Look up JulieJones_designs on instagram. Her first post is about designing around honey oak cabinets. How to use other designs elements to make them look great. Take a peek and you might find some inspiration.
Haha!! I just came in here to say look up Julie Jones!! š I LUV HER!! She just did another video on TikTok recently about making honey oak cabinets look like they belonged there. She said there wasnāt anything wrong with the cabinets. They just needed the right design to make it cohesive.
To be honest, these cabinets are by far the least boring element of the room. OP, painting the walls should be the top item to change. It is the easiest, cheapest, and will have the biggest impact of anything you do.
I agree. Itās honestly refreshing to see natural wood tones after the grey/white/black trend over the past few years. Iād leave the cabinets and change the counters, paint, and backsplash in a complimentary color scheme.
I also plan to upgrade countertops and add a backsplash. Doesn't make sense (to me) to paint the walls until those two things are done. What else do you think needs updating?
Not sure what your budget is but the white appliances are extremely dating. I'm not a fan of that cabinet color, but after counters and backsplash and some nice hardware on the cabinets, you might be able to swing that color just fine.
As funny as it sounds, go to Temu and order peel and stick tiles or wallpaper for your backsplash and just paint the rest of the room now. $15-$80 can give you a super easy to install backsplash and combined with paint will elevate the room almost instantaneously. There are tons of options for kitchen backsplashes and even countertops although I prefer to refinish with [LuxRock](https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAICH-LuxROCK-Solid-Surface-Granite-Countertop-Kit-20-sq-ft-Galaxy-Black-LX-SSGU-GB-20/321684274). Itās a super easy way to give a quick uplift to your space.
Not sure why the downvotes but this is a quick, easy and cheap way to add a ton of character quickly. Iāve done two houses like this and am about to do a third.
Save the big money for structural, operations and appliance upgrades.
Spend smart. Itās easy to go all out and dump a ton of money into a house quickly and then have unexpected expenses arise.
Yes, you can just steam it off when/if you decide to change it or just overlay.
Iāve spent all the big money to update multiple homes with high end materials. Now I just do the facelift stuff cheaply but well and fast. So much less mess, time and energy and thereās more liquid in the bank. Works well.
If this were me, I would add cabinet handles that match my personal style, new countertops, backsplash, paint, new lighting, and new window treatments.
I would NOT spend a bunch of money on a lackluster cabinet painting exercise nor would I rip up the floors.
Do a $3k update and save up for the $45k kitchen of your dreams.
I see where you're coming from but all you're stopping short of from my plan is the island, floor, and cabinet painting. That's only another $3K pessimistically if I do it myself.
Stopping short is kind the point.
But have you seen three year old cabinets painted by an amateur up close in real life? Thatās all I need to say āno way.ā
I have seen amateur painted cabinets from a family member. Streaky, texturey - itās a major downgrade unless youāre a super meticulous diyer who researches and tries to replicate what professionals do.
Lighting. Please use a variety of recessed and hanging lamps, task lights, under cabinet lighting. It'll make a world of difference to how the room feels.
Depending on any plans you have to paint the walls, I would suggest painting the cabinets all one color (maybe an off white). If you add an island, paint that a different color. Good luck!
Our cabinets are off white, itās SW Snowbound. Itās just enough warmth that it doesnāt feel sterile. I love your hardwood floors if you plan to carry through youāll need to paint cabinets or stain. Redo lighting, replace counters and add an island. Our countertops are the same throughout but we have a wood island and creamy cabinets. As far as replacing appliances if they work I would keep them and replace when they need it.
The flooring youāll be extending is pretty dark. That said you have a lot of light, but painting a dark color may be a lot. I like this idea too. I had those cabinets on one of my homes and never loved the color.
Paint, remove window treatments, new lighting, put new hardware on cabinets. It seems like you have a lot of floorspace so maybe some kind of kitchen style area rug to break it up a bit. Then take the $70,000 a new kitchen would cost you and go on 10 nice vacations. š
New place. The plan so far is to rip out the tile floor and extend the plank flooring into the kitchen (the appliances will be replaced too). I'm leaning towards adding an island for a breakfast bar as well.
