How can I update this 90's kitchen which is in excellent condition
I amnot changing appliances or the floor plan. Looking for ideas that I can incorporate that will update the kitchen. Picture attached for reference. I think the maple cabinets are slightly back in style. I considered having them painted but I'm pretty sure white is on its way out. Any ideas for upgrades is appreciated. For reference, the rest of the house is very contemporary and decorated in grey/beige tones. The rest of the floorplan is somewhat open.
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Trying to update 90s kitchen and SO overwhelmed! PICs and layout
Comments (38)desert, I plan to get out to some showrooms this week to see what's there and I'm really hoping that will help move me forward a lot more. When we built this house, we hooked up a trailer and drove to Dalton GA and came back with all the flooring needed to do the entire house. It was easier to make choices when we were looking at the entire roll and not just small samples. We got terrific deals and then just paid the labor to have everything installed by a friend of DH. For the majority of other items we spent hours at Lowes. lanval, I plan to give the island a new top along with whatever we choose for the countertops and I know that will help spruce it up more. Originally we were told there was no room for an island at all, but our cabinet guy designed the funky shape to fit one in. I wish we had space to redesign it to allow more of a rectangle shape with an overhang to fit a couple of stools, but there is just not enough space around the u-design of my current layout. Anne, DH is assigned the reno to his brother. He doesn't have time to get involved in the work itself. That's probably a good thing since we end up disagreeing on details most of the time. I've learned we just see things from different perspectives because I'm considering details he thinks are not important. And since the kitchen is not really his domain, I don't want to get into a power struggle over the choices I make. I tried to discuss the timing with him yesterday and he sees no problem moving ahead with the April schedule. I pointed out the events coming up that will coincide with the time the kitchen is torn apart, and his basic outlook/comment is "it's no big deal"...he's just a 'get'r done' kinda guy. I tried to remind him this is not one of his empty houses that is unoccupied and the fact there is more involved than just slapping on a countertop and being done. Maybe I'm just thinking too hard, but I can see the entire kitchen torn apart and me being stressed enough over that while trying to juggle our spring busy season and my DD's precious time left living at home knowing the activities associated with that. Plus the responsibilities of finishing up our eoy business details is difficult enough alone, and now I'm sposed to be doing research/legwork to plan a kitchen reno. I'm sorry if I'm rambling, but when I say 'overwhelmed' I'm not exaggerating. If I could just put everything else in my life on hold right now, it might be no problem, but everything else is not going to just stop. I'm glad you see what I'm feeling about the timing of my DD last days at home. Just last year when she wanted to have her after-prom party here, I had some mini meltdowns feeling overwhelmed with my regular daily workload and then adding more to it. This year isn't looking much better... Anyway, to clarify some of the questions you asked: I broke the measurements into 2 sections since the bar seems to separate it into 2 areas. The nook area is 13'x9'8". The kitchen area is 9'5"x13'2" but that is only the actual floor space. The cabinets are 25" deep so you could add that to the width of 9.5 for a size of the actual room. The garage is on the other end of the house. There is door to the backyard patio in the nook area. The original plan called for columns and a more open floorplan. DH chose to change it to large c.o. I posted pics from different angles to try to show this. I measured everything you asked to help clarify; fridge is 35"Dx35"W - cab depth is 25" - MW cab is 29"D - raised bar is 12"D. I checked the face frame of cabs and it appears the only ones sharing is the section to the right of the sink where the raised bar is. The rest are chopped up due to the DW, stove, and corner that leads to the MW cab. I'm trying to visualize the changes you suggested...I guess I need to sketch it out to understand it completely. Since his brother is doing the reno, it actually gives me more comfort b/c I know is fully capable of any little details I bring up. At this point...right now...I'm in panic mode after talking with DH last night and he totally doesn't get my lack of enthusiasm about the schedule. He makes it sound so easy. The ct can be done in one day, the floor can be done in one day... what's the problem??? Arrggh!! happy, Glad to hear of your wp sucess, painted and stripped. I hung every bit of the paper in this house and have 3 baths of wp also facing stripping....See MoreUpdating 90s honey oak kitchen for resale
Comments (7)I read your post in the kitchen forum also .... Yes, I think you are definitely on the right track with updating. Even if a buyer can't afford the new builds, it definitely makes an impression on them. And most people really don't want to completely renovate a kitchen. As someone who has just updated a late 1980's kitchen with oak cabinets/laminate myself, here is what I would do: (1) Consider replacing the light over the table if it's brass or obviously dated. The overhead light boxes aren't the best, but I can't tell if you have popcorn ceilings or not. If you do, I'd leave them alone. If not, it might be worth replacing the light boxes too. I chose oil-rubbed bronze for my new light fixtures, because that is what most of the new builds in my area/price range feature. (2) Don't bother giving the cabinet a dark stain. Instead, look for Howard's Restor-A-Finish (I bought at Home Depot). It smells a bit like paint thinner going on but isn't sticky or gummy. You apply it over clean cabinets and it basically evens out and refreshes your old finish, including water spots. I used the Walnut color on mine because it most closely matched the existing color. In a few areas I used a furniture stain marker. My cabinets now look fresh, clean and the finish is evenly colored. (3) Get some new hardware for the doors and drawer fronts. Stainless is popular on dark cabinets, but lighter oak cabinets can really benefit from a darker color (especially if there are dark spots in the granite). I used a blackish/bronze handle available in-store from Lowes. (4) Your ideas on new granite, backsplash and tile flooring are good. Just choose colors that coordinate with the refreshed cabinets, instead of gel-stained ones. Do make sure, though, not to do a granite backsplash; run your backsplash tile straight down to the countertop. If they will throw in a new sink with the granite, choose an undermount style. The fact that you already have stainless-steel appliances is a huge money saver. Those were the bulk of what our "kitchen update" money was spent on. Above all, make sure that your updates are "transitional" rather than too modern. Good luck! You will probably love what the new kitchen looks like (and so will buyers), and will kick yourself for not making the changes sooner so you could enjoy them!...See MoreUpdating 90's kitchen in our new home
