I am going to be remodeling a kitchen in a little home in Florida soon

I need advise on a kitchen remodel. I would love to have white cabinets, but my husband hates them. I need advice on an alternative on new cabinets on our kitchen remodel.
This is what it looks like now, we will be gutting everything and getting new appliances.
Any ideas? Thanks
  49 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Jul 05, 2013
    Refacing or painting are options. Painting is way more cost effective, some refacing projects can be as much and all new cabinets. You also need to think about layouts. In a recent Condo remodel I've been working on we moved things around a bit. The cook top and wall oven got replaced with a stand alone range. The fridge moved to where the wall oven was located and we went with a smaller dishwasher. All of these changes could not have been done with out new cabinets. This kitchen was a bit on the smallish size and all of the cabinets were in the $1200 range
  • Shari Shari on Jul 05, 2013
    I love white cabinets too and chose them for my kitchen a couple years ago. Although wood, itself, doesn't ever go out of style, the different shades of wood can look dated. (Example: oak colored cabinets were so popular in the 80s but now people can't paint them fast enough!) White cabinets seem timeless. White also tends to make small spaces feel lighter, brighter and larger. Nevertheless, if your husband won't budge, what about a compromise with colored lower cabinets and white upper cabinets? That look is very popular now. Basically, I would recommend looking through kitchen decorating magazines, websites like Pinterest, and visiting kitchen showrooms to find cabinet styles and colors you and your husband can both agree on. If, by chance, your Florida home is anywhere near the Tampa Bay area and you need a referral to someone, I can recommend a FABULOUS kitchen remodeler. I found him to be meticulous and his price was extremely reasonable. In fact, his bid came in $8,000 cheaper than another bid I got and he gave me far more for the money. Best of all, I was only without my kitchen for one week. Not weeks or months. ONE WEEK! He completely built the cabinets and countertops off-site prior to demo so everything was ready to slide right into place once all the old cabinets were out. He demo'd my old kitchen on a Friday and the following Friday I was putting things away in my newly remodeled kitchen. Edited to add: Custom cabinets with crown molding and special features like pull-out drawers and corner carousel, LG solid surface counter tops, building a half-wall to separate kitchen from family room, stainless steel sink, and laying the flooring were all provided by my kitchen guy for a cost of less than $12,000. **I don't know if anyone else can see them, but the descriptions I have added to the photos are not showing up for me so here's a summary of the photos: Photo 1: Cooking area "after." The 3 drawers under the smooth cooktop surface conveniently store pots, pans, lids, cooking utensils and pot holders. No more getting down on my hands and knees to look for pots or pans in the back of the cabinet! Photo 2: After: Light, bright and white! Removing the beams from the ceiling and taking the cabinets all the way to the ceiling made the 8 ft. ceiling seem much higher. Some minor layout changes were also made to improve function. Photo 3: Before: Ugly and very "orange" wood (similar to plywood) and terracotta tiles on floor and counter tops. It felt like a cave in there and layout was very inefficient. Photo 4: If I had it to do all over again, I would have added these pull-out drawers in all of my lower cabinets. The increased storage space they provide is unbelievable!
  • Lori J Lori J on Jul 05, 2013
    I like the color of those cabinets. They would look sharp with stainless steel appliances and shiny glass tiled black splashes.
  • Shari Shari on Jul 05, 2013
    I have to agree with Lori--I don't find these cabinets offensive at all. There is a lot you could do to dress them up easily and affordably. If the current layout is efficient, what about just new counter tops, hardware and appliances?
