Too much white in outdated kitchen-HELP

Question

My husband and I are about to close on our first home! We love it, but the kitchen is outdated. We feel that there is too much white with the cabinets and appliances. We are looking to just do some painting and maybe some hardware replacement. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Dfm · Answer

looking at your door/drawer pulls, it looks like there is a piece that over shoots the bolts holding to on the drawer/cabinet ....I've got a set like those on my fixer, I'm always catching a belt loop on the drawer pulls. remove a drawer/door pull and take them with you when you pick replacements- match up the bolt holes.

I see some red accents and some bluish color....if the place were mine, I'd put the color of your choice on the doors /drawers but not the frames.

If the tile back splash is plastic tile- get ride if it. house no.1 had it and it actually melted when a hot pan got close to it. If it is not plastic and previous owner left the extra tile or if you can match it, continue the tile behind the stove, by the sides of the stove and up to the cabinets- it just looks not quite finished.

now- move that stove closer to the drawers. that gap is a pia to clean. with the few extra inches you might find a base cabinet to fit between the door and the stove. there are after market kits to install trash cans in base cabinets. even if you top the base cabinet w/ ply and set tile on it- it gives you a safe place to pull off an over heated pan from the left burners.

Lori Jackson · Answer

I am not sure it is the white that is the issue. It is also very 'flat'. I would consider dressing up the door and drawer fronts with some trim. Also, the floors and countertops are awfully matchy for me. You might get some 'pizzaz' with a darker counter or a brighter color in your backsplash. There are some tutorials on here for painting tile as well. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/furniture/kitchen-cabinet-makeover-part-3-building-cabinet-doors-1912662

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Personally I would paint the counter tops maybe in a granite color to tone down the white. I would also look into laminate flooring which is not that expensive.Should you decide to do this then change out the colors on the walls to give the kitchen a different look and accessorize accordingly with towels and maybe a small carpet.

Trudy Hibler · Answer

I would paint the cabinet doors but not the cabinets themselves. What kind of look are you going for? Retro? Modern? Industrial? Use your desired design mode to dictate the color. Changing out the hardware would, just in itself, make a huge difference in the 'feel' of the kitchen. There are kits available to paint the countertops, but keep in mind...if you do this, placing hot pans on the counters would ruin it. If that's not a problem, then that would be an affordable option for adding some additional character to the kitchen. Again, keep in mind the look you're going for. I hope it's okay to do this, I'm definitely not a rep for this company, but D. Lawless sells great hardware and is very affordable. You can check them out online. A great source for first time homeowners on a budget.

Linda · Answer

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.

Lauren Lund · Answer

I'm wondering about painting the frames (not the doors) of only the upper cabinets and crown molding in order to match the end wall that's currently red. I'd consider grey/blue or dark green (rather than the red) to compliment the wood look counters and enhance all the white and black . I bet it would be a very attractive, quick, easy, inexpensive improvement. Also simple to change later. I agree that a few coordinating accessories would be great. Good luck with whatever you choose, it looks like a fun project!

Margaret · Answer

Food for thought. About 10 years ago I painted my cabinets white, walls are a warm hot cocoa color and I've loved it. Now it's time to repaint and I will NOT be painting my cabinets white. Why? Because about 75% of the people I know have gone to white cabinets and I'm tired of seeing it every where I go.

Dottie Mooney · Answer

Three quick and inexpensive changes that would make a huge difference: put in under-counter lighting and polish up your butcher block counters, get a colorful, large rug from HomeGoods and switch out your cabinet pulls to polished chrome.
Then you can 'stage' your counters (not too much!). Stand some cutting boards up, one leaning on the other, a pretty bowl and a lantern. Your kitchen is roomy, so make everything bigger, not smaller...

Kim Kilmer · Answer

First and foremost....what's your style in home furnishings? What's your favorite colors? When trying to come up with ideas for my kitchen, I used google images to show me everything that I could find 'French country and the word yellow' because I didn't have the budget to replace any of the yellow tile I have. Came up with tons of ideas and it helped me immensely.

MaryAnn Galati · Answer

Change your hardware to brushed nickel so it doesn't stand out so much against the white cabinets. Paint your walls a color that complements your floor and counter tops. Your kitchen will look cute and fresh!

