Beautiful brand new kitchen...but not to our taste...

[OUB1974]

We are buying a house that is slightly more "done" than we would have hoped for. The majority of it is fairly neutral, but the kitchen is very trendy and dark grey, but not my cup of tea at all! It's nice quality and looks lovely and new and it seems quite wasteful to change it, as well as an unnecessary expense.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to make it more ours without spending a fortune? The doors are all dark grey, and floor pale grey and the splash back black and white patterned. I suppose my taste would be lighter and fresher, whites and pastel blue or turquoise. Possibly a light wood floor.

We did consider replacing just the top doors with lighter ones, would this look ok? I think to replace all of them would be too much.

We saw another house just before this one that had my dream kitchen! But this house is so much more perfect in every other way. I'm worried it's going to feel dark.

Totally random but how much you looking to sell it for

@withmycoffee

If you haven't moved in yet, you may find that once you add your colourful tea towels and accessories, it looks more to your taste.

^ This

I've been in my house for 4 weeks. It looks surprisingly better with my furniture in it vs the previous owners old crap

I spent a lot of time thinking about how to change the house before moving in, but realise a lot of it was wasted time/effort

Changing upper doors & possibly splashback sounds a good idea

I'd put up with it until it needs replacing. You'll get used to it and it is only part of your house. As long as everything works efficiently in the house, why worry? I expect you will want to change the decor in other rooms, that's quite natural.

In your shoes, I'd live with it for a while. Then, if you still don't like it, you can always paint the doors.

Live with it for a little bit, then change it completely.

Trying to repaint etc is going to be suboptimal. Just get the kitchen you want.

I agree that if you really don't like it after you've lived with it for a year or so, just replace it. If you go for cheap options like painting the doors or changing tiles, its going to cost money and still not be what you want.

I've just realised that I've given pretty much the same advice on several threads recently, particularly the one about the woman who wants the Mulberry handbag but was considering a cheaper alternative...

If you can afford the thing you really want, dont compromise on the slightly cheaper option that's not what you really want. Spending money to get something that is always a bit of a disappointment seems a bad choice compared to spending the full amount and getting what makes you happy.

Its fine to get a bargain, but only if it makes you as happy as the getting what you want / if you can't afford what you really want.

I have a sofa that was cheaper than the one I really wanted. I'll be replacing the sofa next year. I have always found it to be a disappointment. Get the thing you want.

I moved house 4 months ago; it also has a fairly new kitchen that wasn’t to my taste; I tried living with it and decided I really didn’t love it, so found a company that changed just the doors and handles (ironically to a dark navy blue!) for about £4K...new doors were MTM and it’s completely transformed it...I did like the tiles and worktops though.

@MargosKaftan

I agree that if you really don't like it after you've lived with it for a year or so, just replace it. If you go for cheap options like painting the doors or changing tiles, its going to cost money and still not be what you want.

Yes, and if you keep it in good condition you could probably sell it. Painted etc you probably won't.