  • Larose LoganOakes Larose LoganOakes on Jul 05, 2013
    Hello Carole! I wanted to ask you if that is a soffit above your cabinets. I see on a lot of these home remodel shows that they remove the soffits and run the cabinets all the way up to the ceiling.That can give you more storage space if that is an issue.Also my husband and I looked at some houses for sale in Cental FL that had been built in the late 50's and they had their original kitchens. We discovered at Lowes kits made by Rustoleum called Countertop or Cabinet Transformations.I have seen several people here on HT that have used the Countertop product and they were really happy with the way it turned out. I was pleased because I then knew it would work and I wouldn't have to spend tons of $ on granite countertops.They also make a product called Cabinet Transformations so you and your husband might want to check out that product as well.I haven't seen anyone use this product on HT but I am sure that someone has so I would look into that. The costs of these kits were for a large Cabinet kit it was $149 and for a small Cabinet kit it was $79. I hope that you find this information helpful.Oh BTW where are you planning on doing your remodel? What town? Best of luck to you!You might want to look at this:http://southernhospitalityblog.com/rustoleum-countertop-transformation-kit/.http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/kitchen-transformation-from-white-to-chocolate-cabinets-575637
  • Gail Salminen Gail Salminen on Jul 05, 2013
    @Carole Crawford-Evon I agree with @KMS Woodworks about considering the layout of the kitchen. You may want to consider the traffic flow, for instance how does cooking go when someone is trying to come in the door. I also agree with others that your cabinets are in very good shape, but I can also understand replacing if they are not the style you are wanting. Hope you can reuse them perhaps in the laundry area or create a pantry in the basement or even donate to Habitats for Humanity. Seems you and hubby have varying opinions on the cabinet colour - LOL sounds like our house, I long for the time when hubby really didn't care. Perhaps you two can compromise and have light on the top and dark on the bottom, but I must admit that is what I am aiming for, I like dark but I also like how light cream opens up the space a lot. Also like them going to the ceiling so I don't have to clean up there any more. Hope you provide an update when you complete the project.
  • KrysFL KrysFL on Jul 05, 2013
    I did maple and I love them! they are light but not 80s oak.
  • Reinventing Space Reinventing Space on Jul 06, 2013
    We had the same cabinets in our Florida condo. Swapped to all white, with a darker counter. Appliances are all white. Love it. Plus, its Florida, so you want fresh and beachy!!
  • Kimberly Barney Kimberly Barney on Jul 06, 2013
    I don't see a problem with the placement of the stove and door. The cabinets look to be in good shape. I can understand your desire to have them painted white but I feel that the current color gives a beach feel and you already have a white tile floor and white appliances. I would look at changing the countertop to add color as currently the countertop appears to be the same color as the cabinets. I would suggest replacing countertops with a recycled glass countertop, installing cabinet hardware and a backsplash.
  • Mrf195323 Mrf195323 on Jul 06, 2013
    Paint them all white and sponge them with a pastel color, the best of two worlds
  • Accentuations! Accentuations! on Jul 06, 2013
    Hi Carole! Just a few thoughts for you...Rust-o-leum makes a very user friendly product called "Transformations" that would allow you to transform not only you cabinets but your counters. We have utilized it on a couple of jobs and were very pleased with the results. You can find a video on line at their web site. You really didn't say if you are changing appliances? I envisions a light colored glass tile back splash for you! fun, easy to clean and fairly easy to do! Anyway, darker counters for sure, glass backsplash and, instead of the new cabinets--make them new yourself by adding trim molding to the doors to beef them up and make them look more expensive then the new color! I am happy to go into more detail if you would like it and provide photos, etc. MAKE IT FUN! Sallie ps....hardware (handles) on the cabinets would be great!
  • John J John J on Jul 07, 2013
    Hi Carole. umm not to be detrimental or anything but 'WHO' spends the most time in the kitchen? what colors does your husband like/want? Use a High Gloss White cabinet doors with aluminum pull down shutter type for a countertop cupboard with stainless steel accessories. Finish with tiling to match will look 'fresh, modern and neu-beach-look' also add touches of wood ;D
  • Jessica C Jessica C on Jul 07, 2013
    Your cabinets are very nice, but a glossy dove grey would be very attractive on them as well. Perhaps your husband could live with that. I would also add some chic silver drawer handles and white subway tile between cabinets and counter.
  • Starla Swanson Starla Swanson on Jul 07, 2013
    Ever think of replacing doors only on upper cabinets, or a group of cabinets, with framed glass doors? The types of glass is extensive, and can be a beautiful look for not a ton of money. My favorite is seeded glass, and love reed glass.
  • Diana Sue Mendez-Lucio Diana Sue Mendez-Lucio on Jul 07, 2013
    Keep it Simple
  • Sharon Crady Sharon Crady on Jul 07, 2013
    Why not go ahead and paint them white, then add pieces of trim on each door & drawer in the wood color that you like in square or triangle shape, then door & drawer hardware, that would dress it up, you get the best of both worlds, just saying !!
