How can I update this kitchen?

[Rojak]

Just moved so can't afford to rip out kitchen.

I was thinking of painting the units, removing the current odd shape table and at a stretch, perhaps replacing work tops.

But I'm not sure what colour to paint the units so it will go with the tiled floor (browny / orange / light terracota style tiles) or the twee country wall tiles?

Could I replace the table with a rectangular breakfast bar instead?

Any and all inspiration welcomed as I'm a bit overwhelmed.

[TheVeryThing]

I've painted the cupboards in my kitchen and they look great, but they do chip over time and it is a huge job.

I'm sure it's possible to do a better job than I did but I half regret it.

I also had twee country wall tiles, but in a horrible browny/terracota colour and painting them cream made a huge difference, and was surprisingly easy.

I do think that painting your units cream (or another light colour) would give them room a big lift but think about whether changing the worksurface and the door handles would be enough to update the room (that's what I wish I had done).

[Quickchangeup]

Can you afford new work tops? If so I'd replace the worktops, paint the the doors etc and use tile paint to paint over the patterned tiles.
Looking at the floor colour I think a grey/green colour for the units. Maybe oak/oak effect type worktops?
I'd remove the table thing and replace with a small table and chairs.

[Quickchangeup]

Is the kitchen solid wood?

[SonjasSister]

How is the wood finished? Painting fiddly woodwork is a loooong job at the best of times, but painting over varnish I imagine would be a mission and a half (tho have not tried - hoping someone who knows more can enlighten us both. I wonder if there's some sort of spray on paint that would be quicker.... - suppose I'm dreaming there though! .

I'd definitely go for a cream personally as I have rubbish eyesight and crave light. e painted quite a bit of untreated wood in our kitchen and other people commented how much better it looked, it wasn't just me .

[SonjasSister]

How did you manage it TheVeryThing?

[Yohoodlum]

There not that bad but I think it would be hard to make them look anything other than a bit dated. Can you just live with them until you save up for a new kitchen.

If you paint them I'd also go for a cream color - you could remove the drawers and doors and get them spray painted by a spray paint company. You could then just paint he carcasses to match.

A new laminate worktop would be inexpensive. There are some lovely ones about. Make sure you look at loads of different ones.

[sweetheart]

My friend painted her old cabinets and they looked fab so that is definitely a good option here. We have just brought laminate wortktops which was £700 for 2 x 3m lengths and a breakfast bar so perhaps if you could afford a small amount I think changing the tops would make a massive difference. Also if you painted over the tiles as a temporary fix it would hide the twee design for the moment. I think if you painted the cabinets in a cream and then the tiles in a darker colour the pattern on the tiles would be less visible.

[LadyB49]

Two friends have painted their kitchen units with outstanding results. One In particular, white cupboards and then painted the workshops grey. All chalk finish, with then extra coats of clear matt varnish on the workshops. 6 months later and still not a chip on the paintwork.
Yep, I'd paint the tiles.

[LadyB49]

If you can afford it, I'd get in a man who does.

[VertigoNun]

The tiles bother me more than the units.

[Rojak]

Thank-you for your replies - I hadn't realised this has posted as I kept getting error messages.

I was thinking of grey green / sage green for the cabinets but as I'm rubbish with coordinating colours, was worried it would clash or perhaps look dated in a few years when grey becomes unfashionable.

The units are solid wood and in very good condition.

[Fluffycloudland77]

You could ask a car body work shop if they can spray wood/mdf.

[Rojak]

Oh good idea re: car workshop - might be less messy

[mortgagefreesoon5]

I would replace the tiles, so you don't have to work with/around them. It probably cost around 300 gbp depending on the chosen tiles
Painting the doors is a good idea if you can be bother with the hassle but what about replacing the doors, I ve seen them on Ebay and they are not too expensive, and then you could paint the shelves on top units to match your doors

[Alwayscheerful]

I am going against the grain here. Cathedral style doors with the arched tops will still look dated once painted. If the carcasses are in good condition order new doors in a plain shaker style, get rid of any fancy twiddly bits and use plain knobs. Think about removing the wall units altogether it will save money on replacement doors and make the kitchen feel bigger. use open shelving and storage jars Get a Traditional carpenter/joiner in to tidy it all up and paint. Little Green French Grey and Farrow and Ball Hardwick White are good colours for kitchens.

[Rojak]

Yes, I did wonder if those doors would still look old fashioned post paint. I think the current look now favours cleaner lines, with less fuss

[libbylit]

Found this interior design style guide which i use for my B&b - it's call the Hilden Style Guide.
I just use it for the new colour trends & interior inspiration etc for my b&b - i found it really helpful in redecorating my b&b. Its got some awesome tips in there for choosing colours & designs in 2016
www.hilden.co.uk/blog/the-hilden-style-guide-2016/

[OTheHugeManatee]

Do you have any budget at all, OP?

If you can afford to, I'd do as Always suggests and replace the unit doors. I'd also chip off and replace the tiles. IMO tile paint never really works and you'll still have that naff raised motif. Metro tiles are all the rage at the moment so super cheap, and will probably still look contemporary enough until you're ready to change the whole kitchen. The floor is nice so I'd keep that.

I'd do plain shaker style doors in a cream colour, light grey or maybe cream tiles and paint the walls in a soft oyster colour to bring it together. Dulux Potter's Clay or thereabouts.

[Alwayscheerful]

I absolutely agree with previous poster about removing the tiles. (OHM ). The consensus on Mumsnet seems to be that metro tiles have had their day, I disagree and think they will become a classic look and whilst I have used fired earth, there are plenty of very reasonable alternatives for example Topps Tiles and Tonnes of tiles. I also like the colours OHM mentioned, off white, shaded grey, oyster and pale clay colours would all be good with your floor. Look at the plain nickel knobs with a satin finish in John Lewis, they look great with old white, hardwick white, elephants breath and oyster colours. Maybe take a look on Pinterest for ideas.

[GetSchwifty]

I would get new tiles and worktops then nice handles for the cupboards. Then paint the walls a complimentary colour. And yes get rid of the table.

[OTheHugeManatee]

This company are also worth a look for extremely good value tiles and often hold sale events. I've had things off them and can't fault the descriptions and delivery time.

[Rojak]

Ideally I'd like to open up a wall into the dining room, re-organise the layout of the kitchen (no re-plumbing but some electrical work), get a new fridge freezer plus paint cabinets / replace doors & re-tile. (Oh and get a high bar table to sit at)

Is £5K too ambitious to achieve all that? Probably

[Alwayscheerful]

In my opinion your budget is realistic. I have managed to transform kitchens on similar budgets.

[OTheHugeManatee]

I think you can do it for that budget.

[averylongtimeago]

What you don't want is to finish up with the kitchen looking like you have just painted the doors and tiles, iyswim, rather than got a new kitchen. If the cabinets are in good nick, just replace the doors. You should also be able to 're-tile cheaply if you trawl round discount places. I would go with a light colour and modern knobs. Your budget sounds realistic to me.