if you don't want the oven to stand out, just replace that to a fully white model, they can be as cheap as $400

Excellent plan rsaund:)
Still do the mirror, you will get less objections to the sink not having a window when buyers walk through. Trust me. They notice.

We love backsplashes. Our matted Aspect square tiles in champagne would look excellent!

I think that after reading some of these really great ideas, you probably don't need to do a backsplash after all. if you freshen up the paint on the walls, and declutter and stage, it will look updated without the added expense and work. I think I would take a chance and paint the cabinets with a really good quality paint. Make sure you CLEAN and DEGREASE them with the products specific for this purpose first! They are usually sold right by the paint in Lowes and Home Depot. And get the proper brushes and rollers - it makes a difference in the finish. A warm pale gray on the cabinets with hardware added would look nice, and coordinate with the gray in your floor tile. Add a creamy warm white on the walls, and maybe 2 shelves with pretty brackets on the angled wall. I love the idea mentioned earlier of staging that area with your coffee pot and some pretty mugs. You could use the shelves to further stage the area with some coordinating dishes. (You can treat yourself to a new set with the money you save on the backsplash!) The mirror over the sink is a good idea, but a bit undersized. A pretty print on canvas (clean, contemporary, and frameless) in a larger size would look nice and add a punch of color. I also love the idea that someone had of one or two decorative pieces on top of your cabinets. Maybe you could find a pretty pitcher and tray that coordinate with the mugs and dishes. And those bright cheerful sunflowers could be moved all the way to the right of the stove where the coffee pot is now. It will pull the eye around and make the space feel longer. Someone mentioned a rug, and that would really complete the area and make it feel inviting. The area near the fridge could be a great desk/homework/message area if you stage it with some pretty desk organizers and a corkboard on the wall. I think your white appliances would work well, but I agree that a flat cooktop stove and new refrigerator (maybe French doors - they are great for smaller spaces) would be money well spent. They don't need to be top of the line, but those 2 appliances are kind of the anchors of your kitchen and might make your unit more appealing than others that might be for sale. I don't know if you are planning to do the bathroom, but there are very nice cabinet/counter/sink combinations (with the ever popular granite!) that are less than $200. I frequently see them in the big box stores on sale and on clearance for even less. Updated kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. You've got a good time frame to shop the sales and get things done. One last thing worth mentioning - remove any old wallpaper and/or wallpaper borders! They always look dated. Happy decorating!

I think a simple inexpensive glass tile backsplash would completely change the feel of this kitchen and would be a selling point.

I forgot to mention - if the floor looks really bad, the new press and seal tiles that look like tile or stone (large ones - 16" - 18" square) are again, inexpensive, easy for do-it-yourselfers, and readily available at the big box stores. The new ones look better than the old style - they've really come a long way. Check around before you buy, since some brands look much nicer than others and they are all about the same price.

We sold our home in March to someone who literally told us if we hadn't already removed all the popcorn on the ceilings, she never would have bought our home.

Since you are vacating before the sale, it's perfect timing to consider this no-fail upgrade!

If I were you I would leave everything as it is (as long as the counter-tops, cabinets, and floors are in good condition) and replace the appliances with black or the faux stainless products. Also update the lighting. I remember when we purchased our first home, coming from rental properties that came with appliances, it was difficult for us to come up with the money for new appliances. Personally, I would rather have new appliances and then update the rest of the kitchen later in my own preferred style.

Rsaund, my kitchen cabinets look exactly the same as yours. I plan on putting my house on the market in 2016. I don't plan on painting mine. Too labor intensive and they may not turn out well. I'll add some new hardware but that's it. I figure the new owners will probably buy new cabinets. I'm also leaving the laminate countertops. A realtor told a friend of mine that she just "had" to put in granite for her house to sell. So, after putting out a lot of money and being inconvenienced by a disrupted kitchen, she found out the new owners were gutting the kitchen and doing it the way they wanted it.

I'll buy a new white stove and dishwasher since my broiler doesn't work and the dishwasher is old and noisy. They can buy their own fridge - the style they like. If they don't white they can sell them on Craig's list and buy the holy grail stainless, which I happen not to like.

