rodsue22

Help with a budget kitchen makeover!

Rodney Praed
7 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Here are some pictures of the kitchen, as you can see the bones are good and in good condition. Would like to update splashback, bench and perhaps paint the cupboards white. The only concern I have is the terracotta tiles. My original thought was white cupboards and bones, stone (thin or thick) bench top and mint glass splashback and where the other tiles are? All appliances are new. Any other suggestions for colour?







Comments (33)

  • Sammy Elder
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Hi Rodney, aqua and teal shades work really well with terracotta. If you have the funds I'd consider replacing the cupboard doors as their profile dates the kitchen. If they are standard size you could do this reasonably cheaply with off the shelf doors from Ikea, Bunnings etc. At the very least I'd look into replacing the hardware on the doors and whether they are suitable for painting. If you replace the doors with white doors you may be able to keep the current bench top and tiles. Replacing the bench top is certainly a good option though, preferably with a timber top or thin profile stone or composite product. The tiles are neutral and could work with updated doors and/or bench top. You could include colour with small appliances and accessories.

  • Rodney Praed
    Original Author
    7 years ago

    Thanks Sammy, I believe the cupboards are not standard size so not sure how much this would be to change to flat/modern profile. By hardware, you mean change the handles on cupboards? I might check with bunnings today and perhaps Ikea on their door sizes for replacement. Thanks for the idea about the timber top. For the stone or composite product, would you go white? Yes, I agree, could always include colour with accessories.

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  • Sammy Elder
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Yes, I meant the door handles. There are lots of options available and changing them out can provide a quick and easy update. If you are going to go white on the cupboards and want a stone or composite bench top I'd go white and keep it streamlined. A rich steel blue/grey could also work with the terracotta for either the bench top or splash back as could black, it really depends what look you are after. Timber bench top, white doors, aqua accents and a plant or two would be my preference.

  • Rodney Praed
    Original Author
    7 years ago

    Great ideas and advice, would you keep the kickboard white too or go stainless? Do you think timber bench top is too country? This would keep with the existing profile of the doors I guess? I do like the idea of aqua accents.

  • Sammy Elder
    7 years ago

    Hmmm, a timber bench top may look country when paired with the existing profile of the doors. Make sure the edge profile is as squared as possible rather than rounded off and I'd either go with a well veined mid-coloured timber with lots of variation or a dark timber. I'd leave the kickboards white rather than introducing another element. But... for something completely different you could go with stainless kickboards and a stainless bench top with some funky modern handles. So many options!

  • oklouise
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    cheapest options would be paint: try laminex paint to test some new colours for bench and splashback..i would love to suggest very dark grey or black for both, keep the original cabinets and paving paint could give a lift to the floor tiles in a dark terracotta colour?? some new (black and white wallpaper?) on the breakfast bar but a brushed stainless steel paint could also be interesting...door handles can be expensive to change but some new brushed chrome "D" handles in the soft edge square profile and exact same size (about $4 each when available) and will give a fresh look and leave holes that need filling

  • Kate
    7 years ago

    I agree the cupboard doors do date the kitchen. Has any one tried granite paint for the bench tops?. For 200-400 dollars it promises a solid surface never needing recoating.

  • montytaffy
    7 years ago
    I work as a colorist in tiles and we see this problem all the time. I think the floor colour is very dated. Your cupboards just need painting white and new bench colour. The floor can easily be tiled over today using the correct glue.
  • KK1000
    7 years ago
    If you want to replace the doors ask kitchen company to do it it would be better quality and resurface the bench top. I would remove wallpaper from the island front.
  • KK1000
    7 years ago
    Oh, and take down the "pelmet" from the windows. Tiles colour comes and goes I am sure it will be in fashion again in couple of years .
  • Kate Hoolihan
    7 years ago
    We have a similar problem with our kitchen. Same era, same colour bench
  • wuff
    7 years ago
    Hi, I think taking pelmet down as oskuee has suggested above will do heaps, the new handles on the doors also instant update. For me I would just replace the laminex bench top with new laminex rather than the stick on stone. If you budget allows you can get the square edge which eliminates the edge join. Laminex or similar is still a great product and looks great. New paint on the cupboards on colour of your liking a warm white would be good if you were after white. Good luck and keep us all posted
  • wuff
    7 years ago
    If in the back of the shed you have some left over splash back tiles take out your feature tiles and add plain ones in their place and fresh grout all of them, in our last house I re-grouted our shower recess, it was amazing the difference fresh white grout made. It wasn't a technically difficult job but quite physical work as you also need to scratch out old grout but there is a grout removal tool you can get from hardware store. I also used the ready made grouts to make my life easier
  • Kate Hoolihan
    7 years ago
    Not sure what happened to the rest of my message. We have this issue . We've had suggestions to replace the bench top with a light wood like vic ash and paint the cupboards white. Ours are wood laminate. And our bench top is the same colour as yours. How reliable is painting cupboards? How long will it last? How easy is it to replace a bench top? I've had a quote and it'll cost around $2000 all up so I want to know it'll look good you know. Good luck with it!
  • jonijon
    7 years ago
    If the feature tile in the splash back bothers you, paint over them with white nail polish. I've done it and it worked well. I think you should replace the doors. I think you will regret it if you dont. They will always date the kitchen even if you update the colour and bench top. I renovated my mothers kitchen which had non standard doors but we were still able to use bunnings doors by modifying them. The drawers were to hard to match up so we replaced this cabinet with a drawer cabinet from bunnings. Even a budget reno is not that cheap. Replacing doors, a couple of cabinets, sink and bench top was over 4k. It would have been double if we'd have replaced the cabinets though.
  • Rodney Praed
    Original Author
    7 years ago

