what I'm possibly going to be living with:

In our current place we've had a great Ikea kitchen for the past 10 years, which we completely designed and installed including major layout changes. It's wonderful, but in the new place we don't have the dollars for that and since this kitchen is in good shape we don't want to focus on big changes. I would like to relocate the fridge, and ideally a bigger sink, different counter, frameless cabinets with...too much scope creep here. So would revamping just the uppers, getting a real hood, and a fun paint be enough for 10+ years? I think frameless uppers would be nice, these all have face frames whick makes their small size seem even tinier.

I actually don't think it's that bad (but I'd like to see the rest of it). The flow is decent, the DW is on the correct side of the sink, you have drawers near the range for potholders and cooking utensils. I like that the cabinets go to the ceiling, increasing your storage space. If the uppers only have 3 moveable shelves, get another one for each upper cabinet - that allows you to store a lot more stuff without stacking.

I definitely agree about getting a range hood. I have a little MW that sits on the counter, in the corner between the fridge and sink, which works well for us.

I'm short too, so I positioned the bottom shelf in my uppers pretty low, with short things on the bottom - like plates and bowls. That makes it a lot easier for me to reach two shelves. I also have a great little folding stool that tucks under the sink, so I can reach everything!

How wide is the sink cab? That is going to limit the size of your sink. You might want to consider an apron sink to squeeze out every inch of that cab.

I think it has a lot of possibility! Take out the uppers, paint the lowers, take out the granite and replace it with a different countertop and separate backsplash and you won't even recognize it.

I don't think with open shelves you will even lose very much storage space, if any. those are a great idea.

I would live with it for a while to see if using the uppers really bother you as much as you think they will. If you can live with them, I would leave the cabinets as is, replace the micro with a hood, and replace the backsplash with something lighter to brighten and modernize it.

Thanks all -- I do plan to live with it a while, as is, just to really hone in on what I can and cannot live with. But it's nice to go into it with seeing the potential, if possible. The uppers are pretty narrow, I think the cabs flanking the microwave are 12" - 15" wide. The little corner cabs each door is like 6 or 8".

melle, you're moving? how exciting!

lazy me wouldn't touch it for now, except for finding more warm color for the walls (same way I didn't touch my previous kitchen-nothing except layout was to my liking, not the cabs, not the granite(lets say yours is better), not the..you name it, I wasn't a fan lol..yet it worked together well enough, appliances were good, and the plan wasn't very open, so..)

we spent there 7 years and would spend more if not circumstances beyong my control, and I never even thought of remodeling. But. The vent hood was above the range, and the microwave had its spot and was lower. And the sink was of normal size. That's important of course, Functinonality,

Of course I like the idea of real vent hood-I'm also kinda short. especially if you've another spot to fit that microwave

If you have enough uppers-which is hard to see-I'd look into maybe exchanging some to glass fronts?

I'd need to see the layout better to comment about shelves. the opposite wall..

to summarize. oh yes, you can make it work for 10 plus years:) It's a normal kitchen.

I wonder whether you can do without totally rewamping the uppers, if you're looking into creating better layout etc anyway. You save more now-you redo it to your liking sooner.

I also need to look up frameless again..I might rather prefer shelves that going with uppers that are very different from lowers. But as I said I need to look it up, Hopefully you'll get response from folks more knowledgeable about cabinetry.

Do you feel like it goes with the house, generally speaking? The kitchen? If the answer is yes-helps to embrace it..tremendously

If the answer is "no, It seems like it landed from Mars"..that's when lazy april suddenly becomes all preoccupied..))

April we might be moving, our offer was accepted home inspection tomorrow. The house is a 1960s ranch with original front door and shutters, black slate entry and original fireplace. New bathrooms that I think were done fine, neutral. half bath not updated but vintage cool. The kitchen does not, in my opinion, go with the house. It's just what was probably in style when the person remodeled. I'll definitely have to live with most of it. I guess the things that bug me most is the opening for fridge is 33", no vent hood, 22 or 23" sink, the giant backsplash. I don't like the counters but then to have them on the wall too...! It's all installed very nicely.

