How can I brighten and update my kitchen?

7 years ago

It’s Year 4 in our house and we’ve done the uninteresting essentials (roof, furnace, etc.) and a couple fun things, like hickory floors and new stone flooring in the entry. I finally get to begin on the kitchen, and would appreciate any help.

The kitchen has a great layout and I don’t plan to move things around. My cabinets are cherry and even though I don’t love the door style, I don’t plan to invest in changing them, and can’t stomach the idea of painting them. That means I need to brighten and modernize with countertops, sink and faucet, and flooring. I’d like to turn the old desk into a coffee bar, if I can figure out a plan.

Flooring needs to coordinate with front fall. I was thinking an octagonal slate? Maybe quartz or Corian-type counter? House colors generally pick up what you see in the floor: golds and grays and blues.

Thanks for any ideas!

Featured Answer

Zachary

7 years ago

You don't have much natural light. I would add plenty of recessed lighting to brighten up the space.

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Comments (15)

Susie .
7 years ago
Agree you need better lighting. And if you’re use able to remove the valance over the sink, it would help a little with light and modernize the space a bit. Do you have under cabinet lighting? That’s a must in a kitchen.
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roarah
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Undercabinet strip lighting does wonders for dark kitchens. I would also add a bit of bling with hardware. A brighter brass or nickel, the present orb, blend in too closely to the wood tone. A brighter quartz counter, new drop in deep sink and taller faucet with a coordinating simple backsplash and new floors will go far to updating you pretty cabinets.
Laurel Kennedy
Original Author
7 years ago
@Zachary, @roarah, Thanks. Yes, very little natural light. We took down two huge trees to let more light in. I felt I was getting Seasonal Affective Disorder in summer! The leaves blocked all the light. I can add under-cabinet lighting right away.
Laurel Kennedy
Original Author
7 years ago
@Susie ., thanks for noticing that valence. I’ll remove it. I was thinking that I’d also replace the hood over the cooktop with stainless steel and something lower profile. My husband whacks his head on it, and it adds to the datedness. Photo doesn’t show it well. Thank you,
rantontoo
7 years ago
The hood cab would have to go for me.....hate things in my face when I cook. Remodel can lighting?
Olychick
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Even though you don’t want to replace cabinets, maybe consider glass doors on some of your uppers. It might add some lightness and sparkle. Your floor looks very neutral and in good shape. I think the entry stone will really darken the space. I’d be inclined to leave it and spend my money elsewhere.
jhmarie
7 years ago
I like your hood - probably because it is similar to mine:)

I refreshed with new quartz counters, "short apron" apron front sink (which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet) cream subway tile backsplash and under cabinet lighting. The under cabinet lighting is the most useful thing I did - with the sink a close second behind.

Here is my wood kitchens idea book - it has both newer and older, refreshed kitchens. Perhaps there will be some inspiration for you:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens
Laurel Kennedy
Original Author
7 years ago
@Olychick, thanks. I have thought about putting glass in the upper cabinets above the peninsula, with some interior lights. I ordered some under-cabinet lights today and may try a few in those uppers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Laurel Kennedy
Original Author
7 years ago
@jhmarie, thank you for sharing your ideabook! And your experience. The biggest problem with the hood is the head-whacking, followed by the hood-cursing. It’s *exactly* the right height for my husband’s noggin. I’ll add some under cabinet lights this week. Many thanks!
jhmarie
7 years ago
I was trying to figure out why my husband does not hit his head and realized it is because we have a range which sticks out a few inches farther then the countertop and the front burners are farther out then yours. My hood also might not protrude out as much as yours. Only half the front burners are covered by the hood. I am not sure if you can tell in the pic - my kitchencis a bit vintage:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042
Laurel Kennedy
Original Author
7 years ago
@jhmarie Oh my gosh! Your kitchen is gorgeous!! Congratulations.

And you’re right: Our hood juts almost as far out as the counter top. It could be much more trim.

Thank you sharing your kitchen! It truly is an inspiration.
PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
I have a big old stove, too, and it also juts out - no problem with hitting the hood! Yet another reason to love that huge ancient thing!
lexma90
7 years ago
A comment about the coffee bar idea. If you're referring to an espresso machine, or something like that, make sure that your machine can fit under the upper cabinets, and that you can get the water holder out easily, unless you don't mind moving the espresso machine forward and back every time you need to add water.
Laurel Kennedy
Original Author
7 years ago
@lexma90 Thank you! Exactly the kind of thing I’d forget. Thanks for taking the time for your note.