How would you 'refresh' this 90s style kitchen?

[Colourgreen]

I can't afford to properly renew or replace the kitchen, so I've been looking at cupboard and worktop paints (and wondering about tiles...).

Can anyone suggest some nice colourways to repaint in? And do you know where to get better, less dated door handles?

Thanks for any advice and thoughts!

That’s the exact same kitchen in the house we are buying. Only it has awful pinkish tiles.

1. I’m painting the cupboards, but after seeing friends experiences, I’m using. actual farrow abs ball. friends who used that have had a much better finish, no chipping years on. I’m usually a tight arse and get F&B colours mixed cheaper for walls, but I’m not messing with doors.

2. I’m changing the work surface (the one there is old and chipped) and while at it, I am removing all the tiles and going for a worktop with a matching upstand rather than putting new tiles on. Cooker has a stainless steel splash back.

3. Going to change the handles, not decided yet.

I'm retiling now... I was put off replacing the worktop as a tradesperson said it would cost a fortune because of the boiler unit in one side which would have to be unbuilt There's quite a lot of worktop as it's a long galley kitchen with worktop running on both sides. I thought I might try to cover it?

I've bought some Rustoleum chalky paint and have Zinsser primer for the cupboards. Looked for mini velour rollers in Homebase but could only find Deco Home one for £11 which seemed a bit steep.

If you find a source of nice handles do share, AB, as I'm stumped about which to get.

It looks so
Much better without the lumpy tiles! I reckon you might not even feel the need to paint the cupboards once the new tiles are up!

Paint it cream or ivory

You can tile over the top of existing tiles.

I used Fablon to cover my worktops and tiles. Gloss white marble effect. I thought it would look a bit tacky but actually it looks brilliant and has lifted the whole room. I got the wider width rolls from B and Q, spent about £60 on Fablon plus £3 on the fitting kit.

The only snag is where I'm constantly making cups of tea by the kettle, I should have used coasters more consistently because the finish is starting to rub off. The hot water spills are responsible I think! IIRC Fablon is not suitable for temperatures over 60C.

I've left the doors as they are (wood) and might replace the handles eventually. I've heard Amazon or Ebay are good for door handles.

Sorry I think the brand I used was dc fix!

Good luck with the tiles OP!

I think it's ok as well!

Get it wrapped ?

Following this thread. Mine was a new build 14 years ago and someone had already picked the tiles
What lovely colour did they pick? Beige
It's so bland it offends me. The actual cabinets etc are perfect still

Thanks Bimbley! The kitchen is covered in dust now so hope it'll look much better in the end!

I'd take beige over fake terracotta, green and beige combined NotMyCat! Your kitchen does look much cleaner and lighter than mine. Same era though, with those bow handles and rounded edges.

Thanks for the tip about chalky paint Handsoff. I'll take it back to Wilko as I haven't opened it. Which satin paint is best? I'm doing white cupboards.

DC Fix is the brand I've seen. Glad it's held up not badly apart from a little staining, Merry. I think I'll do that on the worktops as a temporary measure.

I'm halfway through the tiling on one side and found that my cutter couldn't neatly enough do odd shapes to get around the sockets, so I had to pause and I'm picking up a diamond blade cutter from Gumtree this morning.

Might need to redo some tiles with better cutting... Lots of gadgets needed for this job!

This has been helpful for me also. I have cream tiles and creamworktops but appear relatively new but wooden cupboards. Ill probs sand and paint (navy or black as not sure what other colours would suit). Hoping it lasts me a few years until I save up for new kitchen or sell.

What is wrong with the handles, they look perfectly fine to me - I must be out of touch.

@NotMyCat

Following this thread. Mine was a new build 14 years ago and someone had already picked the tiles What lovely colour did they pick? Beige It's so bland it offends me. The actual cabinets etc are perfect still

Oh I think I have these exact tiles in my new build flat, and I hate them too - especially as they are paired with a horribly ugly worktop that is kind of fake striped wood, but not like isn't meant to look like real wood, just horrid. Like this, but looks much more artificial in real life: StripedWorktop

I'd like to cover it with one of those worktops that go overtop, or take it out and replace it with something else, but I think the tiles would need to go as well. There are kind of cream coloured cupboards which are probably OK on their own with different tiles/worktop. So I'll be interested to see what people on this thread end up doing.

You know you can buy acrylic sheets of tiles that just gloss over the top of the existing? Not expensive either:

www.recosurfaces.com/shop/

I'm putting this in instead of tile so when in ten years time I fancy a change I can just pull it off and change it. The sheet I'm looking at is £73 for a 2.4m length.

Gosh in hindsight that would've been good, AlanThePig. I've finished the cutting and adhering and it's taken ages... My head is buzzing from the power tools! I think I need to wait another 24 hours before grouting. Is that right, anyone who's done it before?

Going to take the paint back shortly so need to buy a good white cabinet paint (not chalky this time). Any recommendations?

I know the type you mean SCMocha. I have an aversion to anything 'pretendy' and so much in kitchen deco seems so proudly fake. I don't get it

@Colourgreen I think you would have struggled with it because of the texture on your tiles. Might be useful for someone else though.

Looking good!

Thanks Handsoff. Yes we have every possible diy centre and a decorators' centre within a couple of miles. Do they sell something in particular?

For anyone who was following this thread... the tiles are finally done! I've bought new handles, one of which can be seen on the far right cupboard, and I have V33 cupboard paint in white to do next. Bracing myself for that!