Should I paint my dated kitchen backsplash to flip my house?

Question

I'm currently renovating my house and I was wondering what I should do with the kitchen. I am going to paint the cupboards white because the skin is peeling off (see picture). My backsplash is dated for my neighborhood (installed 9 years ago and dated for my neighborhood). I'm trying to get multiple offers. The rest of the house is recently updated.
Should I (1) paint white (2) paint a soft metallic gold color (3) leave as it is. Thanks for your time and answers!
Debi @ AddValueToYourHome.ca

Should I (1) paint white (2) paint a soft metallic gold color (3) leave as it is. Thanks for your time and answers!

Debi @ AddValueToYourHome.ca

The Redesign Habit · Answer

If you paint it white, it's going to really blend in with your white cabinets. If anything, I think you could leave as is and just repaint your cabinets. Are you using a realtor? You could also ask their opinion. Lots of times, they don't think it's a big enough deal to mess with it. You could white-wash over it too and really subdue the colors that are their but they would still show through enough to keep your cabinets and backsplash from all blending together. In other words, just neutralize it a little. Good Luck!

GrandmasHouseDIY · Answer

Will you be leaving the wall color or updating that as well? I think painting the backsplash white would definitely improve it. Perhaps, if you don't want to blend in with the cabinets too much you could do more of a dry brush so it looks more realistically like painted brink? I think it will have enough definition to be subtle but a lot more updated. I would paint it flat though and then cover it with the flattest poly you can find.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

In my opinion I would not paint the backsplash. I would simply try to spruce it up by giving it a good cleaning.You mentioned you are flipping the house so I think I would keep in mind everyone has there own style and most likely will eventually renovate anyway.

Beth H. Makemeprettyagain.blogspot · Answer

I would leave the backsplash. It's not bad at all. repaint the walls a diff color and completely declutter kitchen. fix the cabinets and paint and maybe update the hardware. That will make a big difference. I think it will look fine for a flip.

Mary Dicerni · Answer

Ann Olsen SUGAR SHOW had an all white kitchen. and had white flowers in it. The brick would be great in white as well. Make sure you ask about the paint and base coat, but she also had all the furniture and stuff all painted white too.. I loved it. I believe no oil paint in a kitchen.. for fires. Acrylic over a sealer.. I use the 'folk art' one for all..lol but ask the paint people.. about bricks. Good luck and God bless.

KatAych · Answer

I think the backsplash looks nice with white cabinets!

Pjakin61 · Answer

it is neutral and looks like nice travertine..........remember neutral works when selling

Shari · Answer

In all honesty, your back splash doesn't really seem dated to me. While it is a little 'busy' for my personal taste, it is neutral and fairly light so that should fall in your favor. I'm curious though...you say it's dated for your neighborhood. What type of back splashes have your neighbors used?

Lisa · Answer

I'd paint the walls white to give it a larger, cleaner look with the white cabinets and leave the backsplash alone. It will look even more expensive and less dated with the walls the same color as the cabinets.

Susan · Answer

Maybe a nice gray color. A lighter gray..not dark.

Jacalyn · Answer

If you have a realtor, I would ask her/him what it makes sense money wise to do in your house.

Nancy Denick · Answer

I think the backsplash looks good. I would update the appliances to stainless. This is a good time to get deals on last year's or floor models. Stainless is what 'wows' buyers.

Johnchip · Answer

If you start 'a re-do' on the kitchen you are in trouble. If not done real nice, it will cheapen your house. If you do some, not other parts, it will look like you are covering things up to sell. I agree, I do not like the kitchen as it is and it is not a big seller to me. Yet a new buyer might prefer a credit to do it to their taste. But the investment you put in will likely not be made out in a sale. and the hard work a waste of time. I agree, rely on the realtor to give you advice. I would get the opinion of a few, not just one. From the way you compared to the 'neighborhood, sounds like you are in a development where houses turn over at nearly the same price, so no matter what you do, you will get 'fair market value' for what your house is, as is or 'decorated for sale'. Thus it is a few thousand here or there and mostly priced on square footage, not interior charms. Step back and consider the reality of selling a home. It is never an 'estate sale' of people rushing in to win the treasure because of their hunger for your 'good taste and charm'. Your first and best offer is 80% of the time all you will see by an educated buyer who knows comps and square footage value. They also have budgeted an expected renovation amount to fix it up to their taste.

