Advice for cheap & quick kitchen makeover

What would you do to this kitchen to spruce it up for auction?

2 bedroom villa unit in south east Melbourne - $500-600k price bracket

Current ideas:

• Paint or replace tiled splashback
  
  
• Use a company like granite conversions to cover the benchtops with ‘stone’ – anyone have experience with these type of solutions and know what this might cost roughly for this size kitchen?
  
  
• Update appliances hopefully without needing any cabinetry adjustments
  
  
• Install a low cost dishwasher as there has always been a cupboard space provisioned for this on the bottom left of the sink
  
  
• Cupboards might actually look fine if the benchtops are updated. maybe just change the handles
  

What would your advice be?

 

Unless the rental market was screaming for new fixtures and fitting (or the appliances were not working) the only change I would do is the handles. Just make sure the new ones have the same drill holes as the old.

 

I agree. We had the same handles in our IP. Got these from Bunnings for under $7 each

 

I would change the oven if you can find a nice one second hand.

 

Is there cupboard space above and below oven? Look at changing oven and more cupboards if possible
Check other local properties if they have dish washers.
If your budget allows look into the bench top, it could really lift the place, or get thatpaint stuff that Cherie barber always uses. Same again if others have stone nearby look into it, but wouldn't go done. otherwise a new bench top isn't very expensive but can look more modern

 

I'd do the handles first.

Next, I'd perhaps look at putting in a plain acrylic splashback in a different colour, to break up the "all cream" look. The advantage is you can put it straight over the tiles. The trick will be picking a colour that goes alright with the cream, but will also go with a more modern kitchen in the presently-fashionable cooler tones. I'd maybe go for a "warm grey", perhaps something like this: http://www.bunnings.com.au/splash-diy-3150x690mm-iron-splashback-_p5103294 (Main picture of splashback shows a different colour; scroll right.)

 

Not sure if this helps, but a friend installed a new kitchen from them and it looks ok.

http://www.poco.com.au/kitchens/block-kitchens/

 

Unfortunately, Poco is only available in the Western Sydney district at the moment. Hopefully it goes to Melbourne soon!

 

Paint or replace kitchen doors
second hand or factory second oven
Stonetop on existing benchtop (if budget permit)

Removing doors of overhead cupboards may give different look and may look open kitchen

 

Just make certain that for every $$ spent you get a return for it

 

The comment was spruce up for auction... I'd go new handles, a stone benchtop, new oven and splashback.

 

Research and see if any flipping has been going on in your area. Sales-growth might justify a reno. Might help with competing with newer properties.

That kitchen is fairly large which is good.

Some ideas:
- put a 900mm oven / stove where the stove currently is ( presumably 3-phase power can be re-routed if available and required ). Also replace rangehood
- put in a dishwasher
- convert the space where the oven currently is to an additional pantry
- convert some of the cupboard space to a microwave nook
- replace cupboard doors ( hooefully cheaper than replacing cupboards )
- new benchtops
- new splashback

Also consider extending the L-section of bench to create a longer breakfast bar and add more bench space.

 

believe it or not but had some good deals from Gumtree of late so thats an option as well. Someone selling leftover stuff from construction.