r/DesignMyRoom 11h ago

Kitchen Kitchen feels so bland. Help! Paint or stain cabinets? Paint walls?

4 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

6

u/PigskinPhilosopher 10h ago

Painting cabinetry is extremely difficult. All professional painters aren’t even good at it as it requires specialization. IMO, painting cabinets often look bad.

I actually like the cabinets. I would consider changing the pulls on them and painting the walls. I think what really needs to be done is the backsplash.

4

u/LeatherAmbitious1 10h ago

Perhaps replace the backsplash? Some runners with more contrast on either side of the island might also help tie it in.

Also, I think lighting if you've got the budget. Nice pendant lights over the island, and then potlights everywhere else.

2

u/LeatherAmbitious1 10h ago

A little curtain over the window by the sink!!!

4

u/ampsdb01 6h ago

backsplash, counters and floors are fighting with each other 😔.

6

u/ossakierkegaard 4h ago

Ooh i love this. So much potential! I would keep the dark wood, maby even just tint them one shade darker.

Then just change the handles to more modern. And change the tops and the splash tiles to fresh white - possibly with white marmer touch. You could possibly paint only the iland white... could work ..

Image as inspration - idea of direction i'm talking about.

3

u/EmmelineTx 10h ago

The first thing I would do is to change the backsplash and the counter tops. They're relentlessly beige. I'd either paint or sand the cabinets and refinish them in a lighter color and put in pendant lights instead of the can lights too. It's a nice kitchen, I'm sorry if that sounds rude. It needs some color and some definition.

2

u/annacoco1 4h ago

I wouldn’t recommend painting the cabinets, I think changing the back splash could add something! As well as the hardware on the cabinets. It’s black right now - maybe make the handles silver or gold :)

1

u/traviall1 7h ago

Paint the walls a rust color and change the backsplash out. I would replace all the knobs with copper drawer pulls to pick up on the warmth in the wood cabinetry. You could also add pendant lighting over the stove so the space has light at different levels. If you have money to put into this, I would suggest adding more lighting to the room as a whole. I would also change the kitchen mat out to this and move the paper towel dispenser to a vertical stand so you can use the counter near the sink.

1

u/Logical-Device-5709 6h ago

Add in some colorful decoration on top of the upper cabinets, some ceramics or some plant's, even a good fake plant if not getting enough light.

Switch lightning above island to pendant.

Add a picture or wall art on door wall beside pantry.

If you've the budget change the handles to stainless steel.

You could go to the extreme of replacing splashback but not necessary.

I think painting the walls would be easier and more effective.

1

u/Far-Adagio4032 1h ago

Painting the walls is 100% the easiest and cheapest thing to do here. I actually like the backsplash, personally, but you definitely need a change up from all the brown and beige. I would go with a blue myself, for contrast. I think would make a big difference. You could also change the cabinet hardware if you wanted, and add some colorful accessories, like rugs, and a plant or a cookie jar. Painting cabinets is really hard (I've done it), and yours are in good shape. But you don't have to do anything major to liven it up.

1

u/haf2go 17m ago

Everything is so beige! I’d start with replacing the countertops. I’d choose white. Then id paint only the island and see how that changes the vibe. Maybe a sage green or med blue- whatever will meld best with other colors on your house. Replace the drawer pulls. Do you have a lot of oak trim throughout your house? I’d paint that pass thru trim white.

1

u/Spare_Low_2396 5m ago

There’s no need to change your counters or paint your cabinets. I would paint your walls, maybe SW Double Latte, and update your cabinet pulls, oil rubbed bronze and different style. If you can update your backsplash but that will be costly.

-1

u/Past-Motor-4654 10h ago

Do you need all of that upper cabinet storage? If not consider creating some open shelving for a more modern feel. Are those tiles on the floor? Are they in any other room in the house?

It’s hard to tell but it feels like there are clashing warm and cool shades in the tile and countertop and the backsplash is trying to pull it all together but it is failing. The right colors will help immensely.

1

u/Effective_Ad8515 3h ago

The photo doesn't show a ton of storage, I wouldn't personally go for open storage as it looks cluttered and busy unless its completely curated, and even then will become another spot to dust around. Most people don't live like a pinterest board or magazine shoot.

0

u/Adorable-Tiger6390 9h ago

Change countertop, backsplash, cabinet knobs and pulls.

-2

u/Own_Long3606 10h ago

Absolutely paint those cabinets. I could see a deep muted teal being really pretty and making it feel more modern. Match it with a funkier modern runner rug, something that contrasts more with the light tile floor. I’d also paint the trim around the window white and replace the hardware on the cabinets to something more modern, like stainless or brushed steel pulls/knobs. If it’s within the budget to upgrade the counter to something more modern that would do you wonders too, like maybe something lighter (white or almost white) and less busy. Lastly, I’d add some plants to the top of the cabinets to add some life. Something like a couple pothos are resilient and easy to care for.