  • CA Byam CA Byam on Jul 08, 2013
    What I did to mine was everything white but the panel in the door and that is a deep cream. Everyone is happy and so am I. I am thinking of changing them a little .. maybe a little chalk paint, it has been 5 years since I changed things.
  • Ann Standley Ann Standley on Jul 08, 2013
    stenciling in white... a compromise?
  • Fredric B Fredric B on Jul 08, 2013
    refinish them with the Rustoleum refinish kits at Home Depot... I'm doing a project now myself... then will add new stainless handles
  • Carole U Carole U on Jul 08, 2013
    I recently saw a friend's painted cabinets done in a lovely shade of yellow, They did their own painting. Very attractive., ill be doing that myself soon. Her stove and door are placed same as yours. She painted the door frame red, same as her 2 kitchen chairs. Much prettier than it sounds . Great pop of color.
  • JoAnn Edenburn JoAnn Edenburn on Jul 08, 2013
    What is that next to the refrigerator? Is that a blank block? just sitting there to hide a gap? You really need to give a picture of the entire room before you can ask for help.
  • Carole U Carole U on Jul 08, 2013
    I recently learned about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Presumably requires NO prep.I watched the process on You Tube. Im gonna try it when i redo my cabinets.Maybe ill try it on my counters too, if i get brave.
  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 08, 2013
    There are so many different shades of "white".. you need to take him to the nearest home and garden store or show if available and check out the different ways to do white without being "WHITE". I am doing my kitchen over in white cabinets but I can't stand the ones that are so white it looks like a hospital. It is more of an eggshell with a slight glaze that gives it a whole different look. Good luck with your remodel, don't forget to post pics when its done..
  • Jerry Thurman Jerry Thurman on Jul 08, 2013
    Anything but pink or green.
  • Judy Pultz Judy Pultz on Jul 08, 2013
    When he starts doing all the cooking, he can redo the kitchen to his liking. Until then, make it yours!
  • Maxine B Maxine B on Jul 08, 2013
    How about a white background and black decorative stencilling?
  • Rhonda Devall Rhonda Devall on Jul 08, 2013
    I say go black. I just went from bright white to flat black. Love. Love.. love my kitchen cabinets
  • JeanMarie Zink JeanMarie Zink on Jul 08, 2013
    We just remodeled our kitchen. I too wanted white but my husband said I would be constantly cleaning them. We did hickory cabinets with a cherry finish except for the island we did in a off -white stain. Stainless steel appliances and brown, beige , and black granite counter tops. We are getting a lot of compliments with the 2 different color cabinets.
  • Betty M Betty M on Jul 08, 2013
    Go to Houzz.com and scroll through to find something that you and your husband can both live with. If you use white cabinets, I suggeest you use some darker warm flooring and complimentary counter top and backsplash. Use your and your husbands favorite colors and styles and be a bit eclectic with a bit of both, Good Luck! http://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen
  • Melissa W Melissa W on Jul 08, 2013
    I would remove the soffit above the cabinets. Place lighting above the cabinets. replace only the doors of the cabinets with glass 6 light window doors. Or just add new hardware to the doors. You could also add trim around the outer edges of the cabinet doors before painting them. But I would keep them as is but add hardware to them. Replace the counter tops and do a tile back splash. New sink and faucet, paint and breadboard wainscoting along the wall attached to the back door. And a new granite tile floor.
  • Mary Insana Mary Insana on Jul 08, 2013
    I would go with a dove grey cabinet which will match your already white floors. Grey is such neutral color and you can do a different counter and then a complimentary backsplash with some different shades of grey in it. You can then use practically any color for accessories in your kitchen. Here' s some nice tiles that would go with grey cabinets.
  • Lynn Lawson Lynn Lawson on Jul 08, 2013
    How dull you guys!! Paint the kitchen a tangerine or orange; paint the cabinets black.. Then add a nice backsplash to match the wall not the cabinets. Repaint your counters with that Rustoleum paint for countertops. Get stainless steel appliances. Don't stick with black and white. I have that and am soooo bored. Am going to change soon.
