Late 60s early 70s kitchen cabinets, low budget update

last year

I have a 1914 old two story home, original dark stain woodwork in majority of the house and plan to keep it that way. I am torn between painting my cabinets a creamy white or gel staining a bit darker then what I currently have. Looks like the kitchen was updated in the late 60s or early 70s. Also thinking of either replacing the small slider doors above the cabinets with ribbed frosted glass or plexi. Or just opening them up and having open boxes above cabinets or find a way to build on and bring cabinets to the ceiling, taking out the mostly hollow soffit above them. Hoping to replace countertop and do a nice backslash, new flooring someday hopefully sooner rather then later. Would love others ideas and opinions. Probably only a budget of 500 to a max of 1000. I know it's not much and I am dreaming. I hate these cabinets, but they ARE well built and sturdy.

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M H
Original Author
last year
M H
Original Author
last year
More pics for reference of woodwork and wall colors. Any ideas advice GREATLY appreciated.
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herbflavor
last year
last modified: last year
clean the cabinets w care. Use one of the touch up applications for the scuff marks.

get new hardware. You dont have a budget and the brown is a nice rich tone...new hardware will do wonders. I would seriously not start an overhaul on those doors/drawers. You could buy some nice runners for the floor to add interest. the mediteranean early 70s handles were on the cabinets on my 2nd home..I simply cleaned the cabinets...removed handles and used a simple c or d shape shiny chrome pull.....much better.

maybe black due to your beams
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dan1888
last year
I'd forego saving the lowers because they're limited function door cabs, mostly. Wide all drawer units are the current functional preferred choice. I'd put the $1k into an induction range. Frigidaire 30 in 5.3 cu.ft. 4-Burner Element Slide-In Front Control Self-Cleaning Induction Range w/ Convection in Stainless Steel FCFI3083AS - The Home Depot The performance upgrade would be substantial. Then save and work on a plan for the whole kitchen. You're kinda doing that with future wants of counter, splash, floors. It should be a comprehensive plan. I don't see the frig so the whole space is unknown.

If you prefer painting the prep is most of the time and work. This video should help. Benjamin Moore Advance is a dedicated cabinet paint.
Kendrah
last year
Your current cabinet color goes well with the rest of the trim in your home. I would not touch them until which time you are ready to replace your floors.

Given your current budget, the flooring is not happening anytime soon. For now, just replace the handles and get a stain pen to cover up the scuff marks. Get a mixed packet of pens and try the colors out in a non-obvious area. You'd be amazed how much they can cover. You can buy the packets at hardware stores and online. I think it is a blast coloring furniture, cabinets, and floors.

I have no problem with the upper parts of your cabinet. I would not replace them with glass. If you want less of a country cottage look, simply remove the scalloped edge over the sink and the little rail on top of the corner cabinet. If doing so leaves unfinished areas, you can color the areas in with stain pen.