Just bought a house.. and I like NOTHING in the kitchen.. help!

10 years ago

I just bought my first house, and the kitchen is in need of, well everything. I want to just redo it all, but not sure if I can do that now. My dilemma is what color to do the counter tops and do I change out the cabinets, reface or just leave? I am torn between keeping the bar and trying to turn into into some sort of island.
I like the glass tile as a back splash. I also love color.

Featured Answer

R Robulock

10 years ago

Don't know how you are feeling about the cabinets, they look like they are in good shape. However, this reminds me of the layout in our other house. If you plan to entertain, people tend to hang around the kitchen and there is no way in and out and you will not be able to entertain as well.

I would remove the long counter top and add a little island in the middle with the faucet, this way you have 2 entrances to the kitchen.

Next, replace the countertop with granite, shop at granite distributors for what is in clearance, this is not a big kitchen so you should not spend over $1000 for the countertop.

Also the door which I am assuming is the pantry. I would try to replace the door with a bi-fold that is tempered glass so it kind of flows with the kitchen instead of stick out so much. It will stick out even with a white door, a bi-fold with a tempered glass on the top half is the best choice. They have them at Lowe's & H.D.

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Comments (32)

walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
And I want to change out the door for matching cabinets that won't stick out as far.
Jamie Villemarette
10 years ago
Looks like thats all the kitchen you have so maybe leave the bar because that looks like it gives you more room (counter space) then just an island.Plus thats where your sink is and you might be dealing with waterline if you knock the bar out. Change the pantry door color. For now keep the cabinets they are $$$$$$.. give them some hardware. Like your back-splash you posted. dont know what the rest of the space/room looks like to give color ideas. So many people on here might posted some awesome ideas, so think it through. Some sort of black counter tops would make that backsplash pop ( i think ) But what do i know!! oh yeah you keeping the floors??? that may make a difference.
walee24 thanked Jamie Villemarette
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walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
NO! I hate blue. I love green! I was thinking black for counters too. I was also thinking of adding some wood work/moulding to the bar. I should find the pic.. It's done in black, but I was thinking of matching it to the wall color or the cabinet color.
R Robulock
10 years ago
frosted top half door
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's the bar idea.. it like it black, but was thinking of having it match the cabinets or wall. But I still like the idea of an island.
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
R. Robulock, I had the same concern. I do like entertaining and the current lay out seems limited. I was just going to add cabinets for the pantry that match the others and have it recess more to the depth of the cabinets. I'm not a big fan of deep cabinets, so losing depth wouldn't bother me.
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
.. and the obvious.. the appliances need to match
valdomer
10 years ago
I think black countertops would make the kitchen look even smaller, plus black granite is very hard to keep looking nice without lots of cleaning & drying as it streaks sometimes badly. Who needs more kitchen work? Neutral color counters(warm colors) & more colorful backsplashes(tile or glass or both) if you are keeping the cupboards & get rid of black appliances. Make the counter an island instead.
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
I really like black granite, and I was hoping it would fit into my budget. I was concerned black would be too much in this small of a space... ugh!! I keep going back and forth. Part of me wants tan counters, and the other black.. I haven't moved in yet, so I'm not sure if I can make an island.. the dishwasher and sink are on the bar wall.
PRO
Inspired Interiors
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
If you're working with a budget then painting cabinets is a great option,. It will give the space a fresh look and you can also add hardware to give it a custom feel. With all the white in your home I would do a dark espresso or a warm pop of color to match your glass back splash. If you're looking for a black counter choose a lighter tone on cabinets. What does the door lead to? If its pantry space and you want to remove/drywall over, consider doing a full wall cabinet unit. You can pick them up for a good price at Lowes and paint to match.
Judy M
10 years ago
Here is a before and after of oak cabinets that were painted.

http://houzz.com/discussions/641036
walee24 thanked Judy M
R Robulock
10 years ago
I like the bar image you posted, maybe consider a smaller version to allow good flow into and out of the kitchen. I love black granite! Especially the milky way or galaxy with the sparkly specs on it, but not a good choice with black cabinets. You can keep the cabinets for now since they are in good shape and you're in luck because the black granite goes very nice with SS appliances and wood cabinets as you already have.

It would be hard to replace the pantry door with the exact match of the cabinets, but not impossible.
walee24 thanked R Robulock
R Robulock
10 years ago
Yes, add cabinets for the pantry that match the others and have it recess more to the depth of the cabinets. Great idea!!!!!