If I only paint, what color? I like green, can apple green work in this room? Maybe save and re-do it all is a better option, hard to know until I'm living in it DH is definitely on board with installing a hood for now.

Other photos to show style of house:

You can kind of see the extraneous counter with cabinetry that's on the non-work zone area. i see lots of junk collecting there.

vintage details

oh okay. I don't want to jinx anything then, keeping fingers crossed. Highly envy the fireplace btw.

but you're right..they kinda remodeled the kitchen with what was in style when they remodeled,, regardless the rest of the house

to me, immediately becomes more of an issue. More irritating. Old/not exactly to my liking doesn't bother me. The one that feels like doesn't belong-yeah..I get it.

It's very nicely partially enclosed..that's good. I like partially enclosed, in any case.

(and it's still much better that whatever newer kitchen was installed in our place..that was "why, oh why did you do it for resale?". They also knocked some walls down I believe to fit that thing...)

apple green might be too bright. a bit muted green might be better. you'll try samples, you'll see what happens. but now when I see the house I of course want to think more globally..))

I think-counters/backsplash are the most odd man out here..

cabs, can be more easily embraced. I know though you prefer more streamlined feel, and all.

Maybe makes sense to wait. Paint, style with things you love, start designing in your head..you'll also know much more how you want things when in the house

We left one bathroom mostly untouched. Also, more "Tuscany" much later reno that doesn't go with the house. Kitchen was very contemporary. Nothing to do with the house even more so. In short no rhyme no reason to both. Both done for resale I think. Whatever's cheapest and most available

We wanted to save money, naturally. On something..

Well I changed vanity, added tons of storage, styled the heck out of it. Did everything as to see minimum of these tiles. Added favorite things etc. It's a normal hall bathroom.

I still know it's a compromise because it is.

Still want to redo it, theoretically

But it's low on priorities list. Too many things we haven't started yet, and we have too, or that irritate me more because very poorly done..

If you don't need to majorly remodel the rest. You can make the kitchen your priority.

If you have experience with IKEA already...you'd do great job again.

I think that granite is really, really pretty. I really like your ideas for making it just a little better for your needs. I wouldn't change out the granite, but maybe you would like some really special tile for the backsplash (although, not necessary). Cream uppers would be beautiful!!!!! There is nothing wrong with the existing hardware, but I like to spiff things up with some kind of something different sometimes. I'd remove the arch above the window. And I'd paint the walls either a cream to match the cream cabinets. Or white. Like that awesome fireplace. Looks like a nice house. It will nice to have a window over the sink.

I understand your concern about the counter on the "back wall" (that we see from the dining room) being a dumping ground.

The secret to keeping that from happening is to make sure there is a place for the junk that would normally collect there. For example, you can dedicate on of the cabinets above it as a Command Center, where you keep envelopes, in and out boxes, scratch paper, etc. Or have a tub for each member of the family - instead of dumping things on the counter, they go in the tub, behind closed doors. It may take a little training and discipline to make it work, but if you have a place for things, at least you can put them away quickly when company is coming!

AnnKH I LOVE that idea and hadn't thought of it before! New house, new habits :-) We are going to have double the space in this house, with a ton of extra storage. In our current place so much ends up in the kitchen but this place offers many more options. Thank you!

We were at the house yesterday and I spent more time in the kitchen. I really would like to take down that backsplash and lower the uppers; basically I'll only be able to reach the bottom shelf the way they are right now.

The kitchen is dark with little natural light (window faces shaded West), which is fine because the living, family, and patio rooms are all quite bright! It's a soothing kitchen. However there are many can lights in the kitchen with a variety of switches to turn on either sink, or work area, or back counter... I can't remember exactly what but it was rather theatrical! I don't think there was under-cab task lighting. We've found a 33" wide French door fridge that will fit into the space ..DH really wants an ice-maker and current appliance doesn't have one.

