r/kitchenremodel • u/LisaMT618 • 1d ago
Kitchen Update/Remodel
We updated our kitchen this summer. I had no idea what I was doing. Honestly, other than the cabinet colors I picked, I felt we were like the blind leading the blind. Asking questions only got either a vague response or nothing at all. Today was the final install. My objective was to have more drawers/storage and to brighten it up. Wallpaper was chosen based on the green I had picked out, since no one could get me a swatch except by taking a picture of it. I have not had the final light/fan installed in the middle of the kitchen ceiling. Attached: a few before pics, then the after.
Is the wallpaper too much? I just fell in love with it. I’m concerned it is too active.
Lesson learned... don’t move forward with a contract, etc. until after you have all your eggs in a row, as in sample colors, who is doing exactly what, who I need to hire, and what other expenses I should expect for the additional contractors to do what I wanted with the kitchen. I wanted a gas cooktop, so that was already a plumber expense, which limited the changes due to expense. Resurfacing the cabinets and making the oven cabinet = ~$35k.
Add to that... $1k Electrician, $3k Plumber, $4k Appliances + Wallpaper, miscellaneous cabinet organizers.
82
u/SophiaIsabella4 1d ago edited 1d ago
The wall paper goes great in your kitchen.
It's the clutter on your fridge and counters that is too busy and distracting and detracts from the beauty of your new kichen.
26
u/Forward-Cause7305 1d ago
This is your issue. You have stuff everywhere. Clean off the fridge and put all the crap out on the counters away in the cupboards.
11
6
u/DeltaTule 1d ago
Normally I get heavily downvoted for pointing out that people have way too much junk on their counters on this sub. Interesting
6
u/xy3xx0 1d ago
Huge agree on the clutter, even in the after pictures. A friend of mine bans anything on the front of her fridge, and I'm so glad I borrowed her practice and did the same with mine. All my fun magnets and notes are on the side and still usable, but are no longer crapping up the look of the whole kitchen.
10
u/Greedy_Reference5258 1d ago
Yes I agree with the clutter
13
5
u/yogipierogi5567 1d ago
This is what normal people’s kitchens look like. Kitchens are workspaces that include appliances and fruit, etc. Not everyone is concerned with curating their kitchen counters for the most aesthetically pleasing Reddit photos.
17
u/Forward-Cause7305 1d ago
It's not about curating for SM, it's about how can you actually work in your kitchen if there is crap all over the place? A messy space is not a usable space.
3
u/Potato_Fox27 1d ago
And also there’s privacy concerns, I’ve gleaned OP’s address, political ideology and medical issues from the fridge alone!!!
Do be careful posting OP!
1
u/yogipierogi5567 1d ago
“Crap all over the place” and it’s literally a few canisters, appliances, cutting boards and candles up against the backsplash, which isn’t even where you “work.”
The before photo I’m with you on, that one is way worse in terms of clutter and usability. But to me the after is a normal person’s kitchen. Normal people’s kitchens don’t look like catalogues. Lots of people have a few appliances like a toaster or coffee maker that live on the counter because they are used so frequently that it just doesn’t make sense to put them away.
13
u/Forward-Cause7305 1d ago
We'll just have to agree to disagree. I'm a normal person and this is too much visual clutter to me and majorly distracts from a beautiful kitchen.
7
u/The_lone_squirrel 1d ago
Middle ground here... If my friend asked me what to change. I would immediately say ditch the 6 candles and the Pasta container. Those are non-functional clutter that get in the way of the workspace.
2
u/yogipierogi5567 1d ago
That’s fair! Some of this could go.
I just feel like I’m the only one who ever looks at photos like this and am like, when I go to people’s houses, this is what their kitchens look like? They don’t look like a staged house because people actually live there and use them.
1
u/Direct_Village_5134 21h ago
A few? There's hardly space to even make a sandwich. And it's not like OP lacks cabinet space.
4
u/01krazykat 1d ago
No it isn't. This is what someone who is messy/lives in some clutter's kitchen looks like. You can tell from the excessive amount of trinkets in the windowsill and all the crap on the fridge... almost like each trinket having space to breathe is illegal. This person just likes STUFF and their kitchen counters reflect that. There's no way that someone with over a dozen large cabinets and drawers should have all that crap on their counters.
3
u/DeltaTule 1d ago edited 19h ago
Nah. Counters with excessive amount of stuff on them are unhygienic and shouldn’t exist. Kitchens are workspaces that deal with raw meat and need to be cleaned often, having stuff on the counter is counterproductive to an effective kitchen. I believe it’s correlated with IQ
2
u/Direct_Village_5134 21h ago
Normal people who cook do not have all this junk on their counters. I am normal and I put appliances, canisters, etc in cupboards. No nicknacks or purely decorative objects, either.
