Asked on Aug 21, 2013

Help! I need suggestions on this outdated kitchen!

Sherry
by Sherry
I would like to paint my cabinets (can't afford new ones) but what color? What color or type of counter top? Could I get away with just painting the front of the doors and drawers a color to match the bases? or would that look bad. I also want to change the hardware. Thanks for any feedback!
  70 answers
  • Mary Mary on Aug 21, 2013
    Since your appliances are white paint cabinets a cream color Can't see if you have a back splash or not. If not get an inexpensive tile in a color you like and do a random pattern. You can mix 1 glass mosaic tile (12x12) and use two rows between the inexpensive tile. I did mine that way (18x15) and it cost me less than 100$ with supplies too.
  • Mary Mary on Aug 21, 2013
    Get the glass knobs from Home Depot for hardware
  • Sherry Sherry on Aug 21, 2013
    I was thinking cream. Do you think I could get away with just doing the fronts. My appliances are beige too.
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    • Kirt N Kirt N on Aug 28, 2013
      If the cabinets are laminate, you'd need to clean and sand them some to rough them up so the paint will stick. It's not a very clean look, and it will eventually wear off. My suggestion is to replace the fronts and doors. My mother painted her doors and fronts with a dark brown lacquer paint, and it held up for about a year. The finish peeled in some areas, and we will eventually change the entire cabinetry in her home.
  • 117135 117135 on Aug 21, 2013
    You could get away with the cream color on the cabinets, and maybe add a chocolate glaze. By making the cabinets cream you would then have a very neutral color pallet that would need some color. Add a nice dark countertop to offset the neutral pallet. I would change the hardware to be on the edge of the cabinet instead of the middle(you will have to putty to fill the holes) You could add some more color by adding a glass backsplash, with creams and other accent colors. Whatever accent colors are in the backsplash you could then paint the walls to be that color. You will have to paint the cabinets as well as the doors.
  • Why paint them? They look really cool and if you changed the hardware on them and add a very colorful back splash and some color in your kitchen this will change your kitchen dramatically. Spend the money on a new counter top Or even paint it. You have a lot of stuff on the counters which now would be a good time to go through and donate or sell what you do not use. If you want a place to display some colorful or pretty dishes, then I would take off a couple doors (each side of the window?) I am for painting to change and have renovated many kitchens but I would think twice about painting those. They have such a unique grain. Do you need the curtain for privacy? If not then I would put a valence in to open up the room. I see you have a drop ceiling with a fluorescent light. If you cannot change that, then I would think about framing the light with some wood accents (which could be glued on) and maybe even paint the ceiling a very light shade of a color you choose for the walls. You have a good base and you are just missing some color. Good luck.
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    • Patricia Cleveland Patricia Cleveland on Sep 28, 2013
      @The Garden Frog with C Renee I'm with you, C. Renee Fuller! Those cabinets have tons of potential!
  • Elena S Elena S on Aug 21, 2013
    we had the very similar cabinets, but in much worth state. We added molding and moved knobs. I do not like my T-shaped knobs as they hook to the cloth sometimes...
  • Therese C Therese C on Aug 22, 2013
    @ Sherry ..if you are absolutely determined to paint them, and your appliances are beige, I would suggest a creamy vanilla color with brushed nickel cabinet pulls, a gun metal blue (darkish grey blue) backsplash, faux marble black counter tops. However, if it were me, and I was doing this kitchen, I would stain the cabinets rather than paint and do them in a rich dark cherry with copper pulls and a copper color backsplash. The counter then could go in a rich granite look or even a simple vanilla marble. Home Depot has this really cool stuff to change you appliances to stainless steel look that is applied almost like contact paper. As for the window coverings..you could then go with dark cherry bamboo style roll down blinds with copper turns.
  • Sherry Sherry on Aug 22, 2013
    Thanks everyone for such great advise!
