Okay to leave these kitchen cabinets alone?? Need your thoughts!
Kitchen in need of updates! I am getting new flooring (for both the tiny kitchen and small dining room - it's really all one room, not two), new countertops, new hardware, and some new lighting (satin nickel finish). I've never loved these 1993 cabinets but they are in good shape and honestly, there's no budget for new cabinets (as we just added on a family room and bdrm). I know that painting cabinets is really "in" but I'm not sure what color I would paint them....and to have them done right, at least the doors/drawers would need to be done professionally. The doors/drawers are oak; the ugly sides WILL be covered with something nicer. I've been told that getting new flooring, countertops and hardware will make the cabinets look a lot better --- and I hope that is right! Floor tile: neutral beigy with some gray and some of the cabinet color in it; countertop: dark gray with some muted swirls/speckles; hardware: satin nickel. I will try to post some pics. If you think these cabinets must be painted, please tell me what color. (The newer appliances are white; the old beige refrig will be leaving us soon and new oven hood is needed.) All comments are appreciated.
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Things to think about:
1.) In order for the appliances and cabinets to match, you will need to use "appliance white" paint on the cabinets. If the walls are some other color of white, they will look dingy.
2.) The floor and countertop should be in complimentary colors to each other. Will white appliances and white cabinets be too stark with earth tone floors and counters, and off-white walls?
3.) If you use an oil-based paint on the cabinets, it will yellow over time.
4.) If you paint the cabinets yourself, the paint might chip and you might always need to be touching up spots. Some people recommend having the cabinet doors professionally sprayed, and paint the cabinet boxes themselves.
5.) The cabinets seem to be in good condition. The arches on the upper doors do date them. Could you change just the arched doors? Then you would have more money for the flooring and countertop.
6.) Fancy tile backslashes are extremely popular right now. They do have a lot of grout lines. One might consider a glass backsplash with no grout lines at all! Glass backslashes can be back painted in the color of your choice.
7.) It is possible to have the countertop and backsplash be made in the same material. I am sorry I do not remember if this is in an Ideabook, or if the idea and photos were part of a Design Dilemma. I will try to locate this information for you.
For the discussion, look in Design Dilemmas, February 13, 2013, "Is a Backsplash Necessary?"
I thnk you should add the crowns, paint the bases a warm gray, or gray brown, with white upper cabinets. With new hardware and then the arches will not look dated, but designerly, current and lovely. Select a beautiful counter tip of granite with a light amount of character, with a light background and elements of grays and browns, mixed with ivory and white. Your backsplach should be a timeless classic ivory white or natural white (not bright white) subway tiles. You can do a little framed tile feature over stove, and you will have an amazing kitchen you will love for years.
Lower Cabinet and Wall ideas in Benjamin Moore:
Sterling silver - Silver bells
Sabre gray - Alaskan husky
Victorian Garden - Early Morning Mist
Example of granite for counter top, has the blend of grays and brown in a light background, with just enough character. I would find one with even more white/ivory light color if possible.
Picture these gray cabinets below your upper white cabinets.
I think painting is the best option and it's cheap. If you want to paint it white, take the time to sand the fronts of the doors and drawers properly and try not to get any paint runs. This was my first paint job, so if you have experience already, you will get better results than I did. Still, I love my new kitchen.
Julia
PS: Before and after is all the way at the bottom.