My Kitchen needs a Makeover! Any Suggestions?

Question

I just purchased my 1st home in an Estate Sale and it really needs an update!  Other than getting rid of the Brady Bunch Orange countertops what else can I do CHEAP to make it my own!

Murray McGinn · Answer

Paint the old cabinets with a melamine type paint inside and out and put on new cabinet doors. Put ceramic tile on the back splash and take off the flowered back stuff above the cabinets. Also paint the ceiling white (flat type would do) and the whole room white. It will brighten it up a lot. Also replace the flooring with laminate click flooring to match your new counter ( an old barn type look is beautiful ) and replace the base board with something about 1 by 4 with a quarter round top and finish off with a quarter round on the bottom of the base board. Lighting above the sink and new lights (or old reclaimed stuff) would finish this kitchen off very well. It would look like a palace when done!

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Yes, keep costs min. just now - never know about unexpected nasties in a new home . You don't mention your style pref. which would be helpful. Kitchen has great light. Sorry, I do not agree with M. McGinn on painting everything white. Cabinets are plain and have timeless design. Just remove the dated valence for now. You could add some moulding depending on your style and paint without replacing the doors. Would replace heavy window coverings with mini-slat blinds and put no curtains above sink area. .Hope the backsplash and above cabs are just wallpaper and not tile. It has to go! Baseboards are OK - the electric heater could be sprayed with high-heat paint. I'd lower the light fixture above table. Like the green walls. Don't know floor area, but would replace with something lighter in colour - if it's in the budget. Would not be too hasty in removing the countertop - would do other changes first. (I love orange - my eye was drawn to it even before reading what you said. My impression was Wow! really like that!) Can always be painted if on a strict budget. Me, I'd just add bits of orange in accessories. Am a big user of plants (real or artificial) to soften edges and lines and provide coziness. One would look nice by the big window.. Ah, advice is so easy to give!

Suzette · Answer

Marion has given you some good advice. I like the counters too! The floor could be painted if your budget is small, there are lots of instructions on the internet. We took a floor down to the sub floor in our living room, scored it with a knife into individual 'boards' and then painted it and put on a polyurethane coat for protection. We got lots of compliments and peole didn't know it was plywood. or you might get lucky and find hardwood under the current flooring.

MaryStLouis · Answer

I would definitely paint your cabinets. Because they're laminate you will just need to clean them, no sanding necessary, before priming with an oil-based primer. That's the most important thing. Water-based primers will lift the layer of laminate away from the substrate while oil seals the plastic layer down. Once you have primed, you can paint your cabinets with a latex or furniture grade paint. Here is a simple tutorial: http://sandandsisal.com/2014/05/how-to-paint-laminate-furniture.html You can purchase new door hardware or spray your current handles with any paint suitable for metal. My recommendation for this would be Rustoleum Metallic Spray Paint. It comes in several finishes and is easy to use, readily available at the big box stores. Rustoleum also has a countertop refinishing kit but since I've never used it I can't give an opinion on whether it looks good or lasts but it would be an inexpensive alternative to new counters, for a while anyway. Subway tiles for your backsplash are both inexpensive and classic. You can punch up the look with a band of glass tile if you like the look. I'm attaching a detail of a backsplash that my husband installed so you can see what I mean. Adding an island will give you more work space if you don't need a dining table in the space. You can buy one ready-made, either stationary or on wheels. Try looking at unfinished furniture stores and then paint it a fun accent color. Between all the suggestions people have posted, I think you'll have a direction to go in. Painting the walls a color that suits you will help to make you feel at home. I love warm yellows and fresh green tones in kitchens, but colors are very personal. Best of luck on your project!

Bonnie Ladd · Answer

Thanks everyone! I now have some great ideas! I think I will keep the countertops for now but YES THE FLOWERED PAPER has to go! Painting the cabinets is easy as I have a big empty garage to work in! Cannot wait to get started!

Joyce Howe · Answer

Giani Granite (Paint) works great for your countertops....looks exactly like granite...

Connie Demerchant · Answer

Removing the wall paper and fresh coat of paint will make a big difference

Marlene Haigh · Answer

cover the floor, if you can, it really dates it. i would go post war modern. get rid of wallpaper, put floating vinyl floor, and add orange accents if you don't change countertop

169756 · Answer

These days if you chose to do a modern look and streamline it, orange is IN! Gray cabinets with the orange counter tops would modernize it greatly. And yes, get rid of the wallpaper any way you can. Peel it off. White paint, gray cabinets and orange would work. Less work than a total redo. Also, it might save you re-doing the floor also if you want to save some cash. It would warm it up leaving it as is. If not, go for that also. That's my take on it. Also modern knobs/pulls with a new color will add greatly.

Helen · Answer

First step would be to remove wallpaper and all curtains.  Paint those cabinets a nice off white or  white.  I would remove the dated scroll above the sink.  New light fixtures, you can get some nice ones at gar age sales or restore stores.  What fun it will be to go looking.  I don't like the orange countertops, but they are expensive to change,but i would work towards that.  That floor is too busy and needs to be changed.  Then when you really feel ambitious you could add crown molding to the top.  Paint on the walls and cabinets will make a world of difference.  Please post pictures when you have started.  Would love to see the progress.  Just thought of another thing.  Paint the lower cabinets a darker shade then the top cabinets.  I see that a lot on  home lmprovement shows.