  • Rebekah Rebekah on Aug 22, 2013
    If you can afford a little Sherry, I would replace the fronts and add some glass. It will moderize your kitchen and make the cabinets more inviting.
  • 161389 161389 on Aug 22, 2013
    I too have a kitchen project to do so I've been looking at lots of ideas. Wish mine was as easy of a fix as yours but we have to gut ours because of water damage. Anyways, here are a few simple ideas I like. Adding a little detail to flat cabinets by adding the trim in the picture I attached would make a huge difference & either stain or paint. I like the look that has a rubbed darker color in the seams. I don't know what it's called but it gives it a more worn look. Also crown at the top of cabinets always adds a big difference along with knobs or handles. Home Depot or Lowes now sells laminate that looks like granite with rounded edges pretty cheap anymore. And then some color. I like it when people add glass to some of the doors or take them off & add some kind of color and design to the back of their cabinets. I think it always gives the kitchen just that something extra. I have so much to store that I don't want to see so I could only do this with two & put my plates, bowls and glasses in them. Start with one project at a time it always seems to make the pocket book less effected. My neighbor & I were just talking about this with her backyard because she asked me how I did ours and I told her one little area at a time otherwise it became to over whelming. Good luck! Post pictures when your done. Oh I'm also I big fan of beautiful hood vents and they don't have to be expensive I've seen some beautiful ones pretty simply made. :)
  • Sherry Sherry on Aug 22, 2013
    Thank you so much. I have gotten some great ideas from everyone. I think I'm going to do a black countertop. Do two cabinets on either side of my kitchen sink with glass doors. Replace hardware on all cabinets and drawers , rid my countertop of clutter and get cute valances for my windows to lighted up the room. I also want to do something with that ugly fluorescent lighting.
  • Linda T Linda T on Aug 22, 2013
    Sorry. Don't mean to be rude, just an opinionated would-be -artist, but all the previous ideas are to me so SAFE and boring! If you can only afford a bit of paint, for heavens sake, make it count!!!! Bright cupboard and drawer fronts, red, daffodil yellow, tourquoise, lime green! Anything! And if you don't like it, paint is cheap enough. Do it over! We have rather boring cherry, wood, but I mosaiced the walls and my honey carved drawer handles like peppers of all kinds.
  • Tammy Lemmenes Tammy Lemmenes on Aug 23, 2013
    @Sherry, I happen to agree with @Linda T , on her suggestion to paint with some color. All the previous suggestions to paint your cabinents a vanilla cream color have me yawning. Unless you plan on really adding some color in other ways, such as: by changing out the knobs/handles, window treatments, new flooring, back splash tile, counter-tops, etc, etc...
  • Tammy Lemmenes Tammy Lemmenes on Aug 23, 2013
    Wow, I just noticed all the counter space you have and I'm sure envious!! :)
  • Tanya Peterson Felsheim Tanya Peterson Felsheim on Aug 23, 2013
    This may be way off but is this a manufactured home? Are the cabinets laminate, wood, partical board with paper over it? They remind me of my parents cupboards which were the partical board and painting them was a MESS. If I were to do it again I would probably replace the doors completely! But if laminate there are special ways to paint those. I may be way off base. I love that some love the crazy wild colors and I would suggest some color somewhere but I love to walk into my kitchen and if its too busy I would feel it was messy before I even started! But maybe you need the color to get your juices going like @Linda T and @Tammy Lemmenes Somewhere you need color...not on the cabinets always but what makes you love walking into the kitchen.
    • Sherry Sherry on Aug 23, 2013
      @Tanya Peterson Felsheim Not a manufactured home. My home was built in 1979 so I guess these cabinets were the thing then! They are laminate. Your right I do need color......
