14 years ago

last modified: 14 years ago

I live in a small 1960 rambler in Minnesota and I have done most of the remodeling myself over the years, with one exception. I hate my kitchen. ANY suggestions are extremely appreciated! My small dining area is attached to the kitchen and the orange walls (which I love) give my Golden Oak stained cabinets an orange glow I cannot stand! Any suggestions on a color scheme and what to do with that ugly door??

Featured Answer

PRO

Creating Home

14 years ago

Ah, am originally from Minnesota too, you betcha! Does that door look out to a pretty view in which case a full glass door would sure open up the view. Paint color can help the the room is very narrow for a deep color. How about opening the wall next to the cooktop down to the base cabinet height and wrapping new solid surface or granite countertops past the stove and around that wall top to created a breakfast bar? Or adding one more cabinet past the stove for a microwave drawer (see Sharp-USA.com) and then adding another cabinet if that wall continues longer or a counter height desk or breakfast bar or... By opening that wall you'd gain some badly needed countertop and visually adding onto your kitchen to give the illusion of a bigger kitchen.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

PRO
Dytecture
14 years ago
Hi Teri Matthews, I would recommend a charcoal grey color on the kitchen walls to blend in more with the cabinets.
lefty47
14 years ago
Hi Teri -- Paint can be your best friend -- paint the cabinets Benjamin Moore -- Gentle Cream OC -96 in a satin finish and the walls -- putman ivory HC -39 in a pearl finish. Paint out the doors and the door trim. These colors should work with your floors and counters.
Related Professionals
Birmingham Interior Designers & Decorators · Richmond Interior Designers & Decorators · Pittsburgh Interior Designers & Decorators · Riverton Interior Designers & Decorators · Branson Architects & Building Designers · York Architects & Building Designers · Chattanooga Architects & Building Designers · Huntington Architects & Building Designers · Superior Architects & Building Designers · Little Rock Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Starkville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Harrisburg Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Williamsport Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lake Havasu City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cheyenne Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
joffler
14 years ago
Replace the door with a plain flat door and avoid painting it white. Matching it to the natural coloration of the cabinetry or trim work would be preferable. Honestly, if this were my kitchen, I'd consider painting the lower cabinets black. The contrast would offset the floor tile and showcase the upper cabinets better, but I know that's not for everybody. At any rate, the orange in the eating area is great. The terra cotta in the kitchen, not so much. I like the charcoal gray idea.
vixer
14 years ago
Rustoleum has a three part (primer, base and glaze) no-sand paint system if you want to change the color of the cabinets. Lots of colors, fairly fool proof. Easier to paint the walls, but the golden oak look dates the kitchen. Paint the existing door (& woodwork) the same as the cabinets. Whether you go dark or light on the cabinets depends on the amount of natural/ artificial light that room receives. Dark expresso would look great with your walls. but may end up being a little cave like. Good for you for being brave enough to do it yourself! Go for it!
PRO
ARCHIA HOMES
14 years ago
Change the area in front of the door to the refrigerator into a mudroom. add a glass door at the refrigerator and hollow out the closets on each side for benches and cubbies. Lighten the wall color to a white. Replace the black appliances with a white ones or stainless. The kitchen is too small to have dark colors. put in 6 recessed lights to also help brighten the space.
Teri Matthews
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
The door leads into the attached garage. The opening to the right is the stariway going to the lower level and to the left side of the door is a very small pantry with leuvered doors. We receive an abundance of natural light in the late afternoon into the evening. Also, the counter in between the stove and the fridge is not attached to the wall! I would Love to change out the appliances, but that is not in the budget.
sue3
14 years ago
i don't mind the cabinet color..it's all about the wall paint at this point.. i like the idea of a light or medium tone color on the walls since the floor is dark.. new counters if possible and paint the door same as walls
adelejuiamorris
14 years ago
Replace the small rugs with a long rug which spans the kitchen, maybe an interesting oriental. Remove the microwave from the counter. Paint the walls a white sand. Consider removing upper cabinets and replacing with open shelving. Add a mirror over sink. Replace door with an salvage vintage mahogany for interest . Replace overhead lights with pindot recessed lighting.
vixer
14 years ago
Looks like counter space could be a problem. An over the stove microwave unit would open up that countertop between the frig and stove. If new countertops would fit in the budget, a dark color (lots of great stone/granite looks from WilsonArt) would help connect the dark appliances. If your floor is staying, pull a medium tone from there for the walls. Paint the back door the same color as the walls. Frost the fan window (contact paper, cheap & easy) to allow light and still block the view to the garage. Add pops of the terracotta color with dish towels and utensil holder.