Inexpensive kitchen update ideas would be appreciated

5 years ago

Since this photo was taken, I have cleared the countertops and added under cabinet lighting. Eventually I will replace the appliances to stainless (I'll replace as they break. I just can't see getting rid of things that work.)

I was thinking of painting the cabinets a brighter color (maybe SW Alabaster white or Repose Gray) and trying some of the new countertop epoxy kits on the countertops. I'm quite handy and have painted the bathroom cabinets before and they turned out great.

Any color ideas? The walls are SW Accessible Beige. I'm open to anything that I can DIY. The only light that the kitchen gets are from the windows that you see in the photo.

Featured Answer

katinparadise

5 years ago

I wouldn't paint the cabinets-they're a very nice wood color and add warmth to the space. I would add polished nickel hardware as suggested.

The epoxy paint kits for countertops are terrible. My daughter looked at an apartment that said it was remodeled. The complex had painted the countertops with those kits and it looked like it and felt like it. You're better off with new laminate or Corian as suggested.

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Comments (6)

barncatz
5 years ago
If this were my space, I'd leave the cabinets alone. I'd paint the walls either white or a light sage but not beige, I'd replace knobs with polished nickel for sparkle and, rather than painting the counters, I'd get either white laminate or Corian counters or maybe even use very large rectified white tiles that I could lay with a narrow grout line. With a new counter (or if I kept the current counters, I'd rip off the 4" backsplash) I'd install a tile backsplash from counter to cabinet.
smurfette36 thanked barncatz
della70
5 years ago
The two pendant lights seem to be too small for the space and too short. Maybe it's just the photograph?
smurfette36 thanked della70
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damiarain
5 years ago
I like barncatz's ideas to brighten up the space. Lighter counters & backsplash + the under cab lighting you've already added will really help without you needing to paint

Also, the pendants do look too small and maybe too high
smurfette36 thanked damiarain
ci_lantro
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Change the receptacle and cover plate on the cabinet end to something that blends in better.

Larger pendants.

New hardware.

No paint on the cabinets.

White or light aqua color paint. No beige or grey.

Fridge surround down the road when you replace the refrigerator.

Since you have limited counter space, I would replace the range hood with a microwave/ hood combination. Not ideal but it would free up a lot of counter.

New counter tops. I would try to eliminate the raised ledge and have a wider, one level counter on the sink peninsula.

Edited to add that I would put some dimmable LED tape lights on top of the cabinets, too. In addition to the under cabinet lights you've already installed.
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Century Hardware
5 years ago
Sounds like you've got some great ideas on updating your kitchen so far! I would suggest purchasing new cabinet hardware. New hardware really does make a difference in the way a room looks as it adds color and detail to the cabinets. I would suggest checking out Century Hardware they have a wide selection of styles and colors to choose from to help make you space unique and stylish. I would look for something in a Satin Nickle Or Stainless finish as you expressed that you will be updating appliances to stainless.

Best of Luck!

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