Updating A “Just Fine” Kitchen
Sometimes, especially when buying a new home, you find yourself with a kitchen that you don’t LOVE but is “just fine”. New-er cabinetry, stone that isn’t terrible, a layout that works. Since renovating kitchen sis SO costly, it’s not always financially sound to renovate a new kitchen just because you don’t love it. But you CAN do something about it in which you find a balance between being financially savvy and having a kitchen you like.
This kitchen was renovated in the 90’s, and luckily renovated pretty darn well, with custom white cabinetry. But our client did not like the bow and floral flourishes on the hood and above the window or the backsplash. The counter stone and shape wasn’t her favorite either, but replacing it was going to be more than they wanted to spend- so we did a mini-renovation and the end result looks really amazing!
AFTER:
By replacing the backsplash with a cost- friendly white subway and having a woodworker remove the fussy details on the cabinetry and paint to match the white finish, the vibe of this kitchen totally changed. We pulled some of the green tones from the counters and repeated it on the banding of the roman valance above the sink to bring the color up. New hardware, lighting and counter stools (20% off right now) and the kitchen looks totally up to date!
BEFORE:
Here are some fast and easy tips on updating a “just fine” kitchen:
SOURCES: subway tile // brass knob // brass pulls // silver knob // silver pull // cone pendant // globe pendant
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Any idea where the rug is from that’s in the after kitchen?
Thanks for sharing! I definitely want more than a “just fine” kitchen and this helps me know what I can handle right now.
Thanks for this post! I live locally and have been trying to find someone I trust to pain my cherry cabinets. Did you hire someone who specializes in cabinets or utilize a specialist? Could you possible share the painters name or how you went about finding?
thanks
I can’t believe the timing of this post – currently trying to decide on hardware for my new kitchen, all white cabinets installed this week and am driving around with multiple satin brass pulls from the decorative hardware store sitting in the coffee holder in my car, maybe the decision will happen at a red light? Biggest question I have is this – I love the look of all pulls, no knobs – but am having a hard time pulling the trigger. Saw in your first book you have pulls on upper cabinets and figured maybe you’ve done that. It would make my day if you answered this – what is your thought on all pulls, no knobs?
I love this refresh!! I would love to replace the tile on my backsplash. How much of a big deal is it?
Love this! We built our home about 7 years ago, back when granite was still cool and quartz was just coming out onto the scene – I was worried it would be too trendy, and granite would stand the test of time, sigh… Also,
the lighting salesperson talked us into ordering smaller scale industrial pendants, when I wanted the big ones, I regret not sticking with my gut and getting the big ones for the wow factor. In the near future, I’d love to get some new statement pendants, and maybe in a few years, I’ll get my quartz countertops. Fingers-crossed!
Please do this for a bathroom this post was helpful. Ironically I like the original version better that’s my taste preference. Thank you
The green in the roam shade is my favourite part. It’s simple and pleasing.
Wow, and that is why I play it safe with decor!! By going with neutrals things don’t seem to date as quickly and it’s easier to make the switches that you recommended.
That thunking sound is my jaw dropping. Amazing effect for little $$$$. I am so impressed with the big impact with subtle changes.
We are in a similar situation and are doing some updates. We also have white cabinets which I’m thankful for but they are starting to show wear. One Painter told me I couldn’t paint them because they are factory finished – any suggestions on how to freshen them up without having to replace? Thanks!
You can’t touch them up due to a factory finish, but you can have them sprayed! It’s not super cheap to paint cabinets, but a whole lot less than replacing!
Love this post! We have an “Adequate” kitchen and always seems to have a better or more urgent place to spend house money. Your ideas are perfect for upgrading the litchen on a budget. Love your mix of big and small projects.
What a difference! It looks so much fresher. I love seeing smaller scale changes like this.
Yep, I love this! Sometimes a gut job isn’t in the cards, so it’s so inspiring to see what a huge transformation can be made with relatively small changes!
Question, in a situation like this do you take the doors off the cabs and have them shop sprayed / spray painted? Or just have a regular painter come in to paint?
We have a painter take the doors and spray them and paint the boxes on site.
This is my favorite kind of post! Love the new look!!
Just purchased simply white today for upper kitchen cabinets!
This is speaking to me big time. We bought our house with a brand new from scratch kitchen 7 yrs ago. Everything is in great shape and is FINE…but it’s not my favorite. Been thinking of how to update portions of it, rather than re-do the whole thing. Thanks for the ideas!
Thank you so much for this! I am currently in escrow on a house with a “just fine” kitchen and with a small child, I can’t go through a total renovation right now.
I’m going through a reno not by choice but because of flooding and it is incredibly stressful and disruptive. If you can avoid it for a while I would take that route.