How can we improve or redo our kitchen (pics)??

Question

my parents are anything but designers but they want our kitchen to look better, so does anyone have any suggestions?

the kitchen:

http://usera.imagecave.com/poppies174/06-28-08_001.jpg

kitchen including dining area:

http://usera.imagecave.com/poppies174/06-28-08_002.jpg

angle 1:

http://usera.imagecave.com/poppies174/06-28-08_003.jpg

angle 2:

http://usera.imagecave.com/poppies174/06-28-08_004.jpg

oh yeah, the electric blue walls were NOT my idea, but what type/color walls WOULD look good?

and any urls to products we could buy that would look good in the kitchen would be great. thx!

Answer 1

Yes, the blue is all wrong.  The kitchen color should be a neutral soft color.  It's not that big.  First of all cut off the cutesy side shelves on either side of the window.  Too busy and outdated.  The island is weak.  Either build a real island or leave it out entirely.  The table is too big in the eating area.  The cabinet hardware needs to be changed out for something more updated.  The fan/light has to go.  Better to put in some sort of track lighting or rewire the room for recessed spots.  The dining light is old fashioned and needs updating as well.  And the clutter has to go.  If you can put in a bigger more prescient island some of that stuff would fit in the island.   Best I can offer without being in your room.

Answer 2

I tough of French Country , since you already have the furniture that would be perfect all you really need to do is paint and add a few things and take away some , I will try to help ,so here is one picture ,I will send you others ,keep on looking at my post

http://www.wmohs.com/gallery/kitchens/im...

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbvi...

http://www.prestigecustomfurniture.com/g...

Answer 3

Cabinets look nice so play them up.  Paint the walls a tan/khaki or a moss green.  Replace counter tops with a granite or (granite look a like).  The island is drowning so by even putting a larger (double the size) counter top on it would improve the look.  Add legs for support and shelves and use wicker baskets on the shelves to store cookbooks, nicknack kitchen items. etc.

Replace the ceiling fan with an oil rubbed bronze 3 light tract.  Replace eating area with similar finished light.  Replace the kitchen k***s/pulls with the same bronze finish along with the kitchen sink faucet,

Use the "spray on" stainless steel spray on the dishwasher to match the oven and fridge.  

Replace the bar stools with a black wrought iron backed stools or refinish the covers in a color similar to the chosen wall cover.

Put all the small appliances into the pantry

Replace light/plug switches with an oil bronzed cover.  

The kitchen looks lilke it has great bones.  I'd love to jump in there and renovate.  There are several tricks you could do for little money to make major changes.

Answer 4

First, you may want to definitely repaint the walls - the are not doing anything to make the room feel any lighter or inviting.  Sherwin Williams has an online 'Color Visualize' that you can use to see paint colors in a typical room.  You may want to go with something light and neutral to offset the wood cabinetry and floors.

Second, look into some new lighting.  I only see three fixtures in the photos.  Adding some undercounter lighting to the cabinets, lighting pointing towards the ceiling (a cove lighting on top of the wall cabinets), or additional fixtures (canister light fixtures pointed at the central counter? more task lighting) will make the kitchen more appealing.

Lastly, it looks like there is a blue plastic laminate counter being used.  The paint may or may not help that.  You may want to consider looking at a solid surface counter top to replace the plastic laminate.  Granite counter tops may be nice, but will soon be passe like 80's marble counter tops.

Don't touch the cabinets or the floor - they look great.  Best of luck!

Answer 5

i have to say, i actually like it. The only thing i would do (other than rearranging the placement of some of the cupboards which i think would be a little drastic) would be to either remove the island completely, or if you feel you need the bench space, have it replaced with a island with a centralised top, it looks lopsided as it is, and maybe make it a little longer.

Answer 6

You have beautiful cabinets and woodwork so play them up with a warm color on the walls.  I would go for a soft gold or pale orange, even

an adobe shade.  That alone will improve the look and feel of the kitchen.

It is a wonderful size and has a terrific layout all it needs is different paint.

Answer 7

i suggest you get granite counter tops get a darker finish on the dining table and paint the walls a light yellow or very light blue ive seen that done before and its very beautiful