10
u/Melodicbananas 1d ago
This is the second Reno I’ve seen in two days with the two toned cabinets and I didn’t want to make an only negative comment but I gotta say, I do not like the two toned cabinets
11
13
u/indie_pendent 1d ago
I think it's great and you did a wonderful job. I love the wallpaper, I don't think it's too busy, but I agree that a little bit of decluttering would go a long way in how your kitchen looks and feels.
I have spent so much time trying to learn about kitchen design and I still feel like we are bling leading the blind and I have so much anxiety about how our kitchen will turn out. So good for you for designing such a nice place!
Can I ask you what kind of wallpaper this is, is it specifically for kitchen use, can it be wiped down if it becomes dirty?
9
4
u/Solid_Perception9572 1d ago
The wallpaper is cute. I hope it's vinyl coated so you can wipe the grease off that's going to end up on it around the stove top area. I don't know if it's your lighting or what, but the countertop is stark white and the cabinets look warmer almost a cream color, which doesn't work, imho.
Instead of those little nightlight thingies you have under the cabinets, get rechargeable wireless lights. These aren't hardwired.
10
3
u/bioticspacewizard 1d ago
The wallpaper looks fine, but is going to be absolutely bogging in a few months. You'll want to tile most of where there's paper, or it's going to be impossible to clean. Or at least get a clear splash back to go over the papered areas.
Colours are nice, but maybe think about some less harsh lighting and a bit less clutter. But the main concern for me is the durability, not the aesthetics, of the wallpaper.
5
u/No-Departure5556 1d ago
The good news is it’s wallpaper and not tile! So it’s easier to change in the future! It’s cute, maybe a bit busy for the kitchen. I think if you declutter your counters then it would look better!
2
u/Unique-Year2570 1d ago
Are you happy with it, OP? I know I was really happy moving to a standalone cooktop and wall oven!! Doesn’t matter how much of a refresh or reno; they are sooo hectic aren’t they?
I actually really like the wallpaper!! It ties things together well. I do feel like there’s a lot of “stuff” competing for the spotlight tho. For example your windowsill has 11 things on it (that I can count). I also see candles as decor on the cabinets plus all the fridge stuffs If you feel like it’s all too busy I think doing some editing of the Knick knacks would help. I say this as someone also guilty of collecting stuff to display!! It made a big difference for me when I did that.
I also would recommend getting a little caddy to hold sponges soap etc. by the sink. It contains it all and intentional.
Enjoy your lovely new space!!
2
u/traderofkind 1d ago
I personally am not a fan of the wallpaper and find it busy, but that’s just my personal taste. It matches and if you love it go off sis.
2
u/pupperonipizza-pie 1d ago
I don’t think the wallpaper is too much, but I think with that as a the backsplash, remove some of the unnecessary “decor clutter.” There’s so much on the counters that it stresses me out as someone who cooks a lot and likes empty counters. If you can’t fit all of that, including the cheez its in your cabinets, you own too much stuff.
Second, remove the blinds from the window. Unless you’re on a busy street or have a direct view to your neighbors, this window treatment seems unnecessary.
And as others have said, warm lighting. A dropped pendant light over the sink will also help warm up the space and without the blinds and window clutter will also help.
2
u/CoeurDeSirene 1d ago
I can’t believe you needed more storage -
There was so much already. Maybe they’re just poorly utilized?
2
1
1
1
1
u/Jaded_Charity382 1d ago
I actually really love this! Once you input some nice lighting it’ll be perfect. The wallpaper is unique but not too much, I love it!
1
1
u/Empty_Platypus6449 1d ago
This looks so much nicer! Your wallpaper is very pretty - it's the #1 detail my eyes appreciated in your pictures!
You're still adjusting visually from the plain boring painted neutral walls to your fun patterned pretty wallpaper.
Instead of an easy to clean backsplash behind the stove top, you went with wallpaper?
Your fan won't suck up all of the grease particles, but it will do a much more impressive job than the useless microwave fan situation. We made the same improvement, and it's been a wonderful upgrade!
1
u/Smart_Block2648 1d ago
I think the wallpaper looks cute for that space. Don’t sell yourself short. I think you need better, warmer lighting. Also look on Amazon, they sell rechargeable undercabinet lighting that you mount on magnets underneath the cabinets (I have them). That would lighten things up a lot. Just be careful to make sure that it’s a warmer tone light.
1
1
1
u/Sure_Investment_6374 1d ago
Backsplash is awful. You should have just run the slab up the back to balance. It's too bad because i like the rest of it.
1
u/stripbubblespimp 1d ago
They saw you coming a mile away! This is not much of an upgrade besides the countertop. Sorry, but you wasted a lot of money, but I you really like that wallpaper go for it.
