Well lipstick on a pig comes to mind. The cabinets are old and so not good. I do not see the rest of the space so not sure about function but a DW that far from a sink is always bad design. I often have clients that buy an old house and want instant fixes . I always tell them to stop and wait at min. 3-6 months before throwing good money into a pit . Really old cabinets are not usually good to keep the storge is poor cleaning them very difficult and all those cabinets where you need to be on your knees to access stuff just not good at all.

I like the cabinets, they are simple and retro. If it were my kitchen, I would embrace the retro and use Wilsonart Boomerange counters with the standard countertop 3+/- inch backsplash and paint the walls, no tile backsplash.

I would use either starburst pulls:

Or vintage concave pulls:

You want to consider your floor color in selecting countertop and backsplash colors. Can you take a pic of the kitchen from farther back so we can see the floor? It can be really hard matching neutrals, so for this reason, maybe you want to have a countertop and splash that are a color instead.

I think the hinges are a bit distracting. Not sure if you want to paint or swap them out for chrome, or if that is just opening a can of worms.

Removing the blinds and curtains instantly make the kitchen look better.

New light fixtures and new faucets can always a refreshed feeling. I'd replace the two bowl sink with a single bowl as well.

I have a U shaped kitchen in my condo. Every apartment in the building has the dishwasher in the same location as yours, not right next to the sink, because of where the water lines run in the plaster walls. I have never had a problem with this location.

Leave the backsplash. Replace countertops with what ever material you choose, in black. New sink and faucet and go black with both, as I see no stainless in your kitchen.

Definitely, add black knobs/pulls to work with the hinges.

There is a floor covering which the installer cuts to fit the space. I am blank this minute on the manufacturer...maybe Mannington. I'll hunt around for it and post the link.

Window, first thing I saw, needs a refresh. Paint the trim black and add add some faux grids.

No suggestion for lighting, going to assume it may be just one in the ceiling, but there is a solution for everything. Some thing like this light with arms. $99.00

https://nathanjames.com/products/argo-semi-flush-ceiling-mount-3-light-fixture-with-retro-black-rounded-shade-for-hallway-kitchen-or-bedroom

Found it and it is Mannington.

https://www.mannington.com/residential/vinylsheet/luxury-vinyl-sheet

this is a great looking Formica® brand laminate available at Lowes.

I'd do a simple running bond subway tile backsplash. in a shade similar to the cabinet color with matching grout.

I would start by removing the wood valance above the window. You can install ¼” low profile planks in MDF, pine, or poplar strips on the cabinet doors to give then the shaker style look. Also install hardware on all doors and drawers. Replace the horizontal blind with a roman shade on the window. Replace the counter and backsplash.

If the cabinets are in good condition, I would definitely be keeping them. They are probably all wood and very solid too. I would start with countertops you like for the first thing to change. I would leave the wood piece above your window, it goes with your cabinets, and looks like it should be there. I would replace the valance. Make sure you have good lighting. Add some pulls to your doors and drawers. Once you have done those things, you can think about color for the walls, and maybe a runner on the floor by the sink. You may even want to consider a retro look for countertops like suggested above, but, if you dont, thats ok too.

https://myfrontandcenter.com/

replacement doors and drawer front DIY

I like white quartz with veins countertop and the same backsplash.

You might want to paint your cabinets. Replace hardware with brushed brass ones.

Or replaced doors as Beverly suggested.

more

Here is classic white subway tile

The easiest, safest, most common choice.

Use a light gray grout to make it look more high-end

I am not a fan of subway tile. It looks simple for me and dated.

Yes to hardware! Yes to removing the wood "valance" above the sink. I also love Celery's quartz rendering but you also don't want material that so over shines the value of the cabinetry which I think quartz would. I think your space would be opened up by losing all the grout lines that come with tile let alone the heavy sense of design they bring. Keep it clean and simple. Have you priced new doors and drawer fronts?

Have you received pricing quotes for anything? i would be strict as to any costs considering end result being the same kitchen. the tones are not a problem …. kitchen shown has same tones that you currently have… why spend money just to change that?