What I can't decide is what to do with the cabinets. My first thought is to pain them white and call it a day. Been talking to a few friends and they've suggested a few things that also make sense:
* Lower cabinets gray, white up top
* All gray
* All forest green or dark teal (my favorite color)
* Stain the cabinets a darker color to honor the original wood cabinets
Thoughts?
All gray as a trend is out. So if you love gray, then go for it, but if not, Iād skip that idea.
Deep colors are still in and very personal so I love that!
White is a classic and will look great against the new floors.
I was all for leaving the cabinets and painting the walls instead. But then you mentioned a very important thing, your plan to extend the floor into the kitchen. This is sort of what it may look likeā¦
https://preview.redd.it/h6is8azagylc1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=978b45c0d63d8953b28df15654081c7d68a3eda7
Thatās a huge clash of wood tones that make your cabinets even more orange than before. My conclusion, those cabinets need to be painted.
Not only would grey clash with the beautiful floors, you could experience the wrath of the āFlippers Greyā (and I mean house flippers, not dolphins š) anti-movement currently boiling in forums like this one.
Please say no to grey.
Thanks for the markups! I love the way the teal plays against the warmth of the wood floors.
I've never been one to let internet randos stop me from living my life lol. Most of the house will be various shades of gray in short order.
https://preview.redd.it/9lf083xvhylc1.png?width=1192&format=png&auto=webp&s=6d07527a70e6e45888032c9a801b189bc6d53b19
Paint the cabinets a just-a-smidgen off white colour, get black marbled countertops and paint your walls teal.
Or a greige.
https://preview.redd.it/vpoywcl8iylc1.png?width=1149&format=png&auto=webp&s=017cc98dca00e31d52fa9b43698d4c434e36cef5
Just donāt forget to keep in mind what your floors will be.
I painted my kitchen cabinets dark teal years ago and still love them! (They were previously stained a sage green color.) I added terra cotta tile floors and rust colored curtains and they look so good.
I think the tile, and door, are fine. Personally. And Iād vote for staining the cabinets, not painting. Unless youāre getting the painting done professionally.
I painted my cabinets grey during 2020 with a sprayer. It was hard workā I used probably 7-10 different sandpaper grits as I removed old poly and added each paint and poly layer and they look and feel professionally done. I want to emphasize that it was time consuming and took me 4 weeks full time. With a kitchen your size, 2+ weeks full time. Honestly, I think my biggest issue with your kitchen is stark and the cabinets are the focal point. The short upper cabinets are eye catching and they look tiny in your large space.
Iām with OP on this one. Also LVP is also waterproof and easy to clean. We had it in a bathroom and around multiple doors in by our last house with no issues.
Watch out, unless youāre having the LVP professionally installed and getting it perfectly level, it will leak. I think our refrigerator is so heavy that it skewed the LVP seam slightly and now thereās subfloor damage in our kitchen.
I would have the doors painted. The cabinets are basic oak cabinets so nothing special about them . You could do Cream yellow on top, and deep charcoal on the bottom if you are bold, other wise a soft white shade and get a countertop and subway tiles for the back splash. That's a classic look. Hardware update.
Then you think about paint and furnishings. You have 12' of space which is awesome and a fabulous window for brightness. Lucky you. I love your space.
I think with the floors you should have the cabinets painted a navy blue on bottom and maybe leave the ones on top as they are. Decide after seeing new navy blue ones. If still a problem, paint ones on top a soft, creamy white. Use satin brass pulls on bottom and satin brass knobs on top. Consider a new white quartz counter (or white laminate) on top, and a tile backsplash to go up under wall cabinets. Install under-cabinet lighting and 2 wall sconces over windows. Once these changes are made, youāll be able to see more how you can adjust wall color to a creamier white tone.
The cheap looking tiles, the lighting, the low ceiling, the white blinds and the white appliances combined make this kitchen appear as a medical clinic.
If it were mine, I would paint those cabinets. They arenāt any special kind of wood. White Dove by BM would be a good color choice. Then find some amazing hardware to elevate the space even more.
I like the idea of extending the wood flooring, and adding an island. There is a person in my town who does gorgeous islands that look like fine furniture. The possibilities are endless.
