The counter does need replaced. I personaly would put in round edge formica. Formica was probably the orginal surface at the time. I can't think of a counter top material that has been used as long as formica. Wood, porcelain, tile ran its fad out. Granite is on its way out, and I suspect quartz will be next.

Cool wall mount faucet. Those are so practical because you don't have to clean around them 5x a day.

I would keep the cabinets as is. (Although I notice that the finish looks a little rough on the one cabinet. May be a bit tricky to fix that.) Change the pulls, though.

Would change the ceiling light. Maybe a couple of LED flat panel lights because they are sleek, low profile & would fit the look. LED lighting under the upper cabinets. Large single bowl sink.

New countertops--something plain & non-fussy. Corian? Formica would be an entirely era appropriate choice, echoing what Functionthelook ^ said.

(Aqua would be a great accent color to add.)

And, I would change the stove because I dislike the looks of stoves with skinny wire grates.

Why "fix" what you don't find "broken"? Wood is always classic--I would update hardware and the tile counter tops. I scrubbed grout in my mom's back in the day and HATE IT now. I do see worn spots on the doors--easy fix to lightly sand re-stain and poly. THAT effort will stand up over time. I agree living in the space a bit might save you money in the long run. Homes have a way of revealing what you need them to be and if you ever move to a floor plan switch up--you don't want to waste your time/money on too much before that.

I love the cabinets, but wow that’s a narrow kitchen! I agree with the other posters, live with it awhile, and make notes as to what works and what doesn’t. Save, save, save for a complete remodel if you need it.

A good source for info about older kitchens is retrorenovation.com

I can see painting them in Miami-vice-art-deco (ie 80s reinterpretation of ocean liner Art Deco). I’d think about replacing only the counters to the left and right of cooktop (so they match), and backsplash, perhaps in something very diner-style—brushed swirl pattern stainless steel?

I'd live with it for a while, but overall would try to keep the vibe --- if it fits the rest of the house.

However, I'd get rid of that microwave shelf ASAP.

IMO 50’s cabinets are well made but poor function as for storage I also hate the all wood interiors that are usually pretty gross by now. I think i agree with hubby to spend money on a new counter without upgrading the cabinets makes no sense. All those lowers should be drawers for sure . You need a counter depth fridge for sure and also a counter depth stove . Have you lived with this kitchen for while? I usually like galley kitchens but that one is really narrow, if you are going to the trouble of replacing cabinets is there any way to widen that space a bit. Please live with this for 3 months min then get a plan.

What's your budget? Painting cabinets isn't that cheap if it is done correctly.

Also replacing cabinets probably is going to wind up to be more expensive than just repainting them and installing a new counter would. This is because replacing cabinets is likely to require new electrical and plumbing work to bring up to Code. Also factor in cost of sinks, faucets, garbage disposal, knobs, pulls, possible new appliances especially the refrigerator which you will want to change to a counter depth refrigerator. Also painting the kitchen, new backsplash, new flooring.

Of course the upside is that you will have a fabulous new beautiful highly functional kitchen - the downside is that realistically the cost will be significantly more than just painting and a new counter. When I moved to my circa 1965 condo, I didn't have the money to remodel so I made cosmetic changes within my limited budget. I did have the cabinets painted by a professional and changed the harvest gold formica for another formica counter and installed a new kitchen sink and inexpensive but good quality Moen kitchen faucet. Plus vinyl tile floors It was fine in terms of what I could afford at the point. I just gutted the kitchen last year because I had the money to do it and it truly had reached the end of its functional and aesthetic life. Well actually it was PAST that point but I had held off piecemeal stuff because I knew that it was all being gutted so I didn't want to spend money for stuff that would not be functional after the remodel - i.e. the space for my refrigerator was small.

As others have posted, you might as well live in your kitchen for awhile and get a true sense of how it functions.