Hunter Hampton · Answer

I did my kitchen all white, white cabinets, counters, farm sink, appliances...even hardware. The floor is gray, the backsplash is marble subway tiles. I love it..... it's so clean looking. I use apple green as my accent color. Embrace the white <g>

Shari · Answer

Congratulations on your new home! It looks like your kitchen has 'good bones' with ample counter space and lots of great storage. As a long-time lover of white kitchens and white appliances (they are timeless!), I don't think there is too much white. The first thing I notice is all the dark door and drawer pulls and hinges so I do agree the hardware needs updating. I also notice how flat and uninteresting the cabinet doors are and I think that makes them look dated. I would suggest adding some type of trim moldings to the cabinet doors before you paint. Shaker style doors are very popular right now and not a hard or terribly expensive look to achieve. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-cabinets/update-cabinet-doors-to-shaker-style-for-cheap-11482743

Lindalovie55 · Answer

paint on some thin stripes at the rh side of each cabinet.buttercup yellow.3 is a good look.walls mid grey. yellow daisy blind for window.

Heidi · Answer

A lot depends on your budget. Since you just bought a home I am going to assume you don't want to spend thousands of dollars. I think you can 'fix' a lot with paint. The hinges and hardware are stark against the white. Replacing them you will find is expensive when you need 27 handles and numerous hinges. Take them off and purchase spray paint. Can be metal, white, color, your choice.

Heidi · Answer

Flooring and countertop replacement is expensive. So work with the brown. Purchase pretty canisters to place on countertops. Don't forget you will be adding a coffeemaker, toaster, etc. So that countertop will be covered up. Add artwork over sink to complement canisters. Good luck in your new home

Skyval · Answer

I agree with Kim , do it in a beautiful warm yellow , my favorite is ' Gold Vessel ' by Sherwin Williams but any computer can match that color in whatever paint they have . 
 Paint all your walls with that and you'll wake up to the happiest sunrise glow each day . 
 Leave your cabinets white and see what you think about your handles after you change the paint color . 
 I remodel houses and this warm color makes everybody say WOW,even big burly guys !
I just finished one yesterday and the man who I did it for gasped and said ' Wow !' What is THAT color called ?' I paint everything , walls and ceilings and it's truly magical .

Snowgirl030901 · Answer

The white cabinets look great.  The kitchen needs stainless steel appliances and new hardware.  You could replace countertops or do concrete counter To make it look a little more modern.

MN Mom · Answer

Congrats on the new home! Your kitchen seems open and bright and I think the countertops look great. I wouldn't try to paint them because the butcher block style is popular again and it's nice looking. Ditto for the flooring. Try a colorful low pile rug and a new coordinating window treatment. I would paint the a neutral color in the doorway just to make the room more cohesive. Change out the handles and pulls or spray paint them. Add pops of color with hand towels and countertop accessories .

Beatriz Orvis · Answer

Congratulations on your first home!  I know what you mean about cabinets. We have all white cabinets and I hate them, too blah and hard to keep clean. If you're willing to do a little work, you can turn the cabinet doors into shaker style, which is quite easy to do. You will need an electric saw but in some areas those can be rented. There are many tutorials in home talk and YouTube on how to do that. Then, you can paint them whatever color you'd like (I'd keep it neutral). I'd also paint over that dark wall in the kitchen. You can remove the hinges and paint them the same color as the cabinets then you can either replace the knobs or repainted them. However, you could also try 'cleaning' and restoring the knobs to their original state. Also tutorials in both of these places.

Barbara · Answer

Congratulations on your new home. Your kitchen has a lot going for it - Lots of natural light and lots of space. Now for ways to make it look more current that are cost effective. Change the hardware or just take it off & spray paint with a metalic finish. Can't tell if your countertops are butcher block or laminate. If they are wood you can refresh by sanding & staining - make sure to seal. If they are laminate you can either replace them if you can afford it or work around them for the time being. I like the white cabinets (wood finish preferences change with time, but white is timeless). You can take off the doors & add wood trim around the edges to make them more Shaker style. Paint the walls a color that make you happy. If you don't like your backsplash you can paint over it (lots of tutorials on Pinterest) or you can tile over it (also tutorials on Pinterest) as long as the tile underneath is level & in decent shape. Look for sales on appliances (generally May & Sept/Oct) & replace your appliances with stainless when it works for your budget. Most important decorate it to reflect your personality & enjoy your new home. Make some great memories & don't make yourself crazy trying to do everything at once.