Anyway, the difference may be that I don't have a deadline to sell my house. And I do feel my house is the nicest one on my block already. I am replacing flooring because after 15 years of dogs (seniors and puppies) the carpeting had to go. And the vinyl in my kitchen was awful and I got a great deal on neutral porcelain tile.

Paint inside and out and that's about it.

Oh, and some landscaping.

Oh, and I had considered backsplashes. Bought several different tile samples. Decided if the new owners didn't like my color scheme the backsplash would ruin the wall when they tried to remove it.

I agree with the others who said get the upgraded appliances. Granite may not be the best choice with older cabinets. The buyer would be stuck with those cabinets having expensive granite on it. Not everyone is in love with granite. Forget the back splash. Paint it with bathroom paint that resists moisture. Make it a nice color. Different lighting then call it a day.

We're currently condo-shopping with the daughter. Since this is an entry-level purchase, I second, third, fourth those who say concentrate on clean and don't try to second-guess future buyers' wants with regard to upgrades. What do we notice while we're shopping?
--a lot of upgrades to granite that raised the price but failed to address what we see as the basic design flaws of the kitchen
--really poor lighting! particularly grim since a lot of house shopping gets done in the dark
--forehead greaser range hoods (yes, people, they need to vent to the *outside*)

So the 'improvements' I would unhesitatingly make (since they are universal): better lighting and ventilation, fix the popcorn, and replace the floor if it looks worn.

Not sure where a backsplash would begin or end in this kitchen. I have used wallpaper and put clear polyurethane over it. I have also put clear polyurethane over paint where splashes are frequent. Both turned out nicely. I like a lot of people above hate stainless steel appliances. They remind me of kitchens in restaurants and are difficult to keep clean. They are cold and in my opinion a fad that won't be around in five years or less.

Just say no to stainless and granite.

CHANGE THOSE CABINITES to ESPRESSO using the Rustoleum transformation kit (cost is $75 sm kit & $150 lg kit at Lowes) and then DO do the tile job as well...
Rustoleum also makes a kit to transform your counter tops to look like Granite.
You can watch the videos on how to diy on the link I have provided below.
http://cabinets.rustoleumtransformations.com
We transformed my daughters golden oak cabinets to the dark Espresso color (which still allows the wood grain to show through) and they are just GORGEOUS! .. they look like newly installed cabinets!

I flip 5-6 houses a year and always redo the kitchens and bath(s). I see no way to install a backsplash without adding a lot of cabinets. I would opt for using granite tiles to redo the countertops, switch to stainless appliances and get creative with the lighting. The costs will come back in the sales price and the time on the market. Do your research and you will see the large majority DO want stainless and granite.

Just look at the SS pro/con in this thread...THEN check your market.

Sales tend to follow what is popular with high end products. "I'd say 80% of our sales are still stainless steel," says Brent Bailey, design director at Viking Range. "I could add another 100 colors, and the percentage wouldn't change much."
Also, simply look at real estate ads. How many brag about the home have white or black appliances and how many brag about having stainless appliances?
There is some high end movement toward having appliances with panels matching the kitchen cabinets. I seriously doubt you are looking to spend the kind of money needed to buy Wolfe and SubZero with matching panels.
I recently flipped a house where I completely gutted the kitchen. I put in high end new solid wood cabinets, granite tops with an under mount sink and new white appliances. The first thing my agent said when she saw the house was that I should never use anything other than stainless steel appliances.
As long as statistics continue to show the majority of potential buyers want SS, I will put SS in my houses as I want to please the majority not the minority.

When selling, the bottom line is remembering what type of buyer it will bring.

Every dollar spent improving the property - just to leave it behind - needs to be guaranteed a good investment.

In a somewhat lower end residence, stainless appliances and new (personal taste) hard surfaces has less bang for every dollar than fresh paint and great staging.

If you all read what the OP says in the "context" statement - beginner style and not high-end.

My house may be the nicest on my dirt road but I am in the mountains in NM. People interested in buying my home will be either someone thrilled with new white appliances or someone who loves the location in the middle of a forest and has the money to gut the kitchen. My dishing out thousands for SS is not going to make a difference in what I get for my house.