  • Therese C Therese C on Aug 23, 2013
    I too, enjoy hits of color in a kitchen...I just don't want a kitchen to slap me awake in the morning. I once wanted color in my apparently boring black and white kitchen, so I added a Chinese red floor.(very high gloss) It was beautiful and pulled from the copper colored handles and black stone counters. I have known people that have so much loud color going in their homes that it nearly wakes the neighbors up in the mornings. Ultimately it is up to the homeowner what they choose, but it is always good to get a lot of ideas and opinions before diving in. Google kitchen ideas/images and you will see a wide variety of what people are doing these days. I must be old fashioned, but I like the warm, inviting feeling of a kitchen that says sit down and relax, versus grab the caffeine and run!!
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    • Therese C Therese C on Aug 23, 2013
      @My Gnome Little World quite alright..I had a chiffon yellow kitchen with ice white cabinets and a gun barrel blue marbled floor once. The dark blue-grey floor looked fantastic with the yellow and white. It sounds weird, but was actually quite stunning. Gawd my landlord hated me...lol..he said walking into my home was like running headon into a flashy white smile. I'll take that as a compliment! :)
  • Carole Carole on Aug 23, 2013
    I would paint the units white and add the colour in the form of a coloured glass splashback or colour tiles. That way you can easily change the look if you want to. If you display your kitchen wares - toaster, Kettle, kitchen scales etc on the kitchen counters - choose a colour that compliments the look. Go red, yellow or whatever and keep the colour consistent for your small appliances like the kettle/toaster etc. That way the colour will pop against the white.
  • Debra Debra on Aug 23, 2013
    I love the cabinet 'wood'. Can't tell from the pix exactly what they are but they remind me of cedar. Since your appliances are white, how keeping the cabinets as they are, but removing the dated pulls. You can use a wood filler to fill in the holes. I'd try one and see how it looks. Then how about brushed nickel pulls placed in the cabinet corners, and a soft gray countertop? I just remodeled and went with granite as it was on sale and about the same price as higher priced laminates. Either granite or laminate would be nice. How about a soft creamy yellow on the walls? You could accent in a stronger yellow, darker gray or even black. If a true gray won't work with your cabinets, look into the many shades of taupe.
  • Sfg178760 Sfg178760 on Aug 23, 2013
    In regards of the color battle...you can do two colors as I did in my kitchen. I think my husband thought I was crazy...but did a very light aqua blue on my lower cabinets and white on the upper ones. Mind you, the cabinets I am talking about are original to the 1964 house! We actually love the old funky formica counter tops, so we kept them which mean keeping the cabinets! o) We had them all painted inside and out! Hopefully you do not have to go the inside route as well...but mine are old! Your cabinets seem awesome for a cottage/cabin look, but if you want a different look I say paint...and sorry..not just the fronts! o)
    • Sherry Sherry on Aug 23, 2013
      @My Gnome Little World I'm going to try and replace the hardware and countertop and see how that goes. I use to be into the country feel years ago so the cabinets were great then....but not now! Your cabinets look fantastic!
  • Scottie Vosburgh Scottie Vosburgh on Aug 23, 2013
    you could just paint the fronts...it depends in the look you are going for. I think swapping out the handles is going to make such a difference you won't believe it! I do think in the long run you'll prefer the more uniform look of painting everything though. a light tab or taupe would be lovely
  • Scottie Vosburgh Scottie Vosburgh on Aug 23, 2013
    *tan... (not tab) sorry.
  • Glenna Williams Glenna Williams on Aug 23, 2013
    What is your style ? I like Shabby chic, but some like clean lines and nothing fussy showing. you need to know what you like. taking doors off and either painting and redoing them is a big project and you need to know what you like. I notice your stove and microwave are a biscuit color so that is a consideration also. I like the top one color and the bottom another but I would go lighter not darker as the room looks dark in pictures as it is and you want to lift it up. If you can afford new counter tops , they do make formica to look just like the nicer stones ones with a pretty edging, if your budget will not afford stone right now. I would look through mag . and go to stores and pay attention to what you like and once you know your style you are half way there.
