apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

if your cabinets are laminate (can't tell) I wouldn't paint them, but whatever you do I would defiantely change out that hardware for something more modern.

I'd paint that main wall a bright, light color to make it the focal point and put a nice peice of arwork or something on that wall.

Then, I would definately move the trash can if it's possible so that IS NOT the focal point. The first thing my eyes go to in the pic is that trash can.

good luck!

I concur with Stephvixen about the wall color and cabinet hardware. The first thing I did when I moved into my place was change the ugly brass-looking knobs with brushed nickle ones and it made a HUGE difference.

I really like the track lighting on your ceiling and the "bones" of the room are good and clean, so pick a color for the walls that makes you happy and paint away!!! Please post "after" pics when you're done.

Paint, Paint, Paint! It's your most economical and dramatic option. Also, replace the ceiling light fixture, cabinet hardware and wall art. Adding a rug is a great way to anchor the design and add interest. Good luck!
http://www.abrdesign.com

Also, maybe you could change that light fixture. By some track and t-connectors and make an H shape with tracks parallel to the cabinets so you can evenly light the place.

Laminate cabinets can be painted but it involves some sanding, a primer for laminate surfaces (Rustoleum makes it) and patience in waiting for the primer to really cure. It can be done though.

I don't think the light fixture is bad. Maybe see if you can paint the wood on the cabinets to go with the laminate, and change the handles. After that, paint that back wall a fun, bright color and add some more colorful art!

I agree with the other comments. New hardware, paint, a rug, and artwork will make a dramatic difference. My kitchen is very similar and I made the same changes.

Keeping the counters clean will also give your kitchen a more polished look. If you add a small low lamp on the counter, I think it will add a lot of warmth to the room. Check out HGTV's Rate My Space for some inspiration.

This is easy....ANY new changes/and they are all simple enough and inexpensive enough..especially hiding the wastebasket..have fun!!!

most likely the cabinets are thermofoil, therefore not good for painting, but the light rail is wood. You have to send it first and then you can repaint it as an assent strip in any psychedelic color of your liking. agree with commentators before, hardware could change the character of the kitchen instantly. You have to measure the distance between existing holes to know what size of pulls you'd need. Rug could suscessfully cover that unsightly tile. But if you want get down and dirty, you can actually strip it and stain.

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/category.do?method=get&id=35
i would choose the natural steel knobs(it will repeat the black/gray), and double up on each drawer.

http://www.coxpaint.com/store/cart.php?
target=category&category_id=334
leaf 01 or leaf 02 on the walls.

http://www.polishposter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=0002
a large poster, with glass, will add color and reflect light...thus enlarging the space.

yes, hide the trash can...rugs in kitchens end up filthy, and lose color with repeated washing. instead of a rug, interesting kitchen towels such as these:
http://www.tikoli.com/Detail.bok?no=13
would also look good with framed blackboard taking up most of the space where the framed print is now.
OR, frame a piece of colored matboard with glass, and write notes, menus with markers.

I agree with maude: a rug in the kitchen isn't worth the money. Especially if you're dealing with a smaller space. I'd paint the walls and the cabinets, and add new hardware.

Looking forward to seeing "after photos!"

I think your kitchen already looks fairly neat and serviceable. I agree with the earlier comments. The least expensive change that would impact the room the greatest is to paint it a color. The next least expensive change is to get different hardware (depending on what you select; some hardware is very pricey). After that, possibly replace the countertops with a material like corian or granite or wood (butcher block). A step beyond that would be to reface the cabinets if they are in good condition (new doors and trim retrofitted to your cabinets). A final change could be different flooring - granite tile or a more updated ceramic tile. I really like small, galley kitchens and I find them much easier to cook in more efficiently.

I strongly recommend not trying to DYI painting laminate cabinetry. New hardware, paint, and art like everyone recommended is a good start. Small changes like raking all that dark grout out from between the floor tiles and changing the grout color can make a big difference. A new tile backsplash can also make a big visual difference.

Depending on how far you want to go with your remodel, odds are if the bones of your cabinetry are in good shape getting just the doors replaced can have the look of a whole new kitchen with a significantly smaller impact on your wallet. If the existing cabinets have quality european swing hinges, make sure whatever millworker you go to saves them to be reused, the holes will line up with the existing cabinetry and they are actually pretty costly.

Paint the doors and change the handles.

As others have said, painting the laminate will likely be a little tricky. If you're up for a somewhat time consuming project, you may want to consider veneering the door fronts. Real wood veneer from places like Rockler Woodworking is actually quite cheap, and with contact cement it adheres very well to lightly sanded laminate. After that, you can stain/finish/paint to your liking.
Because of the work involved, I would only go this route if you won't be able to afford new doors any time soon.

Would blackboard paint work on the trashcan wall? If you want to maintain the Asian motif, relocate the print, but draw a blow-up version on the wall in white chalk.

Do not try to paint laminate cabinets. If you do it wrong, you'll have a peeling mess on your hands and a whole lot of regrets.

That happened to one of my neighbors who had laminate cabinets in her laundry room. She sanded, primed, and painted them. Within a few months, she had peeling paint. It was awful.

