What would you do in this kitchen? (pic attached)

[blacktilesbegone]

We inherited this kitchen when we moved a couple of years ago. It's about 12 years old and in great nick so I'd feel bad ripping it out, plus we could really use the money elsewhere!

As username suggests I hate the black tiles with a passion and neither am I keen on the modern gloss doors, but I suspect new tiles might distract from this, as well as maybe new handles? We are putting down an oak floor.

Usual style is quite farmhouse - I like lots of white paired with warm, natural textures. Have been thinking of a light brick tile (travertine perhaps) but not white as I think that would clash with the cabinets. I'm a bit stuck about the tops of the cabinets and think maybe I should put baskets or crates up there along with some greenery?

Yes it’s not good, I’m sorry. I think I’d change the handles, they are very dominant and have it retiled. The tops of the cabinets look unfinished, like part of the frame is missing.

Change tiles, worktops and handles if you're happy with layout.
Think you can get doors sprayed but no idea if that'd be worth it financially.

I really like it but those tiles are sucking the light away so definitely change those to something lighter. I would leave the tops of the cupboard clutter free and maybe just freshen up the paint. Not keen on the wall shelf (spice rack?) so I'd remove that unless you're really short on space.

How can you put down an oak floor without removing the base units? I agree the top of the cabinets hasn’t been finished off. Honestly I’d just leave it all until you have the money to do it all properly. It’s a small kitchen so at least shouldn’t be too expensive!

I know its hideous Am usually quite good at fixing stuff like this but it's defeated me somewhat... although in fairness it doesn't photograph well and looks slightly less hideous in reality (bit like myself).

What kind of handles? I'm good at tiles but crap at handles! Would gold / brass / copper look really naff?

If we have the money left over, I was thinking of a white composite sink and yes perhaps a new worktop. I don't want to faff about with the doors too much as think the costs will outweigh the benefits, but I've been thinking about painting the wooden bits as I think they are part of the reason it looks so dated.

We've fitted floors around existing units in previous properties so wasn't aware this was an issue? Planning to buy more flooring than we need so when we eventually change the kitchen we can patch it in (have friends who have done this) but probably not necessary as any new kitchen will be exactly the same layout.

Personally I would save for a new kitchen and live with it as it is. It's a waste of time and money giving it a makeover.

Like a previous poster I’d be inclined to leave it until you’re ready to redo the whole thing. You could spend a fortune tarting this one up and still not love it so I’d say channel the money into putting in a new kitchen you love when the time is right (have learnt this from your experience of spending ten years trying to make changes to a kitchen I didn’t like and now it’s re modelled I hate thinking about the money we wasted over the years)

Years of not your experience

Should be able to redo the floor just by removing the plinths.

It isn't difficult to change the cupboard doors, as long as you have standard sized ones. You could reuse the old hinges, so would just need to pay for the doors and handles. You could maybe add a cornice at the same time to same time to look more finished. Not personally a fan of having stuff on top of the cupboards - maybe some plants, if you must?

If you got some new tiles, new floor and new cupboard fronts you would pretty much have a new kitchen for the fraction of the price of a new kitchen.
If you are basically happy with the layout

Changing the tiles would make a huge difference. I would do that (or paint them) and then live with it until you can afford to replace

I think if you painted the edging of the cupboards and the spice rack white that would make a big difference.

Most I'd do is paint the tiles. Then just live with it until ready to redo in full.

Thanks for the ideas - I think I will just re-tile for now and live with it until we can afford to replace, but will paint the edgings if they end up clashing with the new floor. For various convoluted reasons the floor has to go down imminently as it affects other work we're doing so hopefully that will give it a lift as well. As stated above, I'm happy with the layout and prefer having a smaller kitchen so that's never been an issue so that won't change even when the dream kitchen eventually goes in.

Somewhat controversially I love the spice rack as it will remain a permanent fixture

I would paint the oak looking filler pieces white and then paint the tiles and/or add tile stickers to make it look better.

Agree with painting the edges.
Tiles, cheap enough if you do it yourself, it's the labour that makes it expensive.
You can also get tile stickers that would see you over until you got a whole new kitchen.

If it was mine I'd save like mad so that I could afford to change the doors to a farmhouse or Quaker style and get a butler's sink, then it would look like a country kitchen - but then I'm an old fogey and that is my style. There's loads of inspiration to be found in interiors magazines, Pinterest, etc. Enjoy yourself looking through those.

When I moved here my kitchen had flat, cream glossy doors, metal handles and an awful black 'pretend marble' worktop and I changed all of them as soon as I could afford it. It's much nicer now - if I could double it in size it'd be perfect. I like your spice rack too.

I wonder if it's been re-doored already as you can see the wooden strips between. You could get a quote for replacing with painted Shaker doors, trims to top and bottom of cupboards and painting the remaining bits to match. Then your metro tiles and it will look a million dollars.

I was going to suggest the same as pretty teapots. I’d change the doors and retile. Chances are they are just b and q / IKEA / howdens and you’ll just be able to screw on new doors.

Husk
Naked doors and super front spring to mind. Or you can probably just get new style ones from the same shop that will fit the same units.

If budget doesn’t allow tiles and handles will make a huge difference

The tiles and the oak filler pieces are the worst offenders gives it an 80s look.

Get the oak fillers the same colour as the doors will make a massive difference.

I know people that have painted over tiles very successfully.

I agree with those who say its really not that bad and wait until you can doit how you want it. Can you clock the tiles with a splash back for now, just for a quick brighten up?

I’d also paint the insets, great idea. I’d also change the handles to very thin copper ones

shopkitchensonline.co.uk/product/slimline-handles-brushed-copper/

I’d then retile with tiles with a small amount of copper in. Would make it much more coherent and modern looking, as well as more expensive.

www.zazzle.co.uk/trendy_rich_copper_patina_metallic_tile-227987260705014246?rf=238177132459588309&tc=EAIaIQobChMI6Lump6X_9QIVU-R3Ch1A6gFLEAsYBiABEgLSofD_BwE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=uk_shopping_gbp_home_2&utm_term=&ca_chid=2001810&ca_source=gaw&ca_ace=&ca_nw=g&ca_dev=c&ca_pl=&ca_pos=&ca_cid=571877511324&ca_agid=128848259417&ca_caid=15528779662&ca_adid=571877511324&ca_kwt=&ca_mt=&ca_fid=&ca_tid=pla-1521671034943&ca_lp=1006661&ca_li=&ca_devm=&ca_plt=&gncclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6Lump6X_9QIVU-R3Ch1A6gFLEAsYBiABEgLSofD_BwE

The other option which is all over TikTok is covering the doors and work surfaces with fablon to change the look!

There's nothing wrong with it.

Get a couple of plants.

If you are going to do a big job, then for now you can paint the tiles a light colour and change the worktop to a lighter colour. That won’t cost that much and would make a huge difference. All the best.