Need help for my kitchen

8 years ago

I am renovating our kitchen and we have a slim budget. I'm going to replace the benchtops and re-paint cupboards.

We have just painted the walls through the house in half-strength hogs bristle and would like to keep the same tone (creams/coffee/neutral tones). Window sills are painted vivid white, and flooring is now timber .

We have decided that we'll most likely go with a laminate benchtop. Just not sure of profile/texture and most importantly colour...

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Featured Answer

PRO

The Interior Difference

8 years ago

Hi Maree,

If you want to go with a light colour laminate benchtop I would go with a postformed (10mm radius) edge rather than a square edge. If you go with a square edge you will have a dark line along the edges which is very visible on a light coloured bench.

The gloss laminates are very popular at the moment but I would only suggest them if you are renovating to sell. If you are renovating for yourself I would avoid the gloss finish as over time the laminate benchtop will accrue many fine scratches. These scratches are almost undetectable on a matt / natural surface, but they are very obvious on a gloss surface, particularly when there is a window above the bench.

Laminex Toffee Mineral Stone is a great option for your scheme if you want a gloss finish. For a Natural finish I'm quite a fan of Laminex Quicksand, which is a touch darker.
Generally I find that the Laminex / Formica brands are more durable when it comes to a gloss finish, so I would suggest looking in their range if you do want gloss.

Good luck!

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Comments (13)

Gallifrey
8 years ago
Your kitchen would look fantastic if you changed the bench tops and cupboard handles. Also some new splash back tiles which are a bit bold would be great.
Maree thanked Gallifrey
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LesleyH
8 years ago
Yes Gallifrey, perhaps this is all it needs rather than painting the cupboard doors. Are those tiles or lino on the floors?
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Maree thanked LesleyH
PRO
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
speak to your bench top supplier but one option I have used in the past is a laminate bench top with a hardwood edge strip fixed to the front. It is not much more expensive and makes relatively cheap laminate bench tops looks a lot more luxurious
Maree thanked User
oklouise
8 years ago
keep the original doors, try painting the counter and add new d handles (sized to match the holes of the original handles) ...fresh new kitchen for about $120! Will the microwave fit inside the pantry? (hole drilled in side wall of cabinet for the cord to plug in with the fridge? Save new counters for when your ready to rethink the layout and/or you need a new stove or whole new kitchen...In good condition the old cabinets can be separated and re arranged with new counter (we recycled ours into the garage for the mancave)
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Maree thanked oklouise
Lesley Taylor
8 years ago
I think the floor dates the whole look. Might be worth re doing it
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Maree thanked Lesley Taylor
Maree
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

I think I'll go with a matt finish laminate for the benchtops and darker colour for the under-bench cupboards and maybe lighter around the top... what do you think? Give a bit of a contrast. The current cupboard finish is well-worn and definitely needs a fresh coat of paint!

Thanks again!
PRO
Cordony Group
8 years ago
I agree, you may want to consider changing the floors to avoid the kitchen style looking disjointed.

We transformed this Federation style kitchen by completing a:
- Paint refresh
- Kitchen Resurfacing
- And installing floating floors
High Street, Willoughby (2) · More Info
High Street, Willoughby (2) · More Info
Hope this provided you with some inspiration!
Maree thanked Cordony Group
girlguides
8 years ago
@maree if Lino in good nick just leave could do overhead cupboard same colour as wall and re bank of wall cupboards do all same colour just have cupboards under benchtop darker for contrast perhaps colour that picks up shade in floor to tie it together
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girlguides
8 years ago
Hi @Maree my bar stools are almost same as yours and I love them !!
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Maree
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thanks for the ideas!

Sorry i didn't make it clear that we have installed floating flooring in the kitchen...this has defintely modernised it.

Will post a photo when i can...
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annb1997
8 years ago
Hi Maree. Any progress with your kitchen to post? Looking forward to seeing the transformation. Cheers!
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PRO
AOK Design
6 years ago
Hope this free e book helps you with your renovation -- tons of info for you to research the options available --

https://www.aok.net.au/ebook/
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