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Cheap kitchen makeover

23 replies

Gingerish · 28/12/2021 19:56

Please can I have some recommendations on how to improve this kitchen on the cheap while we save for an extension/new kitchen? So something bearable for the next few years. It's darker than it looks on the pictures and I prefer brighter/fresher colours. The worktop is stainless steel.

Cheap kitchen makeover
Cheap kitchen makeover
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Isseywith3witchycats · 28/12/2021 20:56

sanding down and painting the cupboards a light colour will brighten it up without costing a fortune with more modern handles

Volterra · 28/12/2021 21:02

I agree with above post. Paint cabinet doors plus knew handles. Get microwave shelf down , paint walls and new blind and it will look very different.

Gingerish · 28/12/2021 21:08

Thanks @Isseywith3witchycats and @Volterra really helpful.

Do you think I should change the stainless steel worktop and the lino flooring?

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Gingerish · 28/12/2021 21:09

I also don't like the under counter fridge. I don't like bending down to see what's inside plus my 2 year old will be rooting through it at every opportunity! Not really sure how I could change that easily though.

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WinterWeather1 · 28/12/2021 21:11

Frenchic paint will be your best friend! Minimal prep and very easy to apply. There is a great Facebook page called the Frenchic Fan Forum and you can see loads of kitchen make overs on there that people have done on a budget. I think it can be used to paint tiles as well.
You can vinyl wrap the worktops to give them a new lease of life too.

ItsMeantToBe · 28/12/2021 21:12

Agree with previous posters. Look up Frenchic kitchen transformations on Instagram or Pinterest. It's really easy to do.

LittleGungHo · 28/12/2021 21:39

Check out the Facebook page DIY on a budget, you will see lots of ideas.
You can get Kitchen Cabinet paint from Wilko (good reviews). I personally would leave the floor and worktop.

Tittie · 28/12/2021 22:14

What's your budget?

We painted our cupboards, tiled the floor and walls, and the main expense was a new worktop - and it was the worktop that transformed the room. But just painting the cupboards a lighter colour made such a massive difference, that alone could be enough with the stainless steel worktops you have.

We tried painting the tiles and it was awful, I wouldn't recommend that 🤦‍♀️

We used Rustoleum kitchen cupboard paint and we're happy with it. You can order samples direct for £1 I think.

We got rid of our under counter fridge and freezer, replaced them with cupboards, because of the kids rifling through them! I can't tell from the photo whether you could easily and cheaply change that layout - would it be possible to put the dishwasher where the fridge is? And put a new fridge freezer where the microwave/dishwasher (?) is now?

Meredusoleil · 28/12/2021 22:18

How about changing the cupboard doors rather than repainting the existing ones?

Decorhate · 28/12/2021 22:29

I’d definitely paint the cupboard doors. You could do one or two a night after kids have gone to bed (if you have kids). I like stainless steel worktops so would leave those.

The tiles are not too bad, at least they are neutral.

I would change the flooring too if you can afford that. Vinyl tiles are quite easy to lay yourself.

Volterra · 29/12/2021 06:33

I’m not sure i’d Use Frenchic as have read people saying that they are quite hot on removing negative posts from their forum and Have read people I’m other places say it didn’t wear well for them. I’d clean well, lightly sand ad wipe, 2 coats of Zinsser Bin, lightly sanding and wiping in between then a Johnson’s or Benjamin Moore paint mixed to whatever colour you want.

A lot of work but can be done in stages and will be worth it and agree with Decoratehate about the floor, have a look on FB Marketplace and Gumtree to see if anything going cheap there.

mayblossominapril · 29/12/2021 06:39

I wouldn’t paint the doors I would buy new ones instead. You can buy doors anywhere. Builders merchants, b&q.
Change the floor to a lighter Lino and repaint the walls.
I’ve looked at a few houses to buy this year (almost got one) and some had painted kitchens and it really put me off.

