skip to main content

Paint Design Dilemma Kitchens

Help me with mcm upgrade ideas without painting the kitchen cabinets

2 years ago

Hi Houzz folks, we have a mcm duplex that we are upgrading and need some design input/suggestions. Ideally we are looking for design and color that is both classic, but also be enticing for renters. Since it is small( around 865 sq ft we would like to lighten it up some, but also retain the modern elements. We are not able to reposition the cabinets as they were built as one piece, and would like to keep the kitchen cabinets unpainted. Currently there are a lot of dark woods competing and I see the hallway as perhaps a way to add light and interest. Attached are photos of the rooms needing some cohesive design . This unit is on the left side of the schematic below. So far I have Urban bronze as a front door color, would like to incorporate a pop of color somewhere and thought the hallway was too dark so this could be a bold stroke idea. We are open though. Thanks for any input.

color. Attached are a few photos. We are thinking Urban bronze for the entry door . The rest can all be changed.

kitchen

long hallway( maybe paint door wall all one color

Bathroom(at the end of hallway)

living room (hallway to the left of this photo)and kitchen to the right( wall is structural so cannot open up)

full view of bathroom

Comments (5)

Fori
2 years ago
You have good bones to play with. The kitchen is nice! Looks well-preserved and well laid out--lucky you! I'd love to see it with a turquoise floor. Bathroom could use a colored floor as well. I'm not sure what your budget is...but Marmoleum would be super nice in both rooms, and comes in fun colors.

I'd replace all the replacement hardware with original style hardware.I see one boomerang in all that. You need ALL boomerangs! Or at least something a tad more MCMy, preferably in chrome and/or brass.
Liz Blazina thanked Fori
herbflavor
2 years ago
i'd take out all the flooring.. figure out what your budget would allow. Hardwood throughout would by far be your best upgrade . Then you can work on countertop changes.....wall colors......decor...etc. By "hallway"...its the one single hallway leading to bedrooms.???? If anything I'd install a barn door that you can close across the hallway or the like. I don't see the point of anything except minmizing the hallway. Focus on the living spaces including patio.
Liz Blazina thanked herbflavor
Related Discussions
Kitchen Help- going from dark to light without changing cabinets
Q
Comments (9)
My advice would be to repaint the kitchen in a lighter color, maybe a warm white, before you do anything else. I think the reason this is feeling a little blah is because there isn't much contrast between the cabinets, the tile, and the walls. It's all too monotone. Once that's done, I bet you anything you'll feel much better about how it looks.
...See More
Kitchen remodel WITHOUT painting cabinets
Q
Comments (49)
Thanks, Beth. Our original BS were stacked 4" white tiles, and I was trying to move myself out of the 20th century. But it might be easiest to return to the 4" dimension, but stagger the tiles. I'm looking for something in white (to match my Macaubus White tops, so nothing too bright). I'd seen so many references to tilebar.com, but never cruised their site: flat fee shipping??!! How did I miss that? Brother lives near Summitridge & Grand -- couldn't be far, but I don't know the area horribly well. He always makes the 25-minute trek east on the 60 to visit ME. :)
...See More
Painting cabinets help or hurt this kitchen? Photoshop help anyone?
Q
Comments (30)
That stone alcove over the stove would bug me from a cleaning perspective. But major bucks to tear out. How likely are you to do that? You can paint the cabinets by yourself, but you need to use nasty oil based paint and a sprayer. My friend had hers done, the people took them down and sprayed them out in her barn (so it could be done with proper equipment and ventilation) and then they were put back up. You could do that yourself but only if you were very handy as far as taking them down and putting them back up. If you don't prep them properly, the paint will just peel off. My landlady paints her kitchens with very little prep. every couple of years, the paint does not stick. I'm lazy. I'd live with it and save up for the redo. Meanwhile I'd paint the shelving units next to the fireplace the same color as the wall and call it good. I wouldn't paint one stone wall and not the other. I painted a cheapo fireplace wall once for that same friend who did her cabinets. It's a lot of work but in her case it was a fake stone backwall behind a wood stove. Stone is stone-colored. If you want white, cover the stone with white tiles. Painted stone looks weird. But that's just my opinion, YMMV so if you love the look of painted stone, go for it. But I wouldn't do it in the vain hopes it's going to look like something else, other than painted stone.
...See More
We are painting our Oak Kitchen Cabinets! Need ideas
Q
Comments (24)
There are some articles online about removing permanent marker from wood. Try to remove it and do simple things first as you may change your mind about what you want to do as you progress. See what you think after the walls are cleaned up / painted. I would next paint the backsplash. I would look into cladding the island in beadboard - not sure if that can be done - there are some construction adhesives that stick to about anything. I have oak cabinets and am fine with them - but I am not living with all the other surfaces. I might remove all the uppers on the sink wall. My kitchen has about half the cabinets yours does and I get along fine - with 4 kids:) This is my wood kitchens idea book with both new and older refreshed wood kitchens. It might give you some ideas as to paint or working with the older cabinets - especially if a few years turns into 10 years and a new kitchen is still not in the budget. https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens Sometimes a new house has unexpected expensive cost - new roof or furnace and the more cosmetic projects have to wait. I live happily with my oak cabinets, but I agree that there are surfaces in your kitchen which would drive me batty, and if nothing else I would attack with paint those areas before the cabinets.
...See More
palimpsest
2 years ago
I would do a colorful solid color, countertop. Bright colors are available in Laminate, Solid Surface, or Quartz, depending upon your needs and budget.
Liz Blazina thanked palimpsest
HU-187528210
2 years ago
In the kitchen I’d start with new backsplash countertops and flooring. Depending on budget.