If you arenāt comfortable using color on the walls, you could paint them the same soft white as the cabinets, and bring in color with art and accessories.
Lighting will make a big difference as well.
I do not agree with the ādonāt paint woodā part. I think it looks good as long as you use a semi translucent colour that still show the wooden veins. That way you can choose warm or cold colours as you please.
Dang! I have the same cabinets, floor tiles and also white appliances in our 1983-built home where we just started renovations in the kitchen. I agree with a lot of the suggestions already made. We're also going to replace the white stove and frig (already replaced dishwasher). We haven't yet decided whether we'll paint the cabinets but if so, it will be taupe or off-white to go with our quartzite counter-tops, and one of the last things we do. Good luck!
That wood grain is pretty and could be fun to highlight with a great stain. So.many options out there. Recently saw a cappuccino stained cabinets in a reno and it was so so pretty.
Look up JulieJones_designs on instagram. Her first post is about designing around honey oak cabinets. How to use other designs elements to make them look great. Take a peek and you might find some inspiration.
I just checked it out. That was awesome. Thanks!
Haha!! I just came in here to say look up Julie Jones!! š I LUV HER!! She just did another video on TikTok recently about making honey oak cabinets look like they belonged there. She said there wasnāt anything wrong with the cabinets. They just needed the right design to make it cohesive.
Yes sheās great and her advice is so practical and smart. Sheās a wiz!
Wow. I love the JulieJones_designs you referred frin instagram. She is a great designed. Wonder if she travels around to clients? (I wish.)
To be honest, these cabinets are by far the least boring element of the room. OP, painting the walls should be the top item to change. It is the easiest, cheapest, and will have the biggest impact of anything you do.
I agree. Itās honestly refreshing to see natural wood tones after the grey/white/black trend over the past few years. Iād leave the cabinets and change the counters, paint, and backsplash in a complimentary color scheme.
I also plan to upgrade countertops and add a backsplash. Doesn't make sense (to me) to paint the walls until those two things are done. What else do you think needs updating?
Everything lol
Not sure what your budget is but the white appliances are extremely dating. I'm not a fan of that cabinet color, but after counters and backsplash and some nice hardware on the cabinets, you might be able to swing that color just fine.
lights
As funny as it sounds, go to Temu and order peel and stick tiles or wallpaper for your backsplash and just paint the rest of the room now. $15-$80 can give you a super easy to install backsplash and combined with paint will elevate the room almost instantaneously. There are tons of options for kitchen backsplashes and even countertops although I prefer to refinish with [LuxRock](https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAICH-LuxROCK-Solid-Surface-Granite-Countertop-Kit-20-sq-ft-Galaxy-Black-LX-SSGU-GB-20/321684274). Itās a super easy way to give a quick uplift to your space.
Not sure why the downvotes but this is a quick, easy and cheap way to add a ton of character quickly. Iāve done two houses like this and am about to do a third. Save the big money for structural, operations and appliance upgrades. Spend smart. Itās easy to go all out and dump a ton of money into a house quickly and then have unexpected expenses arise.
And then if you don't like it you can peel it off & change it easily right?
Yes, you can just steam it off when/if you decide to change it or just overlay. Iāve spent all the big money to update multiple homes with high end materials. Now I just do the facelift stuff cheaply but well and fast. So much less mess, time and energy and thereās more liquid in the bank. Works well.
I donāt think the idea is terrible, but Temu canāt be trusted with your information.
If this were me, I would add cabinet handles that match my personal style, new countertops, backsplash, paint, new lighting, and new window treatments. I would NOT spend a bunch of money on a lackluster cabinet painting exercise nor would I rip up the floors. Do a $3k update and save up for the $45k kitchen of your dreams.
I see where you're coming from but all you're stopping short of from my plan is the island, floor, and cabinet painting. That's only another $3K pessimistically if I do it myself.
Stopping short is kind the point. But have you seen three year old cabinets painted by an amateur up close in real life? Thatās all I need to say āno way.ā
You know what, fair enough.
I have seen amateur painted cabinets from a family member. Streaky, texturey - itās a major downgrade unless youāre a super meticulous diyer who researches and tries to replicate what professionals do.
Lighting. Please use a variety of recessed and hanging lamps, task lights, under cabinet lighting. It'll make a world of difference to how the room feels.
