1980s kitchen

[halesie]

Hi, we have a purple 1980s kitchen which we would love to completely redo but we just don't have the money. Have been thinking about repainting the cupboards to try to make them look a bit less grim. Ideally would be white as the room is small and dark but the tiles are ancient and white(ish) so might look weird.

Do you have any suggestions on how to get rid of the streaky purple and for nice light colours we could try please?

And would it look better or weird if we painted the brown handle bits the same colour?

We can't have proper handles on the doors as there's a tight corner where we need to be able to open both drawers that go into the corner.

Thanks very much!

More pics inc worktop and tiles. It really is a beauty

I wouldn't go for white as it might make the tiles look grubby/off white.

What about pale green or pale blue?

Definitely paint the handles!

Have you considered changing the doors instead of re-painting? We did this a 12 years ago and the kitchen looked brand new- and still looks great. Slightly more expensive than re-painting them, but a much better finish and was really worth it.

From memory, we removed the doors, gave them to the company who measured them, and made doors the same size. I changed from a shaker style which constantly got filth in the groove, to flat ones. We had them coated in toughened door paint, and it hasn't peeled, chipped or dulled in any way.

Maybe there is an option to just buy the toughened, specialist paint and do yourself, if replacing is too pricey.

www.johnstonespaint.com/products/cupboard_paint

We painted ours in white with this paint.
Just gave the cupboards a good clean then, with a sponge roller, applied THIN coats with this. It took 3 thin coats but looks brilliant. Thick coats would have been quicker but it drips if put on too thickly. DM (mid 60’s) had done her dark brown cupboard doors with it and I was so impressed I did ours, it only took 3/4 of a tin.

Not sure how it would be on the handles, you might have to leave them but against the white might look ok.

@Elouera thank you so much for that suggestion! We really hate our kitchen but can't afford a new one and I HATE the grooves in the doors plus the thought of painting them - this is the perfect solution Don't know why I didn't think of it. Would you mind giving a ball park figure for how much it cost you please?

@LifeInAHamsterWheel- It was 12yrs ago we replaced the doors, so I really have no idea what they cost at the time, sorry.

Oh sorry in my excitement I missed that point in your post! Not to worry I'll make some enquires tomorrow.

Hi, thank you all so much for replying.

We had been thinking about replacing doors and worktop but think that would prob be at least a few hundred quid and we're trying not to spend due to everything going on at the moment - it's more trying to make the awful bits of the house look slightly less awful [in case one or both of us lose our jobs and we have to sell].

Will take a look at all the suggestions, thanks v much again

Tbh I'd either go for some of that vinyl roll you peel off and stick on in either a white (and tape off/paint handles), or a wood effect to match the flooring/work top and leave the handles as are, or a marble effect. I'd regrout or use grout whitener on the tiles (we redid bathroom and kitchen for £20, and the difference is massive). Or use a grey grout to draw the eye from the appliqué tiles/border, and paint the handles grey to match. Failing buying new cupboards if you measure up and keep your eyes peeled on Gumtree there's sometimes kitchen doors for sale (when people are doing a refit) and the prices can be very reasonable.

Wilko do the vinyl door wrap I believe, as well as obviously online. I did my grim 70s wood effect kitchen units with it about 15yrs ago. It lasted for 3yrs till the kitchen was refitted and actually looked quite effective by comparison to how they did originally. The plus side to the wraps is you can throw plenty of wipe down cleaning at them vs paint which chips and fades. Plus your doors look like mdf board with a vinyl applique anyway... Which will be a bugger to paint and get a nice finish! (IMHO).

I have used Wilko furniture paint in a satin finish in the light grey colour, sorry can't remember the name. It was great to use and is fairing well. They are similar doors and the handles blend well in the same colour. I would say if you have some money to spend concentrate on putting it towards tiles and worktop. Tiling isn't tricky and worktop is also cheaper than you think. I shopped around and got a really modern decent mixer tap which really added to the look for £20.
You can do lots on a budget!

Thanks lala and food, will check them out