What kind of ideas? Refreshing what you have? Pulling it all out and reconfiguring? Those look like they might be original steel cabinets?

I am looking to remodel the entire kitchen. My Budget is less than $10,000. The tile on the walls need to be removed and the floor needs to be replaced.

It looks like it’s tiny so $10k should be doable depending on a few things Do you live in a high or low cost of living area? Do you have an IKEA near you? Does $10k include new appliances? Do you plan to keep s table and chairs on one wall or do you want cabinets on that wall as well?

Just asking for ideas won’t get you any closer to your goal. We dont have any idea what your style is or what you like.

Houzz and Pinterest are your best friend for ideas. Find kitchens that speak to you, then find the common threads to dial in the details.

yes...a table on one wall since i don't have a dining room...I am new to this site so all the advice is welcome...and yes the $10K includes appliances.

I live in a low cost area and yes there is an ikea close enough.

The pulls on your cabinets and drawers are very cool. I wonder if a major scrub down might not help a lot. It's worth a try. The IKEA planning tool is helpful as well. It's also a good idea to look at Craigslist and Restore for good deals on used, but practically new, appliances and cabinets too- though if you don't live near a high cost of living area, that is less likely to be fruitful.

Thank you for the great ideas...i will start with the magic eraser and look into the ikea planning tool.

Incidentally, if those are in fact steel cabinets original to the house, you have the option of having them stripped and either painted or powder coated by a professional. If you can get them nice and clean, you can probably sell them as is for a good chunk of change to a vintage reseller.

I believe they are the original metal cabinets...i will see if i can google a painter that can paint or powder coat them...I never heard of powder coating.

Just in case you are interested here is the Wiki on powder coating. There are YouTubes showing how its done as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_coating

PS I am not suggesting you DIY the powder coating. That does not seem feasible at all.

IKEA cabinets are a good idea -- assuming you can assemble and install them yourself.

While I haven't installed their cabinets (I have assembled some and they're not difficult), others here have mentioned that IKEA simplifies the installation by using a "rail system" -- install the rail and hang the cabinets from the rail.

Paying someone to assemble and install will, of course, add to your cost.

It might worth checking for a local cabinetmaker -- however, there is no guarantee they (1) will less expensive or (2) will be of high quality. We've heard quite a few horror stories over the years with local cabinetmakers but we've also heard great stories. You have to do your due diligence b/f signing a contract. I'll post the blurb I usually post when "local (custom) cabinetmakers" are mentioned (especially when they are touted as the greatest thing since sliced bread.)

In the meantime, I recommend reading the Kitchens Forum's "Read Me" thread and the "Layout Help" FAQ thread. The latter discusses the information we need to help you come up with the best design and Kitchen for your needs & wants and within your budget.

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New to Kitchens? Read Me First!

• [https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-dsvw-vd~5500754[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-dsvw-vd~5500754)

FAQ: How Do I Ask For Layout Help & What Information Should I Include?

• https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500789/faq-how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-what-information-should-i-include

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+++++ Local Cabinetmaker Blurb +++++

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Just a word of caution..."local (custom) cabinetmaker" is thrown around here a lot with the implication they are superior to the various cabinet manufacturers. They may be, but there is no guarantee. "Local custom cabinetmaker" does not necessarily equate to "high quality" or "low cost". There are many very good custom cabinetmakers out there, but there are many not-so-good ones as well. Just b/c someone is a "custom cabinetmaker" does not make him/her a good cabinetmaker. And, it's not just their skill at cabinetry...how are their business skills? E.g., How are they at meeting schedules? Do they stay within the cost they quote you? How do they deal with issues? What is their warranty? What recourse do you have if they drop the ball? Sometimes you can go "over the heads" of people at cabinet stores or even go to the manufacturer (at least for warranty issues), but you might not have that option with a local cabinetmaker.

If you go this route, be very diligent in your research:

• Contact several recent references, including at least one who had problems so you can see how s/he handled those problems. Ask about:
  -- How was the cabinetmaker at keeping to the schedule s/he promised?
  -- Did the cabinetmaker stick pretty close to the cost estimate given to the customer (no hidden fees, undeclared upgrades, etc.)?
  -- Did the cabinetmaker let the customer see a sample of their cabinet order for approval of the finish, quality, etc., prior to completing the entire order?
  -- How did the cabinetmaker handle construction issues?
  -- How did the cabinetmaker handle installation issues?
• Contact several not-so-recent references, ask them how their cabinets are holding up (joints, face frames, drawers, doors, finish, etc.). Try for some at least 5 years old and at least 10 years old.
• See actual installed kitchens with the same type of cabinets you are looking for:
  -- Type: frameless, framed overlay (partial or full), inset
  -- Wood species: cherry, maple, alder, oak, etc.
  -- Finish: stained, glazed, painted
• Look at the construction details: Wall thicknesses, box material (plywood, MDF, etc.), interior finishes, box construction (joining, etc.), drawer construction, shelving, etc.
• What is the cabinetmaker's warranty on his/her products? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? Lifetime?
• Does the cabinetmaker have a kitchen designer s/he works with or does the cabinetmaker do the designing? Is the cabinetmaker open to working with you as a designer or with a kitchen designer you hire independently from them? [You really should work with a good designer to catch the "details" that might be missed by you and/or us (most of us are not pros)]
• How is the cabinetmaker with "unusual" requests? (Farmhouse/apron sinks, deeper cabinets, deeper drawers, toekick drawers, inset cabinets, etc.)
• Ask if there is a design fee upfront and pay for this separately, so you have rights to the design.
• Research the state of the cabinetmaker's business:
  -- Have they been laying off or hiring?
  -- How many jobs do they have going now?
  -- How is their cash flow?
  -- etc.

In addition, do not sign anything that commits you to payment until you have:

• A finish (stain or paint) and wood you like -- request a sample!
  [You'll want a sample later anyway while you're shopping for other components in your Kitchen (counter, flooring, backsplash, paint, etc.) If necessary, pay for it.]
• If you are interested in inset cabinets, ask to see a sample of their finished work as many smaller shops either do not do inset or they don't do them often and may not be experienced enough.
• The design has been measured and proven install-able
• You have a payment schedule
• You know what forms of payment will be accepted
• You know how refunds will be made, if necessary.
• Do not sign a proposal or estimate -- only sign a contract with these details.
• Tell the cabinetmaker these are your requirements for the project, and do not let them pressure you. If they do, it's a bad sign, so look elsewhere.

These are all the same questions you should ask of a manufacturing line as well, but all these things are usually spelled out somewhere and they have staff who specialize in these areas. You also usually have some "standard" recourses if there are problems. In addition, their quality, including finishes and construction, are generally pretty consistent (yes, there are glitches occasionally) and they have the advantage for those finishes that are better when manufactured than when done by hand.

I'm not saying don't look into local cabinetmakers, I'm saying be careful. We have had several threads where people have gone this route and have had major issues in all the areas above...construction quality, finish quality, installation issues, difficult to work with, etc. And yes, there have been similar threads from those using cabinet companies (but those are usually resolved fairly quickly once the person gets up the courage to say something.)

If you can find a great local custom cabinetmaker that has wonderful quality at a price you're willing to pay, then by all means, go with them...just do your research.

Good luck!

Also, see the post from GreenDesigns in the following thread on August 13, 2011:

• https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2679023/custom-cabinets-really-cheaper-than-stock