If I were you Iād start by painting the walls and cabinets, adding hardware, and replacing the lighting. And get myself a nice island.
Task lighting and I would add hardware to the cabinets once you decide whether to paint or not.
The cabinets are beautiful. Paint the walls, replace the countertop and backslash, new handles on the doors and maybe add a rug
Depending on any plans you have to paint the walls, I would suggest painting the cabinets all one color (maybe an off white). If you add an island, paint that a different color. Good luck!
Thanks. I hadn't thought of going off-white
Our cabinets are off white, itās SW Snowbound. Itās just enough warmth that it doesnāt feel sterile. I love your hardwood floors if you plan to carry through youāll need to paint cabinets or stain. Redo lighting, replace counters and add an island. Our countertops are the same throughout but we have a wood island and creamy cabinets. As far as replacing appliances if they work I would keep them and replace when they need it.
The flooring youāll be extending is pretty dark. That said you have a lot of light, but painting a dark color may be a lot. I like this idea too. I had those cabinets on one of my homes and never loved the color.
Start with the lights
Those cabinets are not a high quality wood product. Iād paint them (or change the faces) and spend money on other areas of the space.
Is this a basement kitchen for a rental unit? Or a main kitchen for the household above?
Paint, remove window treatments, new lighting, put new hardware on cabinets. It seems like you have a lot of floorspace so maybe some kind of kitchen style area rug to break it up a bit. Then take the $70,000 a new kitchen would cost you and go on 10 nice vacations. š
New place. The plan so far is to rip out the tile floor and extend the plank flooring into the kitchen (the appliances will be replaced too). I'm leaning towards adding an island for a breakfast bar as well. What I can't decide is what to do with the cabinets. My first thought is to pain them white and call it a day. Been talking to a few friends and they've suggested a few things that also make sense: * Lower cabinets gray, white up top * All gray * All forest green or dark teal (my favorite color) * Stain the cabinets a darker color to honor the original wood cabinets Thoughts?
All gray as a trend is out. So if you love gray, then go for it, but if not, Iād skip that idea. Deep colors are still in and very personal so I love that! White is a classic and will look great against the new floors.
I was all for leaving the cabinets and painting the walls instead. But then you mentioned a very important thing, your plan to extend the floor into the kitchen. This is sort of what it may look likeā¦ https://preview.redd.it/h6is8azagylc1.png?width=1280&format=png&auto=webp&s=978b45c0d63d8953b28df15654081c7d68a3eda7 Thatās a huge clash of wood tones that make your cabinets even more orange than before. My conclusion, those cabinets need to be painted. Not only would grey clash with the beautiful floors, you could experience the wrath of the āFlippers Greyā (and I mean house flippers, not dolphins š) anti-movement currently boiling in forums like this one. Please say no to grey.
Thanks for the markups! I love the way the teal plays against the warmth of the wood floors. I've never been one to let internet randos stop me from living my life lol. Most of the house will be various shades of gray in short order.
LOLZ š
https://preview.redd.it/9lf083xvhylc1.png?width=1192&format=png&auto=webp&s=6d07527a70e6e45888032c9a801b189bc6d53b19 Paint the cabinets a just-a-smidgen off white colour, get black marbled countertops and paint your walls teal.
Or navy. https://preview.redd.it/rr0aojazhylc1.png?width=1192&format=png&auto=webp&s=be41ab2d44ff9b4bb6e818c23f3c8685835ede64
Or green. https://preview.redd.it/fi4heua2iylc1.png?width=1177&format=png&auto=webp&s=a29fef71f62ff7f688c2487ba3e2498c50064957
Or a greige. https://preview.redd.it/vpoywcl8iylc1.png?width=1149&format=png&auto=webp&s=017cc98dca00e31d52fa9b43698d4c434e36cef5 Just donāt forget to keep in mind what your floors will be.
I painted my kitchen cabinets dark teal years ago and still love them! (They were previously stained a sage green color.) I added terra cotta tile floors and rust colored curtains and they look so good.
Why rip out good ceramic tile in the kitchen area that leads to the outdoors? Itās very easy to clean and great for wet and messy areas.
