Your cheapo kitchen fixes

[Shaytoon]

So my kitchen in my new house is cheap looking.
It's pretty new, totally functional, just cheap.
I'm not sure it's worth changing as we will only live there a few years, and we can't afford to do much with it for at least a year or two.

In the mean time are there any CHEAP fixes I can do? I'm worried about painting tiles etc and then it looking a mess in a year or two.

I also have no idea what colours to paint or appliances to buy to make it a bit less dull and nasty looking.

So it's
Brown cupboard doors.
A different brown - almost piney rest of the cupboards
A THIRD brown on the vinyl floor
Silver handles on cupboards
Black counters
Black ovens
White washing machine and dishwasher
White tiles
Chrome and glass extractor

And the previous vendors had multicoloured appliances and blinds.

[GiveMeFiveMinutes]

Could you afford to replace the cupboard doors? Cheaper than a whole new kitchen.

Alternatively, change handles on cupboards, and paint the cupboards (if they are wood).

Would be easier to make suggestions with a photo though.

[MsMamaNature]

I second changing the cupboard doors. This website will give you a few ideas.
www.kitchendoorworkshop.co.uk/

I would also suggest replacing the vinyl flooring with another colour to break up the current brown colour scheme. It's a quick and inexpensive way to change the whole look of the room.

The colour of paint on the walls is a personal choice and depends on many other things, such as the amount of natural light in the room. Your choice of paint colour will also influence your fabric for blinds, etc.

Personally, I prefer appliances to match but if you aren't going to stay there long term then I wouldn't go mad spending a lot of money to, for example, update the washing machine unless you feel certain that you can take your new appliances to your next house.

[burritofan]

Paint the cupboards, spray paint the handles. I would do white or pale cupboards to blend in the white appliances; then it's only the oven that sticks out. Sticky-back plastic on the counters if they're laminate, or swap them for white laminate instead. You can also paint laminate counters. Keep the tiles as they are. Cheap jute rug to cover the floor or make everything else so nice you don't notice it.

Take a look at linsdrabwellhome on Instagram – she just did a 7-day makeover on her kitchen painting the cupboards & it looks amazing.

Easier with a photo though as pp said.

[westendshits]

Pics?

[Flowerplower]

We painted our cupboards and they look lovely. We then just put lots of art on the walls to distract from old fashioned tile floor and cheap laminate worktops, which has helped slightly.

[MitziK]

Cheap vinyl on the floor. Probably something mostly white - tile effect?

White blind.

White doors (contact plastic or paint).

White pot/tubs/holders.

Add colours with tea towels, plants, etc, but mostly white to take out the overall browness of the space.

[Decorhate]

Paint the cupboards & change the handles. Use primer & good quality paint (oil based if you can still buy). I would not be bothered by white tiles & a black worktop. Personally I would paint the cupboards grey or blue grey & put on black knobs or handles.

Vinyl flooring like this
www.flooringdirect.co.uk/vinyl-flooring-c1/baroque-lisbon-761-vinyl-flooring-p614/s2586?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=lifestyle-floors-baroque-lisbon-761-4m-width-m-4-width-m-4-boho-chic-lagos-761m-4-1&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImo-ZqaLS4AIVq73tCh2qgwr6EAQYASABEgLMSPD_BwE

[bintang]

Offering sympathy here- my kitchen sounds identical!
What posseses people to out in kitchens like this? Our cupboard doors were obviously replacements, they're a 'light oak' (except it's those awful foiled doors), the counters are a sort of "walnut" laminate, the sides of the units (the original ones) are "birch" laminate
My tiles are a sort of pinky beige, like F&B Setting Plaster.
Eurgh. I hate it. I keep having the urge to go wild and do the walls bright orange or navy blue.... but the cupboards!!!!

[Stefoscope]

Not sure on tile paint as all the research I've done into this pointed towards it not looking great and peeling. For the cupboard doors, wilko cupboard paint is excellent and much cheaper than replacing doors. Use a primer first and a gloss roller and 2 - 3 thin coats of paint. I did mine about 6 months ago and they look as good as the day I did them, no chipping and they clean down really easily.

[fastyellowcar]

Sounds like my kitchen.

I painted the cupboards white (Ronseal one coat cupboard and melamine - it lies, 3-4 coats).

Painted the brownish tiles with Ronseal tile paint.

Cost about £20-30. Looks soooo much better. Was really impressed by the finish on both - you wouldn't know they're painted. 6 months on and no peeling of tiles (even by the sink) or chipping on cupboards.

Just the brown floor and black worktops to go...

[Shaytoon]

Amazing thank you!

When you've painted cupboards - my worry is I'll make a mess of it and make it worse, or that it'll start chipping and wearing a way, how's yours held up?

Definitely need to replace the floor. My mum's just been round and told me it's actually expensive, at least before I assumed it was a cost saving choice, now I can't figure out what they were thinking!!

[fastyellowcar]

So far so good with the cupboards. It's been 6 months and no chipping.

I used a small hand held electric sander on them first, it made a quick job of sanding them.

Just follow all the instructions and prep well - the better the prep the better the finish and all that

[QuietlyQuaffing]

If you're going to paint anything, paint the cupboard doors. We found melamine paint good, but with excellent primer you should get normal eggshell or satinwood to stick well. However, whether that will make a cheap kitchen look better quality or not depends on the door design and what else you do.

I'd consider laying floor tiles. If you can DIY they are not that expensive, but their "realness" adds something IMO.

I wouldn't paint the wall tiles. That is very unlikely to make cheap tiles look expensive (though it's great for updating very old-fashioned tiles). Either change them (again not a huge expense if it's a small area, even if you pay a tiler) or leave them be.

[QuietlyQuaffing]

Also do change the handles.

[flirtygirl]

Pic please op?