How can I modernise/update this kitchen? (Pics attached)

[Mavan1984]

Hi everyone,

We moved into a new build 10 years ago and this is the kitchen we inherited. Please see attached pics (excuse the mess!)

The kitchen cabinets are a walnut colour which I actually quite like and the doors and hinges etc are all in good condition.

The things I don't like are the flooring, the white tiles at the back (I know you can't see in the pics but the grouting has all gone yellow) and the worktops.

I want to modernise the kitchen because I'm really bored of it. I only have about £1k to spend but not sure where to start and what to spend it on? I would love some ideas and inspiration plz.

Also I possibly want to add more storage into the narrow space next to the dishwasher on the right but I know I won't be able to get matching cupboards.

Please note that we may be moving in the next few years so I don't want to spend a crazy amount of money.

Thanks in advance.

Would you consider painting the top cabinet doors? Then you could achieve this kind of look. If the worktops are just laminate you can get them wrapped with a marble look vinyl. Then new flooring could be wood or tile.

I would paint the doors and change the handles which will make a huge difference.
Find better ways to store hand towel and oven gloves to make it look a it simpler and maybe add a roman blind or a bamboo blind - mount it above the window to make it seem taller?
I cant really see the area next the d/w, can you add another pic?

On your budget I would leave the floor (add a washable rug?) and clean or renew the grout.
And yes maybe have the worktop wrapped in a lighter colour.

The pics @AcceptingTherapy have posted are lovely. Light coloured work top and painting the top cupboards would make a huge difference.

I would change the cupboard doors if it is in your budget, that'd transform the kitchen

First of all have a serious declutter. Then - radical suggestion - would it be possible to remove the top cupboards altogether and replace them with open shelves? They would need to be used for attractive things in regular use - china, mugs, glass - to avoid dust but could be transformative.
Agree re washable rug for the floor.

Do you use Instagram? An account called mishkashoe has done some really impressive kitchen refreshes on a budget.

1)Wrap or replace the worktop for a lighter colour (white or beige). Bleach floor tile grout or regrout. Add a couple kf green leafy plants to windowsill. Get rid of the blue stuff hanging off cupboard doors and the carpet square in front of the sink. Buy some good slippers if the floor is cold.
Check instagram for some other easy cosmetic ideas.

See how that looks. If not enough,

2. paint top cupboards a lighter colour. Don't replace top cupboards with open shelves. It massively reduces your storage space and looks messy unless immaculate. Plus stuff will get greasy-dusty.

You don't need to commit to changing the cupboard doors yet. You'll be amazed at the difference a light worktop makes.

Are you keeping the carpet in the adjoining space?

Re storage in space next to dishwasher - what is going on in the bit of the photo we can't see? You don't need to get a matching unit, it could be a standalone dresser or cupboard in a colour to match the worktop or tone towards the rest of the room

Agree with pp. My contribution is to suspend a trailing plant from the ceiling close to the window to avoid taking up precious counter space.

I agree that the worktops being a light colour will transform the look.

I would also paint the walls and ceiling a more sympathetic white or even a different colour altogether. It’s very stark against the walnut and stainless steel. Overall your colours
are not very harmonious - you could easily make a huge improvement with paint, a rug, different tea towels etc

Im a big fan of open shelving but wouldn’t do it here because they are too near the cooker.

Probably just whiten the grout but you could paint the tiles if you are prepared to do a really careful job.

space by the dishwasher - depends what you want to use the space for.

You can buy tile paint which would change the look for just pounds diy.

I would also consider painting the doors lighter or change the worktop/wrap it as it's very dark (I prefer dark work tops but with the dark wood they don't work)

Wrap/paint cupboard doors and counter tops.

Open shelves would look really nice on the wall where the dishwasher is.

Stick on tiles under the cupboards will give it a fresh look. There are some really nice ones out there

whats on the walk next to the fridge? Could
you possibly add some more open shelves?

Get a white grout pen to freshen up the yellow grout or use tile paint, it doesn't have to be a dramatic change, I've just painted the pale grey tiles in the utility to "clotted cream" and they look so much better.

I'd start by clearing everything away and having a sort through of dishes/ pans etc to have just what I need so I know how much storage for them I actually need. Then I would paint the top cupboards a light colour, add a shelf above the counter next to the fridge to put out pretty things and plants.
Only have the minimum out on counters and not store pans on top of the stove.

Change the counter tops to something lighter and make the floor uniform in the whole from with a good laminate- looks like you have a different flooring at the edge of the kitchen spaces.

Good point re proximity of shelves to cooker!

Paint the cupboards, add a bamboo blind, and a lovely washable rug.

Some lighting under the cupboards, a nice blind and some plants would freshen things up without spending very much.

I'd think carefully about painting cupboards. Painted kitchen units are shit imo and get tatty, fast.

You can usually get big enough lengths of new worktop to avoid an unnecessary join, cheap enough. If its the worktop you hate the most, I'd replace that.

Agree with accepting therapy earlier lighten the colour of top units and wrap the lower.Your kitchen will be transformed.Don't have open shelving unless you are are obsessive cleaner.I have only 1small open shelve area to display casserole dishes and am constantly re cleaning them to keep grease and dust at bay.

Radical declutter and get all that stuff off the counters – free.

Grout pen on the tiles – £5-10.

Wrap the worktops in marble sticky back plastic, I’ve done this and it actually works and looks good for a few years – £20-40 depending on how much counter.

Leaves you plenty of spare in your budget to change the floor and buy a freestanding something for next to the dishwasher, but you may find if you do the other things you don’t need to do the floor or need the extra storage. Get rid of the grey thing on the floor, personally I’d paint the cupboards to lighten it up. A bold yellow or green, like Babouche (F&B) or Citrine (LG) and less stuff everywhere, done.

OK thanks for all the ideas everyone, this will be my next project which i plan to complete before xmas. I'll post some pics when its complete. One thing i really wanted to ask - does my kitchen actually look very dated?

White tiles with grey grout is a good look, would be an easy refresh?

My kitchen is just like this too so reading with interest. Do you self wrap cupboards/ worktop. I'd love a lighter worktop in mine. Sorry to hijack

The floor is dating your kitchen the most at the moment I think.