Help for this sad kitchen

Kalsti
by Kalsti
I just bought this beautiful old historic home but the kitchen needs a lot of TLC! Anyone have creative ideas thinking outside of the box-- for making it pretty again? The cabinets are metal....
Little sweet kitchen needs a lot of TLC!
  79 answers
  • Faith R Georges Faith R Georges on Jun 08, 2014
    Your in for some work Kaisti, if ditching the whole thing and doing a remodel is out of the question. make due with what you have. You can paint the metal cabinets with a metal primer and spray paint, if you use plastic sheets and frog tape open all windows you can do in place, First magic eraser and sand any rust or deteriorated areas clean clean clean. Never ditch the sink that is awesome, Pull out the old dishwasher and build some basic wooden cupboard for storage. could use a self tension rod with a curtain to cover area in a fun blue yellow pint. The blue tile is awesome paint is your choice a gray would be nice if the cabinets are going to stay white and the tile would pop nicely. If you want light just put a topper and perhaps some cafe curtains in a white light color. the floor looks like a vinyl, easy to clean.. leave it for now. good Luck and congratulations on your new Home!.
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
      @Faith R Georges Faith thank you for the great ideas! There is hope! I plan to rent this out but want to have a sweet kitchen and love doing makeovers! Any more ideas are most welcome!!!
  • Neocrowe Neocrowe on Jun 08, 2014
    Even with the dark photo, I think I see a stained popcorn ceiling....maybe some kilz paint to freshen it up and take away the stains and odor. Since you seem to have turquoise tile through out the entire kitchen, I play up on it. Add some complimentary colors Yellows work well with it, might bring some sunny yellow accents and make sure the whites in the kitchen shine! A retro 50's look might be fun until you are able to do a complete reno.
  • Kelly S Kelly S on Jun 08, 2014
    Peel and stick black and white tiles on the floor would help the cabinets look like they belong.
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jun 08, 2014
    Get rid of the scalloped valance and shade, they really date the kitchen, take out the built in above the cabinets..add shelves or glass fronted cabinets to the ceiling. You can paint the cabinets a nice creamy white...take off some of the backsplash...you can use Rust Oleum Transformations on the counters. It really is a wonderful product.In fact they have Transformation for cabinets also..but for the medal ones I would use Rust olem spray paint..do a good primer first you will need less cans of paint. Stand back and decided what you want the theme to be..what look do you like? I have been redoing minbe on a shoe striing..and I wanted an eclectic look..I like the farm house with modern conveniences..I love the open shelves and the use of a piece of stand alone furniture.So I got an antique dresser..and it will be my coffee station...I spent time looking for sales.. I used Craigslist, I saved on Amazon...I used ideas I got from here and learned how to make and use chalk paint.. I had a pictuire in my head of what I wanted..My dream (within reason) kitchen..its small so I spent the money on tall 84" cabinmets and got three of them. They allowed me to be able to have much more storage and could have the open shelves I like. Think about what you want..what is your taste? Then decide how to create that within your budget.
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jun 08, 2014
    You can paint the floor..use a good porch paint , about three coats and seal with a good floor poly again 3 coats. I did that with a studio and its been 5 years and is still as it was when I first did it.
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks Kelly S~ good idea!
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks all for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
  • No longer available No longer available on Jun 08, 2014
    Lots of good ideas. Not sure what should go on that blank wall on the right above the brown cabinet. Is that where the fridge goes? Don't see a fridge or stove but if that's a blank area, I'd exchange that brown cabinet for a larger, functional kitchen storage cart and maybe a wall pot holder on that wall above the cart. I like the idea of black and white vinyl tiles on the floor and would be much easier than painting; aqua touches would be charming and go well with the tile. Maybe a charming vintage pendant light over the sink.
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jun 08, 2014
    How about cutting the beadboard use liquid nails to apply it right to the medal cabinet doors.and running molding around the bead board? Use glue and nail the molding on.
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jun 08, 2014
    I almost used beadboard as backsplash...but found really nice glass tiles on a great sale.
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Terra great! What saw do I need to do this ? I am a newbie to DIY-ing!
