Please help! Re-design and refacing cabinets

6 years ago

Hi all!

I need some ideas and advice on how to update my kitchen. I want to get rid of the gas range and put in a drop-in cooktop + wall oven/microwave in the tall cabinet next to the refrigerator. I want to demolish the upper left cabinets and put in open shelving instead...but not sure if I have the guts to do it.

I don’t like the paint and color of the cabinets so I want to reface them and put in new white quartz countertop.

It’s not a big space, so I want it to look as open as possible. Any ideas on how to make it more open and modern? I’m open to using different colors for upper and lower cabinets, too.

Featured Answer

miss lindsey (She/Her)

6 years ago

Are we looking at same kitchen?!?! lol

To me this looks light, airy, and open. I can't imagine giving up such a gorgeous range, if I had one. And painted finishes are never as durable as the factory finish.

But, you're the one who has to love working in this room, not me.

If you do take down the upper cabinets around the sink, do you have storage for whatever is in the cabs or is that what you would be putting on the shelf? I do like the look of open shelves in other people's houses but for me, I need doors :) Out of curiosity, what two colours would you like if you did two-tone?

Another way to scratch that itch might be by painting the backs of the cupboards that have glass doors. Navy blue would look so good with the colours in your kitchen already. You could add puck lights to each shelf to really up the wow factor.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

Bri Bosh
6 years ago
I would put your effort and money into replacing the floor to provide contrast. The tiles look pretty dated and dingy, cabinets and counters look almost new...
Related Discussions
Please help finalizing cabinet design, already paid
Q
Comments (7)
I have exactly the same configuration of door, cooktop wall, sink wall, island, but with a peninsula on the right where you have the tall cabs. I would definitely not keep your cabinets as presently designed. Start with the base cabinets. It looks like you have a lazy susan in the corner (I hope it's a super susan, with the wooden shelf under the top rotating shelf and no pole), which is what I have and love. If so, the part you can see is 12", it looks like there is a 9" cab to the right of it, then the cooktop (36", or larger?--check the price on larger than 36", because non-standard may cost a lot more), then an 18" cab , and a 21" cab. Center the cooktop between equal size cabs (not counting the corner lazy susan). If my cab measurements are correct, you could put a 24" cabinet with drawers on each side of the cooktop. So it would be 36" LS (with 12" showing), 24" drawer cab, cooktop cab, 24" drawer cab for base cabs. On each side of the hood, put either 21" cabs (if hood is larger than 36") or 24" cabs with butt doors on each if the hood is 36". The hood must be at least as wide as the cooktop, but 3" wider on each side is nicer if you can afford the more expensive hood. It's hard to tell the measurements with that corner cab, but I'd put a 21" or 24" cab in place of it on the hood wall, and you will need a spacer (~3") in the corner. After you turn the corner onto the window wall (at least I think that's a window), depending on how much space is there, I'd put one or two cabinets, with the one closest to the corner a blind corner cabinet. That's the one that has space going into the corner to the hood wall. I don't fill those shelves back into the entire corner; I just use the first 3-4" to expand a little from the easily accessible part of the the cabinet. I only put door panels on our island; just couldn't see spending the extra money (even though I had it) for the cab ends that I figured no one would notice. If yours is a high end kitchen, then do it. Mine is a medium priced kitchen, which is open to an eating area, but not to a family room, and I'm not trying to impress anyone. So this depends upon your own pocketbook and life style. Personally, I wouldn't want 15" deep upper cabinets--I have enough trouble moving things around to get at the things in the back in 12" deep cabs. It looks like you have plenty of other deep storage options. Can you show us what the other side of the kitchen looks like? Are there any other corner cabs? What is the measurement of the wall from the corner to the edge of the door trim? From the corner to the (untrimmed?) window edge? Anne
...See More
Refacing cabinets.....opinions please!
Q
Comments (4)
Refacing involves completely replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. That is the most expensive component of any cabinetry. Typically "refacing" by a professional is 85-90% of getting new cabinets of the same grade. Sometimes, it's actually more expensive than getting new cabinets would be. It all depends on who you have quote a job and exactly what method they plan on using and the quality of materials. Really take a long hard look at your cabinet boxes and drawer boxes. That is all you'd be keeping. If they aren't good quality to begin with, or are in poor shape, you're pouring good money after bad. It'd be like putting a beautiful granite countertop on top of builder's grade "oak" thermofoil cabinets that had stapled drawers, 1/4" thick sides, and plastic thermofoiled "veneered" crown molding. If your drawer boxes are solid wood with dovetail joints and all of the hardware is in wonderful shape and the kitchen layout itself is fully functional, then perhaps it'd be worth it to you to reface your cabinets. FOr the most part, for those in a kitchen that just needs a little updating with hopes of a major remodel down the road, facelifts cost too much as an interim fix. Paint is the usual low cost instant fix in that situation.
...See More
Kitchen Cabinet Makeover/Design Dilemma! Please help
Q
Comments (41)
well, you could always remove the chair rail. but yes, if you paint the walls, you'll have to pick the same color to carry out through those adjoining halls I think Pale Oak, , Smoke Embers, Nimbus, or Light pewter would all be lovely in your space. I'd also hang a nice piece of art here to tie in the pale aqua chairs, maybe to some pillows on the sofa w/those colors. the fireplace/mantle is way too traditional looking. I'd remove everything. if you want more Boho, try some zellige tile on the surround I love this selection^ or a cement tile with natural wood mantle or, do more of a modern surround w/a marble tile at the very least, do a diff surround w/out the fluting
...See More
Please help (fireplace re-design)!
Q
Comments (11)
No offense intended but the design almost looks cartoonish. It might help if the upper piece of surround didn't overhang the side pieces. The unstained/unpainted wood trim doesn't quite go with the stone surround either. Am going to suggest you consider a stain or paint for the trim. White is my first inclination but it would really take some experimenting to select the right color stain or paint. The mantel has a slight rustic quality in the photo, at least. Perhaps you should go for a sleeker look - maybe stone. Good luck!
...See More
cpartist
6 years ago
Why are you asking in the pool and garden forum?
sunlitedr
Original Author
6 years ago
Lindsey, I think the picture looks better than the actual. They are screenshots from the listings photos. We want to sell the gas range if we can. You can’t see it here but the microwave is hidden inside upper cabinet next to the refrigerator. I had used a KitchenAid mirowave/oven combo before so I really want to put that one in. As far as colors, I want white and something...not sure what. Either greyish-blue, dark beige or something more bold like dark blue?? But I’m worried if using a dark color would make the kitchen feel smaller.
Love the idea of painting the inside of the glass door cabinets, though. Thanks!
sunlitedr
Original Author
6 years ago
Briana, I know! the tiles are dingy. I wanted to put hardwood floors in but our contractor wanted us not to do that. So for now, we’ll just have it cleaned professionally, grout and all.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
That isn’t a makeover. A makeover is a paint job. It is in no way cost effective to attempt that much plastic surgery. You need to either live with it, or gut everything and start over completely. It will be cheaper.
Bri Bosh
6 years ago
Why are you letting your contractor dictate your remodel?
hollybar
6 years ago
That sounds like wasted effort and expense to be left with that floor. Are you living in the space? Does the layout work for you?
cms9323
6 years ago
I would ditch the tile floor. That is all I can see when I look at the kitchen. The grout lines are so wide that even if you have them cleaned, they will still be there.
Helen
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I think the issue is the floor. I can’t imagine spending money on anything else and leaving the ugly dated flooring.

