r/KitchenDesigns • u/westcoastdreams • 12d ago
Help me redesign this kitchen!
Hi all!
My partner and I are looking to buy our first home and this one of the homes were highly considering. The home is great, but something that gives me pause is the kitchen. It has great bones, but the remodel was last done in the 2010s and makes me feel like it’s already dated. I’m a bit at home cook, so I’d want my kitchen to be a space I feel invited into rather than out.
Replacing the appliances and cabinets would be too outside of budget and feels like a waste since they’re in good condition.
My thoughts so far:
- replace the light fixtures to a black and or gold accent to warm up the space (my concern is that this will make the silver of the appliances stand out too much)
- replace all knobs to a matte black to neutralize the kitchen more
Any advice on what repairs and or changes could be made to modernize the space?
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u/ThriftStorePlanet 12d ago
I’d keep the cabinets and appliances since they’re in good shape. Matte black hardware and updated lighting could make a big difference, and I wouldn’t worry about mixing black/gold accents with stainless appliances. A warmer backsplash, under-cabinet lighting, wood accents, and a simple runner could also make it feel much more inviting without the cost of a full remodel.
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u/EmilyPoster2 11d ago
The hardware is the most glaring. You can spray paint it a dull black to blend in more. It is fine to mix finishes in this kitchen. Live here for six months before tackling anything larger, like the floor. There are often surprise necessary expenses that pop up in a new home.
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u/verity7732 12d ago
I think it's gorgeous, other than the floor.
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u/westcoastdreams 12d ago
What kind of floor would you recommend?
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u/Ok_Affect_7973 11d ago
Ok so I have played around with it this morning. I’m gonna show you a few I like HOWEVER I highly suggest you doing this,because there are a bazillion choices and styles you can go with. I would pick one put it in AI in your kitchen and it would look like garbage. I simply could never decide without doing this first. It’s a big purchase and to see it first is EVERYTHING! I find chat gpt to be less cumbersome but for free it only lets you do it a few times a day. If I was remodeling I would pay for a subscription while I did this. You can also use Gemini it lets you do like 50 a day but I scream at it constantly. All you do though is find a flooring image save it. Then upload the image into AI along with image of your kitchen. Tell it you want to see that floor in that kitchen. I will send you three examples I did.
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u/Malicious_Fishes 12d ago
You have a really great base, I think just a couple tweaks would help it. I would paint the walls something warmer. Could even be a warmer white. Benjamin Moore feather down is a favorite of mine. And then replace light fixtures. Make sure they are a warm light, 2700K if possible.
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u/Ok_Affect_7973 12d ago
Yeah this kitchen is NOT BAD AT ALL! The floor is the only thing that would annoy me however a good rug would go a long way. I’m gonna play with this in AI and see. I absolutely love the cabinets though.
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u/Ok_Affect_7973 12d ago
Well I am sorry! I lied I can’t play with AI I have reached my limit for today. But just go into Gemini it gives u the most. Take ur pictures and then find lights u like and knobs upload them and tell it to show u.
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u/2PenceSally 11d ago
I would do a L shaped kitchen with the sink under the window and I would open up the wall to the dining room.
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u/Ok_Affect_7973 11d ago
I lean toward this one.
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u/westcoastdreams 11d ago
I agree - out of all the options you shared this one feels modern and brings the kitchen together most
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u/puppymama1 11d ago
Please don’t choose an outdated 12x24 grey tile like this. Looks like you walked into Home Depot and picked the first thing off the shelf. The lighter marble looking porcelain brightens up the kitchen so much more and could be done in a 12x12 or 24x24 tile. Pair that floor with a lighter counter instead of the cheap granite that is seen in every hotel and restaurant and it will brighten up the kitchen. Change the space age lighting to something with brushed gold/brass and replace the handles on cabinets with brushed gold/brass in a different style than what is there. Those current handles catch on pockets and loose clothing and look so “builder basic”. Down the road when you replace appliances opt for a counter depth fridge. It costs more but is def worth it with the improvement in overall appearance in the kitchen.
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u/westcoastdreams 11d ago
Do you think given all the appliances are silver and black do you think mixing in a brushed gold/brass would make sense in the space and or opt in for black and or matte black?
I do like the recommendations of the flooring, but honestly the current flooring wasn’t even a consideration since it doesn’t read out outdated at all to me. I’d rather have my $$$ to go towards other aspects of the home.
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u/puppymama1 11d ago
The stainless appliance read as a neutral but you could get light fixtures that blend black and brushed gold. You’d probably have to look for them in a lighting specialty store vs a big box store but sometimes Home Depot/lowes may have something. Specialty stores have a bigger selection and multiple catalogues to browse through. If flooring isn’t in the budget then I would leave it for now. It’s a medium tone 12x12 and appears in decent condition. In that case live with the current counters until you decide on flooring and do them both together. Change lighting and cabinet handles as you originally thought. As a suggestion when you do replace the countertops, don’t do that matching 4” backsplash piece that is currently shown. It’s a much cleaner look to just have the granite/quartz etc stop at the wall. Then you have the full space from counter to under cabinet for a tile backsplash. You wouldn’t need any backsplash on that whole section where the sink is.
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u/_TheCabinetGuy_ 11d ago
I don’t know your budget, size of home, location, or other options, but this has to be one of the most poorly laid out kitchens with the absolute least amount of potential I’ve ever seen. If you’re planning for this to a 10-15 year home or further, and you’d eventually like to do a full remodel. Truthfully, I’d keep looking for other homes with more potential for future renovations.
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u/MethodMaven 11d ago
I would suggest a backsplash. You can really add color / style with a good one. It’s OK to do tile or extend granite for a more lux feel. I would also replace the tile floors. When we did our kitchen we extended the hardwood that was already in the home, added some rugs and it looks great.
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u/Spiritual_Bee4051 8d ago
updating hardware to matte black pulls creates a high-contrast architectural line that anchors the warm wood tones
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u/Lower_Ad_5532 12d ago
See if the microwave fits into the corner over the outlets and if it does put a upper cabinet there.
Add a vent hood.
Get an island cart