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jun 08, 2014
    How about where that brown cabinet is a set of shelves? all the way to the ceiling? it would be added storage and a place to maybe put your dishes, coffee cups or glassware.
  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Jun 08, 2014
    @Kalsti a good source for tools is your lowes or home depot pick the guys brain for free tell him what you want to do how much you want to spend and they will have someone in each dept help you.... my first choice would be a chop saw for making cuts on anything or a table saw they will help have a little fun while you are doing this and remember paint gives you the biggest bang for you buck xx ps i would kill for that sink scrub bleach her but keep her xx
  • Meena M Meena M on Jun 08, 2014
    Paint the cabinets with a bonding primer then paint. I would stencil something on them. Lose the curtains for something with straight lines. Pick a coordinating color for the walls. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a floor, do a peel and still in a wood look. The minute I saw your photo, my brain practically exploded with ideas! Lol
  • Melody Melody on Jun 08, 2014
    call HGTV hahahahaha have the twins fix this mess ...LOL
  • I would get new window treatments , update the flooring and repair the ceiling . If possible I would raise the height of the top cabinets and paint the walls a nice cream color. As for the metal cabinets check out a website called Retro Renovation - she's also on Facebook . You'll find plenty of ideas for kitchens with metal cabinets and how to update the kitchen and make it look fresh - for many the Retro look is very popular .
  • Meena M Meena M on Jun 08, 2014
    Paint the cabinets and use a stencil on them. If the soffits aren't hiding pipes, take them out and either put glass front cabinets there or leave it open. Paint a coordinating color for the walls. Put a straight line curtain up. If you don't want to spend a lot on a floor, get peel and stick wood looking floor or, do the paper bag floor. I would go crazy in this place. I love it :)
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 08, 2014
    what colours are in your backsplash tile? pull colours for the rest of the kitchen from them ..
  • Paula Spiekerman Paula Spiekerman on Jun 08, 2014
    Remove the paint and let the metal shine!
  • Vicki Menton Vicki Menton on Jun 08, 2014
    You may want to use an automotive paint on those metal cabinets. You may even be able to get them done by a professional for a good price when you factor in your materials. Spray paint can be costly. I wouldt at least call around and check pricing. Don't know what color you want your kitchen. I think pink and turquoise would be fabulous. Did you see the paper bag floor someone else posted? Very economical and looked fantastic! If you take the soffet out above the cabinets you could just add crown moulding to the ceiling frame it outoso it looked like a built in cabinet but with minimal use of materials. Keep us posted, what a treasure. Love that sink too.
  • Sharon H Sharon H on Jun 08, 2014
    My ceiling was a mess like that too and we put up a frame and attached paneling that looked like wainscoting. It was really shiny white so I toned it down with eggshell paint. When we added the trim it really lightened up the room. Plus it gave us a chance to add a light and run some hidden coax cable in case we wanted a tv out there later. I'd die for your metal cabinetry so I'm guessing if you'd rather have wood ones you wouldn't have a hard time selling yours for enough to buy what you want.
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks Chris! Good info here! And love the "bleach her but keep her.."
  • Melisa Gingrich Melisa Gingrich on Jun 08, 2014
    I flip houses and I say rip the whole thing out and start from scratch. Tear out the outdated soffit and install pot lights. The metal doesn't say "historical", they say "tacky taste in American architecture".
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Meena these are great! I will consider them! Thanks~
  • Lisa T Lisa T on Jun 08, 2014
    Maybe on the lower cabinets paint them with black chalk board paint... Miss Musturd Seed did something close to her Kitchen... you can google her!! but the top cabinets a white color but not to white!! maybe change out the hardware would help also... but for the wasted space at the top maybe find some iron shelf hangers < Hobby Lobby is a great in-expensive place to find them!!!> and have some shelves cut to fit...Hope my little ideas helped alittle... Good Luck!!!
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks all for the great ideas!!!
  • Huttohome Huttohome on Jun 08, 2014
    Repaint the lower cabinets in a chalk grey and add some new door fronts. Use open shelving in place of the top cupboards, redo the back splash in a grey subway tile and change out the countertops to a marble or a light quartz with grey to pull it all together. I would do a white apron sink and a nice hardwood laminate flooring in dark color.