I agree, no tile backsplash, I would stain the cabinets a dark espresso color, and add floating shelves on the wall with the three pictures

In a similar situation & received similar advice when I lived outside of Chicago. Based on your realtor's input, take a look at the big box home improvement stores for lighting.

We found really good looking rubbed bronze and onyx fixtures (2) for the kitchen. They looked higher end than their price tag.

please feel free to view our site for countless back splash creative custom ideas... have a great day

From your description I would think you are not living on a dirt road in a remote area. And it is understood that you are looking at ROI. I just finished a flip kitchen where I replaced all appliances with new Frigidaire appliances for less than $1400. Subtract the $400 I got for selling the white appliances on Craigslist and I have less than $1000 invested. This $1000 will get me a higher sale price in a much faster time. My normal sales period is less than 30 days on my houses. I sell 5-6 a year. The key to selling a kitchen is good paint color selection, SS appliances, tile floors and nice lighting (cheapest improvement you can make). Granite is also a big plus and you can save big with DIY using 12 inch granite tiles.

Bdalder12, wondering what state you live in? I was just looking at a flyer from our local Lowes and three piece suite - fridge, stove, dishwasher - are running about $3600 - add our local tax and delivery and I'm looking at about $4k.

Oh, and that's the Memorial Day sale price. Not on sale would be more like $5500.

I got kenmore 4piece plus delivery for about 1700. Sears in MN

rsaund, that is a very good price point. Please make sure the stove is self cleaning.

Rsaund, that's amazing. Most stainless refrigerators here are 1k or more.

Depending on what you want you can pay $10k or more. But right now you can buy a SS frig (side by side with ice/water in door) for under $900, self cleaning SS range is under $500 and dishwasher under $400. If you go single door frig you are down to $575. These are Lowes prices which include delivery. In addition, I use a Lowes credit card and get zero interest for six months - by which time the house is sold.

If Its in your budget, I would suggest putting tile all the way up the wall on both the slanted wall and the main kitchen wall. That would make a great statement. Colored subway tile is in style and not too pricey. Also, if you can't afford stainless appliances, all black appliances is a good halfway point, and all matching new appliances would be better than older white appliances that don't match so well.

Wow, so many opinions.
I have to agree with the few that said to match the bench top.. It will make it look bigger and part of the design.

wow also ....you must be confused by now with so many opinions......and design ideas........

.is there a kitchen designer in your area ........as well...as you are selling......get a professional opinion to get ideas within budget..............they could steer you in the right direction.......and for a consultation.....I am sure it would not cost you that much......and may be worth it.......
Kitchen design is about details.........and well a designer will have some tricks to show you...

By the way.....white appliances are now 20% more than stainless in my area as the manufacturers are not selling as many...would you believe...

Glad you're listening to your realtor! Although not necessarily a fan - they know the market. Can you cut the burn part out and put in IKEA butcher block in that section? Chances are new owner will rip out kitchen (small kitchen cheap rehab) and do what they want!

Thought this link might be of interest to those who are still following, as homeowner has oak cabs. and white appliances:
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/100-kitchen-makeover-dsvw-vd~997007

I understand your budget restraints. I'd use a peel-n-stick backsplash that looks like glass tiles in a color that matches the granite. I'd run it all the way to the ceiling covering the entire wall. I like the idea of open shelving on the angled wall but make sure that the edges end in the same angle as the bottom cabinet. That will help with balancing the cabinets on the other side and with extra storage. Leave the cabinets the color they are and get dark or black handles (rather than knobs) installed. Dark or black granite would complement the cabinet color. Go to a close out/scratch-n-dent store for appliances or slightly used. The flooring can stay the same with this color scheme. If you go with cream colored cabinets the floor is really going to stand out and compete with your granite. Good luck on your sale and have fun!

Update your appliances and don't worry about anything else. If you can afford an induction/micro range, get rid of the microwave and put in an attractive hood fan. Don't go to the trouble and expense of doing something that new owners will change anyway. And they won't change out new appliances. They tick a huge box.

