Low budget kitchen makeover
All the cupboards & drawers are solid and working well. Ideally an island where the sink is would open up the kitchen a bit more.
Would that expensive??? Unsure about colours and required budget.
Thank you in advance.
Comments (7)
PRODr Retro House Calls
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoAs soon as you start to partially remove benches you have the problem of how to finish off the end of the break in the bench. In addition your dark floor tiles probably don't go under the bench, so you will have a strange gap in the floor tiles, unless you have some matching tiles lying around.
If you are lucky enough to have a well proportioned kitchen with good storage and working doors and drawers then I would look at keeping all of the existing cabinetwork as it is and looking at the aesthetics.
A new reconstituted stone benchtop that complements the existing laminate, and a LED strip lighting mounted on the underside of the overhead cupboards will give it a big lift, and maximum bang for your buck.
You won't be able to easily remove the dark splashback tiles without damaging the substrate underneath so your options to tile over the top are limited. I would consider a light coloured mosaic tiled splashback which will conceal the irregularities of the existing tile.
Finally paint the wall above the overheads to work with the rest of the colours. There are some specialised laminate paints which may work for the cabintwork doors with the right preparation, but you need to some research on their longevity. Laminate paint doesn't work on benchtops, which is why I have suggested replacement of the benchtops.
Don't consider new flooring unless you want to spend some big dollars.
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Dr Retro
of Dr Retro House Calls
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Low cost apartment kitchen makeover
Comments (7)Hi Neville47 Yes the kitchen was fine before and serviceable however the lights made little difference as the timber laminate kitchen really darkened and disconnected the whole space. The new kitchen is a cost effective way of modernising a small space and was one of the ways we made the whole apartment appear bigger. thanks...See MoreLiving kitchen dining makeover
Comments (8)Thanks for your replies. I don't favour any particular style, I'm afraid I can see good things in all styles, but I love the colours of Morocca and Mexico and also love Balinese. I thought that with white walls I could bring plenty of colour into furnishings etc. I really like white white, am not fond of creamy whites at all. If anyone can suggest a colour I will get a sample pot and try it. I know the floor tiles restrict colour choices but they will have to stay unfortunately. We live in the sub tropics so would like that reflected, also love indoor plants. I love sleek modern kitchens with plenty of drawers however ours is a bit boxed in to make look sleek, am considering getting an upright stove so where the oven is could become more bench space. The dining room needs to cater to 8 minimum but am looking out for a nice extension table for there....See More4-5 bedroom house 1 large bathroom or 2 small ,very low budget ?
Comments (17)Hi maryprior892 Thanks for posting the extra information it all helps in gaining some understanding, I think it is possible to improve this existing house in a cost effective manner. Just a minor item that I picked up in regards of equipment - I think you mentioned that the existing STORAGE is actually a covered internal courtyard - I also notice that you have a hot water unit in this space - you should check that the hot-water service (if it is a gas unit) that it has sufficient ventilation and is not an external units that has been closed in - any plumber will give you this information - enclosing gas units that are designed for external use is not a good idea. I think that if you are going to make changes it not only should suit you, but also have a good resale opportunity - considering your upstairs areas it might be better to add a decent En-suite and walk in robes and getting two or three bedrooms downstairs - in this way you would have parents areas separated from children - this might have better resale and use that a tiny ES. The third bedroom downstairs could be gained by enclosing the RUMPUS room and providing access to bathroom areas by a corridor to existing bathrooms. This would also aid in getting containment areas for heating - at the moment the plan shows one open space including the upstairs - lots of heating in winter in Tasmania for all that area - some compartmentalization would probably help in combating yearly heating costs. The existing living area are certainly ample, so the loss of the rumpus to a bedroom does not detract greatly to the overall house, and in the meantime you could use the new downstairs bedroom/rumpus room as you have already mentioned as a library. I think this is achievable, but before doing a physical change, I would have a fully developed plan which includes all existing and proposed furniture to scale, with a few 3D views to enhance the concept. (It easier to change drawings than walls - a lot less dust and much cheaper) I would then obtain the opinion of a Real-estate agent (the Real-estate agent you bought it from is not a bad place to start) and maybe two others. This might help in making long term decisions in regards to investment for the future. Staging your proposed renovations is also another approach that you might investigate. Above all I would retain and obtain as many ocean views that you can possibly get, I assume that the ocean views are at the front of the house (" revealed an open fireplace in the front lounge which also has ocean views so that is fabulous.") If possible you might consider developing an external eating/sitting/entertaining area with ocean views - I certainly would be a buyer, and I would assume that it might be supported by the real-estate agent. I hope this is of some help, I would be happy to comment further on this design as more information becomes available. Michael Manias Manias Associates Building Associates mm407p@gmail.com...See More80s Kitchen needs a makeover
Comments (8)I had similar thoughts as robandlyn -- how will any alterations work in with the rest of the house . But unlike most comments , I actually think some of the features are worth keeping -- the yellowish stone has a certain style ; and even if its only kept for decoration , I like the wood stove . As a really cheap first step ( basically , if you don't like it , you have almost convinced yourself to replace , so you'll only lose $200 ) I'd restain those midbrown doors in a Japanese black -- basically a black white and light gold sort of vibe . I think that will emphasis what I consider the positives , but if you hate those features , then a rebuild is called for haha ! If you do like that change though , then see what else you like and don't like -- personally , I'd fit a bit wider and more modern 'bar top' / servery ( the lower bench seems okay , I'd get rid of that whole rounded end upper piece , maybe go charcoal or even a charcoal marble , sticking with the black/white idea ) . And update the microwave etc , and new bar stools is a perfect chance to bring in something modern but also add some colour -- maybe black tubing frame and maybe orange or red padded seats ....See MoreR M
5 years agoR M
5 years ago- PRO
Dr Retro House Calls
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoR M - I thought that you were looking for a low budget makeover?
I would guess that from your photos that the substrate behind the splashback would be plasterboard, and that the splashback tiles have been adhered to the plasterboard. It will be tricky to remove the tiles without damaging the plasterboard. You need a smooth flat finish for the new splashback, but you can't easily put in new plasterboard as you have left the base and overhead cabinets there, with the original plasterboard behind each cupboard. An expert plasterer might attempt it, but it is going to be another new trade doing a time consuming and fiddly job, with a good chance of a dodgy joint between the new plasterboard and the old plasterboard.
Glass splashbacks look great but they are custom made for the space - so the hole for your microwave powerpoint has to be measured precisely and cast when the glass is made - it can't be cut out later. For the amount of measuring and labour involved custom made glass splashbacks aren't a cost-effective splashback material for a low-budget kitchen makeover, which is why I didn't suggest it.
There are acrylic options which are cheaper, but can melt when adjacent to a gas flame - and it still needs a flush, flat finish underneath, not plasterboard that has been half destroyed by removing old splashback tiles.
At the end of the day it comes down to balancing between what you would like, and how many big dollars you are prepared to pay. For a kitchen that old I would be keeping my expenses conservative and be saving for a new kitchen (with a glass splashback, island bench, microwave shelf and new flooring) to be installed in ten years time.
Best of luck with your research,
Dr Retro
of Dr Retro House Calls
BUILD Architecture Award 2018 · More Info R M
5 years ago
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5 years ago
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