How to update my kitchen? (pic included)

[Saffronwblue]

I have a 40 year old country style kitchen. Would love a new one but not in a position to do this. We are probably going to sell in a couple of years and as we have a large block and are in a popular area we have been told that we will be most likely to sell to a developer which means that any money we put into the house we will not recover.
So I would be so grateful for suggestions as to cheap and cheerful ways to update it. Should we replace or paint the tiles? What about the cupboard fronts? We actually love the wooden bench tops as they are very solid and forgiving.
Here is a picture (please excuse the clutter of daily life). Let me know your thoughts!

[mnpeasantry]

If you are looking to sell, maybe paint to unit doors grey. I quite like the tiles but maybe paint them off white. The units look in pretty good shape but the arch effect dates them a bit hence the suggestion of grey.

I like your work tops too

[kuniloofdooksa]

Painting the cupboard fronts and replacing the handles will do wonders quite cheaply.

Painted tiles will start to look shabby in less than a year as the paint won't stand up to scrubbing from normal cooking spatter. You can just live with the shabbiness or you could splash out on a coloured glass splashback that could just be fitted over the tiles but that would probably be over-budget.

[Firefries]

I think it's very nice still. I think a new owner will come along and just redo it if they want or they may just repaint some parts of it, or if it's a developer (as you say) then they will do whatever. So yeah I'd leave it for the next owners because it's already very nice. Don't waste your money.

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

All I would do is replace the tiles, maybe with white ones. Don't paint them, it never looks good.

[rwalker]

paint the walls white cupboard doors grey or white black tile effect lino .You can cover the tiles by gluing sheets of mdf over them and paint them bright colour like orange ,mauve or a petrol blue as a splash back .Alternately tile over the tiles with cheap plain white one and add colour to your room by making one wall feature wall painting one of the bright colours should cost you £200\£300

[silkybear]

i would paint the walls duck egg blue and paint or replace tiles for white ones.

[CRbear]

I think changing your splash back tiles to a solid colour as a first step would make a major difference- I think they’re the only truly aging thing there! Your floor tiles and cupboard doors are pretty neutral already!

[picklemepopcorn]

It's the tiles. Don't worry about its appearance for selling, people seem to want to put their own in.
For you, I'd make the tiles neutral, probably by tiling over them with bigger tiles. It's not hard. Get tiny mosaic sheet tiles for the bit above the sink.

Then add pops of colour with the things you store above the cupboards and on the window ledge.

[OutandIntoday]

The tiles are the main thing that dates it. It will look like a new kitchen if you change them. They look quite thick so tiling over may not work. Get a tiler round for a quote.

[guilty100]

Personally, I'd replace the doors with something much more modern (but inexpensive) and redo the tiling. It'll look new!

[comfyshoelady]

I actually think it's lovely, I try is slightly old fashioned but that wouldn't bother me. I think I would leave everything as it is and just retile with something cleaner and brighter looking. The tiles make it a bit dark.

[Fairylea]

The tiles are the only thing that I would tackle. Personally I’d paint them a creamy teal colour or a pale mustard yellow type colour.

[AJPTaylor]

i would leave the rest alone. its the tiling that will make a difference. i wouldnt paint them. if they are really sound you could tile over or get someone in

[ShiftyMcGifty]

If you're told a developer will easily buy it and any improvements you make in your house won't add value to the house -- why on earth are you thinking to update your kitchen?

If I was flipping that property, I'd put in a new floor, new white back tile to reflect light, paint bottom half of cabinets a contrasting colour and put in expensive feeling handles. Something like this

[MiniTheMinx]

Do you need so many wall cabinets? They are short and on a long run, it makes the kitchen look crowded but also makes the ceiling look lower. The dimensions look very 80s rather than country kitchen!

I would get rid of the wall cabinets over and adjacent to the hob. Chip out all the tiles. Choose a neautral natural looking tile for back of hob. Make walls good below other cabinets, and paint ivory.

Paint remaining cabinets french grey or similar and change handles. I would probably get rid of the pelmet over the window, it looks quite dated.

When I did mine on a budget I got rid of all the wall cupboards, changed the doors on the other cupboards, bought a big dresser top and painted that plus cabinet doors to match and went to reclamation yard for iron handles and tiles. Bought an old Victorian pine cabinet and painted that. I think I probably spent less than £500.

[RoryItsSnowing]

Definitely new, more modern tiles. Paint cupboard doors. Any way to get the dishwasher hidden behind a door too?

[Saffronwblue]

The full glory of the tiles

[elastamum]

If you are moving in a couple of years I would do nothing and spend the money on a holiday. Life's too short to worry about tiles!

[elastamum]

If you are moving in a couple of years I would do nothing and spend the money on a holiday. Life's too short to worry about tiles!

[Changerofname987654321]

Retile and clear the clutter but if a developer is going to buy it won’t make a difference.

[wowfudge]

Is a couple of years two years or could it be five? Who knows how things are going to pan out. I'd change the tiled splashback. You may be able to just tile over what's there as a pp has stated. That alone will transform the place. Nice bread bin btw - we have the same one!

[schoolgaterebel]

Just change the tiles, it will make the world of difference.

[Saffronwblue]

I guess the wider context is that we have lived here for 18 years and have never had the gumption or the headspace to do anything about the kitchen. Suddenly I am desperate to change it.
Will think about tiles as the single act with the biggest impact. Cream? Square? Subway?

[5rivers7hills]

I'd retile in something more modern and paint the cupboards grey.

[girlywhirly]

As you have a stainless steel hob, you could think about putting a stainless steel splash back the same width as the hob behind it, this will be easy to clean. You could paint the rest of the tiles. If you want you could paint the cupboard doors and replace the handles with inexpensive metal ones. Freshen the walls with a coat of paint. It would be worth doing this if you are likely to be there another two years, as you would have the enjoyment of it; even worth it for one year. If a developer buys you might be able to remove the splash back and use it in your new home.

The truth is, you don't know for certain who will buy your house in the future; or when. Whether private buyer or developer, it will most likely be gutted and re done to their taste or current fashion. It's unlikely to be a first time buyer who needs a nice kitchen to last until they can afford to do it up.