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    • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Aug 24, 2013
      @Sherry Use those light creamy colors then..shabby chic would work with you then. I love painted cabinets...I am redoing my kitchen, taking some cabinets and replacing them with open shelves. Replacing the nobs will make a huge difference...If you like Tuscan, then have a small wine rack and a place for your wine glasses. I am taking out a built in table and redoing a antique dresser and making it a coffee and wine station. Tuscan can be over done with wine bottles..lol. Use that relaxed feel that Tuscan has..with lovely light.
  • Gloria Duy Gloria Duy on Aug 23, 2013
    When you paint the cupboards you should remove the hardware and fill in the holes first. After painting add some modern pulls near the edge. I have some friends who painted theirs but left the hardware in the middle and it still screamed 70's! I think adding boards around the edge of the doors so they aren't flat would be nice.
  • Leona G Leona G on Aug 23, 2013
    You can do a new laminate on top of the counters. I had the laminate cabinets in my 1973 house and went to Lowes, got unfinished oak replacement doors and unfinished oak glue back veneer and then stained them the color that I wanted. My cabinet base was in excellent condition and the cabinets looked wonderful for less than $1000. Good luck
  • Deborah Donovan-Navarro Deborah Donovan-Navarro on Aug 23, 2013
    EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! It appears that your cabinets are laminate. You MUST first rough up the surfaces with light sanding. It is essential to do this, but do not sand too deeply. I would use an orbital sander. Carefully remove all dust and then prime them with KILZ or similar. As tempted as you might be to use latex enamel I strongly recommend that you use oil-based enamel. Kitchen cabinets seem to attract grease and the oil enamels hold up best when cleaned with strong grease cutters, As to color, I recommend either white or ivory, depending on the wall/backsplash color you want to use. If warm (like terracotta) walls, use ivory on the cabinets. If cool (like aqua), use white on the cabinets. Good luck. We'd love to see after photos!
  • Cathy B Cathy B on Aug 23, 2013
    @sherry I would not paint that wood! I would clear the kitchen of all accessories and paint the wall a cranberry or forest green. I would put a modern shade on the window and a large round modern rug and bring only what you use back in the kitchen. Sometimes, uncluttering can be the best remodel. I just did that. It is refreshing! Let us see what you do.
  • Mikell Paulson Mikell Paulson on Aug 23, 2013
    Those cabinets look like maple. They do not look like laminate. If they are you just need to put a primer. we have a little house in AZ. and we did paint them, first we painted a good primer on them. You can now buy your primer with the color you are going to paint with! Only two coats that way!
  • Shari Shari on Aug 23, 2013
    I'm attaching a photo of a really cool way to convert your recessed ceiling light without too much trouble or expense. If a crystal chandelier is not your thing, any pretty chandelier would work. If you want to see more of her kitchen, go here: http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2013/08/kitchen-details-tour-giveaway.html
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    • Linda T Linda T on Oct 04, 2015
      @Linda T Golly! This is such an old post, one of my dreams came true since I wrote the above. My husband found a red KitchenAid for the birthday before last. It's glorious, totally matching the tile surrounding the cook top, and he loves it so much, he makes pizza from scratch whenever we have a yen. Also, with the meat grinder, we can get better meat for sausage, spag' sauce, taco meat etc. Happiness!!!
  • Rose Rose on Aug 24, 2013
    we just updated our kitchen--took out the fluorescents from our recessed ceiling and replaced with can lights-got new laminate counters-ceramic tile and glass for the back splash and painted the kitchen in asparagus green-colors are greens-shades of brown/almond cabinets-the best change was the lights made a huge difference!
  • Deborah Donovan-Navarro Deborah Donovan-Navarro on Aug 24, 2013
    I have been told that you should not try the Rustoleum product by yourself. Have a partner, watch the video several times and have a dress rehearsal. Timing is critical when applying that product.
  • Mary Mary on Aug 26, 2013
    I would use the rustoleum product for the cabinets and we just replaced our laminate countertops with the new beveled edge laminate in sea glass that they have out now and it looks real good. they make so many new styles now that do not look like laminate so much. good luck.