Coastal White · More Info

The cabinetry looks to be in decent shape. There are lots of thing you can do with them - painting, refacing, adding trim.

Looks to be a listing picture. If you just bought the house, live with it exactly as is for 6 months at a minimum before doing anything more than wall paint. Make sure you can live with everything as is so you don't good money after bad if you determine you cannot live with the layout.

Don't guess colors and patterns. If you are keeping the cabinets, then take a door off and go to a nearby tile/stone store where you can then find your countertop and backsplash.

Is the floor tile somewhat pink while the cabinets are cream color?

None of the above AI images look anything like the posted kitchen. The unrealistic portrayal of "what could be" is a problem with the use of AI and can increase displeasure with what we have or what we can do with what we have. For this kitchen it would be a better idea to look at pictures of vintage kitchens or people who have worked with existing vintage cabinets to create a cohesive space.

Function can be improved with good shadow free lighting. $" led cans if possible. Undercabinet led strip lighting doesn't cost much. Get strips with the highest number of leds per inch. Adjustable color temperature and dimmable. 450 lumens at the counter minimum.

Are these old cabinets from the 50s or 60s? They look like it (the visible hinges and "style" look like cabinets from then.)

All of a sudden we seem to be seeing a lot of these older kitchens and people encouraging them to keep the cabinets. As someone who has a mom with cabinets from 1960 (built in place, all one piece with dividing walls b/w them, drawers glide on wood, etc.), I take the opposite stance. They are not particularly functional by today's standards. When I'm visiting, I don't like using the drawers or getting on my knees to reach the back depths of the base cabinets, etc. Even the uppers aren't as useful b/c, like the shelves in the base "cabinets", their shelves are fixed (not adjustable). Sure, you can retro-fit the base cabinet shelves with roll out tray shelves (ROTS), but you lose quite a bit of vertical and horizontal space, as I recently learned doing the same in the dysfunctional pantry cabinets I just retro fitted with ROTS. However, they will still be fixed with no adjustability. (In my case, I'm regretting not going with my "gut" and tearing out the cabinets and redoing them completely as I didn't realize (1) the shelves/ROTS would no longer be adjustable and (2) I'd lose as much space as I did.)

It's one thing if you cannot afford to replace them, but if you're just trying to keep the "vibe", then get new cabinets that look like the old ones on the outside but are up-to-date on the inside.

If you're trying to keep a period look, I recommend laminate or Formica for the counter. Not sure about the backsplash (my mom's Kitchen has a painted wall - i.e., no tile or other.) I'll leave that for others.

The advantage of laminate is that it shouldn't be too expensive and if you decide later that you want more functional cabinets, you won't have wasted too much money on the fixes/patches you do now.

(A more overall functional layout would be nice at a later time when you can remodel the entire Kitchen. We cannot see the entire Kitchen, so functionality is being guessed at here - especially given the location of the DW relative to the sink - it looks like it may have been retrofitted sometime after the cabinets were built. Another reason why I question the age and structure of the cabinets.)

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FYI...I wish people who keep saying "keep the cabinets, they look cool" or "they fit the era", etc., had to actually live with them! It's easy to tell someone else to keep them when you don't have to use them day in and day out!

If this is a new home for you, then slow down. Nothing needs to be fixed right away. You say the cabinets are in good shape - they may be or may not be. They certainly won't have any of todays bonuses like soft close doors or drawers or pullouts/rollouts.

It is always a good idea to live in the space for 6 moths so you can see if it really functions well for you.

If you really want a mini update - I would change the top to a formica top you can find in stock at the big box stores; hire a contractor to remove your backsplash tile and replace the top. I don't think I would even tile - just use a 4" splash. This way you get a little refresh for not a lot of money.

Then save save save for a proper remodel once you know what you want and need.

Best of luck!

@Buehl The OP specifically stated that they would like to keep the cabinets.

Many of us do or have lived with less than perfect older cabinets, or even newer ones but not ones that are of our choice or ideally laid out. I have lived in 4 houses that had cabinets similar to the OP's and know their shortcomings but also appreciated how well built and solid they were. The only kitchens I have ever replaced were 80's oak/mdf crap, it would be a hard sell to get me to take out solidly built cabinets if they are still in good condition just for a little more convenience.