Volterra · 29/12/2021 06:43

Having said that as you aren’t looking to have it long term Frenchic will probably be fine and I may be being very unfair about it . I think the kitchen will scrub up really well for not much money and the stainless steel worktops and tiles will look good with everything else painted.

Undertheoldlindentree · 29/12/2021 06:55

How about just painting the cupboard fronts in a light flat grey? Then a similar tone to replace the yellow on the walls. Change the blind and tablecloth for a light and matching design.

Once that's done, stand back and think about whether the tiles and flooring can be lived with. I've never seen a convincing tile makeover, so for me, the next upgrade would be the floor. But only if it's worn...not just for cosmetic reasons. Vinyls are really good now and not much upheaval for you. We had ours replaced years ago and it was just a case of two carpet-fitters coming in, removing the cupboard plinths, removing the old vinyl and laying the new, plus the plinths going back. IIRC, was less than half a day.

Gingerish · 29/12/2021 11:22

I know I could Google, but is vinyl the same as lino?

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BrieAndChilli · 29/12/2021 11:25

Paint the doors/cupboards etc and get some sticky vinyls tiles for the floor. We have put some in our bathroom as a temporary measure until we can afford a refit and it looks good. Made a massive difference to the room.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 29/12/2021 11:53

Changing the doors is not as easy as it sounds and depends on whether you have standard sizes still available and most importantly hinges that line up. We did change doors on a previous kitchen and had new worktops put in. We had to redrill for hinge holes in the carcass. One of the screws lined up but the other did not.

The easier option is to paint. I am reserved about Frenchic just because they never allow anyone to leave a negative review. If people could do that then it could just well be user error and they could be told how to fix the issue. Instead I would clean them, lightly sand, Zinsser BIN primer then paint. Just try one door or one drawer front first, don't do the whole kitchen, see how that first one goes.

Depending on how long term your saving goal is and your budget I would look at the cost of replacing or shortening the worktop above the fridge, remove the cabinet above (although I cannot tell if it is one large cabinet with double doors or not) and put in a taller fridge or fridge freezer there. Any joiner would be able to reduce that double cabinet down to a single or if you are good at diy you could attempt it. After all this is just a temporary measure.

If you know how kitchens are installed then it makes it easier to tackle removing a cupboard, and yes, we did exactly what I suggested, removed an upper cabinet for the same fridge reason. The best tool ever for DIY is the multi-tool with different blades for cutting through screws that have lost their heads or nails. www.screwfix.com/p/mac-allister-msmt300qc-300w-electric-multi-tool-220-240v/617gf like this.

I should say that I do install my own bathrooms, tile floors/walls so maybe I over estimate ability or experience in others. Flooring wise, LVT (luxury vinyl tile, well plank) is a great and easy DIY option for kitchen floors. Clicks together like laminate but is vinyl and waterproof.

Lots of helpful videos on YouTube to cover all sorts of these things.

haba · 29/12/2021 11:54

Look on appartment therapy for before and after pictures- your cabinets are exactly the type people on there always seem to have. Loads of ideas (or Pinterest, as lots of people pin the apartment Therapy pictures!). Your doors are v definitely paintable, don't replace them!

haba · 29/12/2021 11:57

And you can get tile 'sticker' things that would cover those dark wall tiles too. Places like Dunelm have them. That would lighten it up loads. It won't be top-notch quality, but it can look nice, and will last a few years.

noworklifebalance · 29/12/2021 12:35

We painted the cabinets, changed the handles and changed the tiles (cheap plain ones) and it totally transformed our kitchen.

Gingerish · 29/12/2021 12:37

@noworklifebalance would you have any before and after pictures you would he willing to share? I'd love to see the transformation

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noworklifebalance · 29/12/2021 12:43

@Gingerish - I will see if I can find some to DM you. I won’t post it on here as it’ll be outing

Gingerish · 29/12/2021 12:59

@noworklifebalance Thank you 😊

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