I recently finished a remodel and gutted my small galley kitchen. The 1965 era cabinets were solid as a rock and they weren't "icky" inside because I had lined them with contact paper when I moved in.

Because I live in a condo high rise there wasn't much I could do about changing the layout but I could tweak it within constraints of where plumbing lines were. I managed to add SO MUCH functionality with the new cabinets - deep drawers; full extension soft closing hardware; added wall oven and microwave drawer; added induction cooktop and moved it slightly so had counters on either side. I added a cabinet which enables me to store my KA mixer and Cuisnart and be able to slide them out when needed - added toe kick step stools so I could more easily reach top shelves - toe kick drawers are also an option and adds storage in a small space.

And aesthetically I was able to get the kitchen of my dreams.

I painted my cabinets from the 50’s and replaced the countertop. In hindsight I wish I would have just replaced them. I’m in a new place now with all new and I love my big drawers instead of crouching down to base cabinets. You could also then remove the soffit and use taller cabinets.

What about the appliances? There are great retro look ranges and refrigerators in funky colors. I know they are pricey, but how fun would that be

I’ve live in two 60s era homes that each had real wood cabinetry with dovetail joinery on drawer. Both were structurally sound and suited the age of the home. For the first I stripped and restrained the cabinets red and re-used the copper hinges. For the second home I added surface molding and painted the cabinets more than 10 years ago, if done well the paint will last. Professional painting is best but not to bad for a determined DIYer.

If your cabinets are in good condition I’d keep them as it’s unlikely you’ll fine new cabinets of the same quality built with wood. Your cabinets are unique and aren’t likely to be found in other homes. I’d work with them and incorporate modern touches elsewhere.

With that said, it is a good idea to live with it to see how you feel in your new space and

Also take time to consider what elements of modern cabinetry you’d like to incorporate into your kitchen if you did do a total gut job. Take your time.

In the end do what makes sense to you, ignore trends and all the pretty pictures on houzz that are ridiculously similar sometimes, and do what works for you and how you use your kitchen.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion the counters aren't original. Every house in my 1948-52 subdivision had that exact style of counters (raised bullnose edge, square tiles set at a diagonal, square backsplash tiles set straight, backsplash on side walls, and a wall mount faucet). But most of ours were yellow or pink or teal. I know it is original because there were lots of original owners when I moved in, and I met the son of the builder, who is now tearing out all that old tile to remodel houses for people who find it "dated."

I love the look of this kitchen, all in all. But I would totally base the decision on whether to renovate on function. And to tell if it's functional, you'll have to live there a while.

Eeeeek that’s narrow.

My advice echos others.... live there for a while before deciding what to do.

I rather like the detailing of the cabinets, and that sink and faucet is wonderful. I would move the microwave though, I'm not fond of microwaves above stoves like that.

This looks like a great black and white kitchen, a classic. It looks like it functions well. I’m sure you have already cooked some great food. I really like the floor. Good job

Great transformation! I love it when people do wonderful renovations without gutting.

Very nice!!

I like the flooring but wish appliances were white. You can add black accessories and the space would feel more open. You can always get appliances painted.

It looks really good, love the floor. You kept the best parts & the charm!

New cabinets are definitely the way to go. Painting old cabinets is just throwing good money after bad. The cost for painting existing cabinets typically 50% of the cost or more of purchasing new. It's a better investment for your home and will have a stronger resale value.

You were smart to keep your original cabinets. My cabinets are the original 45 year old cabinets, including hinges. They are 100 % solid wood. You can park a mac truck in the cabinet. No sagging shelves, no dings or dents, no flimsy drawer bottoms or inoperative slides and the hinges are in perfect condition.

I am not about to replace them for any of this new stuff. Our last house (new build) top of the line $$$$ custom cabinets although good cabinets weren't built as well as these.

We used less than one can of primer and paint for the kitchen that cost under $50 (Sherwin Williams was having a sale) definitely more affordable than new cabinets...