The cabinets look cool and retro. The counter and backsplash not so much. And the valence is blocking half of your window. I think blue counters and backsplash would give it a completely different look.

Beach Style Kitchen · More Info

@s m - nowhere does the OP say s/he wants to keep the cabinets other than in the subject. No reason was given and often it's b/c they don't think they can afford to replace them or they don't know what to do to replace them so they assume they cannot.

We're giving honest advice given what little information has been provided. We're more about honesty than telling someone what they want to hear. The advice we're giving is based on functionality since it's easy to make a functional Kitchen look like what you want (vintage or other) but it's very difficult to make an old Kitchen like this truly functional. Now, if the OP doesn't cook much, then maybe it doesn't matter how good (or not) the cabinets are. If looks are all that's important, then by all means, don't worry about functionality.

We also provide alternatives b/c people are often unable to see past what they know or are used to. Contrary to what you seem to imply, no one has to take the advice given here - but they can make an informed decision on next steps with the information provided instead of having people just validating their thoughts without objectively looking at the big picture.

The OP hasn't returned in two days, so they may be a drive-by. But, it's Thanksgiving week, so we should give them (and others) a bit more time b/f moving on.

@Buehl "Contrary to what you seem to imply, no one has to take the advice given here"

Not the correct reading of what I wrote.

There are plenty of people that cook every day and that work well in kitchens with old cabinets. Newer cabinets with more drawers and smoother drawers, etc. do make getting to items easier but that does not impact the actual ability to cook.

This forum is a place to get a range of advice, yours. mine, whomever that is here may have valid points to make, all part of that "we" that you mention. I have been an on and off active member for the past 17 years so I know how it works:) You were here when I first found GW, your advice is sound and well meaning but can be dismissive of others at times. It is not everyones desire or drive to change what can be worked with for an ideal.

Have a plan:

It’s important to take into consideration your flooring‘s pattern/color, cupboard‘s undertone and if not painting walls, its shade. If open to changing the tile, there are endless options.

Decide on the ”look” you are after: retro, neutral, eclectic, and looking on line for inspiration may help. What will complement adjoining spaces.

Define your budget and probably start with a few counter choices. Then move on to backsplash samples and seeing them together will help you narrow down by also testing in kitchen.

For further improvements, you could do some/all of these: replace hinges, add hardware, replace the window treatment, a new mat and ceiling pendant.

Small detail but the dark hinges bug me, I’d remove them (clean the heck out of the cabs) and paint them out so they disappear a bit more

I mainly want to keep them due to cost. The floors aren’t offensive so I can live with them. The cabinets are from the 90’s

I mainly want to keep them due to cost. The floors aren’t offensive so I can live with them. The cabinets are from the 90’s

Any more photos?

The floors seem fine - can't really see them in the pictures. A good steam clean and redo of the grout can make a huge difference there.

Sorry , but I find it very hard to believe those cabinets were from the 90's. Most companies stopped doing exposed hinges in the 70's.

How handy are you? Change the dark hinges or paint to match the cabinets ( prep is critical ) . Get some nice cabinet handles, get rid of the backsplash and top. Those things alone will make a huge change in the space for you.

If you want to spend a little, have someone come in and do undercabinet lighting, and more ceiling lighting. It seems a bit dark in there.

Good luck!

I'd say to lean into the neutral tones. Option1: Explore countertop and backsplash tile options with some character. Find one that you love, whichever it is, and make the other a neutral to go with the floor and cabinets. Add some decorative hardware to the doors and drawers. Option 2: Go completely neutral with the tops and backsplash, then bring a single, bold color in with your kitchen accessories. Good luck!

It looks much better.

Looks great! Good for you!

You must be so happy, what a transformation! Thanks for coming back and posting an after.

Such a bright charming space - i bet you will enjoy working in there ✨

A nice transformation! Enjoy you new kitchen!

It looks very nice. I am happy to see you have left the wood piece over the sink.

Looks like a decent flip, under contract quickly so job well done

Looks Great! Here is a past project of ours that did the same, all new appliances and hood as well.