    Some really great advice and ideas here, much thanks. We were thinking of just resurfacing the cupboards but I think in a couple of years, we would be disappointed that we didn't update the profile to a flat white to bring it into modern. And plus, my concern is the dust and dirt that would settle on the profile and how that would hold up in time. So after talking with a kitchen professional yesterday, we are almost convinced that we change our cupboards to a flat profile, benchtops (stone or laminate, still undecided and it will come back to budget) and splashbacks. The main colour will be white. I do like the thought of black but again, I think if we keep it white, we can add black, or any other colour with appliances etc. It may take a while but watch this space!

  • G Sh
    7 years ago

    I say change your floors! The kitchen will look brand new with new timber flooring! And if you wanted to update the benches as well to an newer colour like a black stone if the budget allows you could too...

  • PRO
    DECO Australia
    7 years ago

    Have you considered an aluminium splashback? Easier to clean than tiles and glass, and you could match the splashback behind the stovetop with one under the breakfast bar for a clean, consistent look.

    DecoSplash has more than a hundred designs to choose from. Teal, mint or even an ultramarine would look lovely with the tiles.

    http://www.decorativeimaging.com.au/building-products/decosplash/

  • PRO
    Morel Construction Ltd
    7 years ago

    I actually like the cupboards and tiles. I would replace bench top, Paint cupboards white and maybe replace cupboard handles with something more modern. I will post some pictures to give you some inspo.


    Totara · More Info


    You can probably tell i love Hampton styled kitchens and can see so much potential with your kitchen.

    But as you are on a budget. Start with painting cupboards white and then move onto bench top when you can. As for cupboard handles you could easily pick some up at a reasonable price at somewhere like Placemakers

  • PRO
    Morel Construction Ltd
    7 years ago

    Sorry my other photos didn't post. Please find below

  • shane_donna
    7 years ago
    The cupboards and floor look fine and in good condition. Less expense, change the handles to stainless steel. Invest the money in your bench top. Stone would look very nice. Overall, without too much alteration, I think your kitchen lends itself to the Hampton's Style. A classic style which doesn't date :)
  • LesleyH
    7 years ago
    I agree with investing the money in a good bench and just paint the cupboards which also look fine to me.

    Not so easy tiling over the floor as it would make it too high for the pantry and adjoining rooms. As the floor is a strong colour and in good condition, I would go for an all white kitchen with a sightly speckled or veined top. This would all go well with your current tiles.
  • PRO
    2 FIND and DESIGN
    7 years ago
    Some examples of kitchens with terracotta tile....
    I agree with updating the doors and draw faces with maybe a shaker style... have a quote from a kitchen company or two also. A qualified resurfacing company can spray an even coat of polyurethane for a quality finish.
    New handles will help... look closely at more current trends for types to go for, IKEA stock a range too.
  • christinak66
    7 years ago

    Hi Rodney

    i see you have had an enormous response and all good suggestions....what no-one has mentioned is the first thing you need to look at is the era and style of your house??? You can always update but it has to reflect the rest of the house... There's no point having a HAMPTONS style kitchen in a retro style house!!!

    Next thing you need to consider is whether you intend to stay in the house or will be selling in the future as this decision should help you with your budget as you don't want to overcapitalise....

    Without knowing your budget or preference of style, my advice to you is please keep in mind "EBAY".... We recently finished our renovated dream kitchen on a budget and have saved so much money....

