kitchen update - need advice

7 years ago

I’ve lived in my house for 20 years and don’t plan to move. Other than changing some appliances and paint, we haven’t done anything to the kitchen. It’s time. I thought I knew what I wanted to do until I started reading the discussions here.

We hate the white floor because we have three dogs who use a pet door to our backyard. It always looks dirty. The adjacent rooms have wood floors and parquet. I thought about something dark, like slate, but then I would want to paint the cabinets light. Most people on here advise others against it.

So, my first question is what to do with the cabinets? The ones that are used a lot look bad and would need to be refinished. Most, however, look OK.

If I leave the cabinets as is, what type of countertop? The current laminate must go. I love butcher block, but I know that wouldn’t work with the stained cabinets. And should I change the backsplash?

Structurally, I was considering removing the area with the recipe books that sticks out and putting in an island. I’m just not sure if there would still be enough room. How much room should be around an island?

Some givens: the white appliances will be stainless (we’ve been changing them out periodically), all the stuff on top the cabinets will be removed.

I could probably spend $20,000, but I want to be as practical as possible. We are modest people. I just want something that looks “put together” and is timeless. I will add more photos in another post.

Featured Answer

User

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

If all you want to spend is 20K, that’s new flooring, new counters, a backsplash, and a good lighting plan, and you’re done. Just those projects will eat all of that budget up. Just getting those professionally painted will run close to 10K to get them done correctly you by a professional with professional grade products. Now you’re at 25-30K.

That level budget just pushes off the issue of dealing with the cabinets down the road. It locks them in under stone if you spend to put in stone. Either triple up the budget to put in new cabinets now in a full gut remodel that deals with fixing the many layout issues, or resign yourself to dealing with the floor and most of the rest of the real issues as one of those “later never comes” projects.

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Comments (12)

Rebecca Potter
Original Author
7 years ago
More photos
Rebecca Potter
Original Author
7 years ago
And some more
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Kristin S
7 years ago
To get the best advice, you need to measure everything and make a floor plan with all the dimensions noted. It's really difficult/impossible to give good advice based on photos alone.

One thing I will say - I'd spend part of that budget on a counter depth refrigerator. The current full-size one make the room feel smaller with how far it stick forward.
Ursula9
7 years ago
My first question is, is the layout functional for you? It looks pretty functional. If you love butcher block, I say go with it. What if you stained the bottom cabinets and painted the upper cabinets, or vice versa? That way you don’t have too much wood. I think slate floors look great but they are so hard on your feet. Hardwood is imho still the most practical flooring.

As for an island, you really need at least 3 feet clearance around. Anything less looks cramped and you are bumping into each other, and maybe with dogs that’s not such a good idea. And small island just look silly.
rbhirano
7 years ago
Your kitchen has an unusual layout, as it looks like the majority of your prep are is all in the little nook under the window. And, the sink is kind of around the corner from your prep area. I love your ceiling, and would base your design off of that! With the budget you have in hand, I would definitely just paint the cabinets. Maybe a darker color on the bottom and a white on the top that would go with the ceiling color. You could certainly put in a butcher block counter, but I am not sure about a slate floor, as slate tends to absorb oils. Maybe a darker tile, or one that looks like wood? If it is a rectangle shape, have it run the same as the ceiling, not perpendicular to the ceiling. Do get rid of that peninsula with the cook books and make that flush to the wall. I believe you need three feet between an island and the counters, and you will want to make sure you can still open oven and dishwasher doors for easy access. Post pictures as you go so we can see!
rbhirano
7 years ago
Also, if it was in the budget, I would consider removing the wall where the cook books are, and making it flush with the wall where the dog bed is located. That would open up your kitchen and give you more space for an island. You would gain back the space you lost in removing the wall.
Rebecca Potter
Original Author
7 years ago
Your comments have been so beneficial! I have enough room for a 3 x 6 foot island with at least 3 or more feet around it if I make the area where the cookbooks/dog bed are flush to the wall. With that, I would not paint the cabinets but do the island painted with the butcher block top. Any suggestions for the type of countertops for the rest?
jhmarie
7 years ago
There are many lovely countertops for stained cabinets. I chose a quartz. My kitchen is older with a similar door style (but different wood) and here is my refresh:

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854029

I like a vintage look and so I went with a vintage feel - works with older cabinets.

I did refinish most of my cabinets and also finished some newer pieces to match (spice boxes and plate rail.) My mother had some of her wood cabinets refinished - just the damaged ones and I cannot tell the difference between the older and the refinished - they did such a good job matching the stain.

I would find your layout a bit awkward if I bought your home, but it is not bad. Changing layout usually means new cabinets, extra work (plumbing / electrical) and gets very expensive. If the layout does bother you, I would simply continue to save because your present kitchen looks clean and not at all an eye sore.

I had butcher block on my island for several years and it worked out fine. Eventually I changed it to match the countertops. There are some older pics of my kitchen in my "my pics" idea book with the butcher block. My island is not "built in" so movable, but without electric, which is required on a built in island.

This is my wood kitchens idea book. It has both new and older, refreshed kitchens. You might see something that you like in flooring, counters or backsplash.

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

Do add under cabinet lighting, at least in your prep area. That was the most functional change I made and wonderful for my older eyes.
Julie Petterson
7 years ago
You should for sure get marble countertops to give your kitchen a timeless but modern look. Paint your cabinets a beautiful light blue color. For backsplash get white subway tile. Recessed lighting in the cabinets. Last but not least the flooring , I would do dark hardwood . This is probably not all going to be under 20,000 dollars....but would be worth every penny. Hope I helped!
decoenthusiaste
7 years ago
That little nook area reads as a butler's pantry to me. If that wall were removed, you'd be able to have your island as prep space. Be sure to stuff it full of drawer storage so it really becomes a workhorse for you. You'll love the ease of drawers compared to reaching in deep, dark shelves.
Kathi Steele
7 years ago
An island would be another impediment to walking around in your kitchen. Do you NEED an island? What is the purpose?

Before you start doing anything, you need to know what you want the finished product to look like and how do you want it to function?? If you put in an island, it will seriously hamper your movement in the kitchen.

If you remove the peninsula, you could treat the back area like a butler's pantry. You could move your microwave back there and make a coffee bar/drink station back there.

While you are remodeling, here are some great articles to read and help get you organized....

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5500754/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first#n=533

http://starcraftcustombuilders.com/kitchen.design.rules.htm#.Wq1aeWrwaM8

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4273188/things-you-added-or-removed-that-you-love-regret-in-your-kitchen-renov

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5332686/10-tests-for-you-and-your-contractors-first-meeting#n=25

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/10-common-kitchen-layout-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them-stsetivw-vs~116563485?m_refid=us-ocnt-reg-ocnt-stories-ktichen-116563485&fbclid=IwAR2VNIFLSZEN3skfRbCDsZdylbGcyCVJO5cRAEvIJyyMAgPz0PLdReOkX-s