  • Sandy Keel Zager Sandy Keel Zager on Jun 08, 2014
    I agree with Vicki, get an estimate from an auto paint shop, my aunt had her stove and fridge painted by one and they turned out great. You will have to take them out and take them to the shop but it will give you an opportunity to deep clean while they are gone and to paint walls. if you are renting it out, I would keep a dishwasher in it. And vinyl flooring because it is easy to clean and cheaper to replace than other products. What era and type of house is it? Look up ideas for the age and type if you want it to be true to style. OH Yeah love the sink...it is a keeper!
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
      @Sandy Keel Zager Great ideas Sandy! It is a 1915 Craftsman.....
  • Nan Wagner-McLean Nan Wagner-McLean on Jun 08, 2014
    Are you planning to keep the metal cabinets? If so, look into some sort of chalkboard paint and use them as a message center. I don't know how much you are attached to them but if it is allot take them out and have an auto body shop finish them. A wonderful finish on the inside will be a great counterpoint to chalkboard on the outside.If not and you are keeping them, just a simple paint on the inside.
  • Anastasia Howard Peterke Anastasia Howard Peterke on Jun 08, 2014
    Remove the uppers and put up open shelves and wire baskets on there sides, it will make the room feel bigger.
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
      @Anastasia Howard Peterke Great idea-- thanks Anastasia!
  • Emily Flanigan Emily Flanigan on Jun 08, 2014
    I agree get rid of the scalloped valance and shade, find some cute material for new curtains with a blue & yellow color in it. That way it will accent all the colors in the kitchen Scraps the ceiling & Kilts it (someone already suggested that also) What ever that is on the floor get it out and paper bag the floor (light color, maybe even a blue and yellow color, That will brighten up the room. Bright color kitchens make for a beautiful morning, or having company over. Take down that wall paper and paint it white or a light cream color. I have to tell you I LOVE THAT SINK!!!! I am re-doing a house next door and looking for a sink just like that one !! Good luck!
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
      @Emily Flanigan I like these also Emily~ I do love the blue and white theme but using darker blues such as cobalt or royal blue.....Hmmmm.
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks LIsa I like these ideas!
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Ooooo! I like this idea~ I will check out the wallpaper!
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks Valeria for the links~ will check them out!
  • Roxy D Roxy D on Jun 08, 2014
    Metal cabinets!!! Keep those
  • Anjie Lucas Anjie Lucas on Jun 08, 2014
    My suggestion is to take it slow and don't start ripping out anything! I had this same little kitchen. The first thing you have to do is make sure the roof doesn't leak. Start with the ceiling b/c it messes up everything! If it's popcorn, scrape it and paint it. Then search for kitchen ideas you like. I found an entire kitchen of cabinets for free on Craigslist...THEN I ripped out the old ones. And it just kept going from there. Just don't rip everything out! When you do that, you rip out all the character. Open up those curtains, find the things you like about it and build your design around it:)
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Anjie these are good ideas also! I have not shopped on Craigslist yet--- would love to find a free set of cabinets!!! How do you do the Craig's list purchases to ensure that you will get what you bought? I was sort of skeptical after reading many articles about problems related to using Craigslist.....Hmmm. Must be improved now?
  • Nurse Ratchet Nurse Ratchet on Jun 08, 2014
    That sink is awesome. Build a curtain around it or find an antiqued shelf of some kind for underneath it. Good luck, great bones!
