How to improve this kitchen?
Discussion
So planning on selling this house, and doing the final touches on the it now.
The last room we need to look at is the kitchen, and to me it looks horrible.
It's tight on space, so I can't afford to lose any of the storage.
It does need a coat of paint, though no idea on the colour.
I think it will also cost too much to get new units or a worksurface, but if it needs to, then so be it.
What else could be done here?
The last room we need to look at is the kitchen, and to me it looks horrible.
It's tight on space, so I can't afford to lose any of the storage.
It does need a coat of paint, though no idea on the colour.
I think it will also cost too much to get new units or a worksurface, but if it needs to, then so be it.
What else could be done here?
Edited by Efbe on Wednesday 19th October 22:34
If it's being sold as "some work required" then a lick of paint will tart it up a bit as the buyer will likely want to rip it out anyway so won't care too much as long as it looks useable until such a time it gets ripped out.
If you're pricing your house at the "no work required" then personally I'd change the worktop, tiles, paint it and change the cupboard doors/drawers. It wouldn't cost as much as you'd think, it could well be a worthwhile investment to sell the house easier. Cost also depends on whether you can do it or if you'd need to pay someone to come in.
If you're pricing your house at the "no work required" then personally I'd change the worktop, tiles, paint it and change the cupboard doors/drawers. It wouldn't cost as much as you'd think, it could well be a worthwhile investment to sell the house easier. Cost also depends on whether you can do it or if you'd need to pay someone to come in.
I'm sure the floor isn't dirty and maybe it's the lighting or the camera but it looks a bit old and grubby. Is it vinyl? Perhaps you could find a cheap offcut locally in a lighter, more uniform shade?
Also, the lighting looks a bit harsh and cold - perhaps some replacement bulbs with a warmer colour temperature?
Also, the lighting looks a bit harsh and cold - perhaps some replacement bulbs with a warmer colour temperature?
Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 19th October 23:15
Whatever you do, don't paint the floor tiles! Waste of money and effort. Consider some reasonable quality vinyl flooring: there's a lot of choice.
Paint the kitchen units. Shaker-style kitchens look good when painted. Best sprayed with rattle cans, or carefully by hand. Key to a good finish is in the prep. I've done this and it can look awesome. Best quality work done with a proper spray gun and compressor. Take the doors off and do them outside or in garage etc. Maybe a local friendly bodyshop could price this sort of work for you?
Change the worktop: any colour other than 'hearing-aid beige' which is what it looks like you have at the moment.
Paint the walls/ceiling white.
In combination with the above, pimp up the sink with a new mixer tap. Overall effect will be a lot fresher and lighter, at modest cost too.
Paint the kitchen units. Shaker-style kitchens look good when painted. Best sprayed with rattle cans, or carefully by hand. Key to a good finish is in the prep. I've done this and it can look awesome. Best quality work done with a proper spray gun and compressor. Take the doors off and do them outside or in garage etc. Maybe a local friendly bodyshop could price this sort of work for you?
Change the worktop: any colour other than 'hearing-aid beige' which is what it looks like you have at the moment.
Paint the walls/ceiling white.
In combination with the above, pimp up the sink with a new mixer tap. Overall effect will be a lot fresher and lighter, at modest cost too.
The problem with leaving it as-is is that a lot of people will probably skip right over the house if the kitchen isn't done to a reasonably high standard.
My thinking re this is because most people will go to their limit on a house and won't keep £5-£10k behind to do any upgrades (kitchen/bathroom). IMO it's much better for you to stump up the money up front, put something in that is decent and try to re-coup the cost on the sale.
My thinking re this is because most people will go to their limit on a house and won't keep £5-£10k behind to do any upgrades (kitchen/bathroom). IMO it's much better for you to stump up the money up front, put something in that is decent and try to re-coup the cost on the sale.
Depthhoar said:
Whatever you do, don't paint the floor tiles! Waste of money and effort. Consider some reasonable quality vinyl flooring: there's a lot of choice.
Paint the kitchen units. Shaker-style kitchens look good when painted. Best sprayed with rattle cans, or carefully by hand. Key to a good finish is in the prep. I've done this and it can look awesome. Best quality work done with a proper spray gun and compressor. Take the doors off and do them outside or in garage etc. Maybe a local friendly bodyshop could price this sort of work for you?
Change the worktop: any colour other than 'hearing-aid beige' which is what it looks like you have at the moment.
Paint the walls/ceiling white.
In combination with the above, pimp up the sink with a new mixer tap. Overall effect will be a lot fresher and lighter, at modest cost too.
Do all of this!Paint the kitchen units. Shaker-style kitchens look good when painted. Best sprayed with rattle cans, or carefully by hand. Key to a good finish is in the prep. I've done this and it can look awesome. Best quality work done with a proper spray gun and compressor. Take the doors off and do them outside or in garage etc. Maybe a local friendly bodyshop could price this sort of work for you?
Change the worktop: any colour other than 'hearing-aid beige' which is what it looks like you have at the moment.
Paint the walls/ceiling white.
In combination with the above, pimp up the sink with a new mixer tap. Overall effect will be a lot fresher and lighter, at modest cost too.
I'd also add, if you can inject a bit of colour somewhere (with painted doors etc) you could probably get away with leaving the floor as is. Maybe give it a steam clean if it's a bit grubby (looks like you have pets?)
ETA: oh, and while you're doing the cupboard doors, get rid of the Ikea bargain-basement handles.
Venom said:
Aside from putting doors back on the wall unit, I'd white the paintwork out, lay a contrasting colour vinyl on the floor (slate colour to contrast the units), I'd pop some plants on the window cill.
Anything else is a waste of money, as you're second guessing buyers taste.
I'd agree with this but add a worktop to the list. That one looks really dated.Anything else is a waste of money, as you're second guessing buyers taste.
So from me it's:
A decent quality vinyl floor (perhaps wooden floor effect).
New worktops - probably shiny and dark
Leave the units
Possibly do the wall tiles as they are bland
I think spending a few quid on a kitchen will be worth it as it's one of the most important rooms in the house.
IMO, I'd look at putting some white brick tiles with grey grouting, some white cupboard doors and a new laminate worktop.
Shouldn't cost more than £1,200 - £1,500 for a kitchen that size.
IMO, I'd look at putting some white brick tiles with grey grouting, some white cupboard doors and a new laminate worktop.
Shouldn't cost more than £1,200 - £1,500 for a kitchen that size.
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