AIBU to ask how I can improve my kitchen, with a photo.

[Figaro88]

The photo is not my actual kitchen but it is the same units and work top. 12 months ago I moved into a 2017 new build HA house before I come across as being ungrateful I am not, I am very thankful for a permanent roof over my families heads. A couple of the dc friends parents have made comments when collecting their dc from play dates/parties of "oh you live in one of the HA houses then" but only after being in the kitchen, I am now a bit self conscious about it. It has to be the kitchen as the houses all look identical from the outside. So how can I stop it screaming HA when people come into the kitchen? I am wondering if it is the anti slip plastic floor tiles like in supermarkets or the lack of cooker hood, really wish their comments didn't bother me. The tile behind the cooking area goes up to the top of the upper units. I have a 6ft 5inch long window in the kitchen as well so we get a lot of natural light coming in and the kitchen is just a kitchen dinning room is seperate so it is 3.5m×3.5m.

I agree that fablon on surfaces and units tends to look pretty awful! But then it might just be that I haven’t seen any done well.

Fablon/sticky back plastic is also awful if you happen to snag it at all so you would have to be so super careful if you are using it on a work surface!

Congrats on your lovely home
btw Op.

Next time the friends parents come to pick up, leave them on the doorstep to wait outside!

Oh good God. Whatever you do, just don’t use fablon or sticky back plastic on the work surfaces. Apart from the fact it looks cheap and horrible it’s certainly not heat proof or durable.

The cupboards and worktops are perfectly fine - there's a chance that in trying to "improve" them you'll make them look a bit crap. I second tile stickers - they are cheap and easy and will add some personality to the room - the only real issue I think is that the kitchen has no personality, it's clearly been chosen to be as cost-effective and inoffensive as possible.

Yes congratulations on your new home! Ignore your so called friends. How rude are they?

I was however going to suggest plants on windowsill or herbs on glass shelves across window and hanging some pans from ceiling hooks if you want to make changes for yourself!

Leave the worktops and the units as they are.

Change the tiles to something less functional.

Repaint the walls in a naice colours.

Change the handles on the cupboards.

I guarantee you, it will be transformed for very little cost, without wrecking any of the surfaces.

I’ve got the same kitchen (also HA) . New Lino, a bright blind, plants on the window sill and some pics on the wall and I’m pretty happy with it as it is. I’d go for accessories and flooring before tryIng anything more serious. Also agree fablon not great a s always looks like something from an old Blue Peter project.

Do the flooring, but don't touch the cabinets or work surfaces. Spend the money instead on some fancy kitchen gadgets - a food processor or nice coffee machine (but not the type that takes pods). Nice plant in the kitchen too.

Forgot pic.

I would definitely get the trim for the units, that will make a big difference. Tile the floor, look online for tiles rather than any of the big tile shops, we got our floor tiles online for a third of the price of the same ones in Topps Tiles. Paint the walls, nice blind, pots of herbs on the windowsill, pictures.

if you can't paint the cupboards and it will look bad after a few months if you use fablon
I second other suggestions, paint walls, change door handles but to same size so use same holes, tile stickers maybe but choose a colour orange / lime green / dark red ( chrome won't look so good with the wood)and get some good accessories so it all kind of matches not matchy-matchy so tea/coffee/ sugar blends with fruit bowl, toaster and kettle, towels coordinate with blind, even things like a funky washing up brush

And going against most people, I would change the worktop, doesn’t have to be expensive if you get from B&Q or somewhere, but get it properly fitted with properly cut joints so it doesn’t have horrid strips across. That will make a big difference

I am very jealous of your life tenancy. You are very lucky. Don’t change the kitchen. Change your accessories regularly. With a lovely neutral kitchen like yours, you can stay on trend without spending a fortune. True friends don’t care about your kitchen. When you’ve accessorised the space, bake a cake, make a cup of tea and stand and admire.

Don’t think I’ve been to a HA home so any comment there, however something does seem quite basic from the photo. It sort of reminds me of university halls. I think it’s the colour palette and the basic units/decor.

Definitely get some new flooring. I’m also HA and saving up for kitchen floor so it’s not those grey tiles. I prioritised carpets over that when I moved in but it drives me mad now.

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I think it looks like a nice neutral, solid kitchen. If the worktop is dark charcoal grey I'd use grey tile transfers on the tiles, you can get loads of styles on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay.

I'd then choose a charcoal blind or curtains and add some colour using accessories. I would not try to change the worktop or cupboard doors. If you're going to change anything with paint then change the wall colour.

You could have a washable or indoor/outdoor rug on the floor.

I think some of the suggestions around taking off cupboard doors and painting/sticking things to the cupboards and worktops will make it look worse. There is nothing wrong with the fitted kitchen you have.

I agree with pp that changing the flooring and painting walls, adding some nice kitchen accessories will make the difference to how the kitchen is presented. I use Instagram and get ideas from the home accounts on there- amazing what some people do with accessories, usually bought quite cheaply to make their kitchen look fab.

Also please don’t let other parents judging you and looking down on you make you feel down. If your home is clean and your children are looked after then you should be proud of your self.

Would washable carpet tiles be an idea? You can move them around ( and are warmer under foot!). Some pots of herbs on the window sill in decent pots look good and are useful in cooking as well. I've got tarragon, mint and parsley at the moment , and a thyme I am trying out indoors.
Agree - change the handles and maybe the trimming but steer clear of fablon and playing with work surfaces. Colourful blind would be good as well.
Oh and the visitors are just ignorant!!! Enjoy your house.

Thank you all for being so kind, these people are not my friends they were dc friends parents. Don't want to be to outting as not sure how many places there are like this in the UK but we live in a man made village with its own school for residents, doctors and a few shops. All the houses are built by the builder owned by our housing assoiation and 80% were sold privately. I am very lucky to live here I know that.
The kitchen tiles aren't terrible I have attached a photo they are not the same as the ones in the internet image I borrowed to show the units. We were given a £350 B&Q voucher to decorate with when we signed our life tenancy so I will use that towards the kitchen floor, paint, unit trim and maybe a cooker hood with chimney.
@RhodaChrosite your kitchen looks lovely and homely!

Are the plug sockets the same as in the picture? Replacing them with stainless steel ones might make it look nicer and is a relatively cheap change.

And I would change the wall tiles. It can be done fairly cheaply or even just put transfers on so they are a little more interesting.

Sorry didn't see the updated pic. Those tiles aren't too bad and I'd definitely just leave them. I think with £350 you could have a wonderful looking kitchen!

Yes the plug sockets are the same, red switches for the cooker and all.

I'm going to have a look in B&Q now as can't use the voucher online, or at least I don't think you can.