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What can I do to improve this kitchen?

5 months ago

Any advice or suggestions greatly appreciated! Should I change the counters (il3 yearns old, not my choice). Paint walls or cabinets, change to range hood, change appliances, etc. I’m considering any options except replacing the cabinets! Thank you!

Comments (51)

  • 5 months ago

    What don't you like about it?

  • 5 months ago

    Gold accents don't work in this kitchen. Replace the hardware and the pendants.

  • 5 months ago

    Your kitchen is lovely so not sure why you have a yanking to change. I love the pendants shared above and might consider that change, along with adding some fun color seat cushions on the counter stools (like the orange/red color in the art over on the left). And if you'll take half the stuff off the long counter, it will look more opened up and not so crowded in there.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    You are trying too hard to decorate the counters...Keep them clear.

    It looks as if the walls and then the soffit color are different and the ceiling is not white?

    I would make sure the ceiling is the same white as cabinets, in flat finish. The walls...a gray to go with counters.

    Warmer toned runner...lean toward the color of the brass hardware and the brass lining of your great pendants.





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    Gray Lucite bar stools.

  • 5 months ago

    Clear the counters of non daily necessities, find stylish stools and consider a counter depth refrigerator. I would not paint cabinets.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    Agree with the suggestions to change the lighting, clear the counters and replace the hardware with something not gold or brass. The hardware you have also looks a bit small in length on the cabinet doors.

    As far as the counters, perhaps add a photo looking down to give a better view of them.

    I don’t love the wall, etc. paint colors with the cabinet color but perhaps it is just the photo lighting.

    What is the length of the island? The 4 chairs look a bit crowded. Is the island supported by just a 2x4 wall with support? You could consider replacing the island top in order to add some beefier legs and create a spot on the end for the 4th chair.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    It would help to know what you are not happy with because it is a very nice kitchen. I would put away a lot of what is on the counters and change the bar stools. I agree with above on possibly changing the hardware/pendants. I don't think you need to make any big changes.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago
  • 5 months ago

    Agree with KC… I wouldn’t spend a lot of money switching things up here. The barstools are a bit heavy for the space and look crowded. I would clear a few things off the counter if possible. Depending on what kind of style you have going through the rest of the house some warmth with your barstool choice might be nice

  • 5 months ago

    Wood, for example.

  • 5 months ago

    “Clear off the counters” is easy to say without looking at what’s on the counters. Is that a Keurig? Where could it possibly go? If it is used several times a day, staying out is best. We use our toaster a few times a day, so even if we had someplace to put it away, it would probably live on the counter.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    the back wall is straight in the line of vision. And remember this is a windowless kitchen which often helps w view, light, and general ambience. I would really edit what sits on the long counter . large round trays in a jazzy theme can contain whatever needs to be there...can the misc things go on a stand on the other side of the short wall where I see only a plant resting there.

    edit the counter ..lighten it up w 1 or 2 "things" beyond essentials .


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    if you like some personal things close at hand....I would use the end of the island w a cart or on the other side of the short wall.....instead of the counter for landing for everything.

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    You have an island kitchen.....there's always personal ways to handle the lighting / choice of stools/ swapping a top for something different. you can pick and choose . can your pendants be lowered ? do that at least/ they seem high.


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  • 5 months ago

    A tray or a lazy susan for the utensil canister and the other things to the right of the stove can help. I know sometimes a canister is exactly what you need, not a drawer! Same with the coffee. We ended up with a metal baking tray to hold the coffeemaker, coffee canister, and filters (they fit nicely in a cache pot, which coordinates with the coffee canister).

    Keeping the various containers in a theme or color, even if just all stainless steel, lets them give consistency or disappear a bit.

  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    I think it is an attractive and nicely styled kitchen. Cosmetically, I wouldn’t have a burning desire to do anything. Which is not to say you shouldn’t do anything, because aesthetic tastes differ.

    It would be interesting to know what, specifically, you don’t like.

    Functionally, I see things I would definitely do.

    I’d install a real vent hood over the range.

    I would also convert some/all base cabinets to drawers. You have full overlay cabinets and the existing drawers have slab fronts, so this should be straightforward. You could install pullouts behind the existing doors, but the drawer conversion would hardly be more involved.

    If you are willing to do a little bit more cabinet work, I would pull the cabinets on the refrigerator wall out so the refrigerator doesn’t stick out so much, and I’d bring the upper cabinet down to the counter and make it a microwave cubby with hide-away door, above an ”appliance garage” at counter level, to get some of the countertop appliance clutter off the main counters. I’ll bet that bit of counter by the fridge isn’t used for much other than the toaster.

