Ask A Designer™
January 6, 2023
Ask A Designer™: Gillian Atkins’ Best Advice For Updating A 1990s Kitchen
In this Ask A Designer™ column, Gillian Atkins’ shares advice for updating a 1990s kitchen.
Question: I’m doing a budget-friendly refresh on my kitchen. I’ve already painted the walls and done a subway tile backsplash. I’d like to keep the cabinets, but how do I leave the orange behind? Do I paint, or do I strip and whitewash to show the grain? — M.B., Scotland, Ont.
Do you have a design dilemma? Send your questions to [email protected].
Answer: Good question! Many of our readers will recognize your kitchen — it’s pretty typical of homes from the ’90s.
Keep reading!
Unfortunately, you’ll need to do some major updates to make this kitchen feel fresh, and not all of them are budget-friendly. I would replace the dated arched door fronts on the uppers with plain slabs or simple raised panel doors to match the lowers.
Save yourself the aggravation of sanding and staining all that oak and just paint everything a slightly darker white than your walls.
There are many counter-depth fridges on the market that won’t break the bank, and it will make all the difference in this space. Choose stainless steel or white to match your dishwasher.
Consider going charcoal on the island, and change your hardware to small brass knobs.
New squared-off countertops will give you the opportunity to disguise the awkward angles on the island, allowing you to replace the sink with an undermount version and bring in a new faucet.
I love this new taupe slab from Caesarstone, which would tie in to your existing floors.
If you can’t replace the floor tile, disguise it with a washable runner.
Finally, opt for a circular or asymmetrical pendant that won’t compete with the positioning and shape of the island.
I realize the numbers are adding up, so pick and choose which upgrades to do first. Remember, money spent in the kitchen is never wasted and, sometimes, it’s worth it to start from scratch!
Gillian Atkins is a senior designer at Lynda Reeves Design Studio.