  • Mary Mary on Aug 26, 2013
    go to the re-store of habitat for humanity you can get paint, furniture, everything you might think of and you are helping someone else.
  • Ann Brownson Ann Brownson on Aug 26, 2013
    If those cabinets are wood, they appear to be hickory...Please don't paint them!!! You could restain them a darker or lighter color.
    • Sherry Sherry on Aug 26, 2013
      @Ann Brownson They are laminate so is the countertop.
  • Shari Shari on Aug 26, 2013
    I so agree with @Gloria Duy -- the hardware placement on the cabinet doors is one of the primary reasons this kitchen appears so dated. I would remove hardware, fill holes, paint cabinets white (or off-white/cream if you prefer that over white), and replace drawer and door pulls with hardware that looks more current. If your counter tops are in good condition, personally, I would wait until the other things have been done first and re-evaluate. White or off-white cabinets with wood counter tops is a very popular look now and if you decide to paint your cabinets, your existing counter tops could mimic that look without the expense of replacing them. Photo credit: Mustard Seed Creations= http://missmustardseed.com/
  • Lori Crocco Lori Crocco on Aug 26, 2013
    We painted our old cabinets with cabinet rescue (Lowe's) and put new hardware on. We left the paint white but you can have it tinted. My husband put ceramic tile on our counter tops and a small tile for a large backspash. The kitchen looks like new and was very inexpensive. Good luck. We did the cabinets and counter top in white and a recycled green glass tile for back splash area.
  • Lena Campbell Lena Campbell on Aug 27, 2013
    Believe it or not your cabinets are considered part of the new mid-century modern trend. However, you need to nix the heavy black hardware and get some sleek silver handles and hinges. Use wood putty to fill any holes in the front of the door and blend with a color marker. Use the money saved from the $80 painting kit that has been recommended and tile the back splash with a simple white subway tile. I'd also look into updating the counter tops with something that contrasts to the wooden cabinets and I wouldn't recommend a counter top with color movement or pattern. I'd consider a dove gray or slate stone or solid colored laminate. Finally, as time and money permit, update your appliances to black or stainless steel (if you don't have kids or have plenty of time to wipe fingerprints). Good luck with whatever you do!
    • Sherry Sherry on Aug 27, 2013
      @Lena Campbell Yes I was thinking black appliances but that will have to be later on. I don't care for stainless steel. I am going to start with the hardware and work from that! Thank you for the advice!
  • Mary Mary on Aug 27, 2013
    go to the store that carries new handles and pick the ones that you like just make sure to get enough and maybe a few extra so that if something happens to one you could replace it with a new one.
  • Cathy B Cathy B on Aug 27, 2013
    Lighter cabinets are in and especially Hickory....DON't paint!!
  • Shawnna Shawnna on Aug 27, 2013
    I actually like the hardware..I would just paint the hardware. but that's me.
  • Linda T Linda T on Aug 28, 2013
    @Sherry, I know you know your place better than we do, but surely if the doors were laminate, the 'stripes' would be matching. As they are, with all the different shades, they look like an extremely costly kitchen cupboard/chest of drawers that my SIL bought years ago. It is ash and very beautiful. (Can't have too many 'built ins', because the house is over 100 years old and therefore stone.) Her walls were boring cream for years, but now a bright primrose yellow. Can't remember the hardware even though I've seen it on and off for years. Will search for photos and write more. I agree with Shawanna and really like your hardware, but it's too busy for such small dimensions. Even though your curtains are 'happy' fruit and flowers, they make the window look dull. I dislike Venitian blinds, but a plain Roman shade, made with drop cloth fabric would be super. Also, some folk mentioned a granite top, and my opinion there is, Ugh! If you subscribe to Curbly, you will see that a majority of commenters dislike it, not just me, and many, even commercial decorators say it's already dated, which is why it's often on sale. (At a friend's last year I knocked a precious glass over. Where it would have probably only knocked a chip out on my wood top, her granite shattered it all over the place!)