Connie Paiva · Answer

paint cupboards white, strip the wall paper, use wood colour blinds.  Leave the counter

Kathy · Answer

Be very careful removing the wall paper and start the process in a hidden corner if possible. My home, built in the mid 80s, had mauve flowered wall paper in the kitchen. The original owner put it on the unfinished drywall and when we removed it, it also removed the paper and damaged the drywall. We ended up having to pay someone to come in and skim coat the walls. In other areas of our house, I could get the wallpaper off, but the backing of the wallpaper stayed on the wall making a bigger mess. I would suggest renting, buying or borrowing a steamer to remove it. Good luck!

Colette Johnston · Answer

You could use a new peel and stick tile for the floor - inexpensive, quick and just go right on top of the old flooring.

Michelle · Answer

those countertop colors are now back in style. Keep the countertops, reface the doors with paint, replace hardware, for a quick fix also install new lights, remove curtains

Bonnie Ladd · Answer

You guys are just great! I cannot wait until I start getting rid of that Wallpaper! I will post pictures of the progress! Thank you so much!

Barbara · Answer

You can also paint the countertop. check out Lowe's and Home Depot on what you need to purchase and how to do it, did mine and they are beautiful, looks brand new

Lisa · Answer

I would paint the cabinets. Try chalk paint!  So easy and beautiful. I just painted my kitchen cabinets with Farmhouse Paints in Khaki. Love!  Also, you could use luxury vinyl tile on the floors or, if you have the budget, there is beautiful tile that looks like hardwood.

Debra · Answer

Get rid of the curtains and put nice blinds up in a color you choose to go with! We have the floating floor and is easy to install and looks great!!!

Joan · Answer

Floating tile floor, new hardware and curtains or take down! Two new light fixtures will update the space quickly. Good Luck! I am working on a 19 year old house that needed updates due to renters - still working on it! lol

LaRae · Answer

I would recommend painting the cabinets, but simply changing the knobs and pulls could make a big difference.

Liliana Wells · Answer

What ever you do, don't tackle too much at one time. Changing the hardware will have an immediate effect on the cabinets. The lights fixtures need updating and need to go together. The wallpaper and the floor need to go. The counter tops can also be painted if a new one is not in the budget. There are several paints on the market for counter tops. You can search Hometalk for similar projects to inspire you. Good luck.

Carmie Fleenor · Answer

strip the wall paper, add crown moulding to the top of upper cabinets to give height to the room; I'd replace the back splash w/tile or faux ceiling tile. Paint the countertops w/paint if replacing isn't an option, or, ceramic tile over the top. Also, add trim to the face of the doors to add interest, paint and glaze them. A distressed finish is easier to live with especially in the kitchen. New lights, faucets etc. Recessed lighting under cabinets. The floor could be attacked in a number of different ways depending on your budget. I'd go with wood or a wood look strip vinyl that Home Depot sells. It's very easy to install, looks amazing and is very durable.

JHayes · Answer

I would also paint the cabinets & remove the valance between the cabinets over the sink. You wouldn't believe how much removing that would do to update your kitchen. If cabinets have flat wood fronts consider adding molding to the cabinet doors; if nothing else update the hardware. Regarding the countertops if you're near an IKEA their butcher block countertops are fairly cheap but the install may be a little expensive but definitely add a lot of character. I am single so the upkeep hasn't been an issue for me. I would also use the peel and stick tiles for a quick flooring update as well. Definitely get a wallpaper steamer and save your self the heartache, frustration and expense of wallpaper removal. For the backsplash since it is a fairly small area do something fun with wall paper or paint then cover it with a glass panel to protect it from everyday use. Or maybe use beadboard. Tile would be good, but keep in mind that you'd have to probably cut tile to fit around outlets and at the ends of your run. If you're not a DIY'er this may not be something you want to tackle as your first project. It isn't difficult though. I used beadboard on my stove wall and I painted it with a cabinet-grade paint and I've not had any issues with it...and I cook a lot of red sauces. Update your window coverings. Use the internet to definitely bargain shop. You're kitchen should be easy because you have good light and a straight run of countertops. Paint the kitchen walls. Definitely update the lighting fixtures.

Sharon Pfarkel · Answer

Is the wallpaper secure, no seams loose? If so you may consider painting over it with a chalk paint, I prefere Annie Sloan. Then you can paint the cupboards also with chalk paint. I did mine last winter all for under $150.

Megan Robinson · Answer

I would paint the cabinets - they look very similar to mine from my old house - which I think were an early melamine kind of stuff from the 60's. We cleaned, lightly sanded and then painted with regular latex. I did not know about chalk paint then - which I would probably use if I did it now. They looked great and actually cleaned up pretty easily. I think you could find a fantastic color to go with the counter (but I love orange). Can always change the counter later...

Bonnie Ladd · Answer

Anyone have suggestions on changing the round light fixture into a ceiling fan with a light? I think I will go with the chalk paint on the cupboards and keep the counter tops for right now. The wallpaper will be gone quickly along with that ugly A/C unit in the window and the curtains! Thanks for everyone's input!

Kristi · Answer

Oh myyyy, what I could do with this space!!!!  An island!!!  Definately an island. Paint. Glass backsplash. Etc.

Kristi · Answer

And Congrats on the new first house. That is so exciting. Yay!!!!

Sharon Nemeth · Answer

Get ride of the wallpaper, the curvy wood piece between the cupboards over the sink. Paint the walls a bright white to create a Mid-century modern look, and change the hardware. New light fixtures, curtains in a retro print incorporating orange. If possible, new wood flooring. Keep it simple!

Chris aka monkey · Answer

@Bonnie Ladd paint paint and more paint, it is the biggest bang for your buck, paint cabinets and walls you will be amazed at the difference, get your ceiling fan at a big box store and ask questions, keep asking until you understand how to do it and most of all have fun xx

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