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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Hate my new kitchen - help me salvage it!

126 replies

Truckingalong · 30/01/2016 08:42

Gloss grey doors (film still on so it looks dull), bleached wood counter. It looked fantastic in my minds eye but looks dated and boring in reality. Still to be done - replace mangy old fridge, remove wooden trim the builders stuck on (loathe them - trim, not builders!) and paint the cream bits that are showing from the original carcass.

I wasn't going to have tiles but I think it needs something to lift it a bit. Any suggestions, before I make it all worse?! Thoughts on any of theses tiles?

Hate my new kitchen - help me salvage it!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

orangina · 30/01/2016 18:54

What about a mirrored splash back? You need very good lighting too…..

orangina · 30/01/2016 18:54

Like this:

Pipistrella · 30/01/2016 18:59

I think Delia Dawn's suggestion is beautiful

It's just so pretty. I think the grey needs to be put next to a bright, colourful pattern - no pastels, God forbid pale green.

You need to Ikea-fy it. Something like that pattern would be great behind a clear glass splashback, if you can do that?

If not, keep it very plain - white tiles, or quite dark ones - maybe some sort of iridescent effect? Like oily, rainbowy colours. I think shiny would be good.

Pipistrella · 30/01/2016 19:03

This is nicer.

Original poster

Truckingalong · 30/01/2016 19:15

Just can't justify ripping any of it out. It's all brand new in.

Defo don't like mirrored splash back or having a darker worktop. I like the pale, neutral, bleached look. Im gonna get wallpaper samples in different colours to see what kind of colours work and some tile samples.

OP posts:

Pipistrella · 30/01/2016 19:31

I really like your worktop, I think it's lovely. You do risk it looking boring if you have everything the same tone - I mean the same range on the dark-light continuum.

But go with what you like and I'm sure you can pull it off.

Hufflepuffin · 30/01/2016 19:54

What about these www.tilesandbathroomsonline.co.uk/v-a-omar-decor-multicolour-15-2-x-15-2cm/

MNHQ

DawnMumsnet · 30/01/2016 20:06

Hello again, are we all still here?

Just stopping by with another idea for you, Trucking. How about geometric tiles like this? I thought there were tiles on the floor too in these pics, but it's actually a cool rug.

I like the look of the brickwork in your pic, but wouldn't it be a bugger to keep clean?

ps Pipi, the Delia name was for One Night Only .

Bearbehind · 30/01/2016 20:21

The bits that put me off are the surrounds/ corners/ edges that are a different colour plus the older fridge- it looks very dated against the new units.

Is there anything you can do with them?

Bearbehind · 30/01/2016 20:23

Ignore me- I'm guessing you mean the bits I mentioned by the 'builders trim' (completely missed the bit about the fridge).

Handles and tiles, whatever you choose, will make a massive difference.

Original poster

Truckingalong · 30/01/2016 20:32

Dawnsmum - the brickwork is wallpaper! I'm going to grab a sample of it and see if it looks ridiculous!

Bear - the cream bits are the old carcass showing through. They're being painted grey to blend in. The builders trim are extra wooded bits that have been added on to the bottom of the doors. They're coming off - hate them!

OP posts:

Original poster

Truckingalong · 30/01/2016 20:36

I kinda like that Dawnsmum. Not sure if id do it but I do like it. I like the rug too!

OP posts:

Bearbehind · 30/01/2016 20:38

Sorry, I RTFT properly after I posted

I do think those thing will make a massive difference once done. My honest thoughts were those bits looked nicotine stained!

I'd sort those bits then decide on tiles.

Original poster

Truckingalong · 30/01/2016 21:18

I know what you mean about them looking nicotine stained. They're defo not. The place was immaculate when I bought it - just dated.

Thank you so much everyone for your input. I really appreciate it. You've given me loads to think about and I'll update with pics once it's finished!

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eandh · 30/01/2016 21:24

Def think you need colour of some sort look forward to seeing photos! (I hated my new kitchen till the floor and tiles were fitted ) but when blinds and accessories went in I loved it x

Kr1stina · 30/01/2016 21:35

Do NOT rip out the brand new units , unless you have money to burn . They fine , you just need to work out what to do next . Of course it doesn't look good, it's not finished yet . Don't be discouraged .

First thing I would do is buy stick on strip lights from IKEA and put then under and on top of the wall units .

Then Go on Pinterest and collect lots of photos of similar kitchens you like . Then analyse the common themes . I think you can get away with pattern or a bold colour in such a small space , as long as it's well lit .

Original poster

Truckingalong · 30/01/2016 21:38

Your kitchen looks lovely E and H.

Defo won't be ripping out - can't afford to do that and it would be such a waste too and I'm too tight!!!

OP posts:

Devora · 30/01/2016 21:47

I think you're panicking, and so it would be safest not to put on any tiles at all right now. Why not paint it - try out different colours and see what works? Then you can try to match the colour to tiles. But the wrong tiles will be an expensive mistake, and you might be getting too addled for calm choices.

Etak15 · 30/01/2016 21:51

The problem with the sink is easily fixed the drainer needs to be on the other side - you may be able to just turn the existing one around but of course the worktop has been cut around it now. But the hole for the sink would be in the same place but the drainer at the other side. Are you sure that is not a builder bodge up? Are they working off a plan? Why is the cupboard above the sink different to the rest of the cupboards? I think the look of the units and worktop are nice if designed and installed differently would look great.

3point14159265359 · 30/01/2016 21:59

If the kitchen's as small as it looks I'm guessing sink/drainer is that way round so there's some accessible work top.

eandh · 30/01/2016 22:06

My brother is kitchen designer and fitter he knew it would look great at the end, I couldn't see it when it was half finished! We have lighting under our cupboards (colour changing lighting with a little remote!) it was £28 on eBay and fitted it myself and that's a fab idea that someone else has mentioned and good way to add more light in there

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 30/01/2016 22:08

I like your kitchen, or at least I will do once the units are all painted in together.

I wouldn't go for a tiled splashback at all and especially not metro or Moroccan tiles. I like both, but they'll date and the space is small,, so easily overwhelmed and both are everywhere to be fair. I looked at the Moroccan ones about 18 months ago, think they were from Tons of Tiles and I've still got samples somewhere.

I'd go for a thin marble or granite effect. This company seem to do similar
www.kagglass.co.uk/gallery/
I don't know them from Adam, it's just an idea. Not the painted glass coloured splashbacks, something more neutral. There are loads of options if you Google.
It's so hard to suggest without seeing the overall plan, where the windows and doors are etc. but it's not a lost cause at all.

Original poster

Truckingalong · 30/01/2016 22:15

No window in there - it's tiny!

OP posts:

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 31/01/2016 09:47

I'd honestly be starting with light reflecting paint, wouldn't rush into anything.

Toraleistripe · 31/01/2016 10:12

Ranch....tell me more about this lighting. Can you link to it? Was it easy to fit? Did you have to wire it in? Or just plug in?

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