Need suggestions on this kitchen

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by Ko Ko Naing, 5th Jan, 2017.

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  1. Ko Ko Naing

    Ko Ko Naing Well-Known Member

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    Hi there,
    I'm wondering if anyone would like to throw some ideas on what I can do to improve this kitchen? As this is an IP in a working-class suburb, the cost need to be low but to aim at higher rent. No intention to sell or anything.

    The following is what I got so far.

    - Change cabinet and drawer knobs to T shaped handles and knobs (DIY)
    - Replace sink (Hire a plumber to install one)
    - Remove on-wall taps and retile to cover (DIY)
    - Install a dishwasher, as there is none at the moment (Hire a plumber to install one)

    [​IMG]

    Whatever I do to the kitchen cabinets, I'll need to do the same on the Sunroom's cabinet as in the photo below:
    [​IMG]
     
    Ko Ko Naing, 5th Jan, 2017
    #1
  2. D.T.

    D.T. Specialist Property Manager Business Member

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    Put more modern curtain in would be a very cheap way to freshen it up.

    Maybe paint the cabinet doors white gloss, not very expensive and can make it look new.

    The changes you've listed is a good start too.
     
    D.T., 5th Jan, 2017
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  3. DaveM

    DaveM Well-Known Member

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    Paint doors in white semi gloss
    New door handles

    Cabinets look 450D so wont get a dishwasher under.

    What it really needs is replacing, its had a good 60 year run
     
    DaveM, 5th Jan, 2017
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  4. Ko Ko Naing

    Ko Ko Naing Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, Dave! I have no idea what 450D cabinets are. Google doesn't even give me good answers. Are they like lower than average in height? I haven't measure anything yet.

    You are spot on with the time. Yes, the current owner has been living in it for the last 50 years since it was built. The property is not settled yet, so planning for renos before putting it on the rental market.
     
    Ko Ko Naing, 5th Jan, 2017
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  5. DaveM

    DaveM Well-Known Member

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    450mm deep. Modern kitchens are 600mm deep cabinets, so a dishwasher will poke out the front by 15cm. You could fit one though, those old kitchens are all timber and masonite so easy enough to modify. Dont touch the sink and taps though, the sink is built into cabinetry and you then have to chase the wall, lower waste stack and re-tile for installing a flick mixer plus new benchtop.
     
    DaveM, 5th Jan, 2017
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  6. Ko Ko Naing

    Ko Ko Naing Well-Known Member

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    Ah, sounds like too much work to me. Will find another place to install dishwasher.

    Thanks for pointing out a potential nightmare with the sink. Will have to leave it like that for now. Perhaps, changing the tapware would improve the look a bit, do you reckon?

    Re: Painting doors, will they need to be primed first or can I just straight apply the topcoat?
     
    Ko Ko Naing, 5th Jan, 2017
    #6
  7. VB King

    VB King Well-Known Member

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    It might be an old kitchen but looks in good condition. Cosmetic: Repaint, new knobs, new curtains.
     
    VB King, 6th Jan, 2017
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  8. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Unless you replace the whole kitchen with something like an Ikea one, I wouldn't do more than paint. I wouldn't even change the handles because -

    a. handles are not cheap and you have a lot to replace
    b. you will have to patch what will be the round circles where the current handles surely will have made little rings in the timber as they've been pushed on for years. You can sand and fill before you paint but I'd use an Oates white non-scratching scourer and clean up the chrome if these were mine.

    In other words... embrace the era.

    To me the worst part is the bench top but if it is in good nick, I'd leave that too.

    Lick o' paint is all it needs and play up the era rather than try to hide it I reckon.

    I guess this photo is from a listing photo but I'd either put in a 50s table and chairs to match the era, or go ultra modern table and chairs... anything but that sad 70s setting in the photo (if you are leaving table and chairs there).

    And definitely the curtains have to go.

    I'd also leave the sink. We have this era kitchen and didn't have funds to replace so we painted it and put floating flooring on the bench tops (they were very scratched and faded). Didn't fiddle with the (same style) sink. Six years on it looks like it was when the tenant moved in. We added a stainless modern freestanding cooker.

    We also added a freestanding dishwasher and left the optional laminex top on it but when we put in a new kitchen, that top comes off and it will be installed as normal under the bench.
     
    wylie, 6th Jan, 2017
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  9. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    image1.jpg
     
    wylie, 6th Jan, 2017
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  10. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    Unless the house is worth installing a new kitchen (and you can afford to) I agree with leaving it as is. Only suggestion would be to replace curtains with blinds to match those in the kitchen if the areas are adjacent.
    Marg
     
    Marg4000, 6th Jan, 2017
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  11. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Agree... and either remove the pelmet (though it does suit the era)... but you have to ditch the little frill :eek:.
     
    wylie, 6th Jan, 2017
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  12. MTR

    MTR Well-Known Member

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    Its very neat and tidy and decent size, don't over spend, the items mentioned by others sounds really great ie change door knobs, remove curtains replace with blinds, replace taps and dishwasher
    If the kitchen needs painting do it, it will be the cheapest makeover
     
    MTR, 6th Jan, 2017
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  13. EN710

    EN710 Well-Known Member

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    Apart from old they seem to be in great condition...
    I'd just paint the cabinet white and change the handles ... to black :p Or you can use spray and spray handle black
     
    EN710, 6th Jan, 2017
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  14. Ko Ko Naing

    Ko Ko Naing Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, @wylie. Do you have a far shot of your whole kitchen? It looks really nice close-up though.
     
    Ko Ko Naing, 6th Jan, 2017
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  15. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    The only shot I have of another angle is badly pixilated. This gives you an idea, but not much help really...

    It looks ok as a thumbnail but blows up to a pixilated mess.

    You can see the 900mm wide cooker and the freestanding dishwasher sits between that and the corner, close to the sink.

    a-msml.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    wylie, 6th Jan, 2017
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  16. Ko Ko Naing

    Ko Ko Naing Well-Known Member

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    Since it's not going to be settled until late Feb, I am ordering unbranded T shaped cabinet handles cheap from eBay. They are coming from China and was told might take about 3-4 weeks to get here.

    This is what I worry about. Whenever I replace door knobs and handles, those engraved little rings really bother me. But I reckon I'll just have to get over it. I will just try my best to sand and fill as much as I can.
     
    Ko Ko Naing, 6th Jan, 2017
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  17. Ko Ko Naing

    Ko Ko Naing Well-Known Member

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    Just wondering, why would you spray the handle black? Stainless steel look would be perfect! :)
     
    Ko Ko Naing, 6th Jan, 2017
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  18. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm heading out now but when I get back I'll look for the "before" photo of the kitchen and you can see size, placement better. You just have to ignore the garish colours.
     
    wylie, 6th Jan, 2017
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  19. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    Looks like new and modern. ....I'm guessing ip is in Adelaide:p

    Don't touch to much of it it looks in great condition
     
    bob shovel, 6th Jan, 2017
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  20. EN710

    EN710 Well-Known Member

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    Black look more traditional (and sometimes I get bored with stainless steel - it blends in and black pops out) :p
    Example (not mine, just googled)
    Kitchen : Traditional Black And White Kitchen Design Ideas With Dark Wooden For Small White Kitchen Ideas With Awesome White Kitchens Ideas Kitchen Ideas White Cabinets White Countertop‚ White Kitchen Decorating Ideas‚ Kitchen Design Ideas With White Countertops also Kitchens

    http://homeozoic.com/wp-content/upl...as-well-as-wooden-shelves-attace-1120x840.jpg
     
    EN710, 6th Jan, 2017
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