Aibu to want to replace this kitchen now

[Cantinao]

Hi, DH and I have just moved into our new house- it’s somewhere we plan to stay until the kids have flown the nest, lovely house but a bit dated.

The kitchen is solid and functional but I don’t like it. It must be 20 years old. To replace it would mean that we would have to borrow more which dh is dead set against doing. He thinks that we just live with it for a few years.

i’ve attached a couple of pics. Not showing the whole room in case someone identifies me!!

could you live with this?

How do you paint those laminated style units? I understand painting solid wood but a lot of dated kitchens have that plastic laminate sort of feel to them.

We think it was probably fitted in 2005 based on some documents we have found

I get it. I'd probably want to replace it too. However, I think it's a mistake to do it now. Spend a bit more time getting used to the house. You'll have a much better idea of what works and what doesn't. You'll do a better just of renovating if you wait.

I'd be surprised if painting it worked out well tbh.

@gapattachment what do you know about other people's savings/money?
If I wanted to change my kitchen tomorrow I could afford it easily,
You might not but able to I've no idea as your money is your business and mine is my business

My kitchen is over 30 years old - I have painted the kitchen units - looks acceptable!

I would embrace the dark and paint the walls to match. Make sure there's plenty of warm under-cupboard lighting. Change the handles for something sleek. Get a fancy, shiny tap and maybe the extractor as someone suggested. I could make it last another 10 years then. At least.

It's eerily similar to a kitchen I had inherited in a flat once. I was really quite fond of it in the end and I was actually given quite a few compliments on it! And that was only 4 years ago.
But it was in a boxy 80's build, it would have been more difficult to make it work in a period property.

You could get that wrapped, check out this Facebook page and find similar in your area. So reasonable and would transform that to something great that would do for the time you're there

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064811586532

Plus it's no mess and faff with paint, finish would be 100x better too.

Cabinet styles really don't change that much, it's just the colours/finishes that change. Your slab style kitchen doors are very modern. You just need to paint them and change the handles. Even natural wood is still very on trend, it's just that this is a wood effect that looks cheap. Would look brilliant painted though. It would be easy to re-create any of these looks below (thank you elle decoration Best kitchen design ideas - inspiration gallery (elledecoration.co.uk)) We have serious problems with over consumption and it's threatening the future of species. The more we can make do and mend on elements of our houses that have already required lots of resources and carbon the better for all of us! This is the way professionals are heading in terms of refuse, reduce, reuse etc....

You can buy a primer. There are companies that do all of this as a professional spray job.

@Cantinao it'd s good size kitchen
How long have you been there roughly
( Are you having a knee jerk reaction to it? I knew mine wasn't staying and had a plan of action, unlike when I ripped a cupboard out upstairs that I should have given a bit more thought too!)
Personally I don't get the love for navy kitchens and an island but it's very popular.
In my opinion kitchens and bathrooms matter , we did our kitchen first and it's great, but nothing unchangeable or super expensive to remedy.
Did the bathrooms next - love them
But in my haste I should have thought about bringing the electrics up to date and a rejig of some of the power points.
I've also had the windows done twice ( first company F U massively)

Live with a while. (Though agree with the kitchen paint- it will improve the space as will be a colour you have chosen). Get used to the space. You may find there are layout/storage issues that you'd want to fix. If you do the kitchen straight away you may end up regretting elements of the design; especially as you are planning on being there for the long term

You could easily just change all the doors and handles for not too much money.
There are also people who professionally paint them.

I would love your kitchen! Honestly, I don't get this idea that your kitchen must be "trendy" and replaced every few years. Mine is an original 70s kitchen, painted I hasten to add, but that's all.

People banging on about the cost of living and yet insisting they must have a new kitchen? Madness.

Thanks guys. I know this is a first world problem, but my heart sinks whenever I walk in there

Looks amazing!

We wrap or pain and a new worktop. Good as new. Replace when you can afford it.

Didn't you have a bar experience with Magnet recently?

@ForGreyKoala totally agree- no wonder people are skint- there's nothing wrong with it

OP I'm with you - I'd want to replace too.
However - I can't recommend Frenchic alfresco paint enough! It's completely transformed my kitchen from a horrible birch colour. I changed the handles too.

This has been done about 4 years now and I'm getting bored, so time for another change.

Cost wise, the paint was about £30 for 2 tins. The handles cost the most!

Can't seem to add pics but I'll see if I can fix it...

Old-fashioned??!! Try living in an 80s oak kitchen with those fruit tiles and stupid cream countertops for 9 years (our last rental). I hated it so much when we moved in but you stop seeing it after a while.Do some cosmetic changes for now. Reserve getting into debt for an unexpected boiler issue or roofing problem, which presumably you would struggle to afford right now. Save up and plan for the kitchen you want but make sure it’s not trendy or you’ll be wanting it redone again in a few years!

It's exactly the same as my kitchen, that I inherited when I moved in. Even down to the door/drawer handles! I hated it as well, so gave it a face lift. Maybe thays sonething you do could do with yours? The door and drawer fronts look much nicer painted.

I sugar soaped, lightly sanded, primed and painted the lot. Replaced the handles too. I also, replaced my wall tiles. It took a long time to do the job properly, but it was a lockdown project. You can hire a specialist company to repaint your cupboards, if you don't fancy doing it yourself.

I love my kitchen now, and visitors always compliment and say what a lovely room it is. I'm not in a hurry to have a new kitchen anymore, and I'm more than happy to keep it a few more years.

I think I managed it!

Frenchic paint - before and after.

@Peachy2005 I have 80s tiles in my kitchen. I have lived here coming up for 30 years and I actually cannot remember what's on them.
Now I have to get up from the sofa and have a look. I think they might be some grassy stuff. They are beige.
[gets up]
Dear lord, they are terrible. There are 8 in total, in random places and there are 3 different designs of random, country/farm cooking stuff.

I had an insurance claim a couple of years ago which paid for re-doing the ceiling (would you like us to redo the artex madam....errr no thanks) and the walls, which are now a more modern blue/green.