I'm on a mission.........
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/staging-before-and-after-dsvw-vd~1012230

I agree with earthwavegirl that, if you are planning to sell, it isn't worth doing anything that is going to cost a lot. Make it look nice. New appliances and hood fan (not sure that is worth the expense of induction) and a bit of decluttering (like the idea of a coffee centre as long as it doesn't take up too much space) should be enough. I am surprised at the number of people who are suggesting major changes. Simple staging is best.

I agree with lepstein and earthwavegirl.....if you are selling.......simple staging is the best.....and paint is the cheapest decorating tool and can do wonders........market value of your home in your area is important........and what you want to do as improvements ....you have to ask yourself ....will it increase the value of your home........compared to what has sold in your area.......please note......
please do not look at what is for sale but what has sold comparable to your home.......very important..................real estate agents have a habit of putting the asking price too high to get the listing.......................

Maybe hiring a Home stager is the best thing to do...........

I would leave the cabinets and the white appliances unless they are beat up. The buyer may well prefer natural wood (I do) and white appliances which will never be out of style or hard to match. Habitat for Humanity often has really nice tile at greatly reduced prices because builders donate their excess after a project is done. You don't need much. I'd make sure you have bullnose tile or something similar to make the tiled part look finished. If the appliances look really bad, of course, they have to go. It's hard to see in the pictures.

So rsaund, what did you do? Would love to see some pictures!

Hi! I painted over the gold tone paint with a more neutral taupe color, added stainless steel appliances, and changed countertop - but not granite - I used another laminate, neutral color. I wouldn't have changed the countertop except that it had a burn mark. Granite was just too expensive and comparables in the neighborhood didn't have granite. I got a good deal on the Kenmore appliances. In addition to the kitchen updates, I painted the neutral taupe color throughout the 1300 s.f. 3 bedroom townhouse, updated all lighting and hardware (door knobs, cabinet knobs, hinges, etc...) from brass/gold tone to antique bronze. This picture shows the new counter and appliances but NOT the new paint color. I didn't get a chance to take another picture because I rented this out - when advertised, even without the paint color changed in the pictures, I had one family look at it and they snapped it up. Renting is working out well for me so far vs. selling. I believe the new appliances, new lighting and hardware and neutral paint color helped "sell" it to the new renter. She said it was really beautiful vs. comparables. Total spent was about $6000. I decided to rent vs. sell because rental market good in this area. I'm getting $1395/mo, and would have only been able to sell it for around $165,000 - located in Twin Cities MN. I believe the rental income is sufficient to be able to afford new carpeting and paint for maintenance at end of lease, if necessary.... I have no mortgage so monthly expenses are minimal.

Thank you so much for letting us know how this turned out. So many dilemmas are never 'completed'.
Good for you! After 10 years you will have collected your sale price. After that 10 years, a nice monthly income addition, and you could still sell if needed. Congrats on being a landlord/lady.

10% return. That's pretty good! Gross. Net would be lower but a great place to start out from.

Good job. Very appropriate updates. Congratulations on a successful project and result.

If you paint the cabinets white, the white appliances will blend in and not be a problem as long as they are clean and functional. I would take down the mirror and art and run a simple backsplash across the entire back. A top trim piece on the backsplash on the open area with no cabinets will help a lot. Backsplash serves a function. they keep splatters from the countertop or cooktop from staining the wall and they add an important design element. Your kitchen will look less dated if you paint the older style oak cabinets...and add some attractive pulls and knobs. You will get a higher price for your home if these simple updates are made. And the light fixture over the sink needs to be changed. I know that you are on a budget, all of these things can be done for a very reasonable cost that you will get back when you sell. I have been a realtor for 38 years, and kitchens, baths and closets are what sell homes. You might want to look at other homes in your neighborhood on your local MLS/ Realtor service to see what other homes in your area have done to their homes. Buyers usually want to do as little as possible when moving into a new home. Your floor can be covered with a runner.... if it is in good condition, leave it alone. Buyers will be able to see that it is a peel and stick tile and they can easily replace it. Try to find a very simple and neutral granite or quartz for the countertop and paint the walls a pretty light neutral color. The gold paint is a NO.

Good luck with your project, and shop around for prices, you will be surprised at what you can find online that will keep you within your budget!

2014 post and the house is sold

I see that now... :)