What’s your budget?

Thanks for your input! I am not sure where to start on a budget. I don't have any idea how much a kitchen redo would cost. I have never remodeled. I don't even know where to start. To put in laminate counters, does that mean I would have to get the tile removed? To get a new tile backsplash, I would get someone to rip out the existing backsplash?

I think the only kitchen counter surface worse than grouted tile is what we have in our kitchen, which is a plank painted with cheap latex paint.

If you want an immediate fix, replace the tile counter tops with Formica or something - not the prettiest but inexpensive and very functional and durable - and consider replacing cabinet hardware. I find the cabinets boring but perfectly serviceable and inoffensive and they could be improved with some better looking hardware. This could tide you over until you get around to/save up for a gut remodel.

Or do a full blown remodel now if you can swing it and you're so unhappy with the kitchen.

You could take a copy of your floor plan to one of the big box stores for ideas and a quote. They might charge you a bit for the plan but it would likely be applied to the remodel.

Cost depends on many things like how many cabs, what kind of counters, flooring etc. How much you can do yourself - if any

I’d suggest spending some time reading this forum before embarking on any redo. Many here can help with a floor plan if you post dimensions. There is a “read me first” thread somewhere that would be very helpful.

Good luck!

I also strongly recommend reading/learning from this forum for a while before actually beginning any project. But it never hurts to get a baseline idea of costs in your area -just so you can take a while to get over the sticker shock. Go to a home store in your area that offers 'free design' consultations. Don't commit to anything, but ask them to price out the things you want to change -new cabs or reface them/ new counters/ new floors(?)/ etc.

Prices are different across the country, and it can help to have a general idea of what a total reno vs refresh will cost, before you go any further. When I began planning our reno over a year ago, this forum was so great. I read everything that even remotely connected to what I wanted in our kitchen. Before, I didn't even know what Make up Air was; I only had a vague idea about counters, and the extent of my cabinet knowledge was knowing what shaker was. It has taken us over a year to plan, and we are still narrowing down final details before demo starts in Feb.

All of this is meant to say, take your time. Figure out how you cook and live in the space, and what (if anything) you want to change about the layout. Even if you plan to remodel in stages, know what you want at the end from the start.

Thank you so much! I am new to this forum and can already see it is incredibly helpful! I am grateful for everyone's time and kind consideration. I will definitely start following this forum more and study previous posts.

It looks grungy but it's probably clean. It's practical--you don't need a trivet for hot stuff! So, like the others say, live with it, see how the layout works, and get a plan.

I don't mind tile. Not that I'd pick this tile, but it's still a good countertop that doesn't need special care. You can't hurt it.( Ugly things tend to be that way.) Just don't be shy about putting bleach in a squirt bottle and using it for cleaning once in a while. Recaulk around the sink if it looks cruddy or gappy. Don't bother with a new counter until you know you are keeping the existing cabinets.

I would totally paint the walls though. That'll take a weekend and really cheer up the room.

And dream about a new kitchen. :)

I notice you put this on the paint forum too. :-) I dont like tile counters either, but, yours appear to be in decent condition, as do your cabinets. You sound like you may be very inexperienced in the areas of renovations, and renovation costs. I agree with the others, read these forums, see what you like, see what you dont like, read what others have to say, and absorb when costs of something are mentioned. If you need to keep a notebook to write things down, so they dont get forgotten, then do so. Renovating anything is a huge job. Renovating kitchens and bathrooms is an enormous job. Since yours looks clean, and workable and in decent condition, use it for a while, until you read and learn, and know exactly how you want it, and exactly what you want. It sounds like you just moved in, so relax and enjoy your new house before you decide to tear everything apart. You might want to read on the home repair and home remodeling forums too. There are many problems, about right ways to do things, and wrong ways. Its always best to read it all.

Tile countertops are one of the biggest scams ever perpetrated on the American homeowner. Our house came with tile countertops that we lived with for 20 years. During that time, my house could have been a grout cleaner laboratory. I tried every grout cleaner available and wasted hours trying to get it clean. We also had laminate countertops that were virtually maintenance free and looked the same after about 20 years (that is, boring but in great shape). I wish they had gone for laminate throughout.

Take a diagram of your kitchen with dimensions to an Ikea store...that is your starting point for the cost of cabs. Ikea cabs give a good product for the price point. Ikea assiciates will provide a layout and cost estimate. You can also look at their countertop selection while there, but for a quick fix you cannot beat the cost of in-stick laminate counters at big-box stores like Menards/HD/Lowes. A handyman could handle demo and install.

Researching Ikea kitchens on this forum will be very infirmative.

To me your cabinets look in tough shape, at least on my monitor. I would wait until I had the money to re-do the whole shebang. Maybe keep the appliances - we can only see the range and MW, and they look OK. Also probably keep the floor, because a floor is a big PITA to replace, and sometimes opens a can of worms once you start digging it up. I'd leave the floor alone to save money and aggravation.

And also, as others have said, do nothing until you are educated more. Hanging out on this forum is a good idea. You will learn more about layout, counters, cabinetry, but also some stuff you never in a million years thought about, but nevertheless should be aware of. Such as, e.g., why a single-bowl sink is better in a small space, frameless cabinets vs. framed, why a disposal air switch is a good idea, where should undercabinet lighting be placed (toward the front of the upper cabinets), the benefit of an offset sink drain, why a faucet with an integrated sprayer is a good idea, drawers instead of doors, and many more! Don't get intimidated by that list. Just read the stuff posted here, and you will absorb a lot, I promise.

But paint the walls. I promise that will make the room nicer.

This before-and-after thread was recently posted, and the "before" cabinets and bulkhead look very similar to yours. It might give you ideas of the transformation that is possible. Be careful though about adding an island if you can't actually fit one, a common mistake seen on this forum.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5557849/our-kitchen-renovation-is-done-before-after#n=28