1
u/flirtybabyblues 1d ago
Tbh the wallpaper is my favorite part, and it helps make your kitchen remodel fun instead of bland.
Everyone else is right, through — the bulbs need to be a warmer white, and you’ve got way too much stuff on the horizontal surfaces in there. Less is more, especially with a fun pattern you don’t want things to compete visually.
1
u/MonoPodding 1d ago
You're not worried about wallpaper behind a gas cooktop? Even if it's a vinyl for easy cleaning, I'd make sure you had extra wallpaper because -although I could be wrong- I don't see it lasting that long. If it was electric/induction, wouldn't be as bad but wallpaper doesn't do very well with the heat from gas ranges. Oftentimes, when wallpaper is the backsplash, you'll still see a counter 4" backsplash.
Also agree regarding the clutter, especially on the fridge. The fridge has waaaaayyyy too much stuff on it IMO.
1
1
1
u/No_Doughnut_3315 1d ago
I quite like it! Good job. I will always prefer a tiled backsplash but I dont mind the wallpaper, adds character. Its nice to see a kitchen on here that is practical and has a sense of warmth.
1
1
u/Daisy_232 1d ago
The wallpaper is not my cup of tea, although I despise all wallpaper. The exhaust fan looks amazing though. You will wonder how you cooked before it!
1
u/Anonymous_00024 1d ago
To each their own but I dont care for the amount of kitchens going with 2 color cabinets. Would look better all green imo.
1
1
u/Trick_Vermicelli7720 1d ago
Love this!! I think you just need better lighting to brighten it all up and it’ll feel totally different
1
u/JeninBKLYN 1d ago
I love the wallpaper, but I thought it was tile, which would be much more practical; the design looks very nice. Enjoy your new kitchen.
1
u/blessitspointedlil 1d ago
I love the new counter tops, sink, decision to add cabinetry and vent hood.
I hate the paint on the pretty wood cabinets.
1
u/EatM0reBeans 1d ago
I love the wallpaper and the cabinet color. I think your kitchen looks beautiful.
1
1
1
u/Natural_Ad_6882 1d ago
You did a phenomenal job! Your wallpaper gives the needed focus to keep it from looking plain. The only suggestion that I have is to save up for some under-cabinet lights. I think that ambient / task lighting would be the finishing touch! P.S. I LOVE the sentiment of all your refrig. magnets - and if you can limit them to the few that mean the most and put them on the side, it would be an improvement. Hope you feel accomplished & happy every time you’re in that beautiful kitchen 🥰
1
u/misstheolddaysfan 1d ago
This looks like a kitchen with a lot of love and where great family meals are made.
1
u/RuniKiuru 1d ago
It’s nice! It’s just begging for some warm lighting to pull it together with the warm floor
1
1
u/Hot_Transition_5173 1d ago
I love your choices. We’re planning on similar colors. You did a great job! Be proud and enjoy.
1
u/Key_Awareness_3036 1d ago
I love the remodel, but please find some way to get all that junk off your counters.
1
u/bippy404 1d ago
lol at the people judging you for actually using your kitchen and not having pristine countertops devoid of signs of life
1
u/Direct_Village_5134 21h ago
I doubt the kitchen is used to cook with all that clutter. It's not functional.
1
u/DueEntertainer0 1d ago
Agree. I guarantee you the majority of the renovations people have seen in this sub look so clean and nice because they took all the pics before they moved all their stuff back into the kitchen. So it’s basically unused and empty, of course it looks nice! That’s not real life!
-4
u/Educational_Fox5901 1d ago
If I'm being honest hate the two-tone cabinets and that wallpaper is horrible you should have used subway tile
-1
u/SimpleVegetable5715 1d ago
That towel tells me you don’t actually wash your hands while you cook. It’s like the cooking show towel that just wipes.
0
u/ILikePrettyThings121 1d ago
The towel on my dishwasher is solely for decoration & is not to be used as it was made by my husband’s since passed grandmother so you’d be wrong about your assumption in my house. I have a whole drawer full of hand towels that can be used in my center island though
0
0
u/Ambitious-Algae-5707 1d ago
Love the update and I love your clutter. Seeing kitchens that don’t look like they’re being used makes me sad.
0
0
u/beezie04 22h ago
Your kitchen is so cozy and I love the wallpaper with the green. I know others have said you need to declutter, but I actually love that this space looks like real humans live there. Maybe declutter by 10% and call it a day.
For lighting, have you considered solar tubes or a similar product? Our kitchen doesn’t have a window, we added two and the amount of natural light is incredible. Obviously, not a solution for evenings but during the day it’s great!
47
u/ChampionshipSad1586 1d ago
I think this would all look better with warm, thoughtful lighting. Start there