  • 5 months ago

    I agree that reducing the number of bar stools would help as the four stools look crowded there. Try your best to remove any excess items from the countertops. I think that brushed nickel hardware on the cabinets would tie in better with your cabinets and countertops, both of which look to be very nice and in good condition. I would not worry about the speckled pattern in the granite - it is the only pattern you have so why change it? Changing the handles would then require a change away from the brass inside the pendants. The back of the island could be jazzed up with some decorative moulding as it looks quite plain at the moment. You are very lucky to have what looks to be great bones in the space with lots of relatively easy options for big impact.

  • 5 months ago

    I would declutter the countertops, replace the pendants with warm wood versions and bring in some upholstered stools that complement whatever your main colors are in adjoining rooms. It's a beautiful kitchen; just a little flat with all the black and white.

  • 5 months ago

    It looks perfectly nice to me

    If you were looking for enhancements you could consider:

    • replace microwave with range hood
    • under cabinet lighting
    • toe kick lights
    • extend molding to cover cap between cabinet top and ceiling
    • an “in sink” drying rack hangs on the lips of the sink and would allow you to clear some items of the island surface, towel bars that sit over the sink also exist
    • depending on the clearances on surrounding room you could add a freestanding hutch / armoire for more storage
  • 5 months ago

    It's a lovely kitchen. I'm guessing these are staged photos from the listing, as who puts pictures on their kitchen counters. I'd focus on adding color with countertop appliances, stools and a rug. I'd probably pick red, as you can get red toasters, red stand mixers, red dish towels and red rugs.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Add white and brass counter stools..remove some of the counter accessories…..add more brass accents…very pretty kitchen…you could do a white island counter top.


  • PRO
    5 months ago

    More glam less farmhouse


  • 5 months ago

    Where will microwave go if put in a range hood?

    I’m not against it, just factoring that in. Not on a counter. Possibly re- work an upper cabinet to a microwave shelf, but that depends on where’s a good place for ggd ledge to stick out ( far right, or next to fridge ?). Not sure if island can house it.
  • 5 months ago

    In the walk in pantry!

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Yes move micro into pantry…add range hood! beautiful


  • PRO
    5 months ago

    The kitchen is pretty nice. Too bland for me - I like some color!

    I would limit what is on the counters and get a nicer backsplash.

    I don't mind 4 chairs, just not those 4. I would also paint - I prefer a more saturated color. That will depend on how this is connected to everything else since you are on an open floor plan.

    Try taking everything off the counters except the everyday items - coffee maker, toaster, utensil holder. Then just add back 1 or 2 things and live with it for a bit. On the island have a nice colorful bowl with some fruit. You might want to get those little baskets that stick inside the sink for a sponge or scrub brush and put the dish soap in a pretty bottle.

    Next time you post any pictures - please turn the lights on.

    Good luck!

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    I dont think that color is the only answer…what is your vision for the kitchen can we see adjoining rooms?

  • 5 months ago

    Adjacent spaces - very open floor plan! I have a lot of antique pieces. Adding/changing wall color is difficult

  • 5 months ago

    Apologies for the double photos!

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Well that sure makes a difference! ok my first suggestion will not work in your kitchen! so forget that….are you wanting it to have a more collected feel and style like the rest of your home? What are you hoping to achieve?

  • 5 months ago

    A simple, inexpensive way to jazz up the space is with paint. There is very little wall space in the room so you can really go wild without going overboard. My home is largely neutral with the bulk of color coming from rugs, pillows, art, etc. But in my black and white kitchen I painted the small amount of visible wall space bright mustard yellow, which is one of the accent colors in the adjacent room. It looks fantastic! P.S. Beautiful home!

  • 5 months ago

    I would like the style of the rest of the home to be reflected in the kitchen. Adding warmth to the stark black and white is the primary goal. I’m planning to replace the counter stools and change to a slide in stove.

  • 5 months ago

    Remove some of the clutter on the counters. Then get some bar stools that have some color and have some upholstery. Add more color in your accessories.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    I would add dramatic rich wallpaper on the wall area available..add modern stools you like a mixed design style for sure.


  • 5 months ago

    Love it! Thank you!

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Check out Spoonflower online for wallpaper available in a peel and stick super easy to use!

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    You could paint the island a color you love that is in the wallpaper.

  • PRO
  • 5 months ago

    Would love to paint the wall portion of the island and dress it up with molding. Is it ok to paint the wall part only and not the base cabin t portion of the island?

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Yes just the front drywall area

  • 5 months ago

    Seeing that your kitchen is right in the open space changes everything. The more I look at your kitchen the more I like it. I think you could make minimal changes to great effect. All of these changes would help with reducing the black and white feel:


    * Keep your lights and just paint the white exterior portion of them another color that you love. (Merlot to play off of your living room, or mahogany color - whatever appeals to you.)


    * Get a brass or gold faucet to complement the hardware and inside of lights. It will warm up your island and distract from the black and white feel.


