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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Kitchen update advice: backplash + countertops OR cabinets

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hello houzz,

First time poster here. My husband and I recently moved in to a house and we are looking to make some slight upgrades to our kitchen. See attached photo from the listing. It's a small kitchen, which can look dark at times and I feel like the colors clash (red-toned cabinets, yellow-toned floors, and taupe-ish granite countertops).

The goal is to lighten things up a bit and have a more cohesive vibe.

To start, we are currently updating all of the appliances to Bosch SS and replacing the over the range microwave with a hood vent. The walls are painted BM Grey Owl and with white trim. Island cabinets are white and match the trim.

We want to change the backplash ASAP and then either replace the granite countertops OR re-paint cabinets (do not want to invest in updating all 3). What would you change and what colors/tones would you stick to?

Comments (6)

mxk3 z5b_MI
2 years ago
Countertop. The cabinets are beautiful and just need a better countertop to freshen things up. Yes, the floors against the cabinets isn't as good of a match as it could be, but that's easily remedied with some kitchen rugs.
kempek01
2 years ago
Backsplash is the cheapest of the three, and you won't be horribly upset if you replace it now and then replace it again in 6 months or a year when you decide what to do with the cabinets or countertops.

With that said, I would still live with it for 6 months, just to see what irked me more between the counters and the cabinets.

Since you have the 4 inch backsplash and then tile above it, you could just rip out the tile, repair the wall, and then just paint it the color of the rest of the walls.. The 4 inch backsplash will be sufficient unless you bathe elephants in the kitchen sink. This option would be a lot cheaper.
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Thanks for the advice about getting the tile all from one place. After all the frustration I needed an outside perspective. We actually decided to get everything from the showroom - keeping in mind the advice here. When we went to the big box store when it opened Saturday morning - there was no one in the tile section to help and I knew it would be a wait and who knows what to even get to the point of an order so that made the decision for us. Meanwhile our order was ready to go at the showroom - even though our salesperson wasn't there - since we had spoken the manager ealier and the manager had updated our order in the system (and sent me a copy) - someone else was able to process it. Let's hope everything turns out in the end. I am realizing now a lot of the confusion with the showroom is because the salesperson had two of the three item numbers wrong in the beginning one thing (the more expensive item) was quoted 30% more than it should have been and another about 30% less. So not only did that shake my confidence about getting the order right but lots of times I was talking apple and they were talking oranges. Anyway - the warehouse should doublecheck our order etc. - so in two months I will hopefully have some pictures to post.
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Perhaps some pictures would help give us some ideas. Could you post some? I think remodelFla's advice is sound. I also think that, given your desires, plain 4.25x4.25 or subways in a nice warm ivory would work well.
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Can you put the MW in the cabinet circled in red? That would keep it near the fridge, but out of the busy triangle between fridge sink and range. I'm not sure what is new and what is being kept on the range/fridge wall, but I'd make sure as many drawers are included as possible, even if it means foregoing the pantry cabinets and revamping the closet to include shelves for better function.
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@ShadyWillowFarm When I say goop I mean the ornate / decorative stuff. Over window, rounded corners on cabinets, all of the "extra" stuff over the vent, etc. The footprint of the kitchen isn't changing at all--and all appliances stay at least for now....they are standard size thankfully. There is a massive pantry behind the door on the left. Perimeter cabinets will be a warm white. Island will be something like SW- Balanced Beige and I have a similar colored tile from Walker Zanger that will be backplash. Counters TBD but possibly a Dolomite or Quartzite (We have bianco macubus in our current kitchen and love it).
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rebunky
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Congrats on your new home purchase!

Can you take a new picture of the kitchen in natural lighting and post it? I am guessing that the listing photo must have had the colors majorly enhanced? I doubt the cabinets are actually that intense of a reddish orange. I am sure they look beautiful in real life!

I think SW Grey Owl is a nice color. Doesn’t it usually have more of a green or blue undertone? I notice that your wall, baseboard, and even the stainless appliances seem to be reflecting off the orange cabinets and floor.

Now I am not suggesting you should paint the wood cabinets because they appear to be in great condition. But I was just curious what it would look like without so much orange.

I tried making the cabinets an off white and making the walls more grey. You really notice now how peachy pink the baseboards look. That is why it would help to see the kitchen‘s true colors, if they are indeed different than the listing photo.

Another idea to break up the wood is to add glass inserts to a few of the upper cabinets.
herbflavor
2 years ago
i'd probably save enough to do both counter and splash. I'd sart looking for the lighter granites available nearby. theres a whitish corian thats a classic selection that would work. I think real stone would be nice with the solid traditional feel of the cabinets. they are nice . traditional faucet and new hardware. You'll spend a bit but I would not want to tear out the cabinets in the near term.... so do what you can afford with the adjacent things.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
IMO first change the lighting those Edison bulbs cast a yellow hue on everything. Get LED bulbs for 4000K for all the lighting.Then make up your mind how much money you want to spend . Having cabinets painted properly is expensive and IMO those cabinets are dated so no paint right now . You could change the backsplash but honestly think about how this space functions first and can the new hood vent to the outside ?It is always best to live in a space for 3-6 months before spending any big money The first thing I would change would be the white island but even before that the layout is not good you should never go past the range to go from fridge to sink. IMO wait until you have used the space then see what needs changing and only do the light bulbs right now. BTW matching appliances IMO are always a bad choice but if already done then thats it. Wall color and backsplash even in a brand new kitchen are the last 2 choices to make.
PRO
Rocks in Stock
2 years ago
Hello! There are soooo many options for backsplash! You can replace backsplash for a lighter color that will match the countertop you already have. Get some samples to see what looks best.

I would replace the chairs too....

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You can use stone or glass tiles or both!

Blue glass tiles featuring irregular shapes combine with natural white stone subway tiles - Find here

I hope it helps!

Have a Rock Day!

RocksinStock.com

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