——

In general I think blacks compliment your wood tones and the mcm style.
So black hardware. Black lighting. Black accents...
Liz Blazina thanked HU-187528210
HU-187528210
2 years ago
This thread might help inspire you. Similar style. They transformed the kitchen it looks AMAZING!!!

...

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6131640/kitchen-design-help

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

KITCHEN CABINETS 11 New Kitchen Cabinet Ideas You’ll See More of This Year

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Black, high-gloss, embossed and other new cabinet looks are popping up in homes

KITCHEN DESIGN Great Idea: Windows Behind Kitchen Cabinets

By Becky Harris

This design trend provides kitchen storage while letting more light into the room

KITCHEN DESIGN Ideas for Refreshing Your Kitchen Without Remodeling

By Karen Mills of Interiors by Design

These 8 updates don’t require a big financial investment — just some creativity and a little DIY know-how

INSIDE HOUZZ Top Kitchen and Cabinet Styles in Kitchen Remodels

By Erin Carlyle

Transitional is the No. 1 kitchen style and Shaker leads for cabinets, the 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study finds

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Layouts: Ideas for U-Shaped Kitchens

By KitchenLab Interiors

U-shaped kitchens are great for cooks and guests. Is this one for you?

KITCHEN DESIGN Ecofriendly Kitchen: Healthier Kitchen Cabinets

By Ivon Street Studio

Earth-friendly kitchen cabinet materials and finishes offer a host of health benefits for you and the planet. Here's a rundown

KITCHEN MAKEOVERS Before and After: Glass-Front Cabinets Set This Kitchen’s Style

By Erin Carlyle

Beautiful cabinetry, mullioned windows and richly refinished floors refresh the kitchen in an 1879 Pennsylvania home

KITCHEN DESIGN 6 Clever Kitchen Storage Ideas Anyone Can Use

By Vanessa Brunner

No pantry, small kitchen, cabinet shortage ... whatever your storage or organizing dilemma, one of these ideas can help

KITCHEN MAKEOVERS Kitchen of the Week: Latte-Colored Cabinets Perk Up an L-Shape

By Jeannie Matteucci

A designer helps a couple update and lighten their kitchen without going the all-white route

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Kitchen Cabinet Accessories for Universal Design

By Sheridan Interiors, Kitchens and Baths

Retrofit your cabinets without doing a full remodel to make your kitchen more accessible without blowing your budget

Sponsored

More Discussions

Help! need color advice

8

Blue colour recommendation for kitchen cabinet

24

Bedroom makeover - help please!

7

please help with colour palette

8

Wall color/wallpaper advice

5