HI -- Yes it is -- very Miami Vice -- But it is nice and could be up dated without re-doing the whole thing . Is that what your wanting to do ? So just a spruce up so you can sell . Because I think the new owners might just to want to do the kitchen the way they want . Just a bit of paint and some new handles would do it I think . Maybe just paint the lower cabinets a very almost black Navy and also the tall section where the wall appliances are . Leave the upper cabinets and just add some dark handles . If you feel the need to re -do the counter tops - you could do Quartz but that costs as much or more than granite . There are some wonderful laminates now that look very high end. The floor would be another real big expense -- maybe just leave those and just add some décor accessories that pick up that color just a little .

yes, not really wanting to do a whole lot but looking for some suggestions to update it

Paint, new floors, new table. It is old and looks like it doesn't have a clearly defined style.

Your kitchen has the virtue of being very neutral (except for the purple paint on the one backsplash, which is easy to fix). I'd be tempted to change out the cabinet hardware (which was very popular in the 1980's) for a simple, modern stainless steel, chrome, or brushed nickel pull. I'm not not crazy about the floor tile color with the cabinet color, and would ideally like the floors updated, but that would be a more expensive fix.

change the knobs...add a granite or quartz counter top...make sure all doors and drawers are functioning properly...

Yes, change the hardware, creamy white quartz counters and no backsplash. Try to make all the spaces minimalist and contemporary.

Wow, it is a really great kitchen. Smallest cost would be to change hardware to stainless steel.

More $: add backsplash, new tile.

What is the purple area? Are the cabinets a different color? Can you tell us about that?

HI -- Maybe this will help you --- check the feature kitchen for this week on -- Canadianhouseandhome.com Go to -- on TV . I love this site --- one of the best !

Yes, it is dated but not so much that you have to tear the whole thing out. Depending on your budget you can start with swapping out the hardware (be careful to measure the existing drill holes so that you select new hardware the identical drilling). Then consider replacing the floor. If you are still not satisfied, consider adding a decorative back splash up to the underside of the wall cabinets. However, consider how much you like/dislike your counters first. If you like the counters than proceed with the backsplash, if you dislike your counters then replace them before adding a backsplash.

feeny, i decided to take my own pictures...I am considering hardware but which do I want? My sink faucet is chrome, and my door handles are gold

Zczimm, match with the faucet.

This kitchen has a lot of potential!
1. Replace the handles. Ikea has inexpensive ones, just a nice simple stainless steel look would be good, take an old one with you when you go looking for new handles, make sure the holes match.
2. Stain the cabinets. I would use a darker stain like a walnut or expresso color, I would prefer that to paint if the cabinets are real wood. Otherwise just paint a glossy white.
3. I can't tell what material is your counter. It may be fine, but if you are really wanting to update, I would replace with a cesar stone or similar, I would do a thick 2"counter with square edges. I would bring the counter up as a full hight backsplash where that purple color is.
4. Replace appliances with stainless steel, sometimes sears outlet has great deals.
5. For the extra mile, I would consider continuing the wood floor into the kitchen. Another option would be a tile, I like porcelanosa ferroker or something similar for a modern look.

You're trying to sell it, so I wouldn't invest huge money in new counters.

It looks clean. I would just try to neutralize it a bit by painting the purple wall backsplash to match the rest of the walls. Remove the colorful artwork and take down the undercabinet mounted stereo and declutter.

I would also remove the dining table and stage it with a smaller white cafe type table with modern chairs.

cdrdesign, all the cabinets are the same - bleached oak, one little wall all with puple paint

A few questions about your house being prepared for sale:

Is the house at the top end or middle of your market area (pricewise)?

What geographic or metropolitan location?

What are the cabinets made of?

Are the cabinets under the purple backsplash the same as elsewhere or a different door type?

My in-laws kitchen is very similar. Top of the line for 1992 though! :) Just an opinion of someone currently in the market to buy. If it's possible to change any of the following, the dated look is coming from the rounded end of the cabinets/counter, the lighter color scheme, the lacquered look to the counter/cabinets and the green tile. Anything you can change relating to those would help. Perhaps reface the cabinets with wood doors?

If you are looking very inexpensive, at least change out the handles on the cabinets and the fixtures, like the faucet. That has helped properties I've seen look slightly updated. Hope that helps and good luck!

HanStone Ivory Wave would compliment your cabinetry very well, add stainless knobs to your cabinets. Ivory Wave has flecks of silver that would compliment the knobs and the cream in the countertop would look great with the existing cabinets

Buyers will either love the kitchen or plan to tear it out to suit their own taste. Don't make expensive changes that someone else will promptly rip out.