    One more tip, get rid of your bench that closes off to your lounge and put in an island bench to enlarge your whole kitchen and open it all up...add a sink in the actual island bench.....

    cheers

    Christina


  • PRO
    Living Edge Kitchens
    7 years ago

    It all comes down to your budget. If you have a very limited budget then I would recommend to prioritise what the needs are most and go from there.

    What stands out to me first is the benchtop. Even if you had only a few thousand dollars or so to spend, definitely start with replacing the benchtop with stone. Also remove the wallpaper from the island.

    If you have more dollars to spend on top of that. Start looking at your splashback. Glass or Mirrored are good options. Definitely stainless steel handles for the cupboards and draws.

    Once you start replacing doors, draws, panels etc, the dollars will add up and as mentioned, comes down to your realistic budget. But if you were to want to change them in any way, replace them rather than paint them. Especially if you want to modernise the profile.

    Hope this helps. Regards

  • 32young
    7 years ago
    if you are looking for customising your splashback with printed glass or tiles, you would like to try pinventor.com.au
  • LesleyH
    7 years ago
    What is your budget so suggestions can respond to this amount?
  • katedanjj
    7 years ago

    Hi, for least money spent and maximum update I would replace feature tiles with ones matching those that you have, if not available look at a white subway "style" laid horizontally with white grout.

    Grout these days is easier to clean and keep clean than days of old. Carry them on around the sink area too.

    Replace bench top (definitely) with whitish colour, consider laminex as it not the same as in the seventies, and far cheaper than stone. Some great looking finishes, check out their show room near Lytton Road Brisbane.

    Your stainless appliances will look great against all white.

    Paint cupboard doors white but not high gloss, consider spending some money on getting a professional to this. Keep kicks same as doors.

    Update handles also including those on pantry doors to black or dark bronze, or all satin stainless "look" as they show less marks.

    If you would like to incorporate some black consider a black sink, check out IKEA.

    Remove pelmets from windows.

    Remove wall paper on lounge side of bench and paint in a plain colour. You could choose something that accents the décor in that area of your home.

    Have fun :-)





  • suancol
    7 years ago

    Many suggest removing pelmets for aesthetics BUT there is an energy reason for pelmets keeping heat in or out depending on the season and cover roller blinds to add more insulation to house so update but don't avoid pelmets to save energy costs.

  • carmeldaveson
    7 years ago

    Some interesting comments about your doors and tiles from a range of people. I think it depends on the age of your overall home. I have recently engaged a kitchen specialist for my old Queenslander kitchen. The house has six bedrooms and 14 rooms altogether, including separate billiard room, family room, traditional dining room, lounge room, sun room etc. I have also spoken to a number of young women who are looking to purchase that traditional home. I originally thought the cupboard doors should be as modern as possible and their comment was the doors should be in keeping with the old house. Interesting thought!!! I was interested in the kitchen specialist's comment in your feedback who recommended the tiles being changed etc.

  • philippawright
    7 years ago

    The tile floor will always be the elephant in the room so consider if it is realistic to change.

    If you must keep the tiles here are some other fixes that will improve the space.

    1. Look through Houzz and make a scrapbook of what you like

    - You need to determine the style of the kitchen -if you are to keep the doors you could head towards a hamptons style. Consider how the adjoining spaces are decorated as any changes may need adjustments elsewhere.

    I would cost out each element of the job and decide if you can do it all - possibly over time, as when you do one thing it makes others look shabby and the decisions you make for one aspect would have been different with an overall plan.

    1. Remove the pelmet in the kitchen.

    2. Paint the cupboards - possible going to a darker colour on the bottom and a lighter on the top. A dark charcoal could work and a grey toned white for the top cupboards. There are some nice Caesarstone options that could pick up these tones with a marble look.

    3. The handles need to be heavier as they are trying to be contemporary when the cupboard profile is more traditional

    4. You need to replace the bench top- this is your biggest problem as it is totally dated.

    5. Your pantry doors ? are different and need to have the same handles.

    6. Could go with white glass subways with a soft grey toned grout.


    If you change the cupboard profile - a squared off shaker style would work- remember that many of the gloss white kitchen s being built these days will soon be dated - so depending on the age of the house - stay traditional.

    good luck.

  • PRO
    Kitchen Haus
    7 years ago

    Hi Rodney,

    just looking at your pictures the sizes wouldn't suit the "standard" Ikea or Bunnings options. So if you were to replace the doors / fronts we would recommend replacing drawer runners, hinges etc - this is where the cost would start go up quite a bit as most of the cost of a kitchen is what is on display and the runners / hinges etc.

    Good luck!