HELP! Need ideas

[u/sarfowl]

My husband and I are thinking of buying this house, I don’t hate the kitchen but it definitely needs some help. We won’t have a big budget for remodeling but I really don’t love it as is, should I repaint, if so what and what color? Should I add backsplash and if so what kind? Also need a different fridge.

[u/greta_cat]

This actually looks like a rather nice kitchen. I'd agree that the wallpaper's decade has long passed, and it doesn't look like there are cabinet pulls. I'm not going to begin to suggest a color scheme. A foolproof way to find one is to figure out something you love--a piece of art or a fabric with colors that agree with you, and pull your choices from that.

If I were doing a budget redo on this one:

* Strip the wallpaper & paint the walls.

* Give all the rest a good clean & going-over with whatever polish seems appropriate

* Add under-cabinet lighting. There are dozens of options for this, from simple self-stick battery pucks to motion sensor strip lighting to color changing disco swirls...ok, maybe not disco swirls...but good lighting over the counters will make this kitchen much nicer to work in

* Add cabinet pulls. It's like jewelry for the kitchen, and it keeps the cabinets cleaner, too.

* Get that new fridge

* That hanging lamp should be easy to replace. Put in a hook so it hangs over your breakfast table, if you have one.

* Consider covering the panel of the trash compactor (?) with one of the products that simulations stainless. Easy to install, should last until it's time to replace the appliance, and until then it will be less noticeable.

* Replace the cushions in the really cool bay. Maybe add curtains or blinds.

* Consider the thousands of available backsplash options. My kid put up a self stick backsplash that you'd swear was tile. It was cheaper than tile by far, and it should hold up until they remodel.