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Original poster

What to do with my kitchen? (Pictures included)

117 replies

AnonymousArmadillo · 20/02/2021 09:40

I’ve name changed for this as I’m posting pictures of my actual kitchen and want to keep my normal username.

I’d love to redo our kitchen completely but I don’t think we’ll have the money any time soon. These pictures were taken before we moved in and the walls are white now.

We’re hoping to move in the next few years as we’re in a 3 bed and would like a third child. I love our house for so many reasons. It has a lot of redeeming features: good sized bedrooms, separate large dining room, big garden, popular area, two brand new bathrooms fitted last summer...

Would this kitchen put you off? If you’ve just redone your kitchen, how much did it cost?

What to do with my kitchen? (Pictures included)
What to do with my kitchen? (Pictures included)
What to do with my kitchen? (Pictures included)
OP posts:
Thread gallery
16
Original poster
AnonymousArmadillo · 20/02/2021 10:37

@PotsofPaint

Here's an example from Facebook of someone's painted cupboards and tiles and the worktop covered to look new.
I like that. I worry mine wouldn’t look as good as that.
OP posts:
Original poster
AnonymousArmadillo · 20/02/2021 10:38

I’m really pleased that people are saying it wouldn’t put them off completely. I honestly thought people would say it was too awful.

OP posts:
Puffykins · 20/02/2021 10:39

I love the green tiles. I would paint the cabinets an emerald green gloss, change all taps/ handles for brass, put some plants/ herbs on the side somewhere in nice pots, and if you can retile the floor with (cheap) patterned tiles - like the Topps Tiles Star ones - do that, else put down a rag rug on the floor.

Africa2go · 20/02/2021 10:40

OP have a look at a FB group called Frenchic - lots of awful kitchens transformed with paint.

I think the 90s look comes from all the details - so that cut away end at the left hand side of your first pic - I would get rid of that and / or replace with a plain cupboard. I would also lose the single wall unit you have on the left hand side of the window - makes it look dark.

I agree that I would leave the tiles, but I would paint the units. If you're not up to it, there are companies that will come in and spray paint it for you - for a fraction of the price of a new kitchen. I also think the white sink & work top are dated, those can be replaced quite cheaply.

Having said all that, its worth doing the numbers. A new kitchen from somewhere like DIY Kitchens might be cheaper than you think, especially if you and your H are DIY savvy and can do tiling / decorating.

PurpleBiro21 · 20/02/2021 10:43

@TheThreeHeadedBeast

Sorry if this sounds rude. But the kitchen would not put me off at all, because it is horrible, I would be completely justified in replacing the kitchen with one I liked. When looking recently, I disliked most of the places with new kitchens as it was never to my taste and they were always grey.
I’m currently house hunting and can agree with every word of this!

Plus I quite like the green tiles. Dated, clashes with the brown IMO but I like colour.

Original poster
AnonymousArmadillo · 20/02/2021 10:43

I would also lose the single wall unit you have on the left hand side of the window - makes it look dark.

I would if I could. It’s got the boiler in it.

OP posts:
Thecazelets · 20/02/2021 10:43

I wouldn't paint it or mess about with it. It is what it is - a perfectly functional 1990s kitchen in good condition. Not a looker but not awful either. I would be far more put off by 'made over' painted cupboards and stuck on/painted tiles.

Original poster
AnonymousArmadillo · 20/02/2021 10:44

Having said all that, its worth doing the numbers. A new kitchen from somewhere like DIY Kitchens might be cheaper than you think, especially if you and your H are DIY savvy and can do tiling / decorating.

We are not at all DIY savvy. DH likes to think he is but often makes it worse and more needs fixing. Could rope my dad in though.

OP posts:
Whatsnewpussyhat · 20/02/2021 10:45

Could you remove the fancy trim from the top and bottom of the wall cupboards without damaging the carcasses?

Original poster
AnonymousArmadillo · 20/02/2021 10:46

@Whatsnewpussyhat

Could you remove the fancy trim from the top and bottom of the wall cupboards without damaging the carcasses?
I have no idea. It’s something to look into though.
OP posts:
DavidsSchitt · 20/02/2021 10:47

"I love the green tiles. I would paint the cabinets an emerald green gloss, change all taps/ handles for brass, put some plants/ herbs on the side somewhere in nice pots, and if you can retile the floor with (cheap) patterned tiles - like the Topps Tiles Star ones - do that, else put down a rag rug on the floor."

Wow, please don't do that Confused sounds revolting.

Honestly OP, don't mess with it at all. I find it more worrying when people try to cover up issues.

I've walked away from houses with painted tiles and painted radiators. It just makes me think they're the type of people to mask problems rather than fix or replace.

Original poster
AnonymousArmadillo · 20/02/2021 10:50

I've walked away from houses with painted tiles and painted radiators. It just makes me think they're the type of people to mask problems rather than fix or replace.