  • Rhonda Rhonda on Jul 08, 2013
    A bleached weathered look will give it that beach feel- w/silver hardware, baskets and stainless appliances. Use the color on the backsplash or the counters. Wood floor - The overall look should be clean and simple. Use only white, blue, and sometimes green if necessary.
  • Jo Williams Jo Williams on Jul 08, 2013
    A pale lime green would be pretty on the cabinets...don't do stainless appliances...I had them and hated them.
  • Bernadette Tetle Bernadette Tetle on Jul 08, 2013
    We did our kitchen remodel in stages. First, we replaced the countertops with black galaxy granite along with a new sink and faucet. A year later, we had a painter come in and changed the cabinets from white to this soft tan color with oil rubbed bronze pulls and added a tile backsplash. We went from builder grade to fantastic without breaking the budget....
  • Tamara Tamara on Jul 08, 2013
    Compromise! So many kitchen designers are showing a mix of cabinet colors in one room. White cabinets, with a darker base on the island or peninsula. I got these from Google Images ... Have you asked him why he objects to white? Using the argument "who spends more time in the kitchen" is confrontational and I assume he is helping foot the bill. After all, he lives there too. I say a compromise is in order and you two should talk it out. Perhaps visit your local kitchen remodel showroom, NOT a big box store, but someone who is a design person and ask what are some good combinations. Or, search the Internet for options. Look at photos, work it out so you can both live with it.
  • Donna L. Etchberger Donna L. Etchberger on Jul 08, 2013
    Hi Carole. I would take your husband with you to a kitchen and bath showroom. Something larger than a Lowe's or Home Depot if there is one in your area. There are so many things you can do in a kitchen today. You really need to see kitchens on display to get an idea for what appeals to you, and your husband alike. I personally would not want a white kitchen, since it would be hard to keep clean, and they are very pretty, only when they are clean. After you know what you want, then I would find an Amish cabinet maker to custom build it. They do amazing work for much less than any big cabinet company. Lowe's and Home Depot sell pretty cabinets, but they are not custom built to fit your space. They use wood that looks like the cabinets to fill spaces, so your losing storage space. You really want to maximize the space you have. The Amish cabinet maker I used came and measured the space, and gave me a free estimate. My final bill was actually only $10.00 more than the estimate, and the craftsmanship is out-of-this-world. Mine did not do stone countertops, but you can always find someone else to come in after the cabinets are installed to finish that for you. That is usually a different crew anyway. I like my stainless steel appliances, but they show every fingerprint, so be prepared to clean them frequently. And I know everyone talks about granite countertops, but granite needs to be sealed every 6-12 months. I prefer quartz instead, no sealing required, and the cost is the same as granite. You don't get the variation of patterns in the stone, but I like that better. And what Bernadette Tetle shows you in her photo is exactly what I was thinking of for you. A soft beige or light taupe cabinet with off white or white backsplash, you could add a band of color in small tiles midway between the counter and the cabinets, and a black or rich brown quartz counter. Have fun, don't stress too much, and please post photos when it's done!
  • Betty Betty on Jul 08, 2013
    I WOULD PAINT THE COUNTERS TOPS WITH A SPRAY PAINT THAT LOOKS LIKE GRANITE AND THEN SPRAY WITH CLEAR COAT. GO WITH TAN CABINETS WITH BRONZE PULLS. PAINT THE WALLS A COLOR DARKER THAN THE CABINETS AND PULL OUT THE COLORS IN THE SPRAY ON THE COUNTER TOPS. TILE THE FLOORS WITH LIGHT BEIGE TILES AND A BACK SPLASH IN THE SAME COLOR, SMALLER TILES. .
