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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask how old is too old when it comes to kitchens?

80 replies

Porcupineintherough · 10/03/2022 16:04

Warning: first world problem alert.

Please help me settle an argument with dh. We are the owners of a 1980s (maybe early 90s) kitchen. It is dated and getting a little tatty around the edges but still perfectly functional (years of life left in it according to dh).

I feel that we should save for a replacement and get it refitted in a year or two. He feels we should save but wait til bits start dropping off before replacing.

Does anyone else have a 30 year+ kitchen by choice? Will it ever give up the ghost? Admittedly I dont like it but replacement for replacements sake isnt generally my thing either.

OP posts:

EducatingArti · 10/03/2022 16:07

Depends on the quality of the kitchen build to start with I think, plus how well it has been looked after. There are lots of articles online about DIY people painting old kitchens. Is this an option for you.

MangyInseam · 10/03/2022 16:07

My kitchen is largely from the 30s though some bits have been replaced, appliances and such. I think the countertop.

However, it was made of solid wood so it is a lot more sturdy than many mass produced kitchens from the 90s.

I tend to be really against the whole idea that it is a good idea to replace a kitchen every 20 years. It's just so wasteful. But I do think it's quite difficult given the quality and prices now.

My inclination would be to try and replace it with something that will last, and do what you need to in order to save for that.

Chrissmasjammies · 10/03/2022 16:10

Mine is of a similar vintage. About 1990 and hardwood. We moved in in 2013 and painted it , added and island (just b and q units and work top) we also changed the sink, tap and worktops as well as changed handles, added towel rail and wall shelves etc. it has been fine but as you describe its tatty round the edges. The big issue is the layout. It’s all wrong and doesn’t make good use of what is a decent sized space. I am starting a 5 year savings plan to over haul it. By that stage it will be nearly 40 years old.

Hillarious · 10/03/2022 16:13

My kitchen is from the 90s, and has been reconfigured once - with a new work surface 15 years ago. The handles are starting to break, but apart from that it's perfectly functionable, and quite light and neutral. We will replace, but not just yet, as to do it properly will involve moving the boiler, doing a new lean-to outside, putting in a new cloakroom etc etc.

Splendididity · 10/03/2022 16:17

Nothing wrong with an old kitchen and some can be far better quality than new.
I have had one new ikea solid wood one in our old house which was fab. In my current house we have an original retro kitchen and its a bit dirty looking inside despite cleaning ,but the outside is really fab .

Original poster

Porcupineintherough · 10/03/2022 16:17

Hmm, I dont think it was hugely high quality to begin with but it sure is tough. The finish is some kind of plasticky wood so I dont think it would be easy to repaint. Best thing about it is the layout which is brilliant, I'd copy that down to the last cupboard if we did replace.

OP posts:

FantasticFebruary · 10/03/2022 16:19

Replacing them isn't as much fun as it sounds!

It's true that they 'don't make 'em like they used to!!' If the carcus are ok, I'd look at keeping it, IF you can make the layout work. New handles/ flooring/ tiling etc. doors painted or replaced.

PlantsAndSpaniels · 10/03/2022 16:45

My mum's kitchen was fitted when my brother was born, he turns 30 this year. The quality is far better to what you can buy nowadays and it was only b&q. She would love a new kitchen but doesn't cook enough to warrant spending thousands despite my other half being a kitchen fitter so he just fixes bits that break. Personally I wouldn't be waiting until it falls apart to start saving for a new one.

billycat321 · 10/03/2022 16:46

I have seen my 1986 MFI kitchen in two museums! I was quite happy with it but last year one of the wall units detached itself from the wall and fell with an almighty crash. Filled 2 buckets with broken glass and china. I thought of replacing it with shelves but noticed that the other wall unit wasn't looking too secure. So had units replaced but kept tiles, floor covering, sink and appliances. Hope these new units will last as long! But I will be 114 years old by then so not my problem

ComtesseDeSpair · 10/03/2022 16:48

If you can afford a replacement without hardship, replace it and have something you love.

I absolutely don’t see the point in “making do” with something which is tatty but functional, when you don’t really have to. You spend a significant proportion of your life in your home, and it should make you happy and feel like a wonderful place with surroundings you enjoy being in.