  • Dana Corby Dana Corby on Jun 08, 2014
    Oh, you're so lucky to have those wonderful old steel cabinets! There's just something solid and reassuring about the positive 'thunk' when you shut a door, and the security of the tight fit. They've become quite desirable. It's hard to see in this photo, but if they're in good shape I wouldn't do anything but clean them well and give them a coat of automobile polish. If not, as others have said, you could take them to an auto body shop. If that's not budgetarily possible, you can paint them yourself, but I advise first covering them with white Con-Tact and painting over that so that if you ever want to repaint them all you have to do is peel it off. Works well on old refrigerators, too. As others have already pointed out, that ceiling needs a lot of help, so that's the first thing you should tackle. I'd immediately get rid of the dreadful -- and light-blocking -- window treatment, and unless there's a need for privacy, I'd leave the window bare with at most a sheer valance. I'd paint the room a light color -- if you like the blue and white theme, make it white with blue trim. Those yellow-brown counters have got to go -- replacing them will be easy if your steel cabinets are made like mine (a curbside find 20 years ago!) but you may have to be careful about the weight so I wouldn't go with granite or concrete -- though they now make 1/4" granite veneer kits that winds up not weighing any more than tile. Good luck, and please post pics when you're done!
  • Rebecca Terry Rebecca Terry on Jun 08, 2014
    Go to houzz.com tons of great ideas!! My favorite app!
  • Erin C Erin C on Jun 08, 2014
    Freecycle has TONS of stuff you can use! I've gotten quite a few items from there and craigslist!
  • Jamie Jamie on Jun 08, 2014
    Maybe stencil the doors and new hardware.
  • Crystal Parish Crystal Parish on Jun 08, 2014
    I would put a farmhouse sink in get rid of the metal cabnets n put in cabnets all the way to the ceiling and wrap around the uppers n lowers with frosted glass fronts on top cabnets
  • Stephanie Catalfio Mold Stephanie Catalfio Mold on Jun 08, 2014
    Take down the boarder and blinds. Fix and paint the ceiling. Once you have a blank slate it will be easier. I would play on the fact that your subway tiles aren't blue and aren't green. Maybe some cobalt blue and hunter green bottles along the sill instead of curtains. They would add color without being dark. I would say than maybe some opaque white class pieces that would be period too the house. Simple, clean, with small dashes if color that play off the tile color. A little bistro set for 2. Charm but now to big for the space. Good luck, please post the afters.
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks Dana~ love the ideas!
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Erin ~great info!
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Crystal I like the frosted glass idea! Thx!
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
    Thanks Stephanie! Good ideas!
    • See 1 previous
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 10, 2014
      @Rachel Shoemaker Rachel thanks so much! I will check them out...Yes, I am on FB. I agree with you ---- just need to do more research I think!
  • Eugene Blaettler Eugene Blaettler on Jun 08, 2014
    Gut it, put in new wood cabinets (tall uppers), all white finish (or cherry if it's in the budget). Yes, fix the ceiling first. New wallboard (the current one looks like prefinished plastic with metal separators, they gotta go) with ceramic splash above the sink. New vinyl floor. New counters (laminate or Corian). Where's the stove and frig?? Is there another wall with them? It really depends on your budget though.
  • Robin Gillett Robin Gillett on Jun 08, 2014
    Love that sink
  • L.Briscoe L.Briscoe on Jun 08, 2014
    Check out Kristi at the Addicted 2 Decorating website; she's also on Facebook. She is redoing an old kitchen now and you might pick up some ideas there. Kristi is a DIY rock star, IMO. :) Depending on your budget, the possibilities are wide open.
  • Lorraine Bergey Lorraine Bergey on Jun 08, 2014
    Needs shades open lol to dark , i would go with alight color paint. And go with it from there
  • Susan Whitman Susan Whitman on Jun 08, 2014
    Keep the sink if at all possible!
  • Des341057 Des341057 on Jun 08, 2014
    Sand and stain the cabinet faces a cherry or mahogany color, I would keep the blue tiles, just do a good cleaning on them. Paint the rest a classic white and the celings, get some blue curtains to match the tile.....
  • Therese C Therese C on Jun 08, 2014
    Holy Cow!!! Fly me to Oregon and step aside!!! I love, love, love projects like this! Please do not take out the steel cabinets, just sand them down and paint them brushed nickel. Clean the counter tops real good and paint them faux granite. The possibilities are endless..I would love to get in on this!
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 08, 2014
      @Therese C thanks for the good ideas! Your comments cracked me up!
