…kitchen time series: inspiration

This little series is called Kitchen Time because if you hate your kitchen then this is the year to do something about it. I think we are drawn to each other because we can appreciate transforming something old into something new and useful. Yes? So, if you are able to hire a kitchen designer and renovate your space then wonderful! Do it! But, this series is more for the type that can’t spend the money on a new kitchen or is thinking about moving in a few years so you don’t want to start a new project or is a young couple that does not know where to start or is a person that goes into their kitchen and cannot stand it ONE MORE DAY! We are DIYers. Do. It. Yourself. Yes, Ma’am.

I’m going to give you a few pointers that I’ve learned along the way in the hopes that they will be helpful and get you started. I mean, if you’ve been dragging your feet I’m here to tell you let’s just do it already. No sense in staying stuck in an ugly space. Life is too short and an unpleasant room is like bad moral in an office. It just eats away at you.

Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.

Inspiration. Whenever I’m looking or in my case NOT looking for a project, I can’t help but get super excited by looking at beautiful images and dreaming. We have so many resources now for this type of voyerism. Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, Hometalk.

If you are considering painting your cabinets, do your research. I’ve tried to show kitchens that we can relate to and that are not over the top.

Let’s look at some color first. Choosing a color will always be a bit more difficult to nail down because you have to choose the right color. It will take more time deciding and definitely bringing home some samples to try out on an inside door out of sight. Of course, if done well it makes a great statement.

Our neighbors did their cabinets in ASCP Coco and it came out very similar to this below. Looked awesome with their butcher block counter.

Want some contrast in your kitchen? You could start with your island:

A bit scared of all that color? Well, you kinda should be. Not to scare you but the last thing you want to do is try out a color and hate it. Do your samples. A white kitchen will always be easier and give you a fresh, clean look. I’ve tried to show you some kitchens that maybe looks a bit like yours.

We will talk about our hardware options so don’t worry too much about that now. The color is first, but hardware will also make your kitchen cabinets look updated.

Like the idea of the clean white, but want a tad of color? Do the white and see how it looks. Want more? Consider painting the interior of your cabinets with a color that works with your space. Yes, I know there’s alot to consider here. Go slowly and continue to evaluate.

One more thing to consider. Would your kitchen look more open if you actually took off the doors on the top cabinets? Dear Husband and I did this in the first house we renovated and it looked great. It gave the allusion that we had glass there. Of course the caveat to this is that you must have pretty dish ware THAT MATCHES because we are all going to see it when we come into your kitchen. I’d recommend all white to be consistent.

Questions to think about while you are sleeping on it:

1. What style is my kitchen?

2. What style do I want it to be?

3. What colors are happening in the rooms adjoining my kitchen? Will the color I choose blend well?

4. What color will I be able to live with for a long, long time?

5. If I choose a color will it match my counter top color? Walls?

I know I’ve given you alot to consider. Once you have finished reading this, go into your kitchen and take a good look at the cabinets that are in there. How do you feel about them? Would changing them make them better than what they are now? I know this is a hot topic because I’m asked about it all the time. You are not the only one that hates the look of your cabinets. Let’s do something about it.