It will not stand out as much and it will actually add length to that wall to make it look like the kitchen starts at the beginning of the wall instead of at the refrigerator.
walee24 thanked R Robulock
valdomer
10 years ago
How about a frosted glass door for pantry?
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
I have thought about painting/ staining the cabinets a rich dark color. I live dark cherry, but I can't find something that has a good balance of red and black. I also worry the red tone would look like Christmas with my green. The pictures (by my children) will be in the family room just past the bar
PRO
Yale Appliance
10 years ago
Layout isn't half bad....How about matching appliances? Black counters are nice looking, but a pain to clean...Add some under cabinet lights and a few pendants. Should not cost a fortune
walee24 thanked Yale Appliance
R Robulock
10 years ago
If you like green so much, I would pair it with orange, or teal or gray, not red, it will look like Christmas all year round in your house. I believe in my opinion, that red tone cabinets are out, what is now in is the rustic american walnut, maple, or providence colors, no more red or burgundy.
walee24 thanked R Robulock
PRO
ISD Kitchen and Bath Renovations
10 years ago
Hi, I have a kitchen and bath remodeling company we can reface or provide you with new cabinets. We can look at doing a full demo, and drafting a new design. Or upgrade your counter tops, backsplash, and or floors and cabinets.
walee24 thanked ISD Kitchen and Bath Renovations
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
Would it look good with light colored cabinets, darker brown/tan granite counters, the glass tile and maybe a darker floor? I could live with the cabinets, I'm just not a fan of the color.. it's just there.
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks everyone. So far I think I've decided black counters are too much work, so possibly gray or brown? I will switch out the door for cabinets, I have no idea what color to do the cabinets, there needs to be cabinet lighting, and I'm not as decisive as I thought.
valdomer
10 years ago
Put some attractive new hardware on the cupboards. Coffee w/ Cream granite counters & hot chocolate color floors/tile. Pencil tile backsplashes, contrasting colors like some Real color to make it pop out.
Judy M
10 years ago
First decision is budget. Next, can you get cabinets to match, so you can make the change you want to the closet?
If you can't get matching cabinets then perhaps the depth of the closet can be reduced to be same depth as cabinets and still be usable as a pantry. You can add a frosted glass door on it.

Then I would paint the cabinets, change the hardware, change appliances. Get new counters and change the island counters to one height, instead of two heights.

The backsplash you like is busy, so you should choose a counter that is not busy.

I'm not sure I understand why black granite is hard to take of.
Yes, you can see crumbs and water spots, but a quick swipe with paper towel would clean that.
Won't you clean your counters no matter what they are made of?

If you don't have under cabinet lighting, I would add it.

Then pick a paint color for the walls.
walee24 thanked Judy M
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
I've never had granite, or any counter that is black, but it seems the consensus above says it's a pain to clean. I was thinking it may show any residue or streak alot... not worth my time, I deal with that now.
valdomer
10 years ago
Walee24 Yes all people I know that have black granite say the same- it streaks & shows every streak if just wet wiped muct be dried & polished up each time or shows cloudy sometimes if not dried thoroughly. I imagine it all does by black shows up more, also they tell me with granite pricing the darker the color the higher the price. I do not have black but mine was $45 sq. ft. so that was plenty for me.
walee24 thanked valdomer
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Here is one person LOL that loves her black granite counters. It just makes me laugh when I hear people say about how hard it is to clean. I at least know when my counters are clean;) All it takes is a spritz of granite cleaner like windexing. Walee24, it doesn't look like that you have that much counter to worry about the dreaded task of cleaning. What do people do with their white toilets LOL...put in brown ones so as not see the dirt??
walee24 thanked User
Judy M
10 years ago
I have black granite (polished) in a bathroom and just spray it with stone cleaner and wipe it.
Maybe there is a difference in quality of the granite?
Black is the most dense and usually does not need sealing either, but I don't have experience with it in kitchen.
walee24 thanked Judy M
valdomer
10 years ago
I thought quality might make a difference too but the people I know that have it get the very best in most things sooo??
walee24 thanked valdomer
walee24
Original Author
10 years ago
I really appreciate all the advice. I think, for now the cabinets will stay. AT least for a while, so I can live with the layout and see what works and doesn't. I would eventually like to switch them out with something that goes up to the edge of the 'wall/ceiling" I have a bathroom vanity that is the same cabinet, so I think I will work with painting/staining it a warmer wood color and see what counter top I like with it, or if the painting/staining even works. I think I'm going to go with a more simple back splash, in the end, it looks awfully busy. I like bright colors, but I tend to switch it up every few years. I think I will go completely neutral/traditional for all the expensive stuff. I was thinking of using greens and greys in the adjoining room, so that may start a whole new thought process for the kitchen.
I love everyone's input, it really helps me process. Living in military beige houses for 22 years, I'm excited to start something I pick.. but I am clueless.
Judy M
10 years ago
Starting with the vanity is a great idea!
sallybclark
9 years ago
You could paint the bottom cabinets and bar area one of the darker colors of the backsplash, paint the uppers the lighter color or tan color, make the counter close to one of the backsplash colors. Do love the dark color for the bar counter area, like picture you have above. If that, one color for all remaining cabinets. Think the back splash should guide your color choice of counter. if you do entertain a lot, then having bar stools would "corral" the guests in one place, and you would be able to keep all the counter space you have, rather than dividing into an island. Love the idea of a less deep pantry--easier to find things, and ditto what R Robulock said about lengthening the kitchen. How about cork for the floor? Easy to clean and feels good underfoot; several different colors available.
apple_pie_order
9 years ago
Old post.

Just bought a house.. and I like NOTHING in the kitchen.. help!

R Robulock

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Just bought a house.. and I like NOTHING in the kitchen.. help!

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