How to give my kitchen a fresh look?

Okay..., yes, it is a lot of work, but painting your cabinets will make a TREMENDOUS change in your kitchen. It looks like you have a LOT of room in that kitchen. I would add an island, perhaps something with some color on it should you decide not to paint the cabinets. The quickest and least expensive update would be to change out the hardware on your cabinets.

I would start with painting the cabinets. White is always popular, but I've seen some pretty ones painted a soft blue or green. I'm not sure what your backsplash is, but I would change it. Depending on the material, you may be able to go right over the top of it. The same goes for the floor. There is some beautiful vinyl plank flooring available that will give you a whole new look.

Hi Carol I immediately thought of the $600 makeover that this blogger did: https://www.thegoldhive.com/blog/2019/10/9/the-reveal-of-my-600-kitchen-makeover Painting out a kitchen is no small feet but it is the least expensive way to give you a TOTAL transformation. Here's how my mom and I did her kitchen a few years ago: https://www.hometalk.com/diy/kitchen-dining/kitchen-dining-furniture/my-mom-s-kitchen-makeover-15402859

You can add a stain over the top to change the color like a darker stain, or a gray stain. You could also update them by painting them which is a real trend right now

Looks like you have a drop ceiling and that needs to go but new flooring would made a big difference also. Paint the cabinets and add new hardware (you could even clean up the hardware you have and repaint it a new color).

You could go with new countertops or refinish the ones you already have. Here is a link with more info:

https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/kitchen/how-to-repair-and-refinish-laminate-countertops

You could paint or stain or even white wash your cabinets - you can also paint the tile backsplash and the tile flooring here is info on that

https://www.farmhouseliving.com/blog/diy-painting-tile-floors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTRWdIVQ-bU

First take down those doorway beads, if you can take the drop ceiling down. If you have money replace the backsplash and replace the flooring. BUT the main thing is to either paint the cabinets, or reface the cabinet doors and change the hardware. You have a nice large kitchen, A large overhead range hood would look beautiful.

I would paint the cabinets white and then do a subway tile or more neutral backsplash. It'll lighten the space and make it look more modern.

A coat of paint would be a great start. Just a lot of the same colour. You can also cover the tiles around the cooker with a back splash.

What a beautiful kitchen, I would love to have it.

It needs some color, you have a lot of brown going on. I would do some color to the backsplash/tiled walls-maybe peel and stick tiles. . .see a nice teal in there, nothing too dark or gaudy. The outside wall could stand to be an accent wall with a change of curtains.

Please leave those gorgeous natural cabinets and cupboards alone!!! You'll hear a lot of paint, paint, paint from the others.

The beaded curtain need to be donated.

Add some throw rugs with some color. Change your hardware to the large chrome ones. Swap out the beaded curtain for something to match the rugs. Paint the section around the doorway. Add some bright colored items in the cubbies. I think you will be surprised at how much that will change the look.

To take it a step further, you could stain them a darker color but I think taking it one step at a time and not taking on a big project will give you results more than you expect.

Hello Carol,

You could Paint them all a grey colour. or add a piece of MDF over the doors and drawers to change the shape of them. You could call in Kitchen Magic and have them fit you new doors and drawer fronts to your carcases that would be cheaper than a new kitchen, and it would mean you get to keep the old doors and drawers, so you could change them back it you decided to do so another time, or you could re-cycle them or sell them.

Thank you everyone for all your comments and suggestions. Yes, totally agree that the beaded curtain has to go but I forgot to mention that we are renting this house out and the previous tenant's children swung on the sliding door that was there and managed to totally yank it off the wall, rails and all, so we had to do a quick fix with the curtain. The splashback is tiled and would be a major job, especially for a rental so I think it will have to be something doing to the cabinets after all. But now I have a lot more ideas to work with. Many many thanks to all of you!

I think the tile backsplash is fun and easy to work with. If you have permission from the landlord, I'd suggest painting the cabinets and painting whatever else you can. There's lots of potential here. Adding an island would help make it more functional and by island that could be anything like an updated dresser or desk or building one. Seek out images of kitchens you like and pull inspiration from there, finding ways to replicate what you like.

As others have said the doors are very out of date and it's just too much brown.

I don't remember ever seeing a kitchen that large. I would be tempted to divide it into a kitchen and utility room.

Colors , like the curtains ,table cloths you can decorate with bright colors ,Yellow Sunshine , Sunflowers ,Plants Bring Life

you can paint the cabinets and the backsplash. Paint all the wood white and the tile a complementary color. Just make sure you prep properly and use the right kind of paint and it will be fine

I love you kitchen the way it is, wish mine was that big and bright and I love the color but then that is my favorite color!!

Look at "iamhayleystuart" on Instagram. I love her deep greens and terracotta color combinations. I think she's UK based as well. You may be able to pick up some ideas without having to change the "bones" of your kitchen.

Absolutely screaming for paint. Chalk paint is SO easy. Dries fast usually 2 coats does it. Add a wax on top, clear or antiquing wax will do. If you are concerned about wearing, clean VERY well all grease with something like TSP cleaner, primer and use latex. Mine are white and holding up pretty well. You can look up TSP online if you don't know what it is.

Consider painting the routed area on the face of the cabinets with a bright color. Bold large pulls in chrome.

if you are on the budget I would consider painting ,,, removing backspalsh and replacing it with new one and of course change of hardware