Comments (15)Thank you for all of your comments and compliments... You have reminded me not to rush into changing things. The house has alot of trim work throughout, including on the dining room ceiling, dining room walls, living room, windows, entry/foyer, doorways, etc...In those areas, all the trim has been painted white, but it appears to be the same style and type as what's in the kitchen/family room. I guess I was thinking that the rest of the trim work should be white too. But, I see now that it doesn't have to match and will leave a bit of character to the family room! The wood for the built-ins do appear to be an upgrade over the kitchen cabinets. As much as I love the look of all white trim, the family room has such a warm feeling, as is, so I will probably just keep any furniture in the room light for contrast and accent with color. I will definitely not rush to change to quickly! Some of our main reasons for choosing the new home is because it was custom built, is loaded with trim work and moldings and is in an older neighborhood with lots of large trees and yards. Of course, there is also plenty of shiny brass in all of the bathrooms, door handles and foyer lighting that we will be busy replacing. And, the landscaping needs some updating from the overly manicured large bushes surrounding the front entryway of the home. I may have trouble with interior design/decor, but I am in my element with landscaping and yard work! I appreciate all the comments about the kitchen...My husband and I have done a lot of work ourselves in our current home. He does most of our home repairs too; he hates hiring out! Life has gotten extremely hectic these days, so we have less time for DIY work like the time it would take to do paint the cabinets. But, I think we can easily handle the backsplash and modifying the cabinets with beadboard on the sides, but will find someone for counters/sink and help with whatever we do to the cabinets. It sounds like if we have to hire someone to paint the cabinets, it might put us way over our current budget. While I still love my inspiration kitchen photo, I may entertain the idea of darkening the stain/refacing the existing cabinets, possibly painting the center island as one of you mentioned and updating the counters, sink and adding backsplash and other details. This would buy us time (and save us money), until we can afford to get the wood floors we want and the painting of the cabinets the way GreenDay detailed. I appreciate all the advice....See MoreWanting to update 90's maple kitchen
Comments (4)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.)...See MoreRelated Professionals
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last monthThe floor is in fine condition though I agree it is dated. I think that might be a bigger job than we were looking for at the moment. New window treatments like roller shades or zebra shades in a neutral light color are on the agenda. Funny that so many comment on the chairs - we explored something new at Restoration Hardware I am attaching here. Also - wondering if we dd the counters I think we have no choice but to also change the backsplash to maybe a 3x9 style subway tile. I think this backsplash will not work with a quartz/white countertop.
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if your chairs are fairly comfortable I dont think I''d swap. I would however lift the seats and get new covers if possible . By far, a new floor will help things the most. Get quotes before you rule it out. The black counters are okay in a general way. But grayish floors with black counters is not for me for the long term. If you can save and get a new floor then maybe later a different top for the middle table and island could follow. this could all be done in stages to help the budget. the backpslash and shades look coordinated so I'd leave all that for the immediate, because you want coordination if you replace.......later for that. Your space is saying do a big ticket change first.
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Honestly, I think it looks great. I wouldnt change the floors. They are not bad and you would probably replace them with another beige floor anyway. You could add a runner, remove the shades, and change the chairs out. Maybe a plant or two like in the photo below? I don’t know if maybe pendant lighting might add something or not. If you wanted to go crazy, you could look at painting the island green and adding a green backsplash.
PROlast monthlast modified: last monthThere's nothing bad here.
Lose the roman shades,or trade for a color that picks up something else.
definitely GET RID of the backsplash. !! Screams 90"s
The stools /chairs are quite harsh and shiny: (
And this? Very nice...and there is a GIGANTIC trend to greens and a warming trend in general.
Nobody can advise floor without seeing what you have in the other rooms.
I am a NO on black chairs! Any! You have enough in the counter tops.Leave the HARDWARE alone, unless you are painting the cabinets. or trade for D pulls in same size, which will set you back a big kaching.$$$$$$$
The point is......what is your dream kitchen and clarify the dream, before you begin a crowd source of pecking at your own,: )
andreasuen thanked JAN MOYER
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I wouldn't touch the cabinets nor the countertop and only replace the backsplash in a cream colour to coordinate with your flooring. I would replace the roman shades with a light solid linen. I would replace the dining chairs in a combination of black wood, woven cane back & upholstery.
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