  • Sherry Sherry on Aug 28, 2013
    Thanks....yes I AGREE on the shade idea...I was looking at some a couple days ago. I also have been looking at black laminate countertops.....no granite for me. I took a door off one of my cabinets and going to take that to someone to see what its made of. I am also searching internet for new hardware or at least knobs for the cabinets and might paint the drawer pulls?
    • Linda T Linda T on Aug 28, 2013
      @Sherry I went through a boat load of photos for you, and I see that the reason I don't particularly remember the handles is because they are very plain, quite small, rectangular brass, which almost fade into the background. Perfect for reducing the cluttered look, and letting the beautiful wood be the 'star'.
  • Lornnknaus Lornnknaus on Aug 29, 2013
    First off get rid of those cabinet Pulls, Also the wood Cabinet look is Hideous, if you go with Black Laminate counter tops, Paint, Yes Paint! the Cabinets..... Red with straight Pulls of Chrome or stainless steel, and add several small pendant lights and under counter lights and outlets, No apron sink just stainless with a pot filler pull out faucet, and maybe a Faux Tile Vinyl floor that is slate with a tinge of green. see bhg/kitchenbath Nov/Dec/2012
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    • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Oct 06, 2013
      @Sherry I like painted cabinets. There is a product on the market that I was reading the reviews on. They seem to be pretty good. http://rustoleumtransformations.com/ In the reviews make sure you do exactly what the directions are and with the correct time, and the lighter colors do not do as well. They also have counter top transformation. Its one way to go. I agree the handles need updated. Some times just with a change of knobs and pulls can make a huge difference. What are your colors.. do you like modern, bright, cottage, traditional...earth tones, jewel colors...black and white with a pop of color? You can get counter tops now that look like granite and they are laminate. I am getting ready to start redoing my kitchen on a very small budget..if I would have done granite that would have cost everything I have for the whole kitchen. I also have to mud the walls... Have you thought about open cabinets? taking the doors off some of the cabinets and giving it a farm house effect? Maybe white cabinets with those cute little polished chrome or even porcelain knobs?
  • Sherry Sherry on Sep 10, 2013
    Update: I have removed all the hardware on my cabinets, ordered new ones that will be arriving Friday. Next week getting quotes on black laminate countertop. Will send pics of the new hardware once they are on cabinets. Thanks again for all the suggestions!
  • Venice Venice on Sep 12, 2013
    paint the top cabinets a Bright White and the lowers a different color that would go well in ur space. change out the hardware to something modern and with clean lines. u should want more natural light so this what I suggest. good luck. Benjamin Moore paints are really nice.
  • Ann Ann on Sep 24, 2013
    Good ideas all! Off the subject a bit but the hardware appears to have free hanging rings? These would be too awesome as towel or scarf holders on some recycled furniture or shelves. That's what I did with the drawer hardware off my nightstands turned kitchen island and they work great for kitchen towels.
  • Sherry Sherry on Sep 24, 2013
    Thanks good idea.
  • Sherry Sherry on Sep 24, 2013
    I took all the hardware off. I added the new drawer pulls but haven't done the cabinet knobs yet. I was going to replace the counter top (one quote was $2400!) but now looking at Giani Granite to paint it and do th cabinets too.
    • Pat Dollar Pat Dollar on Sep 24, 2013
      @Sherry You can actually paint the counter top and then use min wax gloss acrylic - you will need about 6 coats to protect it. Don't use regular polyurethane as it will not hold up nearly as well. The acrylic works great. I did a table top several years ago and it still looks great. The photo of the finished table is not very good but the darker, shiny section shows the best of the finished project.
  • Cindi Cindi on Sep 24, 2013
    I would suggest, if you are going with black counters, then I would paint the cabinets. I would do the top a glossy white, bottoms a glossy black, and over time do the flooring like some black and white marble look, you can get flooring cheap.
