I hate my kitchen but it cost a lot of £££

[RightMoveAlong]

Namechanged.

I had a new kitchen fitted around 18 years ago and it cost over £20K in total. New boiler at the same time (in kitchen), built in fridge, granite worktops, solid light-wood kitchen installed by an upmarket company.

I was never happy with the worktops (glittery black) but DP wanted them and I gave in.

It's so dark. The room faces north so I need the lights on all day as the window is small. The black worktops don't help.

It's very dated now because everyone is going for white or pastel painted units.

I don't know what to do , if anything.

We may move at some point and I guess buyers would know it was a quality kitchen even if not their taste and rip it out.

I can't bring myself to re-new it even though the money is there, as it seems such a waste. The property is worth around £650-£700K.

Would it be possible to sell it 2nd hand or get something for parts of it?

You can sell them second hand but I wouldn’t have thought you’d get a lot for it. You could replace worktops only if that’s the main problem?

no need to renew if you are moving, you've no idea what buyers will or won't want. It is indeed a waste to replace if things are functional. you'll get peanuts for it second hand.

I think I would look into changing the worktops and painting the cupboards if you’re happy with the bones of the kitchen itself

You could paint the units and even replace worktop. Also add extra lighting
Could you maybe post a photo and it would be easier to make suggestions.

@Changeismyname

I think I would look into changing the worktops and painting the cupboards if you’re happy with the bones of the kitchen itself

Agree with this, it will look totally different

Yes same as PP, would say change the worktop, any backsplash you have plus repaint - would prob make it feel really different

Also handles - you could replace those

Can we see?

You might be able to get new more modern worktops fitted- maybe a white recycled plastic composite? They look good. What about the flooring?

What about the lighting- can you get some under cupboard down lights retro fitted discretely?
Also some big plants and clever styling can make a space look so much better.

If they are solid wood then paint your units. I’d get a professional painter in rather than do it myself.

You can get the cupboards painted (spray painted even), change the worktops or even have the covered over in quartz or the like and replace the handles and pulls. Throw in some new lighting - maybe more if the kitchen is north facing and there's not much natural light - and maybe even a change of colour on the walls. If the kitchen has good bones, a refresh shouldn't cost too much and would vastly improve how you feel about it

When it’s feasible, pay a professional to paint it for you or have just the doors/worktops replaced. The base units would be pretty much the same whatever you replaced it with.

Agree with getting a company in to spray paint the units and changing the work top for a light coloured quartz. Black granite is very dated now but you could try selling it on a local FB site / Ebay if it can be removed without breaking.

If you plan on staying there I'd get a skylight if possible. Change of worktops, new paint, new handles.

As others have said, could you change the worktops. This is what I did to update my kitchen and changed the handles on the cupboards. Just doing these couple of things made such a big difference and it looked fresher and modern.

You've NC to share photos presumably?

Well if you think about it it’s 20k over nearly 20 years so I think for £1k a year you’ve had your moneys worth I’d rip it out and put it for sale - someone will buy it - and get something new.

I assume the actual cupboards are in good condition without back's coming off or broken drawer runners?
Also the layout works well?

If so you can re-cover worktops- don't go for a cheap laminate it will just look cheap. How about this:

www.dreamdoors.co.uk/worktops-sinks/kitchen-worktops/quartz-overlay-worktops

Lots of lighter colours.

Also painted cupboard doors are difficult to get right and can chip easily- better to either change the doors or the have them wrapped in vinyl or professionally sprayed.

www.kitchenfaceliftcompany.co.uk/vinyl-wrapping.html

New tiles or splash backs, new door handles to complete the look.

It won't be free, but a whole lot less than a new kitchen!

I have not used these companies and am only showing them for ideas btw!

I just think that’s a dated kitchen now. If you’ve put up with it all these years fact it’s so old means good time to change. Is it still in tip top condition after 18 years.

Up to you - definitely worth considering a re-spray, but that’s probably £1500-2k; new worktops would also be £3k+, so for that kind of facelift it would probably cost £5k. Worth doing if the kitchen is still in good condition and the layout works for you. But 18 years is the stage at which I would start to consider a new kitchen - probably appliances are coming to the end of their life etc. Worth talking to some companies, considering a range of options.

Can you install a bigger window? This might mean you lose wall cupboards but would improve the overall ambiance.

I had an East facing kitchen. We had the same dilemma. Our house is large and we put the kitchen in a better position but still facing north and east. However a big glass roof makes it light and spacious. Is there any other way you can get more natural light in?

If you are staying, get a new kitchen. If you are selling, leave it. New buyer would do their own thing!

18 years ago? I think you've had your money's worth.

18 years?? Or months??

There are companies that can change the colours of the units, or you could change the worktop.

But you could change the worktops and have the units painted for not very much hassle - or am I missing something?

We've just bought a house that had a top of the line £££ kitchen installed 3 years ago and has barely been used. I don't like it (it's light gloss cupboards with black handles, same worktops as yours OP - black and sparkly. Splash back is black, tiles are also black and white).
It's a waste to rip it out (and an expense we don't need) so we've changed the handles, splash back, tiles and worktop. It looks loads lighter and, while not what I would have chosen, it much nicer.

If you have solid wooden cupboard doors I would paint them (unfortunately not an option here).