Swanquarter, NC on Aug 16, 2011

What do I do about my mismatched kitchen cabinets?

The top and the bottom cabinets are completely different. I'd like to paint the bottom ones white and add hardware along with butcher block countertops from IKEA. However, I have no idea what to do with the top cabinets. Do I ignore the differences and paint them as well? Replace with open shelving? Or try and match the bottom cabinets somehow? I am also trying to be budget friendly! Any ideas?

Like Clip

9 Comments

Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmo... Duluth, GA

Kelly, don't worry about them being mismatched, you can paint them all the same color and have similar knobs on them, visually it will take care of the mismatched condition. Here is another thing you can do as well. Paint the bottom a different color and the top a different color. The base cabinet I usually prefer a darker shade. You can then replace a few doors with glass doors. Buy nice fancy knobs. Install backsplash to tie in the design. Here is a kitchen I designed last year see the ...»
before and after. I say there is hope, do not worry!
http://www.hometalk.com/b3273b0669/project/1...

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 3
Kelley M Swanquarter, NC

Thanks for the encouragement! I like the idea of painting them different colors. I was trying to show my fiance a picture of this concept earlier today, but could not find a good picture. Your makeover was just the thing to convince him! Now we just have to settle on paint colors...

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 1
Dan's of Central Florida,... Clermont, FL

Kelley, I have to agree with Yamini, a new paint job and new hardware should do you just fine! Let us know how it turns out.

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 0
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmo... Duluth, GA

Kelley, let me know if you need help with paint colors, I can help you!

on Aug 16, 2011 · Like 0
WallsTreat Studio/ Kass W... Alpharetta, GA

Using 2 tones is a great way to add interest to a kitchen. Yamini is right about keeping the darker color on the lower cabinets. Contrary to popular belief, cabinets don't have to be brown, black or ivory/white! Here are some photos for inspiration:
on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 3
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

I don't see the mismatch. They all appear to be 60s or 70s birch plywood half overlay fronts. A couple coats of paint and new hardware would do wonders for a budget upgrade.
clean them and Sand them first before opening a can of paint.
Boos had FAR better BBtop material than Ikea does, but it does cost more

on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 0
TonyaM Williams Atlanta, GA

Kelley, I think you have a great kitchen to work with. I love your hardwood floors and presently there is no contrast between the floors and the cabinets the kitchen is mono tone. I think painting the cabinets a dark mahogany on the bottom with beautiful modern hardware and possibly white but not bright white something similar to a "vanilla bean" white or "country french white" for the top cabinets. I would remove all wall paper and borders. Also I would 86 the cabinet above the stove ...»
and get one of the modern stainless venthoods from IKEA.
I would remove the wood border around the window...it minimizes the window--a window above the kitchen sink is a timeless feature that should be celebrated in a kitchen, especially in a smaller kitchen since it is a great source of natural light and can make the kitchen appear bigger and brighter.
Replace the current window shade and update with an nice curtain or blind that can easily be opened to bring in light.
Retire the ceiling fan and if possible and within your budget install recessed can lighting...it will completely modernize the kitchen and a well lit kitchen is a "welcoming kitchen". I would add at least 7 can lights..1 over the sink, 2 in the middle over the butcher block island and the other 4 spread evenly to disperse the light around the kitchen.--If the can lighting is not an option still 86 the ceiling fan and get a nice modern light fixture for the kitchen.
I dont see a dishwasher? or a fridge? If there isn't a dishwasher present...I suggest you have one installed(stainless) if the fridge isnt stainless I suggest you change it to stainless.
I would remove the little book shelf on the right which joins the two sets of cabinets the wavy pattern of the wood is dated. The distance between the bottom of your cabinets and the countertop looks short...I would put some under the counter lighting to brighten up the area...I also agree with Yamini for the idea of a nice tile backsplash that would give the kitchen a finished look. Choose a nice light shade of paint color for the wall maybe something light grey or even a nude color to offset the dark cabinets and transition the white cabinets as well as to tie in the countertops. Lastly, I would utilize the cabinet space...you have tons of storage but it looks like all of your pots are being stored in the bottom of the butcher block and you have lots of clutter on the countertops. Reduce the visual distractions once you modernize the kitchen and your look will be sleek, clean and beautiful. Please let us see the pics of the finished product. I hope these suggestions are helpful. TMW
on Aug 19, 2011 · Like 1
Kelley M Swanquarter, NC

Loving all the suggestions thus far! I really like the idea of getting rid of the cabinets above the stove. Nothing should be stored up there anyway because of the heat/humidity from cooking, but it never occurred to me to remove them! I think you were able to point out everything that drives me crazy about this kitchen. Especially the wavy border on the cabinets! What do you think about removing that border and removing the small cabinet doors above it and adding a shelf below it? To ...»
create three open shelves between the two cabinets? I'm including more pictures. Maybe they will show the differences between the cabinets better. The above cabinet doors are wider with exposed hinges. I'm also not crazy about the wood trim around the window; however, this is the trim that is around every window and door in the house (see additional pictures - you can't actually see the windows in the breakfast nook - which I know desperately need window treatments - but it is there too). And I apologize about the clutter! It will definitely be gone! We are still in a transition stage right now. I agree about the ceiling fan...not my favorite feature. The lighting in breakfast nook also needs replacing. A tile backspalsh is definitely needed (border and wallpaper will be gone soon too!). Are white subway tiles too overdone? I like clean and simple. I really want to bring this kitchen into the 21st century while retaining a little country charm. I do live in the country after all (I'm not joking - we are an hour from the nearest Wal-Mart!). However, I grew up in Atlanta and Charlotte so I would somehow like to combine urban and rural. I'm also drawn to really boring colors most of the time, but I would like to step out of my comfort zone and make it bold. This is the brightest part of the house, with lots of windows and sun. Whatever color the walls are painted will also be the color of the dining room. Still deciding if I should paint breakfast nook the same color or a different color? I like the two tone cabinets ideas - I had never considered letting one of the tones be a stain! We are lacking both a dishwasher and a refrigerator (we do have one, it's just in the mudroom, which is connected to the breakfast nook, but it's old and we need a new one for kitchen). The refrigerator would go to the left in the original picture. Also, I was standing in "dining room" when I took the picture. OK, I'm going to go get started on clearing out this clutter, but check out the new pictures! Thanks for all the suggestions! Y'all are awesome!
on Aug 20, 2011 · Like 0
Nichter's Home Services C... Islesboro, ME

If I were dealing with this kitchen and was not limited on the layout, I would move the range to the right ell portion of the room. It seems fromt he way the all cabs are built there, as tho there was once a range there. The problem with the current setup is that there is not a safe landing near the range-top and it is too close to both the wall and the sink. A safe, functional kitchen design calls for a minimum of 15" of clear countertop space on each side of the range top. ...»

By moving the range to that side, you would then have room for a dishwasher immediate;y to the left of the sink

on Aug 21, 2011 · Like 0