Is a "budget" kitchen reno possible? Pics added #24

[SaraJayne]

You might consider this to update your cabinets. They have a product for countertops too but it has a weird kind of bumpy texture. If you're open to laminate (and already have it), you could even have the laminate replaced, which would be less expensive than other countertop options.

Hmm, that's interesting.

I'm pretty sure the countertops are laminate, and since the house was built as a spec house, everything is neutral.

I love beadboard and would love to cover the cabinet doors with that. Great idea!

I'm going to check and see if I have pictues of the kitchen I can load so everyone can see and maybe give me some more advice.

 

[SaraJayne]

Darn it. I must have deleted my kitchen pictures. I'll take some more later today and upload them.

 

[bettymae1121]

Yup, it's possible, especially if you aren't buying a full set of new appliances and are willing DIY all of it, if not most of it.

You should be able to re-finish the cabinents (I think Rustoleum has a kit that may work for you), you could also just order new doors and keep the boxes. "White" kitchens are in, you could even just sand and paint them white rather than trying to re-stain. New hardware is a snap too. Fresh paint for the walls, a new tile back splash (back splashes are so small you could even afford high-end tile in most cases) and some new lighting fixtures and you're good to go! Maybe even a new counter, depending how big your budget is.

 

[SaraJayne]

 

[SaraJayne]

Sorry for the grainy pictures. I didn't realize the quality was so bad until after I downloaded them.

Anyway, as you can see, it's a perfectly functional kitchen, just dated. DH and I upgraded the hardware/light fixtures/outlet covers about 8 years ago.

The place I want to add a pantry is where the garbage can is sitting now.

 

[knittykat]

I have been in the process of redoing my kitchen for very little money.

Cabinets--if you would be happy with paint, I totally painted mine with great quality paint for around $60 (that was both primer and paint, plus sandpaper and brushes). Not everyone is into paint. You could, if your cabinets are wood, strip and refinish with stain, or you could also try that Cabinet Transformations product. I haven't tried it but have heard good things.

Hardware--if new hardware isn't in the budget, there is a line of RustOleum spray paints that come in a "hammered metal" finish. My aunt used them on her hardware in her bathroom and I would have sworn she bought new hardware.

I did my glass tile backsplash myself. I had never tiled before but it wasn't hard to learn and I spent around $300 on the whole project. Home Depot, if you have one near you, does tiling classes for free.

I did hire a contractor to remove a wall and install a new cabinet, but that doesn't look like something you'll be doing.

My kitchen had very similar oak cabinets. You can get so much more "bang" for your buck by fixing up the old ones than buying new ones. You could buy very cheap cabinets but what you have is likely better than what you could buy for a bargain price, unless you are really lucky.

I saved my money for a couple of splurges--a new stainless refrigerator and the contractor.

 

[lakelandgal70]

Wow I love your kitchen. But then again mine was from the 70s complete with 70s color. We lived with it for 15yrs lol. Would have loved to live with yours for 8.

 

[ilovemk76]

IMHO what is wrong is:

1) No backsplash.

2) Counter

3) Appliances not matching. Fridge is too big.

4) Too much cluitter on the top of the cabinets and fridge.

5) Flooring.


The cabinets seem to be a good qualtiy, so I would keep them.


There is no way to redo this kitchen with new cabinets etc. for $10K-$12K. I could easily be 3-4 times that much.

 

[tlbwriter]

Okay, if I had that kitchen, I'd change the flooring (maybe a slate look tile?) and use the Rustoleum product to darken the cabinets. I can't tell if the countertops are solid surface (if they are, I'd leave them alone) or laminate (if they are, I might see about getting a darker laminate, maybe a tan stone-look, or even granite tile depending on how much you spend on other areas) and replace the hardware with brushed nickel.

 

[DisneyBeagle]

I think you could make a world of difference by keeping the cabinets, but changing the pulls/knobs. I would also change the countertops, add a tile backsplash, new flooring and paint the walls a warm color. Tiling isn't too hard so you could easily do most of the work yourselves except for the new countertops. Depending on which type of tile and countertops you choice, the price could be very reasonable.

 

[SaraJayne]

IMHO what is wrong is:

1) No backsplash.

2) Counter

3) Appliances not matching. Fridge is too big.

4) Too much cluitter on the top of the cabinets and fridge.

5) Flooring.


The cabinets seem to be a good qualtiy, so I would keep them.


There is no way to redo this kitchen with new cabinets etc. for $10K-$12K. I could easily be 3-4 times that much.

The fridge isn't too big..it fits in the space provided. Our fridge is stainless steel, with black sides. The dishwasher (which is a year old) and the stove match the fridge.

