a time intence process, BUT it's way cheaper than replacing. Here are some before and after picks. The color is Valspar 'Corktop'. I wanted to go with Benjamin Moore but they couldn't match the color we liked.. Valspare was OK but not great. I was told to get the BM Advanced Waterborne interior Alkyd.

oh, and yu will only need a quart of each trust me.. :)

Hi Melinda, I wanted to add my expertise to the mix. I haven't had a chance to read all the other commends, hopefully it isn't repeating. Depending if your interior style is a more rustic casual look than keep what you have and work around it. Otherwise, if your interior style is something other than that, I agree something needs to be done.

Yes, you can just paint the cabinet boxes and change out only the doors. I have done this many times, here are two kitchens (BEFORE AND AFTER) that I have done as examples of what can be done. The bottom project is similar to your existing cabinets. If you want to see more photos of these projects, go to my Houzz page.

I'm an authorize dealer for Showplace Wood Products, they have a program called Renew. They have several dealers throughout the USA. You can either reface or if you chose, you can just purchases doors, as well as any side panels, crown moldings, decorative legs, toeskin covers, replace old doors with glass doors, etc. Showplace Renew program offers wide variety of glass, glass mullion options or stain glass options. If you need to add a cabinet and match it to the size you have now, it can be done.

Showplace Renew uses Sherwin Willam Paints, so you can have them in any color you want. They also offer glazing in several colors. They have numerous door styles to chose from.

If you paint the boxes yourself, take a door down to Sherwin William and they can confirm what primer and paint is most the compatible for your existing door's finish/ laminate. For the most durable finish use their oil base paint.

I get that they are hideous. I am just concerned that painting them will result in something that is peeling and shoddy and hideous, and given your budget, I was looking for something to render them less offensive while you save your money to replace them. :)

Trust me, if you use the steps I laid out you will have no problem Cabinets I painted for clients 20 years ago still look great. ( I even painted my car!)

Victor, paint is either water born (or water based) or alkyd ( oil based), not both. Today's water based paint are all acrylic and are now vastly superior to oil based paints. They don't yellow, crack or give off as many VOC's. Oils based is best for priming exteriors, and I use Bin shellac base for the most durable finish, but the fumes are killer.

Just saw this high end but budget redo (paint, knobs, a mirror and new light fixture) on the blog at One Kings Lane at https://www.onekingslane.com/live-love-home/kitchen-makeover/ that totally stunned me. Your cabinets would work really well with this approach. Oh, and she had white laminate counters and who noticed them when she got done.

Just my two cents worth here. If you are planning to do the painting of the cabinets yourself, I think you would be very unhappy with the likely possibility of peeling and scratches in a few months time. The existing cabinets make a very strong statement. They make everything else look washed out and bland. To bring the focus back to other things would require some equally strong design moves, one example would be painting the walls deep aqua or another bold color as doctornancy suggested. I am using a lot of black these days, which is bold, yet classy if used discriminately. Definitely declutter so the eyes don't get tired and confused darting from one place to another and then being overwhelmed by the cabinets. The cabinets are quite unique and are a wonderful change from the ubiquitous white kitchens with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Bet there isn't another kitchen in your town like this one! Also, being laminate makes them very low maintenance. Embrace the style and try to find some photos on Houzz that channel the same vibe.

Melinda! Please update us! I'm dying to know what you did and see the results!!