Good Questions: How to Refresh Our Kitchen On a Budget? Los Angeles

Good Questions: How to Refresh Our Kitchen On a Budget?
Los Angeles

Dear AT, my husband and I are in the process of renovating our kitchen with some new countertops and cabinetry that will bring the room from the early 80's to a more modern look (bye-bye honey stained wood!). Unfortunately, because all of our funds went to replacing those major components, we don't have any money to update our aged looking mix of appliances, including the dishwasher, fridge and stove; one is black, the other two are white/off white. My husband wants to replace them all with his preference for stainless steel appliances "one day", but I'm hoping something can be done NOW to coordinate with our updated kitchen when everything is finished (sorry, no photos until the renovation is completed). Any budget-minded suggestions? Sincerely, Jackie.

Jackie, if your appliances are working fine and you're limited by budget, we think using SoftMetal faux stainless steel adhesive film might be a good option that will coordinate the mish-mash of appliances under one shared finish. It's fairly affordable scratch resistant, durable and heat resistant. Best yet, it's easily removed if you decide the cool stainless steel finish doesn't work with your updated kitchen.

You may also consider purchasing used appliances from a reputable dealer or keep an eye via Craigslist. You can occasionally find fairly new kitchen appliances with notable discounts if you keep your eyes peeled.

Comments (9)

Many dishwashers have fronts that have replaceable/reversable decorative panels - I was surprised to see that even my 15 y/o base-model GE has this.

All you have to do is unscrew the chrome strip on one side of the door and slide out the panel - then take it to a hardware store where you can have a piece of sheetmetal cut to size and put this in the door of your dishwasher.

posted by bepsf on April 2nd 2009 at 6:16pm
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I saw this stainless adhesive on a design show a while ago but could never find it. Thank you for posting the info.

posted by modernguy on April 2nd 2009 at 6:20pm
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This is a new product:

http://www.liquidstainlesssteel.com/index2.html

You can purchase online or look for local vendor.

posted by wonka95 on April 2nd 2009 at 9:25pm
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I used this to cover the sides and back of a mobile kitchen island I made out of an IKEA Stainless-fronted (Rubrik) base cabinet.

I've seen the smaller size at True Value but I needed the 36" wide and had to get it on eBay. It's pretty easy to use and looks just like real metal but I'll admit it was a gamble buying it sight unseen since stainless steel can look different depending on the process used to make it and every mill seems to have their own "recipe".

posted by ChanteuseAR on April 3rd 2009 at 9:18am
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Does anyone know of a similar product in white that could be used on an oven door? Thanks!

posted by parhelia on April 3rd 2009 at 10:26am
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I think the best advice is to just get newer stainless appliances from Craigslist. I see that stuff there all the time.

Even if you put the faux stainless on a few things, the exposed parts will still not match.

posted by heather77 on April 3rd 2009 at 10:35am
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"Exposed parts" (ie, sides) of real stainless appliances are usually black, so changing the front is enough to get the concept. If the appliance has a totally flat panel front, like the dishwasher and some refrigerators, occasionally there are reversible panels included. My old house had a dishwasher with a black front. When we removed the trim, the black reversed to white, and there were antique gold and something else, sadly not stainless, behind that.

posted by SherryBinNH on April 4th 2009 at 12:58pm
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On Repairclininc.com you can purchase replacement door panels for appliances.

posted by bmfree on April 6th 2009 at 4:16pm
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parhelia, Rustoleum makes Hi-heat paint (in white and other colours) that you can use on an oven.

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGBrand.asp?bid=4&Page=2

Haven't seen any peel and stick products in white though.

posted by ChanteuseAR on April 23rd 2009 at 1:04pm
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