    * Replace the countertop to the right of the sink with a walnut stained butcher block top. They are inexpensive from Ikea. Just replacing that small amount of counter will warm up the kitchen and help reduce the black and white feel.


    * Swap out your black picture frames on your counters for walnut toned frames and use command strips to hang them on your backsplash so they are not just sitting there.


    * Add a rectangular rug (not a runner but a rug) to the area between your china cabinet and where your stool back up to. Narrow enough that you can pull the stool in and out.


    * Remove or replace the runner between the range and island. It is black and white and you are trying to reduce black and white.


    * I wouldn't invest in a new stove. I didn't realize it wasn't a slide in until you pointed it out.


    * What do you mean by painting the drywall part of your island? Just the back part of the island where the chairs are? If you get more substantial chairs, you really won't see very much of that paint color. I think it could look kind of cheap to just paint that portion.



  • PRO
    5 months ago

    Yes add a gold faucet.

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    I agree with @elcieg's comments:

    - declutter the countertops

    - paint the walls a warm white (not an off-white)

    - natural look runner

    - if you need 4 counter stools, lucite is a good suggestion as they won't look crowded

    -------

    - I think the white metro tiles backsplash works well with the kitchen

    - I find your hardware seems too short finding a model like shown below would make them look longer

    - You can replace your faucet with a brass one

    - I like the white pendants but they need to be lowered to 30 - 33 inches above the counter surface, they could also be larger than the ones you have

    - If you really don't like the counters you can replace it with a white quartz slightly marble style

    - If you don't like you stove you can replace with a slide-in with no back


  • PRO
    5 months ago

    "I'm open to all options other than changing cabinets......"

    Lone voice here:


    First? Sit yourself down, Google yourself a half dozen kitchens you LOVE

    WHAT'S YOUR FLAVOR?











    Don't lipstick and doo dad in willy nilly fashion. The counter tops are probably the start. A less "spec builder " look with the range and micro over that range. IS the fridge counter depth? Nothing about the kitchen is what you love. Correct? Hasn't got your "flavor"

    But look before you leap. The stools aren't "you", nor is the counter top. Nor are the pendants.....: ) ? Should some of the upper doors be glass door? Etc...... Is too chilly.....put your finger on what it is....













  • 5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    A comprehensive plan should be considered, before you make changes. Budget might also dictate what is worth doing/providing the most impact. Pour over photos and you may see ideas that will bridge the gap between the kitchen and your traditional furniture (ie: rethinking accessories on left of buffet and a suitable rug).








    Moving the microwave/adding a hood, and changing the backsplash will make a difference at little cost (hard to suggest tiles without seeing a close up of counter). If you decide to change the counter, install before deciding on backsplash. I really like the combination below (modern yet traditional) and choose lighter stools to better suit the space and your lighting (which is fine). Be sure to keep the big picture in mind when making every decision.




  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    A proper hood if at all possible would be my first thing. Waht is the budget ? Waht do you hate ? Change is always best done with a plan and abudget .If those counters are granite do not exchange them for fak plastic stone IMO a down grade . Info is what we need all posted here in comments DO NOT start another post . A huge declutter of the counters would aslo be agood first step. IMO kitchens are not the place for a bunch of useless decor but maybe you don't cook .

  • PRO
    5 months ago

    I admit that I didn't have time to read all of the comments, so I apologize if this is repetitive! However, I strongly recommend adding over and under cabinet LED lighting. That was a game changer in our kitchen.

  • PRO
    5 months ago
    last modified: 5 months ago

    The crown molding seems too tiny for such tall uppers and a tall ceiling. I would get 3" tall crown molding.

    I would remove the two wall cabinets that flank the hood and the cabinet above the microwave. Get a 42" wide chimney hood. Use two of the doors off the cabinets you removed. Order two new cabinet boxes and have single door cabinets flanking the new hood...so they open AWAY from the hood.


    You'll need to redo the tile backsplash or add to it if possible.


    I hope you know the cabinet and tile brand. Would definitely help in knowing that.

  • 5 months ago

    i think it’s a nice kitchen - If it were me, I’d clear the counters and improve a few of the details (like Polished Jar for dish soap etc) - any extra money I’d use for a trip :)

  • 5 months ago

    La La girl…agree! I think it’s a beautiful kitchen the way it is. A few small details is all that needs. I’m not a big fan of range hoods unless the owner is doing a lot of smoky, messy cooking. Why spend money on what isn’t broken?

  • 5 months ago

    Your kitchen looks nice to me but if you're really bored with it try clearing off some of the countertops cuz if you don't use it everyday that stuff I would put it away and another thing you could get different stools in the kitchen you got lovely countertops they're granite there's nothing wrong with them and if you're bored with your cabinets don't like the color have them painted you could paint them a green gray or something too that's a soothing color and it would look nice with the granite countertops