Hate my new kitchen - help me salvage it!

[Truckingalong]

Gloss grey doors (film still on so it looks dull), bleached wood counter. It looked fantastic in my minds eye but looks dated and boring in reality. Still to be done - replace mangy old fridge, remove wooden trim the builders stuck on (loathe them - trim, not builders!) and paint the cream bits that are showing from the original carcass.

I wasn't going to have tiles but I think it needs something to lift it a bit. Any suggestions, before I make it all worse?! Thoughts on any of theses tiles?

[Truckingalong]

More tiles

[LittleBearPad]

I like the second ones. I know metro tiles are popular but they are lovely.

The other tiles are nice but I'm not sure I'd be brave enough for the first and fifth. And the fourth may be a bit much en masse

[Toraleistripe]

I like all the tiles. Mother highly patterned ones are fab but might date . Metro tiles are classic.

I like handles on cupboards and drawers. Maybe think about them? Not sure cream and grey is a great combination. Not sure what I would paint the walls though with grey units. White probably. Introduce colour with storage jars etc.

[Toraleistripe]

Not mother.

[Truckingalong]

I'm leaning towards sage green metro tiles and yes, I did wonder if handles might help too.

[Twowrongsdontmakearight]

It's the mix of styles. Gloss grey doors - gorgeous sleek modem kitchen. Stripped wooden worktop is more country kitchen like the third pic with shaker doors. Which style are you going for as that will give a better idea of tiles vs splashback etc. Pretty tiles for a country look, splashback for urban.

[DesertOrDessert]

Don't be disheartened. It's not finished yet!

I'd go for the matte metro tiles, in your first post.
I'd also not use the cream on the exposed woodwork. Maybe cupboard door, or sage green, if they are regularly spaced.
Yes to handles, like either of the metro tiles pictures.

[Lelivre]

Hi OP oh no...you should be feeling excited about your new space when you have put so much planning and cash into the project. I would say don't go for the metro tiles. They are dated IMO and unimaginative. The kitchen looks a little dark, I would definately cheer myself up with some statement tiles that I really loved. Bright would be good. You could also look at something reflective or metallic. The morroccan mismatched patterns are also having a moment, which suggests they will date your kitchen soon enough. So only have these if you really love them and they will make you smile when you are there chopping my the veg. I had a very dull budget kitchen in my last place and I put some statement tiles in and it made all the difference.

What is your favourite colour and I will try and find something for you to look at.

[FlatOnTheHill]

Go for the patterned tiles that are out now. Lots of accessories with colour and chrome. You hate it because its a blanc canvass at the moment. You can make that look fab. And sage tiles are a no no.

[Lelivre]

Actually the second mosaic/Moroccan are pretty fabulous. The metro a big no for me. They are easy on the eye but they will bring nothing to the kitchen. This trend for shades of greyed out colours is going to look tired IMO and brights will be back soon!

[HalfATankini]

Oh I do sympathise, I did my kitchen 6 months ago and got very worried that I hated it as it was going on.

Luckily I do love it now (with a couple of small regrets like spending too little on the floor...). I do think tiles make a huge difference. I ordered lots of single tiles from m.wallsandfloors.co.uk and put them next to my worktop and units. That's really the only way to see what you like and will work in your kitchen.

It will get better!

[Lelivre]

I'm just going to post a pic which may not be to your taste (they are mine but I realise yellow isn't for everyone!) but it shows what tiles can do for a kitchen you wouldn't look twice at.

[Lelivre]

Picture

[Kitsmummy]

Your kitchen looks tiny..lis there any slim chance that you can replace the doors or worktop? You could sell the doors on eBay, I thnk White would look better with that worktop and then I'd go with patterned tiles.

Feel really sorry for you Op but I just think your base of grey units/worktop combo is wrong and always will be.

[orangepudding]

I think it really needs some colour otherwise it will feel dull and quite claustrophobic.

[jazzandh]

I would go for the shiny reflective tiles similar to the metro style ones in the second batch of pictures.

Under cupboard lights will also help to bounce light about.

Keep it light and bright in a small space. I think that sage green or the moroccan tiles whilst pretty in themselves will drain light and make the grey cupboards look dingy and actually they are a lovely soft grey colour.

I would keep the room soft and muted with accents and it will feel larger.

[Jessbow]

Bright lime green emulsion on the walls, change that old dingy orange. Don't even contemplate tiles yet, emulsion is cheap, find the colour that lifts it and inspires you.

[Aftershock15]

I also like the shiny metro tiles in your second post.

As well as under cabinet lighting do you have room for over cabinet lighting - I can't see from the pictures if they go all the way to the ceiling. We have just had this put in our new kitchen in a warm light and it makes a big difference.

You could even have illuminated glass splash backs instead of tiles and under cabinet lighting. That would make a real impact.

[OurBlanche]

Something with a small, intensely coloured pattern, might work well. But not knowing the real colour of the cupboards makes it tricky.

Before you make a choice, check out a colour wheel. Then you can decide which colour you should be looking for. You can buy them in paint shops and craft shops, Hobbycraft sell them and it is money well spent, and they all come with instructions

[Pipistrella]

I'm unable to think about tiles because of the position of your sink! How are you going to use it when the cooker is on?

I'd be moving it over to the left.

[Potatoface2]

plain tiles, not patterned as that limits you to colour changes ie. walls and appliances...paint walls a bright colour and have coordinating toaster, kettle, etc...bright window blind, and a nice metalic wall decoration...do not get a BLACK fridge....they show every mark ands a bugger to keep clean!

[Quodlibet]

I actually think if you push on with your original vision you'll be fine OP. I really like the Moroccan tiles in your 3rd and 5th pic and think that you've created a good background canvas with the units/worktop to make them work. The finished look will be all about an imaginative combination of textures I think, which the two elements you've started with can uphold. From your initial statements and the pics you've given as an example I don't think you want bland or classic - seems like you're after something which is individual and quirky but ties together well. I'd say stick with your instincts and push on - ignore the nay-sayers, I reckon you are on track!

[DeloresDeSyn]

If you are already feeling it looks boring, for goodness sake don't go with the metro tiles! The Moroccan tiles are fab.

[Tartyflette]

I think a softish yellow, primrose, not too bright, would lift the grey tiles a bit. Perhaps ask a tile sh for a few samples to take home and try in situ?

[Tartyflette]

Tile shop.