Buy new doors. That's what she ended up having to do and now she has something that looks nice.

i agree with what most of the people above said: trying to hide the trash can (under a sink?), painting the walls, lightening the grout (NOT regrouting. just painting the grout a lighter color using a product like this old grout...it's been mentioned on AT before), replacing the hardware on the cabinets. these cabinets seem okay enough that just replacing the hardware could help a lot. you could paint if you want to, but maybe not worth the effort. i don't see the harm in a kitchen rug. nothing fancy, but either one of the woven floor coverings mentioned in the link to maxwell's post, or just a simple rag rug that you can throw in the wash.

i love this question b/c my husband and i are currently pondering the same thing. how to update our ugly kitchen w/o breaking the bank. we priced out a whole fancy dream kitchen that was more than we could afford, so now we're just thinking of simple cosmetic changes. our cabinets are actually a little more dated than the ones in question here (ours are the 80s style laminate w/ the wood handle across the bottom - http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordscarlet/413211943/in/set-72157594574580311/). we're going to brave painting the laminate and wood handles b/c i just don't see how our cabinets could ever look okay otherwise. most of what i read seems to say that painting laminate very do-able, as long as you have patience and do it right (sanding, using the special primer, and special paint).

the white cabinets are fine and so is the light fixture. you should replace the knobs, paint the wood strip. as i notice your appliance details are black, i'd pull in more black. black towels, rug. i'd paint the back wall black. as it looks like a galley style kitchen your options of where to put the trash can look limited, so atleast it would blend in with the wall. even the same print would really look great staying there against a black background, and i'd use it to further inspire the design. maybe even bring in a tray or items with asian influence, even made of bamboo to compliment the print. a little shoot of bamboo in a vase could add a pop of color and life and would go well with the print too. all pretty easy and not costly. ohhhh.... i'm liking my vision of your kitchen! if it were mine, that's what i'd do! a

New hardware, paint the walls, keep the doors (but maybe paint the wood strip under them?) and I would actually get a cheap oriental rug/runner for the floor (the kind that costs $50) and a pad underneath. It'll give color, be nice to stand on, and hide all the stuff you'll spill on it.

If you are set on doing a rug to cover up the tiles I would recommend getting some of the "Flor" carpet tiles for High Traffic areas. Set them down in an area rug pattern so you see tiles along the edges. I think it would look great and hold up to Kitchen traffic and spills.

Definitely get new Cabinet hardware. I like the Lansa from Ikea. Also paint the wood accent strip to all the cabinets white to match the cabinet fronts.

I would either paint the back wall and back splash (if its not tiled) a fun color that will accent well with you adjoining room.

As for the trash can, I assume it doesn't fit under the sink so don't worry about it. But you could upgrade it for a stainless steal Simple Hume step can if you want to update the look and make it cohesive with the rest of the design.

A bamboo rug is inexpensive and would work nicely with your artwork.

It's also possible you could use Roman shades in place of upper kitchen cabinet doors. I saw that in someone's house once and it was unexpectedly great. They had also made a sink skirt in the same fabric to replace the under-the-counter cabinet doors. (It was, frankly, a bit matchy-matchy, but you could tweak the idea).

Use some bright FLOR tiles to add a little color. They are easy to clean and will liven up the space.

I agree with what a lot of people have said. Leave the cabinets, but replace the hardware. Paint the walls, get a nice rug, hide the trash can, and maybe paint that wood rail. Then perhaps some new art and some accessories. But definitely at the least I'd paint that wall, change the hardware on the cabinets and put in a rug.

The cabinets are not that bad. The handles have to go, though. I would also change the floor grout to a light shade so it blends in with the tiles.

I'd call in a professional cabinet refacing company to help you replace/reface the cabinet doors with raised panel door style in a natural woodtone that works with the bullnose edge trim, and I'd choose nice black iron hardware. I'd also replace the white laminate countertops with a more earthy-looking material with a square edge - and I'd consider painting the walls a nice spicy orangey-red.

In addition, I'd find a nice inexpensive oriental runner to give the existing tile floor some panache - but I don't have a problem with the trash can as it seems reasonably well designed and coordinates with your existing black appliances. The lighting looks servicable too, tho I'd consider installing some undercounter lighting if there isn't some there already.

This kitchen has perfectly fine bones. How about mid mod Tarkett sheet - are you up for the orange or blue flowers?:

http://retrorenovation.com/2008/02/09/retro-flooringsheet-vinyl-possibilities-for-connie/

In fact, the photo with orange flowered floor gives a good example of a possible transformation for Kitchen Confused....

Nix the black dishwasher....

I painted my laminate kitchen cabinets white (mine were dark brown with horrible fake wood grain!) The paint job has lasted over 8 years. The key was using Zinsser Bins primer first, which kind of melts the laminate and makes any paint bond to it. I have had absolutely no peeling after all this time....even on low cabinets where children are bumping and banging.

Then again, your cabinets are already nice and white....as others have said,you could paint out the wood trim and replace the handles.

I would definitely change the hardware and get a trash can that blends in with the wall color.

You could also add something interesting to the cabinet doors like framed artwork. Or maybe you could try cabinetblast. They might have something you'll like.

www.cabinetblast.com