Asked on May 09, 2020

Kitchen Makeover?

My Dad was a cabinet maker. My kitchen was the last thing he built. I feel like it needs upgraded. My husband says "No Way!" I know my Dad will roll over in his grave if I painted it but we want to sell it. Am I crazy to think it needs upgraded to a paint job? Should I leave it alone? If not,then what?

  12 answers
  • Jerri Mears Jerri Mears on May 09, 2020

    I was in real estate for years. As long as the cabinets are neutral like yours (they are beautiful), I’d save the $. I would replace the appliances with stainless steel ones . Don’t go high end, people don’t care about that, it’s the look every buyer wants. You can even go to the Sears outlet stores to save $ or buy gently used ones. For $2k the kitchen will look brand new. Good luck!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on May 09, 2020

    Stain a dark color like java and add bright nickel hardware.

  • Libbie B Libbie B on May 09, 2020

    What about new countertops and sink? I think you can work around the cabinets and still "freshen" the room. Maybe some paint? And your floors are stunning but maybe a larger rug to break up all the wood??

  • William William on May 09, 2020

    If your going to sell I would use white peel and stick subway tile to brighten the counter. Leave tha cabinets alone. The color you choose may not be what prospective buyers would like and some may not like painted cabinets. I agree with stainless steel appliances. Maybe a small kitchen island if you have the room.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on May 09, 2020

    The cabinets are dated but what is most distracting is the floor. Eat too much wood. Do not restain or alter cabinets at this point. You can change out hardware or counters and appliances if wish. Definitely add a large area rug to cover up floor and add color. I always tell my clients to adjust asking price a bit so if buyer feels they need to redo kitchen they have an allowance to make it their own.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on May 09, 2020

    I think you can keep them natural. I noticed there’s no hardware on the doors and drawers - what about adding something modern or classic? Maybe black? I think the biggest problem is that the floor is so similar to the cupboards - any room in the budget to tile it?

  • Now26951597 Now26951597 on May 09, 2020

    Why would anyone want a rug in the kitchen? Cover the wood with some nice lino to brighten up the room. Wood floors are lovely but there is too much wood here and vinyl floors are so easy care and can be beautiful too.

  • Laura Yanni-Brown Laura Yanni-Brown on May 09, 2020

    Thanks for all the advice. I truly appreciate it. I'm definitely going to go with the hardware and a new stove. I don't care for a rug in the kitchen. But we'll see. When we first bought the house it had an L shape counter across from the fridge. It took up too much space. The size of the kitchen is 10' x 24'. It used to have cabinets that looked like the Brady bunch kitchen with 9"x 9" brown and white tile on the floor.

  • Zard Pocleeb Zard Pocleeb on May 10, 2020

    Leave the cabinets alone...just change the hardware (pulls, handles, and hinges).

  • Mary Fields Mary Fields on May 12, 2020

    The cabinets are beautiful. My dad was a cabinet maker as well, any kind of woodworking. Good luck

  • Mlle LaFleur Mlle LaFleur on May 13, 2020

    Clear the countertops, all the stuff makes the kitchen look as if there is insufficient storage space which may not be the case. Remove the kitchen curtain and the valance looking board, open up the view and bring in the light. Lose the little rugs.

  • Oliva Oliva on May 13, 2020

    Paint the backsplash area, rather than tiling, to save cash. Install a new, tall,single lever faucet with pull out, self docking (magnetic) sprayer. Clear countertops of everything but a plant and perhaps a crock with some spatulas/whisks. Remove dish towel from stove handle. Install blind at window in lighter color. Add under cabinet lighting if you don't have it, presently. Add new hardware to cabinets in a size to fit majority of potential buyers' hands. Increase lighting output in ceiling light, if possible. Lighting in a kitchen is invaluable, in all areas. Rather than vinyl flooring, I'd sand down the floor and restain a pickled oak shade to further brighten the kitchen. If you think it's worth it, change the two cabinet faces on either side of sink to glass, and display your finest!