I didn't ask for comments on my decorating, but thanks for letting me know my counters are cluttered. Psst, I know that and frankly, don't care.

 

[indimom]

I actually like the kitchen.

Here are my suggestions:

The new floor, oven and microwave.
A backsplash and new contertop.
Then a touch of paint.
I think you'd be amazed just with these changes and could easily get it done on budget.

If you really hate the cabinets, refinish them; but I think you might like them once you made some other changes.

Adding the pantry would be nice if you can find one to match your exhisting cabinets. We couldn't get an exact match when we needed a new base unit, but it's so close no one can tell the difference unless we point it out.

One other suggestion. I like the computer corner by the window. But, if you put in a matching countertop and a cabinet base it would tie the entire area together nicely. (A bit more on the budget though. )

 

[SaraJayne]

I think you could make a world of difference by keeping the cabinets, but changing the pulls/knobs. I would also change the countertops, add a tile backsplash, new flooring and paint the walls a warm color. Tiling isn't too hard so you could easily do most of the work yourselves except for the new countertops. Depending on which type of tile and countertops you choice, the price could be very reasonable.

Sounds good to me. The only problem is I'd have to hire someone to do the painting (which I've never done before). The wall the stove is on goes up to the vaulted ceiling and there is no way to get up to the peak with the cabinets there.

Even if we don't end up "doing" the kitchen, we're definitely getting new flooring this winter.

 

[SaraJayne]

I actually like the kitchen.

Here are my suggestions:

The new floor, oven and microwave.
A backsplash and new contertop.
Then a touch of paint.
I think you'd be amazed just with these changes and could easily get it done on budget.

If you really hate the cabinets, refinish them; but I think you might like them once you made some other changes.

Adding the pantry would be nice if you can find one to match your exhisting cabinets. We couldn't get an exact match when we needed a new base unit, but it's so close no one can tell the difference unless we point it out.

One other suggestion. I like the computer corner by the window. But, if you put in a matching countertop and a cabinet base it would tie the entire area together nicely. (A bit more on the budget though. )

Funny you should mention the computer corner. The blueprints for the house actually call for a matching countertop desk area there, but for some reason, it was never put it.

For now, we have an old desk and small cabinet there, but it would be easy and inexpensive to add in a countertop desk.

 

[Sandy321]

I love the bears! how do you keep them up there and keep them clean!

I think they're cute -

not sure how much countertops and flooring would be - maybe see if you could get an estimate on paint - -- wonder if you're local Home Depot store could give referrals?

oh and a new window curtain? I think new pulls on the cupboards would be nice - but I went that route for our churches cupboard - talk about a pita!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I had to go back to read your OP to review what you wanted to do after seeing the pictures. Nice kitchen, btw.

I think you should be able to do what you want to do for that cost. The only thing I think might be a little tricky is the pantry if you have to cut into the wall and it's a retaining wall.

I think you could also improve on the desk area by having it done to match the rest of the kitchen cabinets. Do you use it much? Cause I'm also thinking a window seat would look really nice, too.

 

[pigletto]

My MIL painted her cabinets. I don't know the color exactly but I want to say it's a very very faint creamy yellow. They put new hardware on and a new backsplash in and it looks fabulous!!!! You would never ever know they weren't brand new cabinets. They did it all themselves. The sanding/painting of the cabinets took a very very long time to get perfect but they plugged away at it and it's incredible.
If you are handy at all, DIY is going to save a lot of money.

Here's the color of the cabinets. Her cabinets were about the same color as your before the paint

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=16083

 

[tlbwriter]

If you're going to leave the walls white, I'd either make the cabinets a darker color, or just go with an all-white kitchen. Here is a beautiful white kitchen with dark countertops, or you could go all white.

 

[SaraJayne]

I had to go back to read your OP to review what you wanted to do after seeing the pictures. Nice kitchen, btw.

I think you should be able to do what you want to do for that cost. The only thing I think might be a little tricky is the pantry if you have to cut into the wall and it's a retaining wall.

Oh, sorry! I just got what you thought I meant by pantry!

What I mean is a cabinet with pull out shelves, not a closet in the wall.

Something along these lines...

 

[SaraJayne]

I love the bears! how do you keep them up there and keep them clean!

I think they're cute -

not sure how much countertops and flooring would be - maybe see if you could get an estimate on paint - -- wonder if you're local Home Depot store could give referrals?

oh and a new window curtain? I think new pulls on the cupboards would be nice - but I went that route for our churches cupboard - talk about a pita!

My bears are vacuumed 3 or 4 times a year, along with the top of the cabinets. They are the Civil War Boyd's (I'm a history buff).

New valances for sure! I've had these for 8 years and I'm tired of them!