Walking into a home and seeing pastel yellow paint in the kitchen (with all of the appliances to match), gives the feeling that we’ve just walked through a time machine and we’re standing inside of a 1970s home.
While we wait for the record player to spin up some Conway Twitty to fill this IBM employee’s home with some culture, take a step back into the time machine and see what can be done about fixing the outdated home in present time.
So, when it comes to remodeling a kitchen, there are many different approaches that can be taken.
- Gut everything and start from scratch
- Paint over the ugly walls and replace the appliances
- Bring in new furniture (if we’re in an “eat-in” kitchen)
- Sell the home and move to an already updated home
- Contract a home designer to help out (they will then get a contractor to follow through with their design, or they’ll do it themselves)
Personally, it’s enjoyable to see an old space become new and improved.
Some folks like that outdated stuff because it reminds them of their childhood. If you’re one of those people, then this post probably isn’t for you; just adjust the ears on your black and white TV for better reception and no YouTube.
Gut Check!
Jumping right into option 1! It’s best to do this methodically and not just swing a sledge hammer.
Start with the appliances.
Tear out that block of steel GE used to call a refrigerator when Nixon was still in office; it will be near the stove of the same color I’m sure.
Okay, the appliances are torn out and posted online to resell for a few dollars.
You’ll want to turn off the water, remove any sinks and faucets.
Then pull the laminate counter tops off the lower cabinetry that needs to be pried from the wall and discarded (or resell if they’re in good condition). There are actually people out there who will take this stuff off your hands and refinish them or use as is.
Once everything is out, it will be time to fix any imperfections, and repaint the color of your choice (or sand off any wall texture that you’re tired of looking at).
Paint and Replace!
If a total remodel is too much to handle, then it’s perfectly acceptable to update more simply!
Break out the old appliances and leave those spaces empty so you don’t get paint spatter on the new refrigerator, stove (and dishwasher?!)
Throw down some drop clothes, break out the masking tape and paint the room a color that breathes new life into the entire home.
If the cabinets are steel… The paint might look hokey on them, but it’s worth a shot at this point! Don’t use a paint brush though, definitely use a roller.
Slide the new appliances in place and marvel in the glory of your weekend project!
Bring in MORE?
Sometimes all an old kitchen needs is a little addition. Especially an eat-in kitchen with a laminate covered table with 4 thin round legs, or those awful blue chairs with the stuffed pleather and metal legs…
Walk the old table and chairs out to the street for the sanitation department to toss into their truck and bring to it’s new forever home at the landfill (do we still have landfills?). Promptly go to the store and get a nice square wooden table, or a round one if that’s your gig.
Easy! The cabinets and appliances are still ugly, but broken up by the new wooden table.
Drop that pastel lemon!
Maybe a bit harsh.
Maybe you’re older and your kids have grown and moved out; or I’m completely wrong and you’re 26 but hate the look of your kitchen and the rest of your outdated domicile.
The option to sell and move is on the table, especially if the market has made your home and/or property appreciate in value, or if you’re not thrilled with the area you settled in so far, in that case selling could be a good option.
Contract out the work!
Now, I say this all of the time, but seriously if it’s too much to tackle alone, skilled contractors are plentiful in this world.
If artsy areas are not interesting, then an interior designer could offer some insight on where to go with the remodel. It’s kind of their job to come up with good designs.
Interior designers handle:
- Consider how the space will be used and how people will need to navigate that space
- Sketch designs (simple or complex)
- Specify materials (furnishings, fixtures, appliances, etc)
- Create a timeline
- Estimate Costs
- Coordinate with building contractor
- Visit site and ensure client satisfaction
While an interior designer may be better suited on a total renovation, some will consider portions of a home to simply remodel.
There are plenty of choices when it comes to updating a home and getting to a more appealing setup for a kitchen. There are far more complex and specific designs than the surface level scratched in this post, but it’s the inception of an idea that gets the wheel rolling.
The Handy Writer 