  • Donna Donna on Jun 08, 2014
    gut it and start fresh and really think over the colors you choose! its a small room and looks to have only one window...hardwood on the floor would be perfect/cabinets anything but metal/ new window (larger) w/ a door mostly glass to the outside. Greens are suppose to be easy on the eyes and be calming/ gray/white and a touch of red would also be nice. I'd pick my favorite color...a cement counter top would be perfect. is there a room off the kitchen (small but big enough to be a pantry?) that would be so sweet...w/a long farmhouse table and 4-6 mismatched chairs...
  • If the budget doesn't include new cabinets, what about stenciling with a Moroccan or a damask pattern?
  • Kelli Smith Kelli Smith on Jun 09, 2014
    I only suggest taking the cabinets and wall add ons over the cabinets on the right side down. Put up some shelving on the right side and take down the cabinets on left and get some clear door cabinets for the left side (upper). I think if you don't want to spend a ton of money on the back splash and you like the color go with a white and navy colored tile for the floor. The ceiling needs cleaning new lighting as well as under counter lighting, I suggest LED's http://www.miniinthebox.com/led-strip-lights_c4653 <--- this for under counter http://www.miniinthebox.com/12w-880-980lm-6500k-natural-white-light-square-led-ceiling-bulb-85-265v_p481933.html <---- this for ceiling Keep sink if you can and its feasible, toss all metal cabinets on ground. I might suggest something like this ---> http://www.lowes.com/pd_516469-43886-000000000000202349_1z0z38m+1z0zw1j__?productId=50060165&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1%26page%3D2&facetInfo=Quartz for the counter tops and a small island/bar seating with plenty of light. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S09855904/#/S49869715 <----cabinets
    • See 2 previous
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 09, 2014
      @Therese C Therese this is GREAT! Thanks so much!!! I think I will be doing this....
  • Laurel Laurel on Jun 09, 2014
    We're talking dark and ooogly. LOL. Gut and go. Only good thing is the sink. There are so many good ideas out there these days. but you have to live with it so go with what you like. Break out the sledge hammer, sista.
  • Heidi Parviainen Heidi Parviainen on Jun 09, 2014
    I you like retro, this kitchen has so many possibilities. I'd take a cue from a vintage 40s tablecloth and use it as inspiration. Search for images you like, I've added one with a palette to match the tile. I love the cabinets and the sink. Replacing them would be expensive and new cabinets are not as durable as the metal. You may just need to clean them, or someone mentioned having them painted by an auto shop. I'm not sure what your budget is, but you could redo the floor inexpensively with paper bags stained to bring out a color you like.. There are tuts or buy tile or vinyl in a retro style like the one Kelli posted. Add shelving to the right above the area where the stove should be or put in a fun backsplash or mural. Buy or make simple white curtains and stencil or find some vintage table cloths to add a border or make a valance or cafe style curtain. You can repaint and seal the laminate counter top or replace with a vintage style or solid color. Have fun!
    • See 2 previous
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 09, 2014
      @Chris aka monkey Ah! Thanks!;)
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 09, 2014
    What you do depends on your budget. If the kitchen is workable and you are renovating the entire house, find out what all needs to be done before you start on the kitchen...because kitchens can take up a big chunk of money! Then do whatever suits you. Keep it true to the era it was built...there are a lot of old farmhouse new looks...or make it modern!
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 09, 2014
      @Jeanette S thanks! I am just doing some basic cosmetic upgrades to the walls in some of the rooms, pulling out the wall to wall carpet to showcase the hardwood floors, etc....I want to try to do most of the work myself---but for the most part the kitchen is the one room that really needs some love! Thx again!
  • Susan Sheffield Susan Sheffield on Jun 09, 2014
    I am with Therese...Holy Cow!!! Retro, all the way and easy on the wallet. Paint the cabinets brushed nickel for an industrial look or go back in time and paint them red and put in black & white tile for the floors. Keep the countertops if they can be saved. But, if you decide to rip the cabinets out, don't throw them away. Sell them on line for good money to help with the reno.
  • Linda Adams Linda Adams on Jun 09, 2014
    DO NOT get rid of those cabinets! update them with new knobs etc. defintely redo floor, countertops and curtains. Get rid of wallpaper border and repaint walls.
