Hello everyone,
we received the approval to purchase a house yesterday and are extremely excited. We are already deep into planning, and the kitchen is part of that.
The kitchen is 18 years old and actually still in good condition. We wouldn’t change the layout much; what would be different is adding a tall cabinet on the far right and having the kitchen island straight instead of offset as it is in the picture. Also, we don’t like the color (vanilla yellow). There are also too many handles for our taste.
Do you think a gentle renovation could work, such as replacing the cabinet fronts? Applying a laminate or foil finish? Any other ideas or inputs we might have overlooked?
We would actually prefer not to spend around $30,000 again on a new kitchen...
we received the approval to purchase a house yesterday and are extremely excited. We are already deep into planning, and the kitchen is part of that.
The kitchen is 18 years old and actually still in good condition. We wouldn’t change the layout much; what would be different is adding a tall cabinet on the far right and having the kitchen island straight instead of offset as it is in the picture. Also, we don’t like the color (vanilla yellow). There are also too many handles for our taste.
Do you think a gentle renovation could work, such as replacing the cabinet fronts? Applying a laminate or foil finish? Any other ideas or inputs we might have overlooked?
We would actually prefer not to spend around $30,000 again on a new kitchen...
M
MachsSelbst16 Sep 2024 07:33Painting cabinet fronts can also be done well by a skilled carpenter; you don’t necessarily have to go to an automotive painter. The days when craftsmen like Meister Eder only worked with wood and maybe applied some stain are long gone.
However, it can get expensive. During the refurbishment of the fronts, labor costs will drive the price up because “filling drill holes and painting” is more time-consuming than it sounds… if you want a good result.
The same applies to wrapping; the surface must be perfectly smooth before applying the wrap.
New fronts will likely cost you almost as much as new cabinets. The fronts are the main cost driver in a kitchen; the cabinet carcass itself is almost negligible in price.
5,000 EUR (about 5,400 USD) should be the absolute minimum; if you go with a Swiss manufacturer, I would rather expect around 10,000 EUR (about 10,800 USD) to be safe.
Even the side panels and decorative trims on top of the cabinets… all of that has to be removed and either painted or replaced…
However, it can get expensive. During the refurbishment of the fronts, labor costs will drive the price up because “filling drill holes and painting” is more time-consuming than it sounds… if you want a good result.
The same applies to wrapping; the surface must be perfectly smooth before applying the wrap.
New fronts will likely cost you almost as much as new cabinets. The fronts are the main cost driver in a kitchen; the cabinet carcass itself is almost negligible in price.
5,000 EUR (about 5,400 USD) should be the absolute minimum; if you go with a Swiss manufacturer, I would rather expect around 10,000 EUR (about 10,800 USD) to be safe.
Even the side panels and decorative trims on top of the cabinets… all of that has to be removed and either painted or replaced…
Maybe a dark-colored floor covering would already change a lot; these are available in very thin and stylish designs. If it can’t or shouldn’t be installed everywhere, a minimal transition might be possible, which could be quite acceptable depending on the execution.
In any case, I wouldn’t consider installing a new kitchen at this point, as several good ideas have already been suggested.
In any case, I wouldn’t consider installing a new kitchen at this point, as several good ideas have already been suggested.
M
MachsSelbst16 Sep 2024 13:16He is bothered by the handles and the color of the fronts... what difference would a new floor make?
I think the kitchen still looks completely fine. Try clearing away all the clutter, including the crochet doilies… that will already make a big difference. If anything, I would replace all the black elements with warm wood tones (countertops, window sill). The black backsplash (stove and sink area) should also be swapped for something lighter. A modern range hood would look nice, and instead of the hanging shelf, two pendant lights. I would keep the stepped design, as it nicely hides any mess in the kitchen! I would also go for a tall cabinet instead of a half-height one.
S
Siedler3417 Sep 2024 10:10Replacing cabinet fronts is outrageously expensive and usually not worth it. @MachsSelbst is right about that!
Personally, I would completely remove the wall cabinets at the back, as they make the kitchen look quite outdated. Then, I would install a new floor and paint the walls in a darker color to downplay the vanilla shade. I would also replace the glass in the display cabinets on the island with something color-coordinated. Possibly add a new countertop too (the common plastic laminate ones are not too expensive), and then, personally, I would really like the kitchen.
Personally, I would completely remove the wall cabinets at the back, as they make the kitchen look quite outdated. Then, I would install a new floor and paint the walls in a darker color to downplay the vanilla shade. I would also replace the glass in the display cabinets on the island with something color-coordinated. Possibly add a new countertop too (the common plastic laminate ones are not too expensive), and then, personally, I would really like the kitchen.
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