William · Answer

You can paint the doors and drawer fronts a color close to the counter top color and leave the cases white. Replace the hardware with brushed nickel. This would tie everything together. You can paint all the cabinets one color, replace the hardware. A new modern look is to paint the lower cabinets a dark color and the uppers a light color. All kinds of possibilities and great advice from other posters here.

Bobbie · Answer

I love the all white.  Lucky you... You are able to change the look of your kitchen anytime by changing out accessories, curtains and a great rug!!! Wish I had that kitchen. The cabinets are awesome!! You could update by updating the hardware or spray painting the ones already on.

Tommi L. Perkins · Answer

Believe it or not those flat plywood cabinets are so much easer to change than ones with definite styles of trim on them. I would go for a shaker style. READ, READ, READ before you try to paint those cabinets, depending upon what kind of paint is on them and how many times they have been painted. You should probably take them off, take them to the back yard and sand them, by hand with a sanding block if they are not coated with many layers of paint, with an electric sander if they are. You can always go for new doors which will put your hardware inside the cabinets instead of on the side. Makes the kitchen look larger without all of that dark hardware. You can either clean the grease off the pulls and handles (sometimes very hard to do) and repaint them with the correct paint but painting them will be a temporary fix as they will eventually start flaking and peeling. Good luck. It actually looks like a good kitchen.

Elaine · Answer

Personally, I don't think there's too much white at all and like your kitchen very much!!  I think changing the hardware would give it a more seamless look and if you can remove that scalloped piece over the stove, it would be an improvement..  Accessorizing with a few but larger  items (much nicet than a bunch of small containers, etc.) looks more up to date.  For example: a nice decorative plate on an easel in a corner (less likely to get knocked) and a few ceramic containers for  tea/coffee/etc. would be nice.  Bring in some towels that coordinate. When you can afford it, a smooth top stove would make a huge difference (stainless if you can buy a new fridge too or stick to white).  Your floor looks nice and has been laid on the diagonal (lucky you) and you have pot lights too.  Others have asked about the counter ....  if that's wood, I'd keep that for sure.  Perhaps you can change one cabinet door for glass and store your good 'stuff' behind it, in other words, something attractive to look at.   Good accessorizing can make a huge difference in this kitchen!

Johnchip · Answer

It's the walls and the counters that need the most attention first. they are horrible mismatch and ugly. Find a harmonious color scheme you like and replace counter top and do backsplash and walls to coordinate. leave cabinets nice bright white for now. Consider staying mid to lighter tones to keep kitchen bigger looking. You can consider switching out to stainless appliance. You can consider just painting the lower cabinets. You can consider removing a set of cabinet doors from an upper set using it as open storage, makes room seem larger then. As to color, I personally find shades of grays to work well almost anywhere, as they do not dictate color, set off as a good backdrop scheme to other items and remain neutral and soft and sit back to the eye rather than pop out.

Val · Answer

Interesting that you want to change my daughter just had all her oak cupboards painted white

JoLeen Bolton · Answer

I love all the white!  It's like a blank slate and easy to just change accent colors.  I also love the red wall...makes the cabinets look so crisp.  I'd go with red accents, maybe a touch of black and white checks in towels, too.  A great opportunity to show your own style.  So many choices with all white.

KatAych · Answer

You could change the backsplash and maybe paint above the cabinets to break up the white-on-white-on-white going on! But easy to paint cabinets and change out hardware - just depends on what style you like!

Hunter Hampton · Answer

Thanks, I wanted to do quartz counters, that looked like marble but the price was ridiculous... so I did Ikea white counters and the marble subway tiles to give it some marble <g>

Linda Santo · Answer

I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't do anything that doesn't absolutely need to be done BEFORE you move in a house. The kitchen is functional as it is (I really like it) and you may get a whole different feel for it once your 'stuff' is out. A few pops of color and you may have something you would have never expected.

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