Wanting to update 90's maple kitchen

7 years ago

When we moved into this house several years ago I initially thought I would paint these cabinets or at some point replace them. They are in great shape but, the uppers especially, are kind of ill fitted for the space. One project led to another and here we are, three years later and the kitchen remains untouched. The original kitchen was a small galley style. The former homeowners added a large addition across the back of the house and extended the kitchen. The function is not great (dishwasher is no longer near the sink) but we've gotten used to it. The kitchen gets a lot of light. There is a vaulted ceiling and skylight in the original part. My thoughts are to remove the soffit and uppers over the sink and install some open shelving and perhaps a beveled subway backsplash. Remove the uppers over the stove, add a new vent hood that is all exposed, and backsplash. Remove the small chandelier (former homeowners had a pub style table under it).

Definitely new counters but not sure what. New sink and faucet.

Butcher block in a dark stain or a light colored formica. Definitely paint the trim white and wall color a light gray or beige. Removing the island which seems to be oriented the wrong way and use a moveable island, farm style. Should I work with what I have or just wait until I can afford to replace the cabinets and rework the space?

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Comments (4)

skatermom
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
jealous of your interesting fun space :) it seems a little chopped up now, but has so much potential!

if you ended up reworking the whole space, the galley area would be an awesome flex space for a butlers pantry, and extra counter space for work ( gift wrap, laptop work, prep, etc.),

have the main kitchen (cook, dishwasher) would go where where the addition is-extending cabinets and adding larger island.

I would work with what you have now and the go for the full remodel when you are all planned out,
Sara Weber thanked skatermom
jhmarie
7 years ago
There are many charming aspects to your kitchen - but the function - oh my:)

I think the answer depends on how long you see yourself in this home and how far out you are on being able to save up for some changes to the layout. I did new counters (quartz) backsplash and sink and the cost was $5000 and my kitchen is much smaller - I did no construction work. So, I see your possible renovations being around $10,000. I know you are thinking formica - but you have a lot of counter space. Butcher block is not as expensive - but that is adding a lot of wood unless you are also painting the cabinets.

I probably would continue to save with the exception of removing the island - if it can be done without damaging the floor. I see an outlet - which means it has electrical - so who knows what the floor looks like underneath. I might also look into adding a small dishwasher next to the sink.

To be honest - as long as you are keeping the cabinets, keep the soffits - no reason to add dust collecting shelves. I have vintage china on mine - just a thought. (My kitchen is in my idea book.)
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Sara Weber
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks skatermom and JHMarie for your feedback. It is definitely an interesting space and there is so much potential. Potential=large budget. The entire house is so full of potential and we are slowly working on updating it. I could definitely see the original kitchen as a butlers pantry of sorts. That's a great idea. I will continue to save so hopefully the space can reach its full potential. I agree with removing the island. I do think the flooring can be patched and I could get an instant update. Relocating or adding a dishwasher near the sink would be wonderful!
Buehl
7 years ago
I agree with others. The Kitchen really needs work functionality-wise. If you cannot afford to do a full remodel now, I recommend only making very inexpensive changes for now and keep saving.

Do the counters need to be replaced? If not, I wouldn't replace them.

Is the island really a problem right now? If you have to redo the floor to replace it, I would leave it alone for now.

Bank the $5K or so you were planning to spend on it and keep adding to it. (Put it somewhere where you can't easily dip into it! :-) )

Wanting to update 90's maple kitchen

Comments (4)

skatermom

jhmarie

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Wanting to update 90's maple kitchen

Comments (4)

skatermom

jhmarie

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Sara Weber
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