But the uppers are really bugging me because they are too high, the corner units have narrow openings, and I'm not a fan of those cathedral doors. I'm not sure I'll be able to get used to them. I can only access the bottom, not even the first shelf. Not even sure I can reach the back of the bottom. I don't know that I like this kitchen reminding me how short I am all the time (5'2") ;-) The layout, the small sink, the lowers and the counter... all seem like they would work. The space is cohesive but I can't stop thinking about frameless cream uppers, installed lower, maybe some glass doors or open shelving, and a real hood.

I could live with the current backsplash if it was just behind the stove, then the cabinets could be lowered and I could paint the walls green. Is removing, cutting, and re-installing the backsplash an option?

Or maybe we can leave it alone on that stove wall and just take down the corner cab altogether, then remove the backsplash from the other walls. Then either re-install the cabinets lower or change them to something frameless. I don't know, the kitchen is in really good condition. Kraftmaid cabinets and the color, a bit more red than I like, isn't distasteful I think with the right paint it would be okay.

Guess I sound like a whiner. Overall the place feels like it will be a good fit! Just starting to feel inspired to make it feel just right.

No, you don't sound like a whiner

a question-will the current flooring in th living//dining stay?

We are planning to install hardwood to match the family room, hall, and bedrooms: apparently it's 2" red oak. Then we'll have all flooring finished to match, maybe something a little more neutral tone if possible, not so orange. I'm not sure what I think of wood under dining but my boys are now 9 and 13 so more careful. we have time at our current place and it has been really nice but in the new place I would like things to feel cohesive.

Aha, thank you..so flooring not part of the equation as will be changed anyway

sounds like a lot of work. good plan..just pretty extensive as I see it.

I don't know whether one can take down such backsplash without harming the counters..most likely yes, but sounds like a big job

yet..you need things to be done anyway so you can actually use this kitchen(that seems indeed cohesive and well made-if you take it as a separate space)

and I don't know..is the space between lowers and uppers of standard height, or why is it so high? What can be done instead of corner cabinets/how functionality can be increased there?

I think it starts getting beyond the scope of stylistic choices, materials and colors, that work together, and is best to post a real plan. For more helpful suggestions

Maybe not right now while you're still in the middle of the process of a sale, but later

I think you're right April. maybe i should just figure out where I'll put the step stool -- I'll need it daily so should make it convenient.

I don't know why the cabinets are so high, either the ceilings are taller than I realized or maybe they are short uppers. I tried not to get too bogged down in those type of details this early in the process. we liked the layout, the location, the size of the house, the price, the yard.

So I'll wait and revisit this once we take ownership. We have several months to do some work before we move in: ceilings, flooring, any appliance replacement (DH wants gas stove and different fridge, so maybe also vent hood)... so whatever the issues in this kitchen they are less important right now. The remodeling work was done well and it will certainly hold up for a while.

I actually like a lot if except the backsplash. I would like to see what it would look like insight color. Maybe hang some white paper over it, step back and see what it looks like.

Well it's now OUR kitchen. I've visited it a few times and although it seems functional, I sure think it's ugly. The floor is yellowish cream with brown grout, the granite is mostly copper and yellow that seems to have pink undertones, the Kraftmaid cabinets have a sticker on the inside that might be the stain: acorn squash. It's such a copper-yellow-pink depressing space.

How can I cheer it up on a budget? I like blue and green. We will start by changing lights to something that will hopefully make the pink tones go away. I'm still thinking a green wall color, maybe olive. Maybe with our stuff all over the counters I won't see as much of the ugly granite :-)

I've also been thinking about wallpapering over most of the granite backsplash... I'll just leave the sink and range un-papered... wonder if that would be effective or a mess.