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 09, 2014
      @Linda Adams I had NO IDEA that the cabinets would be considered "chic!" Thanks for the info~
  • Got319292 Got319292 on Jun 09, 2014
    Paint the bench top with Giani paint and get a new curtain. All will look fresh. I did it with my old orange benchtop and I am very happy with the result: http://www.gianigranite.com
  • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 09, 2014
    Jenny thanks~ I am on a tight budget and want to try to do everything myself--- or as much as possible. I've never stenciled but I am open to learning everything and anything-- and could be a nice addition!
  • Dale Mckibben Dale Mckibben on Jun 09, 2014
    Redo those metal cabinets ! That is So in right now ! I am building a house with shipping containers and have a 8X20 kitchen. I found 50's metal cabinets and they are being painted cobalt blue. I have an old hoosier and an antique cabinet that will be white rounding out my new kitchen !
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 09, 2014
      @Dale Mckibben your kitchen sounds beautiful! I love blue and white also!
  • Joanna Oxley Joanna Oxley on Jun 09, 2014
    Be sure to check out the Habitat for Humanity Restore. I think it's on 2nd Street in Coos Bay. You can find a lot of remodeling stuff there quite cheap. I found cabinets, paint, and floor tiles there when I redid my kitchen.
  • Cindy Cindy on Jun 09, 2014
    These wide galley kitchens are coming back into style. Use the windows are much as possbile. Addres ceiling and floor. Keep sink but new dishwasher. I would do wood shelves up top and paint the lower metal. If tile is good, keep it and go white and aqua. Maybe paint your ceiling that color. Quartz countertop with flow to it (like marbel but use quartz) - and stainless appliances. New light fixture in ceiling and I am not sure where your stove/oven is - perhaps to goes below the strip light on the wall that needs to be removed. It all depends on how much you want to spend. Gut it or keep some of the charm.
  • You can paint your tile back splash and your cabinets! I just totally transformed my kitchen by painting almost everything, including the floor (http://designertrapped.com/2014/06/budget-kitchen-remodel-1.html). If you like concrete counter tops, you can also use Ardex Feather Finish to coat the existing counter tops (or purchase inexpensive laminate to then coat) which is VERY inexpensive. I did it in my laundry room and love it! (http://designertrapped.com/2013/10/the-laundry-room-reveal.html). Good luck!
  • Robin Pickford Robin Pickford on Jun 09, 2014
    I would go Primative country go to the Habitate store if you have one where you live you can get some great deals. For Primitive country looks pick up a copy of country sampler if this is your style you will love it
  • Kathy H Kathy H on Jun 09, 2014
    can't tell, are the cabinets metal? if not. Take the doors off, cut a big rectangle in the door. Cover the opening with chicken wire or wire mesh (small heavy metal squares). Trim the opening with molding to cover the wire and the cut wood.. by the way , pre paint the doors before the wire...Maybe this is out of the box enough and country enough too?????
  • Kelley Kelley on Jun 09, 2014
    SAVE your sink, that is so precious! And lots of light will definitely brighten your kitchen, SAVE the SINK!
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    • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Nov 03, 2015
      Paint is the magic. If those cabinets are metal or wood sand them down some..take the doors off and the hardware and paint..a nice crisp white . Take down those blinds and valance, I think just some nice filmy curtains or none at all unless you need them for privacy. I am more for light then privacy in my kitchen. Paint on the walls..a very light creamy yellow or soft Green. You can maybe get some pallet wood and use for a backsplash...The soffit above the cabinets paint or remove.. you will have to see what is in it first. Some times its the electric or plumbing...some times nothing. Either way I think it would be a good place for some art work..I printed pictures from the Smithsonian on line of antique seed packs..beautiful art work. Tou can paint your counter top..there are sites on line that will show you how to do it..with some care, like using a cutting board you counter tops will stay nice. The Dich washer...there is appliance paint that can renew it. It looks either stained or rusted..a sanding then paint it... In fact even the floor can be painted. I painted my studio floor about 5 years ago..two coats of Porch paint and 4 coats of Floor Poly.. you can stencil it or do any number of designs. You Tube or Google Painting floors. It really is easy and can be done over linoleum, plywood ( that was what I painted over) tile, just use a good primer first on the tile. I think you have the bones of a sweet, airy kitchen. It will not be free..paint costs, but it sure beats the 10+ thosand that it would take to gut and buy new. Oh and Craigslist is amazing. I got a almost new double door refrigerator/ freezer with water and ice in the door for 80.00. I have all electric and I hate electric stoves. Well I was able to get a beautiful gas stove with the five burners for 75.00 and a 150 lbs tank for gas for 120.00 and it was 80% full. Check Craigslist...it can really help save money. Good luck with your kitchen..just use your imagoination and the computer..Pinterest can help you alot..and the members of HomeTalk can really give great ideas and tell you how to accomplish stuff.
