Creative ideas on how to change this kitchen?

[Frazzled252]

We’ve bought a not-new newbuild, and absolutely hate the kitchen. It’s pretty much brand new so is a shame to change fully but it’s so vile that I can’t live with it.
Do any lovely creative mumsnetters have any ideas on how to make it less vile on the cheap?
Thanks so much in advance x

Paint/vinyl or change cabinet doors. Or paint/vinyl the tiles, something to give colour and personality-it is very very white. Couple of runner rugs. Shelf, plants/photo frames up to the left of the sink. Great size with lots of storage.
Have a look on Pinterest for inspo.

Are you able too add some more pictures - i tried zooming in and it went a bit blurry

What colour is the units and what do the handles look like? What worktop material is it and what is the colour?

What you will need is texture and contrast - everything is currently too smooth and merges into one other than the floor

What is it you dont like? I can't see that it's vile if it's brand new and completely neutral. Not your taste, maybe, but not vile.

Have you actually identified what it is you don't like about it? what have you liked about previous kitchens, or others you have seen?

It needs some stuff to feel more homely.
the easiest fix would be to buy some new cupboard doors. most units are standard size so it is only the fixings you need to be concerned about.

Difficult to tell on the space. would you fit a small freestanding island or small table in the middle?

What sort of kitchen do you prefer? Could sell this kitchen and get a new one? I wouldn’t like this kitchen either to be honest. It’s too stark.

The easy fix is to paint the walls a bright colour. Then maybe buy some statement kitchen appliances in a similar/contrasting colour.

Then use it for a bit and see how you feel about it. Kitchens look very different when they are lived in. See how you get on with the worksurface, for example. If you decide you hate it in actual use, you could significantly change the look of the kitchen when you put in something more to your liking.

The only thing I wouldn't like would be the brown floor. Maybe black floor tiles? And a bit of colour and some nice lights.

Get rid of the wall units. They make it look v dated. Change the splashback. Paint the walls a darker colour. Of the floor really is as grey as it looks change that too.
Then plants, rugs, something on the wall. Open c shelves.

What don't you like?

Id put some volour on the walls, ideally replaced the floor, but maybe just some rugs.

Bits on the counter - toaster, kettle etc to break it up a bit. Blinds on the windows - just needs some stuff to soften it up a bit.

It's bland, but is it really vile? I think we need to know what the problem areas are for you, in order to give decent recommendations.

What is it about the room you dislike? I personally don’t like the dark floor or the vaste space in the middle. Nor the plain walls. I’d replace the flooring, paint the walls a neutral colour, add some pictures and buy a table or island for the middle.
these suggestions won’t be to everyone’s taste though, depending on what you dislike. Chat GPT has been fab for us remodelling our home. Put the pic in there, tell it what you don’t like and ask it to remodel it for you.

This. I’d replace the cabinet doors for a dark colour, change the worktop, replace the flooring and paint the walls a rich colour — but do say what you specifically dislike.

I think if you don’t like a modern kitchen it’s going to be a problem to make it less so.

White kitchens are a bit meh. You could buy new doors and side panels to change it completely. I can’t see the worktop, is it grey quartz?

Splashbacks looks dated, change to tiles.

It looks like the flooring runs through to the other rooms. It also looks plastic. You could change it for real wood and something a more up to date colour, oak is nice.

Then add plants, pictures etc.

I’d put a big island

ok not perfect and just quickly through chat gpt but you can soften the kitchen. I dislike your existing units too but they can be made to look better with accessories and lighting

Paint the walls a colour definitely.
Replace worktops.
Change radiator to a tall feature one.

Cheap improvements might be: paint the walls and skirting / doorframe. Tiles instead of the perspex splashback or use one of those stick-on films that you can get for glass, there are some that look a bit like tiles. Remove the two wall-cupboards on the left and replace with wooden shelves or hooks for pans. Coloured kettle, toaster, fruit bowl etc on the counter. Pictures up beside the window. Replace Venetian blind with a fabric Roman blind.

I agree with PPs that the wall cabinets are dating it, remove them and replace with open wooden shelving. Remove the shiny backsplash and replace with tiles. Add plants and colourful utensil holders, nice mugs etc to the open shelves to soften it all. Get a boho style linen blind or curtains for the window. Add a rug.

if you have more budget, change the door and drawer fronts for something softer - slimline shaker farmhouse type style is all over everywhere at the moment.

if you have even more budget change the flooring for a warmer lighter wood tone.

have attached a couple of pictures from Pinterest

Thanks for replies everyone
I’ll add more pics
we don’t like the splashback but it matches the worktop which is quartz so we’ll probably keep that.
I like shaker style kitchens so plan for now is to change doors as some have suggested but I dread to think how much it will cost.
Does anyone know what they do about integrated appliances the fridge and dishwasher would have to be changed also which I’m not sure how they will do?
I agree the floors are too dark and awful but the floor is throughout the hallway etc so changing it is gonna be extremely costly.
Have no idea why anyone would choose that kitchen or floor on purpose unless they were hoping to not sell the house.

I’ll include some pics - any “for now” tips appreciated I think we will have to wait a while before changing the floors etc due to cost :(

Thankyou this is amazing. I have no creativity at all I wish I did!

Thanks have added a few more pics below

Omg this is amazing. Is this just chat GPT? The floor is so much better but the cabinets still look so vile. I hate them so much 😭😭😭😭. I don’t have the money to replace the doors but think I’m going to have to. Has anyone had their doors replaced, what’s a rough idea of cost? I’m scared to get a quote in case they do a super hard sell

Thanks I was thinking to paint the cabinets dark navy blue but think with the dark floors it may close up the space? The floor is so horrible. And it’s everywhere :(

Thank you. The issue is the flooring is everywhere so will look odd if just the kitchen is different. Its gonna cost a lot I think to get the whole thing done

You can easily estimate the cost of replacement doors. Just take the measurements of the existing doors and find the same size in a style you like somewhere like B+Q for prices. However, you’d still need side panels for the ends of cupboards plus any infills / drawer fronts etc. I’d say at least £150 per door.