Grace Gleason · Answer

Your main problem is your CABINETS, not your backsplash. Paint them gray. Paint them black. Paint them anything but white. If I walked into an all white kitchen, I'd leave. Besides, are they something you can paint?

Jay · Answer

I would only fix what's needed, not try a makeover.  The brick is beautiful, it has a soft whitewash that coordinate with the cabinets.  If you can't repair the cabinet by gluing, maybe replace that base cabinet or if possible just replace the doors.  Clean off the fridge entirely before home viewing.  Clean is the most important in selling a home.

Marion Lansford · Answer

Ask realtor! Also, backsplash is nice, actually! Cabinets could be repainted, maybe, instead.

LD · Answer

I would leave the backsplash as is, for it gives that area texture. Instead of white cabinets, I would paint the Lowe cabinets a warm cream, and paint the upper cabinets a light cream. Update the hardware on the cabinetry. If you have the $ in the budget I would the appliances to stainless steel. Personally, I think an all white kitchen is sterile looking. Be sure before selling to depersonalize your home, and decorate so the buyer feels like their ready to move in.

Sherry Fram · Answer

I agree with the group the backsplash is fine & the main thing you need to deal with is the cabinets. I would pull either one of the light colors or medium tone color out of the backsplash to paint the cabinets. If the skin is actually melamine you may actually have to replace the doors because there is not wood under the 'skin' so painting is not an option there. The cabinet frames themselves should be okay to paint.

Toni Ray · Answer

If anything leave the backsplash and take your biggest cabinets and have glass placed in the door of those cabinets (where the divit is 2 or3 cabinets) with a little back light, fix the cabinets that are peeling, if your lucky the big ones that your inserting the glass will be the ones peeling! Good luck!!

Janice Grizzle · Answer

I would leave back splash alone, and just paint the cabinets...good luck.

Angelina · Answer

I like your kitchen. I see more builders start doing white kitchens again. The backsplash is pretty. I would change the countertop to granite.

Mgp492027 · Answer

It seems obvious to me that you are not fond of the back splash 'as is'. Paint is an easy answer to disguise the 'rustic' look of the tile work. With the cabinets being repainted white, the counter a medium dark granite look, any color would probably look great. Either go for a mellow neutral light color... or ... look around your house see what is you favorite or dominate color choice and go for it! Sometimes a 'splash' of a surprise color will brighten your kitchen and your day! Best wishes!!!

Esther · Answer

Honestly, you are right in 'vogue'......I'd recommend leaving it alone...or if you wanted to just do a light 'white wash' new homes and most remodels are showing white..going back to white coordinating appliances and everything....so, I'd recommend, personally, just the 'wash' and sealer on it....if anything...lots of places are showing the 'cement' counters and there is an inexpensive way to do that along with a sealer...it updates and the 'washed' brick would be very appealing.... aerux feather light cement.....Have fun

Dmotan · Answer

No no no.

Jan · Answer

I really like it the way it is, it actually looks clean, bright and fresh looking.

Debi @ Debi Collinson Interiors · Answer

Thank you all for your answers! There sure are a variety of answers! I thought there would be an overwhelming answer one way or another. I have lots to think about and I will post my result when I decide. Thank you all again for taking the time to answer!

Debi @ Debi Collinson Interiors · Answer

I am still deciding how to resolve it but I got lot of different opinions.  I am going to try one of the answers and will write a post on how it went!

Sheila D · Answer

There are stick on tiles you could cover it with, not too pricey.  Also, my old cabinets peeled, glued & clamped them until we could afford to reface them

Pat Keadle Gougler · Answer

Try changing the wall color first. I think that would help with the updating.

Sheila D · Answer

Debi, another question-are your bricks real a wall covering. There is a heavy, textured, paint-able beadboard wallpaper . It would be cost effective.

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