  • DLyn Murphey DLyn Murphey on Sep 24, 2013
    If you like the grain of the wood, white wash could be pretty. It would lighten them up, give a new look and still show the wood grain. You can use any color paint and dilute it with water, paint it on and wipe it off quickly before it dries. Stains come in different colors too. You can then use a boat deck polyurethane. It holds up really well.
  • Therese C Therese C on Sep 24, 2013
    Just a thought...you say you cannot afford new cabinets so....perhaps do a little investigation into the wood of these cupboards. If they are indeed hickory, and I think they are, maybe advertise them on Craigslist for what they are and either sell them and buy new, or advertise them as a trade for what you are looking for. I'm sure there is someone that really wants natural hickory cabinets and would readily trade their cupboards from a newer home that used more modern that they maybe don't like.
  • Sherry Sherry on Sep 25, 2013
    I did confirm that these cabinets are laminate.
    • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Oct 06, 2013
      @Sherry Sometimes laminate is hard to paint and have it last..try shellacking them first. I did a cabinet that was covered with paper to make it look like wood..it was horrible. I shellacked them and then primed and it turned out really nice.
  • Cathy B Cathy B on Sep 25, 2013
    I would leave them as is with the new pulls. Although, I actually liked those pulls. Did you get your countertop? Did you look at Corian?
  • Angela Bello Angela Bello on Oct 04, 2013
    Last summer I painted my cabinets and they turned out great! They were similar to yours but dark with the same ugly handles in the middle. That's what I really hated. So I just filled the holes with wood putty and bought discount pulls/handles and put them in the correct spots. I painted my cabinets a dark modern blue. Also I couldn't afford new hinges and they old ones didn't match my new pulls so I used Rub-n-Buff and made them match. Good luck!
  • Patricia Cleveland Patricia Cleveland on Nov 14, 2013
    @Sherry: Just from the pix your cabinets look kind of neat-distinctive. At first glance I tho't they were hickory, not laminate. You might want to do something with texture to capitalize on the feeling of real wood and not paint, paint, paint...? If you could change the lighting in the room to brighten it might help.
  • Sherry Sherry on Jan 13, 2014
    Update! Its been a SLOW process but took all the hardware off , changed curtains and got all new appliances. Having an estimate for a new counter top this weekend.
  • Tim D. (The Retro Den) Tim D. (The Retro Den) on Oct 24, 2014
    Feel free to check out my kitchen renovation... I'm a huge fan of the Rustleum spray paints available at Home Depot they provide factory finish... You can always brush as well. I found someone on Craigslist who was selling their entire sets of kitchen cabinetsfor under a $1000 bucks including a sink and dishwasher..the cabinets are still being sold at Home Depot and all I had to do was order two more piece to complete my kitchen...neither regards to color , I chose heirloom white. When applied properly one coat will do. The new rustoleums dry in less than 30 minutes.you will require a mask and ventilation... Best of luck...
  • Darla Darla on Oct 24, 2014
    If you paint just the cabinet frames white or the same color as your walls and have new cabinet hardware, it will give you a whole new look.
  • Bill Croley Bill Croley on Jun 12, 2015
    We just painted our kitchen cabinets the same color as the wall.....a soft green.....and used white ceramic round pulls. It makes such a nice neat and clean statement. I would recommend it to anyone. We had those awful pulls on our cabinets too before removing and painting.
  • Rose Rose on Jul 25, 2015
    I also would change out the cabinet pull. Clean and wax cabinets,a woven window blind would look great .minimize the accessories and u are on your way.
