Updating my 1980s kitchen

Question

I need decorating advice on how to update my kitchen cabinets and walls with paint. Not sure what colors to use to update this outdated space. I am getting the flooring replaced with a darker wood looking laminate, and replacing the light fixtures.

Lagree Wyndham · Answer

You have a great space to work with, layout has an 'industrial'  feel to it.  Ok I am a sucker for white cabinets and grey walls, just my suggestion and when able replace stove with stainless.  I would also add brushed nickle hardware to cabinets and a back-splash.  Full glass tiles would be great, but if you are on a budget use white tiles and add glass tile strip between rows.  Cheap way to make it pop.  I also see red accents...but that's just me.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

In my opinion I would install the floor first to get a better feel for a color scheme. Please take into consideration of how much light is in your room when choosing paint colors. I would recommend looking at paint chips first for some color inspirations as well.

Beth Hall · Answer

Consider painting the cabinets grey, paint the tile backsplash a soft white  and paint the laminate counters with the granite look, replace the range with stainless and add satin nickel pulls.

Jan Loehr · Answer

I am also going to suggest a soft gray for your cabinets, including painting all the brown molding around the edges for a uniform smooth look on the doors...glad you are changing the floor to a hardwood look, as that was one of my suggestions as well...get some great satin nickel pulls as has been suggested as well the color will pop against the soft gray cabinets...you also will need a backsplash but I would do the cabinets first to get a feel for the contrasting  texture and color ...get samples and look at them in daytime and nightime to see how it fits...so excited for you ....best of luck!

Leslie · Answer

Instead of purchasing a new stove when you have a perfectly good one there, check into painting it or getting faux stainless contact paper. Amazon has it and I have provided the link for you. https://www.amazon.com/Tact-Metallic-Stainless-Stick-Removable/dp/B00D0ARGTKie=UTF8&keywords=SoftMetal&qid=1404133744&ref_=sr_1_6&sr=8-6 I would take Janet Pizarro's suggestion and pick out your floor first. You will want something that will blend in with the rest of your flooring if you have wood floors in the rest of the house. If you want new countertops look into quartz. It is easy care. If you paint the cabinets white you can paint the wood trim on the front of the doors the grey color you pick out. Get paint samples to try out first that way you can tell after a few days of curing if that is the color you want. I would suggest since the flooring is permanent get something that will stand the test of time in looks there will come a time when you may want to change the color of your kitchen. Good luck.

Annie · Answer

I like the idea of white cabinets with gray as well. Getting rid of some of the more 80's accessory cabinets would be a big help.  Could you replace the microwave with a vented one over the stove? Open shelves in that cabinet space would be nice.  I'd also remove the desk. Unlike some of the others I am really against painting things like tiles and countertops. I have had a terrible experience using one of the newer products on my deck.  There's actually a class action suit going on over the failure of this product.  Please research any of those things very carefully.  I would work with
Foundations that you have, countertops, tiles and appliances and come up with a color scheme that incorporates it all.  Add some cool looking hardware and you are good to go!  By the way...gray is a very tricky color...it can have undertones of blue, green, brown, even pink.  It's worth getting samples and painting sample boards with them to stare at for a while.  It will change color depending on the light in the room

Mecca · Answer

Turn your cabinets into shaker style. With trim you can buy at Home Depot cheap. See how to on Pinterest. Then paint them

Dianne · Answer

The gray would look great, especially if you add trim around the edges of the doors to give them a totally different look.

Annie · Answer

Smart girl! If the range hood is not vented they are really cheap to replace. Look on Amazon or Sears clearance.  I'm in the middle of a kitchen primping myself and it can be done on the cheap.  It won't be the kitchen of my dreams but it will look fresh and updated.  It had scalloped wood valances!  Just getting rid of that took 20 years off.
I did go for a decent hood which was pricey because the old one was ventless so a lot more labor cost. Anyway, it's a really lovely kitchen and I'm sure you can make it work. I love the dining area and all the windows leading outside.  Best of luck!

Kathy Lovenburg · Answer

Heather, I would also choose gray for the cabinets, but I would pain the top ones lighter and go darker on the bottom. I know some of the big box hardware stores sell small samples of paint-- pick two or three colors of the darker and try it out on the cabinet to see which color you like. Then that should help you with the lighter color--usually paint cards at the store have multiple shades of the same color. For your walls, choose a color that complements the grays--Blues, greens, beige. I have seen Fixer Upper successfully use blue-gray tones and green-gray tones in the kitchen. If you can, I would take small strips of wood to give a different feel to the cabinet doors. Check  'This Old House' and other websites for ideas. Add drawer/ cabinet pulls. I have seen packs of 25 run for $25 on eBay! One last suggestion would be making over your light fixtures. You can spray paint the brass--Rustoleum carries a cool line of metallic paint. I would recommend a satin nickel, pewter or oil rubbed bronze to match the cabinets. You can buy replacement covers for a small price tag, too. Good luck with your remodel!!

Mary-Ann · Answer

Lots of good ideas here, but I have to ask what look, style etc. are you going for?  I think that would make a huge difference to the advice given.  BTW,  your kitchen is wonderful, excellent kitchen design -must have been professionally designed and installed.

Heather · Answer

I would like to thank everyone for all their great suggestions! I have decided to paint my cabinets a khaki grey and add satin nickel pulls.

Trish O'Riordan · Answer

I have seen the wood on those cabinets painted to match the laminate on the cabinets and it really made them look better.

Jessminda · Answer

I know this is a really old post but I have a kitchen I’m about to refurbish that is the same type of countertop and doors as this one so I am keen to see the results of this makeover if the original poster is still on here!

Updating my 1980s kitchen

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Updating my 1980s kitchen

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