We’ve gone around and fixed a huge amount of shoddy work in this house. We said very early on that we reckon they got Jim round the corner to do everything and not very well. We’ve paid a lot to redo it all properly.

OP posts:
Thecazelets · 20/02/2021 10:50

I've walked away from houses with painted tiles and painted radiators. It just makes me think they're the type of people to mask problems rather than fix or replace

I agree. Would make me worry about the state of the roof/boiler/plumbing etc - is it all held together with sellotape and No More Nails?

kindlyensure · 20/02/2021 10:53

I think it's fine. If you can live with it for the few years before you sell I wouldn't change it because it's like a good basic template that shows how much storage and cupboard space you can fit in.

Kitchens are so personal and an obvious thing that new owners like to change, so chances are someone will just re-do what you have done anyway.

That said, if you re-do it to your spec you might love it so much it will give the house a new lease of life and you won't want to move. That will be a cheaper option in the long run! (Since the other things about the house sound perfect).

Love it or List it...!

Seatime · 20/02/2021 10:55

I'd leave it. Painting tiles and cupboards can cheapen the finish. The quality looks good, l wouldn't mess with that. I get it's a bit dated and the tiles are dark, but l think the tiles look better than if they were painted which look like a cheaply done DIY studenty look, same goes for cupboards.

Original poster
AnonymousArmadillo · 20/02/2021 10:56

That said, if you re-do it to your spec you might love it so much it will give the house a new lease of life and you won't want to move. That will be a cheaper option in the long run! (Since the other things about the house sound perfect).

Would happily stay here but we really would like DC3 at some point. Not for a couple of years but not as big an age gap as between DC1 and 2 (7 years).

OP posts:
NotMeNoNo · 20/02/2021 11:04

You could refresh it by taking it back to carcases if they are in good condition

  • new cupboard doors and trims, white slab or something simple
  • reorganise by adding interior fittings/ drawers in a stack/pan drawers and full height doors .
  • possibly a new sink and definitely a new tap.
  • re tile walls if you still want to .
Don't touch appliances, plumbing or worktops. That would be a substantial update but could be under £1000 materials if you shop smart.
TheJunctionBaby · 20/02/2021 11:05

if you are staying for a few more years then maybe just update the cupboard doors and lose some of the wall cabinets (if you can afford to lose the storage) as it feels very dark and a bit top heavy. I think the tiles would look nice with white cupboards as they'd stand out nicely and look more modern. But with that yellowy pine they do look rather dated.

Bubbles1st · 20/02/2021 11:08

Estate agents always told
Me that a kitchen would not put off a buyer, kitchens are very personal, so even if you update it, might make it more attractive but ultimately won't affect the saleability of it or the value unless you spend fortune on it in terms of modern built in appliances- but then why spend it in the first place.

Honeyroar · 20/02/2021 11:09

I hate the tiles. They make it look dark. Personally I’d get someone in to change the tiles (I’ve painted them before and they don’t look good for long!) and I’d paint the doors white. You’d feel like you had a new kitchen for the remaining time in your house and it’s be neutral to sell. I’ve painted kitchen units myself with paint from B&Q and I’m no DIY expert.

NotMeNoNo · 20/02/2021 11:11

I agree with PPs though, there are worse kitchens out there.

CandidaAlbicans2 · 20/02/2021 11:25

Unless you're going to redo the kitchen for you to enjoy then leave it well alone. Kitchens are such personal taste that you could spend £££ or ££££ changing it only for the new version to be unappealing to buyers, or that buyers simply rip it out. Although it's not my taste it wouldn't put me off as I like a project and to stamp my tastes onto a property. In fact the revolting kitchens in my first 2 homes were a bonus as I could install what I loved, and I'm planning a new one where I live now. As PPs have said, it's easier to justify ripping out an old kitchen than a new one.

Price wise, it's hard to say. My first 2 projects were many years ago and were in the region of £5000 all in, but the latest will probably be nearer £10,000. All were/are total gutting and start again jobs, back to bare plaster, with changing the electrics and plumbing too.

CassandraCross · 20/02/2021 11:26

Please don't paint the tiles it always looks naff and would put people off. It's not a kitchen that would set the world alight but it is perfectly functional and not offensive, it doesn't have to be ripped out immediately. Buyers will be able to live with it quite happily whilst they decide how they want to change it.

You say you love the house and the area and sound reluctant to move apart from wanting an extra bedroom, is there any way you can extend the house to achieve what you want?

DavidsSchitt · 20/02/2021 11:29

"We’ve gone around and fixed a huge amount of shoddy work in this house. We said very early on that we reckon they got Jim round the corner to do everything and not very well. We’ve paid a lot to redo it all properly."

Exactly. So don't make it look like you haven't by painting tiles and cupboards.

LubaLuca · 20/02/2021 11:34

I would leave it. It wouldn't put me off buying your house at all, as long as the price reflected the fact that there are parts that need updating. It would appeal to me more as it is, ready to be replaced, than with a sparkling new kitchen in that I also didn't like but would be too tight to replace.

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