If your budget is a couple hundred dollars, replace the handles with simple chrome. Knobs4less.com has a fast and easy way to sort handle size, finish, price, etc.

Paint the purple area an off white like the rest of the kitchen. It's too eye catching to be neutral.

Make it as sleek as possible. Think sophisticated Italian city. Scotts Liquid Gold on the wood cabinets. Remove undercabinet electronics, old phones, scattered bits of artwork (including the hearts).

Here are some curved cabinet photos from Houzz. Notice how simply they are presented: no clutter, beautiful lighting.

Looks fine. Price right for comps. Should sell.

This is the type of handles I recommend. No need to match faucet or gold door knobs.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60138759/

Okay.....my new suggestion

1) change hardware to chrome
2) paint purple area the same color as the other walls
3) Remove hanging plant

Can't see countertops close, but declutter as much as possible.

Your kitchen has alot of potential (lots of cabinets!) and is in great shape so you don't need to do much to make it appealing to buyers. Changing the hardware is a good idea but I strongly suggest removing the door. This will give the illusion of having a more open space. Also, buy some inexpensive chairs (IKEA) to update the dining table. Replace the rug with a more current one (not necessarily these colours but stay neutral). Remove the heart decals above the window. Remove the frame and paint the purple wall the same as the rest of the kitchen. When you have showings, put away whatever is on the counters and put some scented candles in lanterns instead.

If the counter is in good shape, I'd leave it alone and get the chrome hardware and a modern new sink faucet. The jewelry can make the room. :) These aren't perfect, just the right price. Get the prettiest modern faucet in the budget. :)

You have a ton of pulls. I wouldn't spend a lot on them. Go to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy inexpensive ones. If you can't find cheap ones, forget it.

It depends on your area also. What does your competition look like? You have to consider that.

apple_pie_order
my house is top end, NY metro area, cabinets are all the same, solid wood, in great shape, with everything working

I agree with the others - your cabinets look very modern so I would go with that. Paint the purple a neutral color, change out hardware/faucet to something sleek and modern, and of course get rid of the knick-knacks. I really like your kitchen, if I bought it I would only change out the flooring and get a quartz countertop.

Zczimm: thanks for your answers. In the metropolitan NY area, top end of the market, a buyer is either going to love the cabinets while recognizing their quality and high style or she is going to install an all new high end kitchen. I recommend a careful choice of chrome handles, the simpler the better, to emphasize the lines. Just aim away from Ikea and more towards Milan. Your faucet is already new and fashionable enough- the industrial, spring loaded faucet that looks like it came from a restaurant is completely inappropriate here.

For accessories, I would spring for the Alessi bird spout teapot, either the $80 colorful version shown in photo above or the $200 all stainless version, and you can take it with you. You are going for brand name recognition with the iconic Alessi. The usual bowl of green apples or a seasonal bowl of mini pumpkins and gourds through Thanksgiving.

At the top end in NY, buyers are going to expect a professionally staged house.

Here are three simple pulls.

http://www.knobs4less.com/Liberty-Kitchen-Cabinet-Hardware-Bow/libkitcabfur8.html

http://www.knobs4less.com/Top-Knobs-Nouveau-III-Collection-Twist/topm1145.html

http://www.knobs4less.com/Elements-by-Hardware-Resources-Somerset/ja81065pc.html

I love the look of "old Hollywood", but I do think the hardware needs to go. How about something a little more up beat like:
http://www.simplyknobsandpulls.com/liberty-hardware/drawer-pulls/aluminum/p605a0-ba-a/
or, something darker with warmth like the:
http://www.simplyknobsandpulls.com/berenson/drawer-pulls/bronze/ber-8274-1vb-p/

I would talk to a couple of real estate agents about what the expectations are in the market. Then you can make better decisions.

In addition to what's been said here, I'd say, with a kitchen so large (that's a lot of cupboards!), I'd want to break up the monolith of slab doors. Consider removing some of them (some sections of open shelves are always great for commonly used items), or some sections with glass, or inset panes (like maybe steel mesh). And if you're looking to save, consider a high end laminate--the really good ones are still a ton cheaper than solid surface counter tops.

Consider also whether you want to embrace the funky--instead of fighting it, why not go all out miami vice? Get some lime green in there somewhere, and maybe lighten up that purple bit just a bit.

I love the look. It may not be my taste but I can see a high end professional could really appreciate the retro look. I agree with jpp221 I might think you could "embrace the funky" with colorful accessories

Cabinets are good. Replace counter tops, new tile, new paint, new door pulls.

If you compare the layout of tiles on recently (last few years at least) done floors, you'll notice it never follows in same line with cabinets but looks more like diamond shape compared to the direction of cabinets.

Old post from 2013