What can I do with this kitchen?

[SpangledBoots]

About to complete on my first property purchase (aaaahhhhhh!!!!) so am planning out what I want to do in the next few months to make it feel like home for me.

It's a tenement property so is a bit rough around the edges but I love it and it's nothing a quick lick of paint won't sort in the short term. Except for the kitchen...

It's pretty grim. Not falling apart or anything but it's quite outdated and they seem to have painted the wall tiles red. It's in the recess corner of the living room so there's no avoiding looking at it. I'm hoping to replace the kitchen in the next 18 months but in the meantime, any suggestions on cheap-ish short term improvements I could make?

The colour scheme for the rest of the flat will be a simple white and grey to begin with.

The tiles are pretty horrific - have they been painted that colour, it looks as if the grout is the same colour? Consider repainting them.

Are you in a Scottish tenement? If so, they tend to be quite spacious. If this flat does have otherwise large rooms I would seriously think about reconfiguring the flat to re-site the kitchen in the long term.

You could paint the tiles white and the units light grey? Are they light wood at the moment?

Yeah, I'm planning to move the kitchen or at least open it into the hall rather than the living room. I really don't want a big kitchen.

Yep, looks like paint! I've never seen anything like that - and how could I cover such a vibrant colour?

Wilco sell tile primer and paint. I think it would look better if they were a different colour.
Depends how long it’s going to stay. You could also paint the cupboards. Can’t quite see what colour the units are from the pics. A different light fitting might also help

Paint the tiles, new knobs for the doors for sure, if you can new work tops too -that's what I'd change. The units themselves don't look too bad, the floor doesn't look great but not sure how much money you have or how easy it would be to change?
But with the tikes painted and new knobs it will look a lot better!

I would change the doors to white gloss- it'll bounce loads of light around, and retile with a very light tile. If you can redo the floor in a light but warm wood-effect vinyl (you may be able to get small amounts on ebay) it should look much better.

you could get that fablon stuff especially for kitchen doors. B&Q sell it. i used it to update the kitchen in my first flat and it made a huge difference.

You could try stripping the paint off the tiles or repaint them.

I wouldn’t invest in more than a pot of paint for the tiles if you’re looking to re-do the kitchen in just 18 months. Doing more could cost a few hundred if not a 1k+ so you might as well save up for the new kitchen sooner instead.

Agree with PP, I would paint the tiles and just live with it for a while. The more time/money you spend now, the more you've wasted when you redo it properly. Focus on the long term!

Hang a curtain rail over the door frame so you don't have to look at the tiles or get a door fitted?

Quick update - painted the tiles with granite grey ronseal tile paint. It's not amazing by any means but a huge improvement.

I'll be putting a washing machine where the fridge is (it STINKS) - if I can find one small enough! Which I'll hide behind a little grey curtain.

Going to grab some white and brass accessories and a big wooden chopping board to sit on the hob when it's not in use.

That's way better!!

That looks great! Good job!