  • Karen Ambrose Karen Ambrose on Jul 08, 2013
    white wash them, you get the white colored and he'll get the wood of the cubboards
  • Kat =^.^= Kat =^.^= on Jul 09, 2013
    hi there, i re-did my kitchen last spring myself. kilz all the cabinets i kept, then painted white then sanded and waxed with paste wax, copper knobs, if you like the shabby look, also i ripped out the top cabinets and installed open shelving. didnt think i would like that but i LOVE it! went to lowes and got the metal supports for under the wood shelves and added molding to the front only. anyway you could keep the existing cabinets, just do a re-face with a new improved door and hardware. paint out the cabs yourself. good luck, i hope you post when complete :) also look at all the designer magazines, find your kit style and there you go, get a book and take some notes and get some samples cut out the pictures you like, and take with you to a designer place. wa la you have a story board with colours and samples, makes it a lot easier. :)
  • Carol S Carol S on Jul 09, 2013
    I read there part where you said you would be gutting everything and going with new appliances. So, have you roughed out a floor plan? Planning is key before you touch a thing. The kitchen is bland, but there must be some things you like & some yhing you just can't live with. Do you like where your appliances are now? Seems like a long trip to between the stove & fridge. I see one light in the sofit - do you need more or do you think track lighting is better? You can see the last kitchen I designed, it is posted here. It cost $18,000 & that is with my cousin doing the work and cabinets from a surplus store. Great ideas above - but you have to live, work & eat there. Good luck.
  • Shirley Towe Shirley Towe on Jul 09, 2013
    To see what you really want and compromise with your husband, go to Better Homes and Gardens website and subscribe to thier online pictures. You will see hundreds of different pictures of kitchens. Just google or yahoo "White Kitchens with yellow paint" or whatever you want to see. I printed pictures, went to paint stores and picked up color scheme charts. I updated my old solid wood kitchen cabinets by attaching vinyl lattice in a shaker border. Also, Country living, and Traditional Home will give you lots of ideas. It is fun.
  • Tamela Bowie Interiors Tamela Bowie Interiors on Jul 10, 2013
    Try painting the cabinets in an off-white followed by a glaze in Tea-Stain by Ralph Lauren...best of both worlds!
  • Junk Gypsee Junk Gypsee on Jul 10, 2013
    If you're just wanting to paint the cabinets...have you thought about painting them white and then distressing them? Then add some cool hardware..would your hubby go for that? Cheap chic..and anything goes with white. You can also cut out some of the doors and add glass...hubby can get involved!! xoxo Here are some photo ideas...Good luck!!
  • Alouette Borges Alouette Borges on Jul 31, 2013
    I would first paint this kitchen light yellow add a gold, black and red designed tile backsplash and leave these cabinets the same... for his taste. Herbs on the window sills will also help pull your eyes away from the cabinets. Suddled floral canisters in ivory or beigh for cookies, flour and sugar can be useful and take away some focus from the cabinets.I would also, mimic the cabinet colors a little with a painting or wall decoration on the bare wall, as to bring out the kitchen a little and make it look bigger. That green looks better in a bedroom than a kitchen. Unless he's a cook, what does he know about kitchens and if he were a cook, he'd want them white too. (Smiling)
  • Lorraine Edwards Lorraine Edwards on Jul 31, 2013
    Hi Carole! Well, there's white and then there's white--there are so many shades so if he isn't into white, what about a cream color cabinet? Message me--I will be happy to send you some pics of my "off white" kitchen!
  • Larose LoganOakes Larose LoganOakes on Jul 31, 2013
    One solution or compromise that could please both of you is to add a white tile or glass backsplash between the top cabinets and the countertops. There are so many choices of tiles these days and don't limit yourself to just what is available at HD or Lowes.When I redid my bathroom I checked out those places first and I was very disappointed with their selection. I then went to a local tile store and found what I was looking for immediately. They were a little pricey but then I didn't need that much tile so it was a win win.Tile is afterall the bling for the kitchen and who doesn't like a little bling?LOL
  • Carol Carol on Feb 07, 2015
    Your cabinets are a simple style and you can work with them. I would suggest that you add cabinet hardware and you might consider painting either the top or bottom ones a different color to distract from the present color. Consider a color other than white... Maybe a bit darker to provide some contrast to the neutrals already in the room. Good luck and I'm sure it will be lovely.
  • Elizabeth Mercer Elizabeth Mercer on Aug 16, 2015
    I am having my kitchen remodeled as well white is not my choice but there are so many choices go to a home depot that is who is doing my kitchen and see the great selection that they have and one of the kitchen design associates will be able to help you through the process.