Help makeover our kitchen

[Emarosa]

We have a lovely open plan kitchen, diner, living space. The kitchen is over 20 yrs old though and is starting to look quite dated. We want to replace the kitchen eventually but will be saving up to get what we want.

In the meantime, we have had a quote to get the units fixed and spray painted. We also plan to replace door knobs and decorate the full room, including new light fittings and window furnishings.We will have to leave the tiles on the wall and floor unfortunately, as that would be expensive to replace and we’d rather do so when we eventually get a new kitchen.

What would you do with this space colour wise? I’m tempted by soft grey or light blue kitchen cabinets, with chrome doorknobs and white walls… but I’m also a bit worried it might look too cold.

Any ideas welcomed! :)

I would go for a light cashmere or a grey taupe colour for cabinets.

no real ideas but my kitchen is light blue with grey walls and tiles gives you an idea of what pale blue units look like in situ

They're nice units. I'd change the colour to a mussel beige. That would also look okay with the existing worktops.
Think blue would really clash with the floor tiles & worktop.

I agree that light blue will be a mistake, as above I’d go for a mussel taupe colour too. In fact, I’d happily live with it as it is and save the money towards the new kitchen eventually. It’s a bit dated but not awful by any means, are the worktops real or laminate? Are the plinths stainless steel or am I seeing things?

I think the cupboard doors are much less offensive than the floor tiles. Personally I'd just save until you can do the whole lot.

I’m in a similar situation, though our kitchen is probably a bit older than yours. We’ve decided not to spend any money on it and just save towards a new one. Our only expense was £80 on some vinyl flooring to cover the damaged wood composite flooring.

What an amazing space! Love the window in the lounge area. Very jealous.

As you’re replacing it all in the future anyway, I’d have some fun with it and be quite bold/follow current trends. I’d definitely have a statement colour as would detract from other elements that you don’t like, like the tiles.

Have had a Pinterest fail trying to download pictures but how about a two tone kitchen or a dark sage green? That works with your worktops but I would have lighter walls than in the image, and a darker green, or go a very dark blue gray black.

i agree . i would just get some good vinyl floor covering and leave units etc as i they are and save for your new kitchen instead

I agree to cover floor with vinyl or even paint and leave the oak doors. Oak is coming back into fashion!

Personally I don't think it looks that bad at all

I'd put all the money towards redoing it if that's what your planning on doing and not waste money on halfway house refurbishments it's just dead money and it isn't awful - it might not be to your tastes but I have seen a lot worse

Not grey!

Thanks for all the ideas everyone! We have to do some redecorating in the room anyway as we needed to do some electrical work that required walls to be sliced, so we’re keen to temporarily do the room up a bit.

That’s a really interesting idea re. Vinyl to cover the tiles rather than replace them. Silly question maybe - but would vinyl be thick enough not to look bumpy over the tiles? Would it potentially help with temperature under foot too?

Ive been Googling taupe, mussel and cashmere kitchens - all great suggestions.

@Beggingforsleep I had the same thought about going bolder and do love the greens! DH might need some persuading :)

@Binfire , yes - stainless steel plinths. The worktops are real, but strangely the cupboard units are vinyl wrap rather than actual wood. In real life the cupboards look quite fake… a very orangy shade.

Think I'd be tempted to take down the wall cabinets near the sink. That will immediately modernise the look. Get some different floor covering. You might need to put down leveling compound and you could end up with an issue in doorways, so washable bright rugs in dining area to warm it up a bit might be a better less complicated plan. If you do change the colour of the cabinets I think I'd be tempted to look at a colour (or colours) outside your normal comfort zone and see what you think. It might surprise you. I'd say go stronger/darker as the space can obviously take it. Maybe have the bank of tall units a different shade to the rest. Avoid pale. Get some funky wall art. You could look at vinyl on the wall tiles to cover existing - if you get the good stuff it lasts really well and doesn't look stuck on.

With the tiles - I put polyfiller in the grout lines and bought these sticky tiles from Amazon and they covered 4 tiles - I didn't have as many as you but it transformed my utility and you could not tell they were stuck on.

With the floor - you could buy a really big kitchen type rug - Dunelm do them at quite reasonable prices considering. But have that in a similar colour to your kitchen units under the dining table to pull the 2 sides together and it would cover and break up the space of the floor tiles at the same time

i agree with PP, if you can why not just wait and put all the money towards a new kitchen of your dreams? It honestly looks fine, you’ve clearly taken care of it. You have a lovely space and the large living area window is fab. There are lots of small bespoke joinery kitchen companies who can make you something fabulous when you come to do the full work - look beyond the usual places mentioned on here.

One thing I would suggest is to use something on the floor tiles grouting. We’ve just cleaned and lightened my parents and sealed the floor and it really makes a difference. The dark grout lines looked dirty and the whole kitchen looks lighter now

Can I ask what you’ve been quoted for the cupboard spraying please? We’ve bought a house with a decent kitchen, just not our style so we’re looking into just replacing the worktops and tiles and getting the cupboards sprayed.

@Startuplife i had my kitchen re sprayed about 18 months ago and it was either £1.6k or £1.8k for a large kitchen with lots of units and an island.

Blue or grey will only highlight the 2000s "neutral" flooring and tiles. I'd pick a taupe or ivory for the cabinets instead, for that reason. It will all tone better and look more cohesive.
PS Your cabinets look positively modern compared to mine!

Thanks @TattiePants

We removed the vinyl wrapping from IKEA doors and they painted up a treat. Is this something you could do / try? I think the floor tiles are the bigger issue for me, and the room needs a pop of colour. I'd save the pennies till you can do the refurb, but maybe some fun lights and colour would help as a quick fix.

I would definitely go for a darker colour on the doors, anything beige/grey will just clash with the floors and walls. I actually think the doors are fine and would change the floor and tiles!