Wondering how to modernise the kitchen in our new home on a budget

[Guest]

We are thinking paint the cabinets, new handles. Maybe vinyl planks and paint the stove black?

lost at what to do with the long pantry door (if anything) and the area where the microwave is.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

[Leanne]

Paint cupboards just replace bench tops. I replaced my bench and it’s so much better but I can’t decide if I want the cupboard doors to be done. Above is my new and below is the old bench top.

[Maree]

Change the tap too.

[Emma]

Painted the kitchen cabinets, changed benchtop, splashback, window and sink- kept everything else the same… if white is you’re thing this is what it could look like.

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[Emma]

I don’t think painting the stove black will come up very well, it might look v odd.

I would probably replace countertop, sink, tapware and handles. You can really work with those wooden cabinets as they are.

If it were me, I think I would put in a slightly warm white (not grey) quartz countertop, a new undermount sink, a splashback of white or green zellige square tiles, a proper extractor above the stove, and then I’d get a feature light in the kitchen in the same metal as the door handles (possibly brass?)

Don't miss: I’m in a bit of a pickle. I have been trying not to have any black in my new kitchen

[Tori]

Remove curtain aswell! It ages the space!

[Vanessa]

Add an extractor and a microwave cupboard next to it. If you paint the cabinets white I would keep white oven. New tap and handles.

[Annie]

If your budget doesn't extend to replacing appliances, I'd paint cabinets sage green (I'm assuming bench tops are cream), add rangehood (white to match other appliances) over stove (it could be inserted into extra overhead cupboards). Take the glass doors off cupboards near fridge and leave as open shelving (add some plants in cane pots). Change door handles and tap to gold or white.

Explore these too: A question re kitchen and bathroom handles and taps - are we still doing mixed metals?

[Samantha]

I feel we may eventually regret painting timber kitchens but I’ve done it twice with good results. Once professionally (cost about $800), the second time myself. My recommendation is to pay a professional to use an apoxy so it doesn’t chip. Don’t do white. Painted timber is very on trend, choose a bold colour

[Jay]

Depends how much you want to modernise, your style and budget.

Any of the below would be on my list:

- replace lighting

- replace window treatment

- replace backsplash (go up higher)

- Keep the carcasses, but replace doors with a more modern profile. Alternatively sand and refinish.

- New sink (but lose the double drainboard, as it creates an awkwardly unusable corner)

- new appliances

- consider replacing cabinets on pantry/fridge side with full length cabinets, you could have the kettle, m/wave and toaster etc in there). Above bench height you could have a wide appliance cupboard and bifold doors going all the way up.

- install a rangehood

[Melinda]

1. Burn the lace curtain

2. Get rid of the fluro light (ideally some down lights & maybe feature a pendant over the bench if you have the budget)

3. Paint all timber cupboards white - this will work with the white appliances as I’m presuming you don’t have the budget for new appliances

4. If the bench tops are laminated you can paint them too

5. Paint walls

6. Change handles

7. Hybrid/Vinyl floor.