  • Nancy McGrath Nancy McGrath on Jun 09, 2014
    Paint the cabinets white with a medium green trim and paint the walls a lovely light green
  • Heidi Parviainen Heidi Parviainen on Jun 10, 2014
    Tuts are tutorials. Youtube has all kinds of different topics. Askwoodman has a channel with all kinds of woodworking tutorials and there are many others on there. Just graze through to narrow the search down to what you are thinking of making. There are tutorials for paper bag floors too. When I redid my bathroom, I used 2x4s to make a box to attach to the wall to hold my granite slab, undermount sink. If it doesn't show, it doesn't have to be pretty. I glued some decorative molding, egg and dart pattern, along the sides to hide it and used a pair of old wooden decorative table legs to support the front. I think you may be able to do something similar for your cabinet module. You can hide the edge with molding or even glue decorative tile mosaic pieces. The only limit is your imagination. Don't forget your local library as a resource. If there is a vocational high school near you, you may be able to get them to build the base for you at a good price.
    • Kalsti Kalsti on Jun 10, 2014
      @Heidi Parviainen Heidi thanks so much for all of this! I will check these out. In your opinion what are the most commonly used tools I would need to be able to do trim and moulding, build a box to hold cabinets, etc.?
  • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Nov 02, 2015
    Here's my 2 cents...To be honest...I would gut the kitchen & start over...however, if money is tight & you aren't able to do that for awhile...Here are my suggestions... 1 ~ Fix whatever is behind the water stains on the ceiling, then remove the texture & paint it white. 2 ~ Take down the valance & blinds...Then frost all the window panes. This will allow light in, but keep things private at night. Bonus ~ Less window cleaning to worry about in the kitchen. 3 ~ Remove the border at the top of the walls above the cabinets. You have a very specific blue color for a back splash. I would go for a lighter color paint in the same color palette. Some suggestions...Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue, or Paladin Blue. This will keep the room light & airy. 4 ~ It looks like the upper & lower cabinets need a really good cleaning first. Then I would spray paint them a matte white.The lower cabinets look pretty beaten up & have gotten rusty. There are products like Rust-o-leum for metal that have texture to them that will cover the rough parts of the rust so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb if you were to do a smooth finish. 5 ~ I would add task lighting under the top cabinets. 6 ~ I'd put a butcher block right over the existing counters. You can re-purpose them for a kitchen island when you renovate the kitchen at a later time. 7 ~ There are kits to change appliances to stainless steel that you can put on the dishwasher to cover the white parts. 8 ~ Not sure what the brown thing next to the lower cabinet is..The space looks like that was where the stove used to be. Remove the light. In it's place I would suggest getting 2 tall cabinets ~ 1 for food & 1 for kitchen equipment that matches the height of upper cabinets. Instead of metal, I would get a wooden ones stained to match the butcher block counters. Lastly...You can get peel & stick laminate to cover the floors I suggest a charcoal slate color to make the lighter colors pop. Bonus ~ Hides dirt & very good for high traffic areas. Hope this helps...
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Jun 08, 2016
    I'm way too late on this one but I hope you saved the sink. I think just removing the upper cabinet doors and giving everything a good cleaning and a good paint job, it would be a great kitchen. Paint is the best medicine for any sad room.
  • 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.