How can I brighten up a large, older kitchen with inadequate windows?

Question

I moved into a75-yr-old bungalow that I love, all except the kitchen. This was my grandparents' home until they passed away, and then a rental property for several decades. The kitchen is very large, with counters,cabinets & appliances in a 'U' shape at the far end, and a large space for a table where you enter into it from the dining and family room. My mother had custom cabinets done by a novice carpenter 20 yrs ago. They're honey oak, but just okay in quality. I'd love to replace them, but it's not in the budget yet. The appliances are at least new & black. Countertops, flooring & walls are dingy shades of beige. There's a set of small windows over the sink that let in the only natural light in the room. There was once a screened porch off the back kitchen door, & a third window in the kitchen by the eating area that let in more light. But my mom had the porch enclosed, so that window now looks out onto nothing. What techniques could I use to brighten this dreary room inexpensively?

Answer 1

Its amazing what a good faux paint job will do to kitchen cabinets. in my last house I had standard white cabs and was going to replace them. My girl friend said she would take care of it. She painted them this hideous shade of red and I was freaking out but for a second coat she streaked with black and they look just like the best cherry-wood cabinets. (amazing) I also used rope lighting under the cabinets. this provides great highlights to your counter tops and I have found that I like the effect at night as a night light. Its not too bright and yet it allows you to function in the kitchen when the rest of the home is dark..

Look into pop Skylights. This is just a tube that goes from the roof to the ceiling. They let in a lot of light during the day and really light things up without using electricity.
Flooring is easy these days and you can do it yourself. Stick on vinyl flooring is colorful and easy to install.
The counter tops can be done with the same tile to match or a good contrasting color.
If you have one wall that is appliance free and cabinet free consider a bright color. Orange or Red. this will help open the room and cheer the place up.

Or... Mirrors make a room look twice as large and help to brighten as well.

Just some things to think about. Try painting the cabs first. Even white would be better than Dingy shades of Beige!!

If you give me an email address I will send you a photo of the redone Kitchen with the cool cabinets.

Answer 2

I would definitely paint the cupboards a brilliant white. This will help lighten things up. Then I would paint the walls and put in a new floor....it's easy with the peel-and-stick tiles. I have done it three times and each time has been a breeze. I would use a very non-busy light colored floor tile, preferably as white as you can go. The countertop you may have to live with for a while if you don't want to spend much money. You could paint the walls any color you like really, with lots of white on the cabinets it should be ok. In fact, you should probably pick a decisive color so the white will really snap up against it.
I would put white miniblinds on the windows with white valances to let in plenty of light but still offer privacy when the blinds are closed. If there is any place to do so, you could add some other lighting like lamps or under the cabinet lights. To solve the problem in my dark little kitchen, I simply put a couple of matching nightlights in the outlets under the cupboard. They come on automatically and night and shut off during the day. It's a cheap fix.
I also hung a lot of white on the walls and used white accessories: a white clock, a black and white photo in a white frame, a white basket with greenery in it, white plaque, etc.
Having black appliances is a plus! I can see khaki or tan walls, black appliances, red accents and white white white everywhere on the trim, woodwork, etc. Tan, black and red go great together, but you need to choose the color you love.
Best wishes!

Answer 3

I agree with all said by Sender. Especially about cupboards but instead of painting them - (since you have a real oak doors, and I think it's a crime to paint over beautiful wood) - find a high-gloss varnish of your preferred colour (not dark!) - the wood will still show through and will not look like a cheap veneer.
Few more things:
If you have curtains or shutters - take them off and replace for light-coloured, transparent blinds.
To renovate countertops - you can buy special vinyl film, that has a glue backing and easy to stick on. With these you should be carefull though - once done - don't cut on them or put anything hot on the top.
You can also use a "sponge" technique when repainting countertops - it will look like marble.
If you don't want to paint the cabinet's doors - you may want to consider replacing the doors only. Any kitchen supplier would do that.
LED rope lights are inexpensive (this will give more light to the kitchen, and you can choose from natural white light to changing colours light, very easy to install - just nail it down with brackets) - you have several options of places where to install it:
1) under the ceiling - cover with a plank of wood, painted with same colour as walls.
2) under or onthe top of cupboards
3) at the bottom near the skirting board (cover with painted coving, turned inside out).
Other thing you may want to consider - replace small windows over the sink with a lage one - you can get a window for free on the likes of the websites as freecycle.org (you can even find lintel there if you lucky) - so you would only need to pay for labour.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Your best bet and the cheapest way to go is with paint. Choose a cheerful shade of yellow, sunny and buttery. You could also put a colorful rug on the floor (just under the table) to brighten up that area. Add lighten if possible. Put a lamp on the kitchen counter and buy a beautiful chandelier for above the table. Cut glass reflects light. Good luck. I love old bungalows too!