  • Linda Linda on Oct 03, 2015
    I like a bright kitchen I would paint the cupboard doors a bright color maybe red or orange. The base would be white. Try a white curtain with a red trim or print. Not really necessary to change hinges or handles would be a nice contrast
  • Meburke Meburke on Oct 16, 2015
    I'd prep & paint all cabinets white,fill in holes from old hardware ( outdated) & get new hardware,& depending on budget a simple backsplash,tin,faux tin or copper panels( measure,cut,adhere) .I'd personally take down the drop ceiling light fixture,do industrial cool orb( wrap thin rope around small hula hoops ,you tube tutorial on it or google how yo make rope orb light fixture) or flea market junk gypsy style fixture as a real point of interest.cost effective,Rustoleum faux granite for counter tops? I used in 1/2 bath..fooled a contractor ! Good luck read lots of blogs,magazines find YOUR style.& go for it...momma bear
  • Christie Christie on Oct 17, 2015
    Yikes. Buy gel stain in a very dark color and follow directions. Then purchase the handles and the knobs and it will look beautiful..... Not really what I wanted to post but this site will not let me post what i wanted
  • Christie Christie on Oct 17, 2015
    I meant to color the handles and the knobs to match accordingly.
  • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Nov 02, 2015
    Here's my 2 cents...1 ~ To completely change the appearance of all the doors for the cabinets...I would take down all the doors, add a bead board wallpaper then add 1" wide wood trim around the edges of each door to turn them into shaker style. 2 ~ I would paint the upper cabinets inside & out, including the decorative little shelves, & wood trim above the windows a matte white. 3 ~ Paint the lower cabinets a charcoal grey.4 ~ Change the knobs & drawer pulls to a nickel color. 4 ~ For the counters I would upgrade them by putting butcher block right over the existing counters. 5 ~ Change out the curtains for roman shades in your favorite color. Hope this helps.
  • Nancy Flemming Nancy Flemming on Mar 26, 2016
    Add 2" trim around the edge of the doors to give shaker look or thinner trim in about 2" to create visual interest. Get new handles and Do Not put your handles back in the middle of the doors, there is a standard rule check the interent, Amerock has information on placement of handles. Good luck
  • Darla Darla on Mar 27, 2016
    Paint just the cabinet frames, not the doors. That wood pattern will look great with some toned-down hardware (brushed silver or gold) or even glass knobs. You can always paint the doors later if you want to. You could even stencil leaf patterns or other patterns lightly on the doors. That and a colorful backsplash (painted, tile, stick-on tiles, wallpaper or Contac paper) will make an amazing difference. Your kitchen needs some color.
  • Cynthia Cynthia on Sep 11, 2016
    The answer to your question has lots of variables- your "style"(and from your pottery and accessories it appears to be more traditional or country), are your appliances being replaced? Your flooring? Your fluorescent lighting? Your current flooring and appliances are more almond than pure white and that has to be a consideration if they are staying. Your space appears dark so you must also think about that. I'd like to see you take down your doors and drawers and "score" them to appear as beadboard. If you want to brighten the space, paint the upper cabs to match the appliances if they are staying. The entire cabinets have to be painted- to only do the doors or the frames would make the look incomplete. The lower cabinets can then be painted a favorite color or a suitable neutral that wouldn't limit your overall scheme,and have them darker to ground the area. In keeping with country I'd opt for dark hardware. I'd remove the ceiling panels and fluorescent lighting, most probably finding a recessed area above, and replace with pot lights. Install under cabinet lights as well. Butcher block counters would be in keeping ( stained in a medium tone). Like I started, there are lots of variables to your question's answer, but I hope this helps.....Good luck!
  • Debbie Debbie on Sep 27, 2016
    I would replace the hardware , caulk the holes on the doors , purchase new handles and put cuffed pulls on the drawers . paint it white , add crown moulding to the top of the cabinets and take out the shelves . it would update it a lot. I just did it to my kitchen and I love it . Good luck
  • Nancy Flemming Nancy Flemming on Sep 28, 2016
    Have you done your kitchen yet? If so would you post and after picture so we can see what you decided
  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Apr 30, 2022

    paint the bottoms a dark or bright color if you are that bold. Change out all the pulls. Hobby Lobby has hundreds. Take off the trim over the sink and if you need light, hang an exciting looking one.