Sorry, but this kitchen has too much that needs fixing to be a low budget job.

And, yes! Get rid of the chef decorations.

Explain please?

Let’s see: the cathedral arched cabinets, no lower drawers, the mosaic backsplash, the horrible red wallpaper, the garbage pail on the floor far from the sink. Can you even open the fridge doors all the way, as it’s shoved right against the wall?

And, that’s just what I can see. You haven’t shown the entire kitchen, including the lighting and floor. I doubt the cabinets have full extention, soft close drawers.

Not 'get rid of most of the chef things', all the chef stuff and the coordinated items need to go. Decorating to a theme is very amateur.

Here are some small kitchens. No walllpaper no theme.

darbuka:…I welcome helpful feedback, but the tone of yourresponse isn’t constructive. I’ll be moving on to other input. Thank you.

You asked me to explain, and I simply did.

Darbuka.. your tone is dismissive, condescending, and unnecessarily harsh. Houzz occasionally attracts some very opinionated “armchair experts” who forget there’s a real person on the other side. Even when someone has valid design points, there’s a big difference between constructive feedback and being rude for sport. This leaned hard into the latter. Have a good night.. my last response to you..

Thanks so much!

First remove the chef themed wallpaper and drapes. I would consider changing your backsplash to something simpler, or just remove it and paint the new drywall. Then take a step back and see what else you might want to change.
New hardware isn’t expensive and definitely gives a new look.

If you don’t like your cabinet doors, get a quote for refacing them.

Does low budget mean DIY? Because if you are handy there’s a lot you can do to update the look of the space. Here’s what I see:

1. Remove the wallpaper and cheffy stuff

2. Paint the walls a grey that works with your backsplash and countertops

This brings you to a grey kitchen with white cabinets, classic combination.

3. Remove the figurines and display pieces.

4. Introduce color in a gelfoam mat, dish towels, bowls, vases. But I recommend you live with your kitchen in a neutral state for a bit.

Gid123 are you opposed to moving the chef stuff out? It looks like a collection you’ve worked on for quite a while! If you can part with it I would. I love the scroll at your kitchen sink! Brings some french in there! You could actually paint over your backsplash! Removing the upper chef wallpaper might be difficult but can brighten the entire kitchen too! Diy, curious how much are you willing to tackle? Might we give you more feedback to move forward.

Sage greens/earthy green walls can complement the gray counters. What does the adjoining rooms look like?

I like lisedv’s idea. Also, I’d buy a much smaller microwave and modify that shelf so that it is flush with the bottom of the other cabinets and not sticking out.

Get some smallish uhaul boxes.. they have handles. simply take things down and set them in the garage/ basement etc. is the red wall simply paint or wallpaper…? id paint it a neutral if its red paint…once i changed a paint color right up to the edge of a wallpaper border….finesse with an edge brush. these steps will take you to a cleaned up situation .. then figure out what your bigger budget dollars might do… pay for border removal or leave it? new backsplash and under cab lighting? change the gray counters? we dont know the dollar situation..

So many wonderful ideas.. definitely plan to use them. I will remove all the chefs. Including the border. My adjoining room is sage green.. thinking that will be my paint color. Love the idea of modifying the shelf. Also considering the backsplash. Wondering if I should change the knobs? I do love my black flooring. Thanks everyone for your help. Now Al excited to get this started. My husband and I can do the work.

Post updated pictures as you go along updating your kitchen

I removed some items, making it sleek and modern.

^^^ how lovely!

Start with the image above and then go from there. Light fixture, an accent color, paint of change the backsplash, etc. There are good bones here.

Definitely remove the adornment in front of the sink - it drew my eye even before the chefs. And yes - it also looks like you could almost move the microwave shelf up so that it is flush with the lower edge of the cabinets. Not ergonomically great - but would free up some usable counter space.

And may be a new chandelier

I see nothing wrong with the backsplash. In fact, it could work nicely in an updated kitchen.

Lisedv and Celery, you are always so helpful.

Agree with removing the wallpaper and cheffy doodads. I'd also remove that ornate decorative piece on the cabinet if you can do so without damaging the cabinet. I would replace the backsplash with something simple, maybe a subway shape in a soft color or a glass subway shape that coordinates with the counter.

Is replacing the fridge in your budget? You really would benefit from a counter-depth fridge, not only visually but to free up a bit more floor space.

If you can spare a lower cabinet, I'd convert one to a trash pull-out in order to get that big trash can behind doors and out of the way. I believe this is something you can DIY with the right hardware.

This is my update for now.. only can show 4 photos…. Will be changing the curtains to Roman shades… all chefs are gone! .. I like the change..

didnt take too much to create an entirely different feel. How nice !!!

Nice job!! Thanks for posting.

Thanks for showing us the “after” shot. Looks way more serene. I hope you’re enjoying your “new” kitchen.

It looks fantastic. Job well done!

It looks bigger! Say, tell us about the little drawers in the uppers, to the right of the sink. How do you use them?

Very nice and I like that you kept a few decor pieces!

Use the smaller drawers for kitchen gadgets…

Eyes it would definitely be interesting what the little knobs/drawers could be meant for🤔?