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[KateE]

I am in the process of updating my kitchen and I'm finding it will be quite expensive. My kitchen is 20 years old, my appliances are white, my cabinets work fine, the color of honey oak is not appealing anymore, the floor is white vinyl sheet and the counter has a few marks. All in all my kitchen is not bad just boring, I looked into refacing, refinishing and painting and the cost is the same as buying new cabinets. I am quite handy in the area of painting, however, I would like it done professionally if I chose not to put in new cabinets. 

My question is what do people think about their kitchens?

The good, bad and ugly of updating.

[KaySD]

Well, what I think is that these projects are like opening Pandora's box--they have a way of growing--a new counter top or some paint doesn't sound like a big deal, but pretty soon you are demolishing things, moving the plumbing around and tearing out walls or something because, hey, why not fix all those things you have been living with all these years? ;-) Eek!

Maybe it would help to take a closer look at what's just underneath your general sense of dissatisfaction. Are those marks on the countertop really bothering you? Just replace the countertops--it's a big project but not that big. Or is it that you just need to see something new? Paint a wall or something. Just sick of cooking? Subscribe to a meal service and forget about remodeling! Or go on a vacation! What I"m saying is, check out YOUR priorities and focus on the gold--even if you have to let other things be. No rules!

About the cabinets, btw, there are a ton or articles on Pinterest about painting kitchen cabinets. They make me want to run right out and buy some Annie Sloan paint, and my cabinets don't even need painting!

Don't forget to have fun with whatever you decide!

[Sooner]

We put in a wood floor in our kitchen and LOVE it!  I am so happy we made that choice.

We recently upgraded the lighting and added more and it was a wonderful thing!

A good quality stainless steel sink has been a great investment.  Sinks and garbage disposals really take a beating.  To me that is not a place to cut back. 

The trash can is in a slide out with a door, and the toaster and food processor have a slide out drawer of their own.  There are slide out drawers for the pots and pans as well in the center island and they are wonderful

Our counter tops are granite--black and brown--and we've had them about 23 years and have sealed them maybe every year or two and have NO PROBLEMS at all with them.  They have certainly not been difficult in the upkeep, and the undermount double sink is very handy!

[ptagirl]

We moved a year ago into a cute 3 bedroom home with open concept kitchen/dining/living room.. The kitchen is in pretty good shape, but... it has a corner sink and window in the corner, which I can not reach to open or clean.  Next spring I am having my whole kitchen rearranged to be more functional. 

I will be painting my cabinets an ivory and going with darker laminate countertops and a granite composite sink.  I've been trying to cook in here, but the layout just isn't working for me. 

My sink and window will be moved, adding two more base cabinets and one more upper.  Refrigerator will be moved to the other wall and I will have a small rolling island, so I can move it out of the way when not needed..Also taking out ceramic tile floor and going with vinyl planking throughout.. Can't wait for it all to be done and Functional!

[Ms X]

Let your budget be your guide.  I would not spend money on a kitchen renovation if it would cause me stress.

[AuntG]

The OP could be me.  Our house was built in 2000 and has honey oak cabinets with shiny brass hardware.  We don't even have a backsplash, just durable paint behind the counters.  However I'm afraid one thing will lead to another, and since everything works and isn't roughed up and dirty, does it make sense to change things?

[millieshops]

@AuntGAs you say, I do believe one thing leads to another -  I had to replace a sofa and chair this summer and now the tables and the lamps are calling to me.  This is just a tiny apartment I use in the summer, so it's hard to say it's worth the expense.

Same with really major work.  One thing does lead to another.  Is it worth it?  I'm working on that decision right now.  I'd like to start on my great room in the condo I own which definitely needs paint and flooring, but I'd also like new countertops, a backsplash and maybe even some work on my cabinets.

I would recoup some of my money if I sold within a few years, but I doubt that's going to happen.  So the money would be gone and I'd have an updated room.  Now, it's not a financial decision nearly as much as it is an emotional one.

[queendiva]

Cabinets are the biggest expense in a kitchen renovation. If your oak cabinets are good and sturdy, paint or refinish them! Much less $ than replacing with a possibly inferior product. Floor, countertop, and lighting will make a big difference and can be done for not too much money and effort. Replacing appliances is easy, but more money. Maybe that can be Phase II. Take your time, shop around, get what you like without going too trendy and enjoy! Did a complete gut of my nightmare kitchen shortly after buying the house nine years ago. Still love it and get many compliments. The only time I have been happy having a small-ish kitchen. Kept costs down.

[RespectLife]

@KateE

I'm shocked that you said that refacing is almost the same as new cabinets.

We remodeled in 2011.

We had 2 estimates for totally new cabinets (rip out existing and install new wood cabinets), exact same layout, installed. Lowest was $45,000 that is for cabinets and installation only.

I refaced my Honey Oak cabinets with fantastic real wood, not MDF or laminate (meaning they gave me all new wood doors and refaced the existing cabinet frame to match) added 6 recessed lights, and had them change two sets of open door cabinets to drawers all for under $12,000

It took 2 days to complete everything including the lighting, and they came back only once to complete some finishing details I wanted done.

We used the same layout...just changed some cabinets to drawers but that required them reframing with additional labor costs.  I wanted to change to layout and get an island but the kitchen size couldn't support it.

We purchased our own new handles but they installed them for us at N/C.

I already had replaced laminate counters to granite, didn't need a new backsplash or floor.  I had already installed a new granite double sink when we replaced the laminate counters with granite prior. We also replaced two old oak lighting fixtures ourselves.  The costs of these are not included in the above cost since they were done prior.

IMHO....don't use laminate counters if possible.  It can diminish the value of your kitchen.  Solid surfaces and granite are what all buyers will want.  Even if you don't plan on moving...someday this home will be for sale.  It is a fabulous investment and worth every penny.

BEFORE:

AFTER

You would never know these were refaced!!  In this pic you can see the flouresent light is gone and the new recessed lighting that was added.

If you look to the left of the stove you can see where we turned the cabinet into drawers.  **They look more modern BUT IMHO those drawers don't hold near the amount of pots and pans as the cabinets did!  I had to ditch a lot.  Probably a good thing.

[qvcfreak]

I downsized homes but I designed my kitchen since I knew it would be small, I wanted it open, I chose no dishwasher or garbage disposal as I preferred to have the cabinet space