If the layout functions well for you and kitchen has good bones, go for the refresh rather then full reno. Then you can put the dollars you save toward another project.

I agree with above, if the layout is working well for you then I would personally just get new benchtops (and splashback) and would also add waterfall edges to the island if possible or if budget doesn't allow then maybe just one waterfall edge at the end of the L-shape, I don't think you need to replace the cabinets if they are in good condition but if you want a bit of a change you could probably just paint them a different colour and maybe some new handles and your kitchen would have a total look overhaul without breaking the bank, good luck :)

p.s. Who's the cutie on the couch?

+1 to both Pazz and dohraime. 7k sounds a little steep for Linen colour and for the amount of bench space and island that you have. For the kitchen, it should be covered by two slabs. However, if 7K includes removal of old top as well as necessary electrical and plumbing work to reconnect cooktop, dishwasher, and sink, then it sounds a bit more reasonable.

Refresh on the counter. Kitchen still looks in great shape.

Hi Angela

A refresh of the kitchen would work wonders! Your place has a warm and friendly feel with a touch of country charm :)

Dont discount laminates for your benchtops! as stone can be expensive.

Laminex has just released some new materials for benchtops which are fantastic. One is a marble, which would be lovely, and tie into that charm. If you are set on stone, obtain another quote, as this seems high.

We would recommend new benchtops, splashback, tap, and perhaps to match the tone of paint to the cabinets above the overheads to make your cabinets appear higher to the ceiling.

The Bodo board that we recommend for you is in the link below, so jump on and have a look. You can purchase and instantly download all of the information as a full shopping list for paint, benchtops, splashbacks and products, to bring your home to life! as well as cost cutting alternatives to bring your project in on budget.

http://bodoboards.com.au/collections/country/products/classic-country

Good luck!

Hi,
Your kitchen is lovely and has heaps of potential.

I'd change the benchtop to something shaped at the end, adding a butlers sink, some nice white brick tiles for the splash back and some Hampton style draw handles.

I'd love to see pics when you're finished.

Good luck

Thanks everyone for your comments. I will take them all on board, the $7k was the cheapest of many quotes I got for stone benchtops and that did include install and removal and some of the elec/plumbing work. That is my dog Milly on the couch, she has to be a part of everything!!!

Yep do the stone benchtops - I'd do it in a similar colour to the kitchen to make it seem more spacious. The cupboards look fine in the photos.

Kitchen cupboards look great - just change the benchtops and splashback. Caesarstone Linen would look good with a similar colour for splashback.

black Paper rock for benchtops

Have also seen black bench tops against white cupboards and looks great possible alternative colour option.

firstly you have too much going on in the kitchen, its overcrowded and so many finishes competing with one another. There are the overhead cupboards with different doors competing with the stainless steel range hood, the wooden window blind. Caesar Stone is the latest trend but there are other less expensive quart stone tops on the market. If the bones are good simply renew the benchtop and replace the splashback with 600x300 tiles

Hi Angela, definitely just an update. Replace the bench top with Caesar stone. From memory linen will work well, a bit of a contrast to the cupboards without being dark. The paint colour works well with the cupboards but accentuates the height of the overheads (they look short). I suggest replacing the rangehood with a concealed model and adding cupboards, this is a more up to date look. Replace the 3 tall panels (beside the fridge & pantry) as well as the overheads (doors only, to save cost) to make the whole kitchen look taller and more substantial. It will also make the ceiling feel higher. I would also replace the glass doors with standard doors. Subway tile splashback and depending on budget and age I would replace the blinds with a light colour to match the architrave colour). Good luck.

FYI
To clarify my overhead cupboard suggestion.
I suggest replacing the existing doors and panels with taller ones but leave the overhead carcasses as is. This will give a taller kitchen overall without having to replace the bulkhead and carcasses. Also, forgot to mention new handles.

As someone said earlier- don't discount Laminex, I have a gloss Laminex that looks just like stone and 6 years on, still looks great!

FYI
To clarify my overhead cupboard suggestion.
By replacing the tall panels and overhead cupboard doors with taller ones will give the look of a taller kitchen without having to touch the bulkhead or carcasses.
Also, forgot to mention new handles will work well.

Hi Angela.

If your existing kitchen works for you, then replacing your benchtop and splashback will definitely work, as well as save you money.

Whilst the Caesarstone's Linen is nice, I would recommend Smartstone Amara - it has a marble look, and is one of the more reasonably priced marble-look engineered stones. I have seen it installed and it looks fantastic.

With the money saved, I recommend that you invest in some really beautiful tiles for the splashback (even if they are subway style, get really nice ones), some gorgeous new handles, as well as change the colour of your blinds to match as closely as possible the window architraves. A nice new sink and tap (think carefully about undermounted) will also help. Finally, if you can match your existing fronts exactly, then it may also be a good time to change the dishwasher to a fully integrated model.

You could also replace the freestanding canopy, etc., as Design Fusion recommends, but that will cost you a quite bit more (it will require not only the new cabinet, but also redoing part of the bulkhead and cornice work), and you may have an issue with the new fronts matching the existing.

All the best!

Have you thought about Granite Transformations ? They put a veneer over the top of existing benchtops, I think it's reasonably cost effective, they can also replace doors for a different look as well

Angela, what did you end up doing? You had a good base to work from. If you’d like to, pls share the outcome.