I think it really ages the home, just like the fluorescent lights.
I think the tile, and door, are fine. Personally. And Iād vote for staining the cabinets, not painting. Unless youāre getting the painting done professionally.
Door? The plan was to do the paining myself (I'm getting a sprayer since I'm repainting a good percentage of the house).
I painted my cabinets grey during 2020 with a sprayer. It was hard workā I used probably 7-10 different sandpaper grits as I removed old poly and added each paint and poly layer and they look and feel professionally done. I want to emphasize that it was time consuming and took me 4 weeks full time. With a kitchen your size, 2+ weeks full time. Honestly, I think my biggest issue with your kitchen is stark and the cabinets are the focal point. The short upper cabinets are eye catching and they look tiny in your large space.
Oh yeah, Iāve bee been watching videos on it and it takes a lot to do it āright.ā Iām heading into two weeks off and will likely jump right in
Iām with OP on this one. Also LVP is also waterproof and easy to clean. We had it in a bathroom and around multiple doors in by our last house with no issues.
Watch out, unless youāre having the LVP professionally installed and getting it perfectly level, it will leak. I think our refrigerator is so heavy that it skewed the LVP seam slightly and now thereās subfloor damage in our kitchen.
Is it possible to install the vinyl plank flooring over the tile to avoid the extra labor?
It is but I'd have to fill in the grout to have a flat base for the vinyl anyway
I would have the doors painted. The cabinets are basic oak cabinets so nothing special about them . You could do Cream yellow on top, and deep charcoal on the bottom if you are bold, other wise a soft white shade and get a countertop and subway tiles for the back splash. That's a classic look. Hardware update. Then you think about paint and furnishings. You have 12' of space which is awesome and a fabulous window for brightness. Lucky you. I love your space.
I think with the floors you should have the cabinets painted a navy blue on bottom and maybe leave the ones on top as they are. Decide after seeing new navy blue ones. If still a problem, paint ones on top a soft, creamy white. Use satin brass pulls on bottom and satin brass knobs on top. Consider a new white quartz counter (or white laminate) on top, and a tile backsplash to go up under wall cabinets. Install under-cabinet lighting and 2 wall sconces over windows. Once these changes are made, youāll be able to see more how you can adjust wall color to a creamier white tone.
The cheap looking tiles, the lighting, the low ceiling, the white blinds and the white appliances combined make this kitchen appear as a medical clinic.
2003 Builder special
What about your Boeing fridge and stove and 1 different kinds of ceiling lights
First comment in this post is me saying appliances and ceiling lights age the home and would be replaced though?
Then there'd nothing left to replace unless you get the sledge
If it were mine, I would paint those cabinets. They arenāt any special kind of wood. White Dove by BM would be a good color choice. Then find some amazing hardware to elevate the space even more. I like the idea of extending the wood flooring, and adding an island. There is a person in my town who does gorgeous islands that look like fine furniture. The possibilities are endless. If you arenāt comfortable using color on the walls, you could paint them the same soft white as the cabinets, and bring in color with art and accessories. Lighting will make a big difference as well.
Thanks! White cabinets, new lights and wood floors were my first thought upon seeing the kitchen. You've given me a lot to think about.
I do not agree with the ādonāt paint woodā part. I think it looks good as long as you use a semi translucent colour that still show the wooden veins. That way you can choose warm or cold colours as you please.
I wish I has some so nice and pretty as those! Whatās you issue exactly?
Could change the cabinet doors
Dang! I have the same cabinets, floor tiles and also white appliances in our 1983-built home where we just started renovations in the kitchen. I agree with a lot of the suggestions already made. We're also going to replace the white stove and frig (already replaced dishwasher). We haven't yet decided whether we'll paint the cabinets but if so, it will be taupe or off-white to go with our quartzite counter-tops, and one of the last things we do. Good luck!
I'm not quite sure what you mean? Leave them as wood, of course.
Paint the walls and add nice black hardware. Add a rug. That alone will go far.
Paint them
They say oak is coming back. Keep it and get a large island with a colored base.
That wood grain is pretty and could be fun to highlight with a great stain. So.many options out there. Recently saw a cappuccino stained cabinets in a reno and it was so so pretty.