Obviously you are claiming the cabinets have issues but I would not spend money rearranging them just to get a microwave combination oven. I would either use the money for all the inevitable expenses that actually are worth spending money on whether it be for hime expenses or other living expenses or just save it. At some point when the kitchen becomes objectively non functional and dilapidated to a normal home owner or buyer, I would then remodel if necessary.
grimesjulia
6 years ago
I never usually comment on these things, but the answer here is so clear. As several others here have said - you have to change the flooring. You need something more modern in a dark hue (eg wood, wood effect tile, or some other). The rest of the kitchen looks fabulous- I would not waste any money changing it. I would also repaint the powder blue walls. The combination of the flooring plus the wall color makes what is otherwise a really lovely modern kitchen look very dated. I would choose a hue for the walls that is similar to that of the lovely tile backsplash. I also agree with others that these are not contractor decisions.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
Since when does a contractor make major design decisions.Refacing costs a lot of money , replacing a pantry and removing quite a few upper cabinets to get a different MW makes no sense. If you absolutely love every other aspect of the kitchne refacing might be a good idea. There is no way I would replace closed cabinets with open shelves ever.IMO it would be cheaper to have the cabinets painted by a pro . As for 2 toned ones it really depends on many factors and I would stay away from gray.
grimesjulia
6 years ago
Also I would get rid of those curtains and get a neutral colored shade (maybe a Roman shade). I think the floor would look great with wood effect tiles in a shade that is similar to to backsplash tiles and repaint the walls also a similar color. That will simplify the whole look.
Mrs. S
6 years ago
Agree with the others, lovely cabinets, kitchen looks pretty grand in size to me. I wouldn't paint the cabinets anything different than the nice neutral white color they are. I would remove that curvy molding above the sink. I'm not a fan of the passthrough window, but maybe that's useful for you to keep an eye on kiddos, or whatever.

Open shelving on the walls? All that wall? Maybe you are super neat, and all your dishware matches and coordinates with everything else you plan to display, but in a busy household, I can't even imagine keeping open shelving look great, especially in a large kitchen like yours. Dust? I like cabinets with doors so my dishes and glasses are never dusty. Also, cabinets with doors hide clutter.

I've had wood floors in my kitchen and was glad to change them out for tile, but we have lots of kids and dogs, and no one worries about the floors but me. I wouldn't put wood in a kitchen, but there are many people who have it and like it.

If you want a change, paint and backsplash. I really would not worry about making the kitchen appear smaller. That would be tough to do in a nice open space like yours.
sunlitedr
Original Author
6 years ago
Wood-effect tiles sound great. I did plan on repainting the walls but had no idea to which color. Making them similar color to the backsplash would be perfect. We haven’t moved into the house yet, so all the fixtures/colors/curtain are not ours. We will eventually change out the curtain and the hanging light in the breakfast area as well.
sunlitedr
Original Author
6 years ago
There is a 3-tier lazy susan in the upper left corner cabinet next to the glass doors. I hate them!! They’ve actually got 3 lazy susans all-together with two more in the lower corners. They take up so much space and are so ineffective.

There is a good size walk-in pantry behind the refrigerator walls that would give me enough storage space if I sacrifice the upper left cabinets.

Please help! Re-design and refacing cabinets

miss lindsey (She/Her)

Comments (16)

Bri Bosh

Related Discussions

cpartist

sunlitedr
Original Author

sunlitedr
Original Author

User

Bri Bosh

hollybar

cms9323

Helen

grimesjulia

Patricia Colwell Consulting

grimesjulia

Mrs. S

sunlitedr
Original Author

sunlitedr
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Please help! Re-design and refacing cabinets

Comments (16)

Related Discussions

sunlitedrOriginal Author

sunlitedrOriginal Author

sunlitedrOriginal Author

sunlitedrOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

sunlitedr
Original Author

sunlitedr
Original Author

sunlitedr
Original Author

sunlitedr
Original Author