Ideas apprecated for remodeling kitchen
#1
02-23-14, 02:07 PM
Ideas apprecated for remodeling kitchen
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Hello everyone,
My wife and I are looking to update the kitchen in our home and were looking for some ideas.
Some things that we were thinking of doing in the update are as follows:
1. Redo the cabinets and paint them white. (these are stained oak cabinets currently)
2. Remove the in-wall gas oven (this is at least 20 years old) and replace with a floor gas range. This would mean that section of cabinets would have to be torn out and redone in order to center both the range and microwave.
3. Tear out the drywall between the cabinets and ceiling to create an open space. Seems most kitchens have this.
4. Redo backsplash
5. Replace sink/faucet
6. Upgrade countertop
7. Upgrade knobs and handles
Any suggestions would be appreciated, but here are some questions.
Should we remove the ceiling fan and install can lights?
On the wall with the refrigerator what could we do there? Add more cabinets and enclosure around the fridge?
The cabinet the separates the dining from the kitchen should we remove that and open up the entry? That would eliminate a lot of cabinets however.
What kind of tile would best go in a kitchen and flow with the current maple laminate? I don't believe Shaw sells this particular maple laminate any longer so it couldn't be put in the kitchen to match the rest of the dining and living area.
Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.
Here are some pictures of what our kitchen currently looks like.
Hello everyone,
My wife and I are looking to update the kitchen in our home and were looking for some ideas.
Some things that we were thinking of doing in the update are as follows:
1. Redo the cabinets and paint them white. (these are stained oak cabinets currently)
2. Remove the in-wall gas oven (this is at least 20 years old) and replace with a floor gas range. This would mean that section of cabinets would have to be torn out and redone in order to center both the range and microwave.
3. Tear out the drywall between the cabinets and ceiling to create an open space. Seems most kitchens have this.
4. Redo backsplash
5. Replace sink/faucet
6. Upgrade countertop
7. Upgrade knobs and handles
Any suggestions would be appreciated, but here are some questions.
Should we remove the ceiling fan and install can lights?
On the wall with the refrigerator what could we do there? Add more cabinets and enclosure around the fridge?
The cabinet the separates the dining from the kitchen should we remove that and open up the entry? That would eliminate a lot of cabinets however.
What kind of tile would best go in a kitchen and flow with the current maple laminate? I don't believe Shaw sells this particular maple laminate any longer so it couldn't be put in the kitchen to match the rest of the dining and living area.
Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.
Here are some pictures of what our kitchen currently looks like.
#2
02-23-14, 03:04 PM
Member
It looks pretty good now. It would be a shame to paint those cabinets. My suggestion is to consider a new back splash behind the cupboards and a new granite counter top. Perhaps a new stone tile or wood laminated floor. Replace the stove for a new model but why loose the storage space? Keep the built-in look. I don't quite know what you mean by tearing out the drywall to open the kitchen. If you mean removing the counter top section then its an option, but then you loose storage space again. You could add cabinets over the fridge but it would look odd if they stand alone. It would need to go across the whole wall. Too closed in look. I would think you would want the fan but if you have A/C then maybe the fan could go. It would give a more open look without it. Rather than can lights how about track type lighting around the perimeter for mood light and a typical center kitchen light for working? Another option for the fridge wall is some type of wall stencil or pattern (but not wall paper). Just my opinion.
#3
02-23-14, 03:20 PM
Super Moderator
I think he means removing the soffit (tearing out the drywall) above the cabinets. Yes that's a good idea. I don't see them anymore in new kitchens.
#4
02-23-14, 07:13 PM
Thank you for the suggestions.
Thank you shadeladie, yes I was referring to tearing out the soffit, which from what I can tell doesn't serve a purpose except for the cabinets shown in picture #3. Those are most likely mounted and hanging from studs inside the soffit.
Would removing the oak cabinets cause the home to lose value? I certainly don't want to downgrade anything. There's just a lot happening where the kitchen meets the dining area and it doesn't flow together. Maple flooring, white trim, and then oak cabinets.
Honestly, I'm not a fan of the oak they are stained with, but I do appreciate the value of oak cabinets themselves. Perhaps stripping, sanding, and then refinishing them with a different shade of stain would be an option but seems like would take a good bit of time and I'm not confident I have the expertise for doing that.
My wife loves the white kitchen look and feel.
If I decide to go with a laminate floor in the kitchen it would have to be ran through the dining and living area as well since it all flows together. That's why I think tile might be better to go with.
I like the idea of track lighting. I was also thinking perhaps a pendant light over the sink might look good? There used to be a fixture there at one point.
Thank you again for the suggestions. Please keep them coming.
Thank you shadeladie, yes I was referring to tearing out the soffit, which from what I can tell doesn't serve a purpose except for the cabinets shown in picture #3. Those are most likely mounted and hanging from studs inside the soffit.
Would removing the oak cabinets cause the home to lose value? I certainly don't want to downgrade anything. There's just a lot happening where the kitchen meets the dining area and it doesn't flow together. Maple flooring, white trim, and then oak cabinets.
Honestly, I'm not a fan of the oak they are stained with, but I do appreciate the value of oak cabinets themselves. Perhaps stripping, sanding, and then refinishing them with a different shade of stain would be an option but seems like would take a good bit of time and I'm not confident I have the expertise for doing that.
My wife loves the white kitchen look and feel.
If I decide to go with a laminate floor in the kitchen it would have to be ran through the dining and living area as well since it all flows together. That's why I think tile might be better to go with.
I like the idea of track lighting. I was also thinking perhaps a pendant light over the sink might look good? There used to be a fixture there at one point.
Thank you again for the suggestions. Please keep them coming.
#5
02-24-14, 04:12 AM
Sometimes there is electrical, HVAC or plumbing housed in the soffit so investigate before you tear it out.
To restain you need to completely remove the existing finish. This is best accomplished by using a chemical stripper and then sanding. If you just want to change the color a shade or two [darker] you could apply a coat of tinted poly like Minwax's PolyShades.
To restain you need to completely remove the existing finish. This is best accomplished by using a chemical stripper and then sanding. If you just want to change the color a shade or two [darker] you could apply a coat of tinted poly like Minwax's PolyShades.
#7
03-02-14, 03:33 PM
Tinted polys are designed to be applied over existing finishes, especially over poly. About the only way you can get a decent job using a tinted poly over raw wood is by spraying but even over sealed wood it can be a little tricky. It must be applied evenly!! runs, drips, lap marks, etc. all have extra color and will be unsightly. But it can save a lot of time/work if you only want to change the color a little. It's best to apply a coat of clear poly when you are done to protect the 'color' coat from wearing off.