This looks very good and if done well will last. I’m at the 15 year mark with my DIY painted cabinets.

Depends on who does the cabinet painting and how it’s done. If done as a DIY then painting cabinets is not expensive. More expensive if you use a paint sprayer. If done by a professional yes definitely more expensive than DIY. I’ve not priced that but 50% of new seems like over inflated. Getting the exterior of my home professionally painted isn’t 50% the cost of new cabinets. I’m in Chicagoland so yes there may be regional differences in cost.

I agree with function, I’m not giving up my Nappanee, IN built cabinets. They are solid wood and can’t find new of same quality.

It looks really nice. Is that a pull out cutting board I see ? Those look so handy...no hauling out the chopping block. They had some good ideas in the Olden Days. I painted my kitchen cabinets (same era kitchen as you) about 15 years ago...and they still look good and have survived 3 male teenagers who cooked.

How lucky you are that it is a light colour on the benches! One thing I did notice is the dishwasher is black, whilst the sink is white. Is your fridge white? Co-ordinating the color of the appliances might help to give an overall cohesion. Also, it might be the floor which is detracting from the beauty of the cabinetry - wood on 'wood'. A thought to cost effective floor alternatives may make a big difference. A final thought would be to removing the wooden venetian, it is joining up the two cabinet sections so it looks like a complete wood 'wall'. Then step away and see how it works for a while before committing to any further full on reno's.

Oops, helps to read all the posts! So glad you kept the cabinetry, looks great painted (even though i voted for retained wood grain!). Your flooring choice was exactly what I was thinking!! Much more character than yet another white shaker cabinet kitchen!!

Thank you! The painting was tedious but we did it in a few afternoons and hope to never have to do it again haha and yes, that is a pull out cutting board- my husband sanded it and re-stained it... the flooring was on sale 50cents a tile so we did the kitchen and both bathrooms for under $150 still lots to do but finally feels like a home...

That is impressive, Light !

Forgot to ask will rehang cabinet doors or keep as open shelving?

We’re definitely rehanging the cabinets

I like open shelving but it’s not right for us and our space

I like your transformation. Will you keep us updated?

I have substantially the same cabinets and even the same "copper" hinges and pulls, and am contemplating painting. However, I've been worried about painting the hardware. Yours looks great! What process and type of paint did you use, and has it held up? Thanks in advance!

Why would you paint the hardware?

It's faux copper, tired and dingy looking. I'd prefer black and not to have to get new hardware.

Oh! I’m sorry. I misunderstood. I thought you meant paint hinges as part of the process of painting the cabinets (not taking down cabinet doors). Will you spray paint the hinges?

I had what I thought was faux copper hinges & some handles on old cabs in my previous home. I used a hot vinegar soak to clean them up. I’d seen that done in The Furniture Guys years ago & thought I’d try it.

I was surprised that they turned out a bright copper color. I ended up stripping the cabinets to bare wood and restraining the cabs. I ended up reusing the old hinges because there was no way to hide the screwholes of those old hinges. I also just couldn’t afford to replace them.

Good luck. 🤓

BTW, I was prepared to paint them as well and that was the original reason for getting them clean in hot vinegar soak. But turns out I didn’t need to.

I hadn’t seen any more comments... we didn’t do anything special just cleaned the hardware before spray painting them black

I love those cabinets but they don’t look deep enough for the size of today’s plates, etc. I have my great grandmother’s china in storage and they’re much smaller than mine. I guess they (sensibly) ate less the

I like that you kept the counter and cabinets and nice job on a budget!

Your kitchen DIY lots very nice. Thanks for posting an updated photo of your progress.

Isn’t it nice to have a space that’s updated to work in? May not be new but it’s new to you.

That floor tile is very nice as well.

Will you add color accents?

“Looks” very nice not “lots” very nice.

Stupid autocorrect is a PITA.

Thank you, I think we’re leaving it as is for now