BeyondMyWits · 10/03/2022 16:53

Ours is a 1978/9 Magnet kitchen ... grey... has been fashionable 3 times now. Worktops need replacing and the "white" trim top and bottom. But looking at new kitchens, the wall units are not as deep so my big plates wouldn't fit... and after 28 years I've got everything exactly where it needs to be. So we might do a prettify rather than replace.

WishIwasElsa · 10/03/2022 17:20

Mine is early 90's if I wasn't planning to move in the next year or so i would look into replacing it but partly due to lack of cupboards.
I painted the cupboards with b&q paint myself and it went over laminated stuff ok. Prob not as good as a prof job though and got new handles so not as dated now.

eddiemairswife · 10/03/2022 17:22

I really couldn't care less about replacing the kitchen. The fridge, washing machine and cooker are newish and function well. The rest was here when we moved in in1975.

BulletTrain · 10/03/2022 17:30

My main issue with a kitchen is how clean it can be kept. If there's a load of worktops with wooden edging and stuff in the gaps, a heavily scratched sink and a rusty hob, I'm a replacer of those. I can't say I'm fussed on what the cupboards look like. We moved into and out of a house with a 1993 kitchen in the late 00s.

MurmuratingStarling · 10/03/2022 17:30

How long is a piece of string?

Depends how worn it gets/how much you use it/how much gets damaged ...

Ours is ten years old (was replaced in 2012,) and it's barely worn at all. Could easily be new.

Mummyratbag · 10/03/2022 17:34

Mine was the original put in with the house in 1975! It's awful, falling to pieces and chewed by the dog...we want to move the kitchen (extension) so will get a new one then. It's definitely too old and I will feel zero guilt in putting it in the skip when the time comes.

Blossomtoes · 10/03/2022 17:38

Ours is an MFI kitchen that was fitted in 2000. It’s definitely looking its age now. It was cheap and you can see that. We could just replace the hob and oven - both shagged now - but we’ve decided to go for it and have a completely new one. At least it will be a selling point for the house, hopefully even add value, when the time comes.

Papertyger · 10/03/2022 18:01

We did

We painted it to get a few more years out of it then want for a DIY company kitchen and love it

HappeeInParis · 10/03/2022 18:16

Could just replace the doors and work surface and keep the carcass. Much cheaper.

HirplesWithHaggis · 10/03/2022 18:24

I guess my kitchen was built in the 80's, from the style of it. Good quality and it's all in fair nick other than one set of drawers, where the bottom has fallen out of the middle one. The very thought of having the kitchen redone gives me the heebie jeebies, I had a new kitchen fitted in a previous house and the "two days" turned into a couple of weeks, with an apprentice still there at 10pm one night. I was raging, and the managing director thought a bunch of fucking flowers would be suitable compensation - there were three adults and three kids in the house and we had to get carry out food all that time!

Still traumatised and it was over 20 years ago.

whatisforteamum · 10/03/2022 18:46

Just did ours this week.late 80s kitchen with doors falling off in lockdown until no me a repairs could be done.
I'm tight with money and were on lowish incomes but enough was enough.
Living in a nice space lifts your mood too.

SalsaLove · 10/03/2022 18:48

Ours was 20 years old when we replaced it last year. We love the modern kitchen and it makes us happy. What will make you happy?

glacialseafoam · 10/03/2022 18:53

Depends if it bothers you and you want to change it or not, there’s no point spending thousands because you think you should when you’re happy as you are. Equally if youll really enjoy a new kitchen then it’s worth saving for. Our neighbors house floor to ceiling is exactly as it was built in the 70s. Doesn’t bother him, he’s happy and he’s the one living there so…

ClaudineClare · 10/03/2022 18:57

Mine is 40 this year. Hand made by previous owner and as solid as anything, but very tatty round the edges. I'm going to paint it then see how I feel. Like HirplesWithHaggis the thought of getting it replaced gives me the complete heebie jeebies. Maybe we'll move instead.

DodoData8 · 10/03/2022 18:59

1950s, badly needs replacing & not in good condition
Is on the to do list
Lived here 5 years, still debating

So yours could last longer - wink !

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