Come and be brutally honest about my kitchen

[Namechangeforakitchen]

Hi. We moved into our house 8years ago and the builders put us under huge pressure to get the kitchen fitted. Consequently feel I rushed the choice of kitchen and I’ve never really loved it. I think the tiles (shiny tiles) and doors are dated. I would love a contemporary Shaker style kitchen with wooden parquet floors but obviously can’t afford to put a whole new kitchen in.
We are about to change things with our mortgage which means we’ll have some spare cash to update the kitchen but I don’t want to rush things this time!
I’ve attached some photos of the kitchen this morning and thought I would ask you all to be brutally honest and give me advice on how you would update the kitchen. I’m thinking new floor, new table and breakfast bar stools, new lighting above the island??? What do you think?

I think it looks really modern, and absolutely fine. But if you want to make it look a bit less "shiny" then I'd go for oak flooring, and an oak table. Maybe change the lighting too.

I love it! Could maybe do with a bit of colour, some plants or fresh flowers too

The only thing I’d change would be the lighting above the Island/ breakfast bar. Something with more of a shade, hung lower, maybe slight industrial feel. Then see what you think. Personally I’m not keen on those lights, but think the rest is lovely.

Looks gorgeous to me. I can only dream of a kitchen like that 😍

Another one who loves it. Agree with pp that the only thing I'd change would be the lighting.

I see what you mean about the shiny floor tiles / these must be impractical. A Matt floor would be best - karndean or tiles.

The rest of the kitchen is great

It's very modern, clean lines, it's fine if at the moment a little bland. I wouldn't go for an island or telly but that's personal taste.

I agree with pp it could do with some plants, making more of all the light you have. Bright colours would bring some life too.

Its lovely!

Where is all your crap

I would get some colour in there and change the lights.

Looks absolutely fine to me!

I love a minimalist kitchen - mine is very similar to yours + shedloads of clutter and general crap strewn about which rather makes the minimalist look a bit pointless

But I digress - you could consider keeping your kitchen layout and the cupboard carcasses while changing the doors to shaker style ones and changing the work tops.

I would say statement lights, lower down, new bar stools, Oak Karndean floor and new blinds would make the world of difference.

Thanks everyone. So I’m on the right track with new flooring and lights above the island? We spend most of our time in the kitchen/family room off the kitchen and I think I’m just sick of it!
I saw this photo of a new kitchen recently and loved it.

You need some colour as well.

Ivegot ha ha! All my crap is in my very messy drawers and tambour units on my worktops.

It lacks a little imagination but is very sellable, agree the floor isn’t great. The wood would give it warmth. Looks good to keep clean (apart from floor) !

I think that light wood waxed (not polished) floors would make a huge difference.

I utterly love it. I have serious kitchen envy 😩. Your kitchen is much nicer than the other one you posted.

So if I went for an oak floor what style of table do you think would be nice? I’ve currently got an oak table and oak sideboard while the island has dark walnut at the sides. The stools are cherry wood so loads of different wood colours going on at the moment...

I'd def lay a dark-wood Karndean floor - it can go right over the horrible shiny tiles if you just pour the latex/bonding over them.

What is going on with the windows? Is that a sort of pelmet thing? Get rid - nice clean lines. maybe coloured blinds. I'd get some colour in there as well - it's a bit bland; bit show-house.

I love it! I'd just change the lighting above the island and maybe get blinds that add a pop of colour!

Sadie thank you! Think I forget how nice it is as I’m so sick of it.

OP those shiny floors you've currently got, are exactly what i'm planning on changing my kitchen floor to when the times comes. That's the kind of flooring i'd like to wake up to each day. Currently we have black , they're awful. I don't like the dark wooden flooring you posted but light wood would look quite homey and warm.

ps. can we have your tiles?

Elsie the blinds are rolled up while the dog is in the garden. Yes it’s a pelmet there I thought plain roller blinds would be too cold and clinical. What style of blinds would be nice do you think? The patio doors are big and the middle two doors open on to the outer doors so not sure what kind of blinds would suit and be practical.