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What would you do with this kitchen. We are on a tight budget, but I feel like it is just kindof there.

Can you take a picture from the other end showing the table/chair area?

Looks nice and neat and clean. Do you want to add an accent color or something?

Here are some additional pictures

Additional pictures

I would Gel Stain the cabinets with General Finishes Java.

What items are you willing and financially able to change? How do you feel about painting the cabinets?

Could you take a close up picture of the back splash? That would help with color suggestions.

You have obviously noticed that you have chosen neutrals for everything, even the mat by the sink and the plant on the counter but this kitchen could be a real WOW with some color without spending much money.

I'd change the dining area curtains to a bright colored print. Use the same fabric on the kitchen window. Then take a color from the print to use as an accent color. Red would be a color that would work with the sage walls and wood tones. Art work with some color would also brighten up the dining area. Plants come with red blooms which would be much more vibrant. If you have children you can give them large sheets of paper to make art which you can frame in used frames. Unprinted newspaper works well, comes in rolls from publishers, and costs little. Frames are easy to come by at yard sales or thrift stores.

BTW there is likely space above your trash can for a large framed cork board for all that stuff on your frig. Nothing IMO ruins the look of a nice kitchen more than 'stuff' on the frig.

What would you suggest for curtains?

Just a little suggestion....in your dining room, put the corner cabinet under the mirror and the pet bowls in the corner. I agree with the other posters that bright curtains in both rooms with rugs matching the predominate color.

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Just a little suggestion....in your dining room, put the corner cabinet under the mirror and the pet bowls in the corner.

I agree with the above statement. Since you ask what the viewer would do, I would say paint the walls white. This looks like a nice, manageable kitchen that is rather soberly treated. There is much that could be done with the wall next to the sliders but you seem to like less rather than more and dark rather than light? Is that correct?

It is very nice as it is.

I'm no decorator but it looks to me as if those cabinets are in GREAT shape. Although I always have white cabinets in my own house, I would leave them alone.

I think you have a great basic kitchen but I agree you need some color. Without spending much money how about brightening the color of paint on the walls - maybe something with a golden tone and adding color with pictures and curtains.

I think you have a really great, basic kitchen that looks like it is in great shape. I wouldn't change anything that is permanent. Meaning the cabinets, appliances, floor, etc.

I think you just need some really great accessorizing to make things interesting and to bring in some color. (And I would clear off the things that are on top of the cabinets as they aren't adding anything, they just make the room feel cluttered.)

I would look around in antique shops or vintage shops for something aged with patina for on the counter. A little more art. Seriously, you are almost there. Think big, not small with your accessories.

Here's a step-by-step $400 transformation of an entire kitchen (cabinets and countertops) using Rustoleum products: http://www.apartmenttherapy.co...chen-makeover-139345

Talk about sweat equity!

Agree, Ay, I was thinking of suggesting the Giani faux-granite paint kit when I initially saw this thread. Many seem to prefer that kit over the Rustoleum.

Don't know your budget or what you were considering, ty-mom. Everything appears to be in good shape. At minimum cost, you could start by clearing out all the above-upper cabinet, on refrigerator and extraneous countertop items - and then replacing them with a few well-chosen, properly placed accessories to add pops of color. Personally, I would pull out colors from your backsplash and add an accent color or two - probably only one (if it were my kitchen) besides the b-splash colors.

Another inexpensive, preliminary change might be to change out the hardware. It appears fine but a tad blah, to me. Yes, you could paint the cabinets, if that's what you prefer but it doesn't appear necessary.

Next up, I would definitely paint the walls and rearrange the furniture. For the wall color, I'd avoid the gold tones - not enough contrast with the cabinetry. I'd find a new home for the trash can (stowed somewhere) and the pet bowls. Would also move the cabinet and remove the wall hangings.

Then, I would want to replace the countertops. Might start by changing out the small island to a stone slab, if possible. If not, butcher block might be a good, inexpensive option. If my budget didn't permit changing out all of the counters, I'd consider one of the faux options (e.g. the Giani) and practice on the small, removed island countertop. I definitely, however, wouldn't combine the faux granite with a natural stone on the small island.

Would definitely upgrade at least the drapery rod and (hopefully) the drapes/curtains - again adding color from the backsplash and/or an accent color or two. Alternatively, you could cover the rod (and your new drapes/panels) with a valance.

If possible, would also change out the dining table. Little too country or woodsy for me, between the oak cabinetry and then the table plus chairs. It appears to be a small area so you might consider a glass table top and perhaps it'd be fun to paint the chairs - maybe high-gloss in eihter one of the backsplash colors or your accent color.

Not sure what your wall hanging was but you might consider multiple (colorful) framed prints or a large, narrow, horizontal mirror above the small cabinet in the center of that wall, assuming that leaves enough space for circulation around the room. If you relocate any kids' artwork from the fridge, several of those could even be framed and changed out periodically - for another low-cost option. Or, family photos -

Oh, one other thing - WRT the painting, I'd also consider the flow of colors from room-to-room. Can't really see the color through that doorway but you might want to change out the accessories on that ledge or highlight that somehow. Larger piece of artwork or framed print in the niche??

Hope some of that's helpful to you. Just my ramblings, ty-mom and only MHO. Good luck with your spaces and let us know how it all turns out - preferably with pics!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,

Here is something no one else has suggested but it will make a world of difference. Take everything, and I mean everything, off the refrigerator. Your kitchen has nice bones and I don't see much wrong with it but all that stuff is distracting. If you need to have a place to hang things, try a message board in your laundry or back hallway. Then remove all the clutter above the cabinets. None of it is enhancing your kitchen and the space is too small to display things anyway. After you have a chance to objectively look at your clutter free space, I think you will find a lot to like. If you still feel it needs some wow, paint the walls a shade darker than they are. Resist the urge to put back things you don't need to have out. You are losing what is attractive about your kitchen with too many things on display.

I always liked this Candace Olson kitchen, and think your cabinets painted blue would be pretty with your backsplash and existing counters. I know some people think blue doesn't belong in a kitchen, but I kinda think it depends whether or not it's pretty. Just think how great blue looks with citrus colors like red, orange, yellow.

I love the updated backsplash and would paint the cabinets to bring the backsplash and cabinets together so they relate to one another. Overall, you have a lovely kitchen, but the backsplash, tile and countertop do not relate to one another.
Its difficult to tell with these photos, but I'm seeing a green/gray undertone.

In the Candace Olson kitchen the island relates to the backsplash with the same finish which ties them together even though the cabinets are blue which is why it works and looks pleasing to the eye.

If you want an inexpensive update my suggestion is to paint the walls a lighter color. The green is just to dark with the cabinets. If you like green how about a brighter green in the apple green family. I like the cabinets as is as they seem to be in good shape. New bright happy curtains and some pretty accessories with some color around the counters, cabinets and table and I think you will be very happy with your kitchen.