Kitchen Design
3 Dark Kitchens, 6 Affordable Updates
Color advice: Three Houzzers get budget-friendly ideas to spruce up their kitchens with new paint, backsplashes and countertops
Knocking down walls to open up a space or adding windows on exterior walls for more light is common. But these major endeavors can be costly to undertake. Plus, many folks don't necessarily want an open kitchen, or they can't make changes to their exterior walls because of rules set by a homeowner's association.
For those with limitations on how they can remodel their kitchen — whether due to budget or other reasons — I can't recommend highly enough the power of a good cabinet paint job. If you like the layout of your kitchen and your cabinets are in decent shape, consider painting them to get a fresh look.
These three Houzzers posted photos of their kitchens in the Discussions section, asking for help updating their existing kitchens on a budget. See if the professional advice we offer could apply to your own project.
We'll follow up later to see what these homeowners decide to do with their kitchens!
For those with limitations on how they can remodel their kitchen — whether due to budget or other reasons — I can't recommend highly enough the power of a good cabinet paint job. If you like the layout of your kitchen and your cabinets are in decent shape, consider painting them to get a fresh look.
These three Houzzers posted photos of their kitchens in the Discussions section, asking for help updating their existing kitchens on a budget. See if the professional advice we offer could apply to your own project.
We'll follow up later to see what these homeowners decide to do with their kitchens!
Option 1: Two shades of gray. The homeowner mentioned possibly painting the cabinets gray. I think gray could be a great choice, but I advise considering using one shade for the base cabinets and a lighter shade for the wall cabinets. This would break up the color so it won't read as monotonous. They might also consider adding a butcher block countertop — a relatively affordable countertop material that would add considerable warmth to the space against the gray hues of the cabinets. This is a clean, neutral palette that would allow them to introduce any other color they desire into the space, such as a fun midcentury modern orange or green.
Suggested paint picks (both from Benjamin Moore): Sweet Innocence 2125-50 (wall cabinets); Shadow Gray 2125-40 (base cabinets).
More about wood countertops
Suggested paint picks (both from Benjamin Moore): Sweet Innocence 2125-50 (wall cabinets); Shadow Gray 2125-40 (base cabinets).
More about wood countertops
Option 2: Splash of turquoise. Another option, one that injects some fun color, is to go with a stainless steel laminate countertop and cabinets in a beautiful midcentury modern turquoise, such as Tranquil Blue 2051-50 from Benjamin Moore.
By simply painting the cabinets and replacing the worn laminate countertops, the homeowners can transform their kitchen.
By simply painting the cabinets and replacing the worn laminate countertops, the homeowners can transform their kitchen.
2. What color can brighten these dark and dated cabinets?
Houzredo posted this photo of her daughter's kitchen and asked for advice on updating the dark wood cabinets. She worries that it will be difficult to completely cover the busy wood grain, but I think these cabinets are a prime candidate for painting as long as the proper steps are taken.
Houzredo posted this photo of her daughter's kitchen and asked for advice on updating the dark wood cabinets. She worries that it will be difficult to completely cover the busy wood grain, but I think these cabinets are a prime candidate for painting as long as the proper steps are taken.
Option 1: Soft whites and warm neutrals. The homeowner is leaning toward a creamy white color for the cabinets and needs suggestions for the walls of the adjoining living room. These palette options incorporate warm neutral hues for the cabinets — colors that pick up on the tan and brown in the existing countertop, backsplash and flooring. The wall colors offer a bit of contrast to the cabinets while still keeping to a light and neutral palette.
Clockwise from top left (all from Sherwin-Williams): Nacre SW6154, Livable Green SW6176, Restoration Ivory SW6413 and Accessible Beige SW7036.
Clockwise from top left (all from Sherwin-Williams): Nacre SW6154, Livable Green SW6176, Restoration Ivory SW6413 and Accessible Beige SW7036.
Option 2: Break up neutrals with color. Here are two more colorful palettes that would pair well with the neutral countertop and tiles in the space. Clockwise from top left (all from Sherwin-Williams): Ryegrass SW6423, Daybreak SW6700, Agreeable Gray SW7029 and Luxurious Red SW6314.
3. What can update this outdated kitchen on a budget?
Finally, we have this kitchen in janamladek's A-frame 1979 vacation home. The homeowner wants to replace the cabinet doors, perhaps adding glass inserts to the wall cabinet doors, and replace the dated countertop and backsplash.
Finally, we have this kitchen in janamladek's A-frame 1979 vacation home. The homeowner wants to replace the cabinet doors, perhaps adding glass inserts to the wall cabinet doors, and replace the dated countertop and backsplash.
Option 1: Butcher block and warm hues. Although the homeowner loves granite, she doesn't have the budget for it. Again, one of my go-to budget countertop materials is butcher block. It requires some attention to keep it looking great, but there are some terrific-looking yet affordable butcher block options available. I'd pair the warm butcher block countertop with a cabinet color that's a deep red with a touch of orange in it, such as Rosewood 190-6 from Mythic Paint. I'd then go with a lighter neutral hue for the backsplash, such as a glass tile in a light taupe.
Option 2: Gray laminate and cool colors. This is a fresh, modern palette that would really lighten up the entire kitchen. For the backsplash, I'd pair a tile in a soft blue-gray with a medium gray laminate countertop. To warm things up, I'd paint the cabinets a soft yellow with a hint of green, such as Warm and Cozy 084-3 from Mythic Paint.
Tell us: What budget-friendly kitchen renovation tips would you offer these homeowners?
More:
24 Dramatic Kitchen Makeovers
From the Pros: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Tell us: What budget-friendly kitchen renovation tips would you offer these homeowners?
More:
24 Dramatic Kitchen Makeovers
From the Pros: How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets
This is the original kitchen in a mid-'60s house, purchased two years ago by Houzz user tbhattac. The homeowners have been slowly renovating the house themselves and now want to tackle the kitchen. The cabinets could use some sprucing up, but the homeowners want to maintain the home's midcentury design.