How do I make this kitchen look more up to date?! (see the pics)?

I'd have the cabinets refinished or learn to do them yourself. It's not rocket science but you do have to do it right or it looks awful and won't last. The easiest thing to do would be to wipe a light color glaze (mixture of glazing liquid and white or light tan paint) over them with a rag. This would lighten the color but you'd still be able to see the wood grain. Small area, I'd hesitate to do them dark. But then I like bright and open especially in a kitchen. Take one door down and play with it with the glaze. The glaze wipes off easily when wet and doesn't change a whole lot when dry either so you pretty much see what you're going to get. Don't rely on a big box store's advice for a project like this; go to a locally owned paint store and tell them what you want to do and they will properly guide you. They want to keep you as a customer; the big box store employees really don't care, they just want the paycheck.

You could also paint the cabinets but that is a much more labor intensive project. I'd have the doors professionally sprayed for the smoothest finish unless you want to buy a paint sprayer. The rest can be painted with a foam brush with good results.

You have a lot of room there; I'd get rid of the builder's box island and put something in with more storage, more work area and some personality. Anything from a commercial stainless cart with a work top on it to an old farmhouse table with shelves under it. Once again, it's what YOU like. Mixing materials makes things more interesting. If replacing the island isn't in the cards; fix it up with some bead board panels and paint those a different color.

If you're up for it, replace the stove to black. You could put a tile back splash in that could bring some more color and texture. That's a good DIY project. Tiling isn't hard, it's exacting work but it's not hard. Take a class or have a friend who has tiled help you. Mix cheap, plain tiles with some high end stone, glass or metal tiles.

And add some accessories, more volume of fabric on the window dressing to soften that up a bit.

As far as the fireplace, once again it's got the 70's - 80's oak finish on it. I'd hesitate to go black because the rest of your trim in the room is white. And the mantle is pretty "skimpy" doesn't have much visual weight to it. Think about replacing the wood or adding more stock to it so that it carries more visual weight and painting it to match the rest of the trim. You could even do bookcases flanking both sides of the fireplace. Add some cabinet lights, pretty things and now you're pulling a lot more attention to a very desirable feature in your room. You can buy stock bookshelves and add moldings and such to get the look you like. If you put units in with cabinets in the bottom on each side, now you have a lot more storage for things you use but don't want out all the time. Toys, games, movie collection, anything. Storage is always a good thing!

And don't fret about the mix of appliance colors; I have the same thing - black and stainless both in my kitchen. I have all black major appliances with a stainless back splash behind the stove (another idea for you) and a stainless and black microwave. Actually, the microwave convinced me I did NOT want stainless appliances; stainless is worse than the black to keep clean! I have stainless sprinkled around the kitchen; a toaster, all my cookware is stainless and I have a pot rack (another idea over your island - get one with a light in it!) It's amazing how much a pot rack helps open up much needed cabinet space. My husband made mine; it's wood but he used stainless corner braces and hardware on it and put a light in the middle.

Have fun and do what you find works for you. When working with a kitchen, always keep an eye towards functionality!

I don't think your cabinets are awful, they look fine to me. The kitchen is actually really cute but it has NO style whatsoever. Nothing cohesive. If there is any way you can replace the stove with a black one, that would make a huge difference. If you can't afford to a new stove, they do sell appliance paint, you could paint it black. That way at least the appliances would match.

Next, choose a color. Doesn't matter what color, but pick one. Let's say you pick an awesome gray/blue. Paint all the walls that color and paint the base of the island the same color. Now your kitchen is black, brown (wood cabinets, beige floors and counter tops) and gray/blue. MUCH more cohesive!

Your sink is white, nothing can be done about that, But there is other white in the room -- trim around the window and door and the stair railing. So it won't stick out too much.

Since you do have some stainless around the room -- faucet, microwave, toaster -- I'd replaces all the knobs and drawer pulls with beautiful stainless one. You'll be amazed what a difference new knobs can make! You can even get a stainless (or chrome) dish rack.

Since you now have a color in the room, your curtains and towels can be that color. Try to get pretty curtains that let some light in!

I know that everyone sticks all sorts of stuff on the fridge, but if you put all that stuff on the side and keep the front clear, you'll be amazed how much less cluttered the room will look.

Try to keep any new accessories or small appliances you have in black, stainless or whatever color you have on the walls.

I actually like the fireplace the way it is. Can you see it from the kitchen? It sort of matches! Someday, when you can afford it, you might want to get another, BIGGER mantle and surround for your fireplace. They were stingy when they put that tiny little thing there! But at least you HAVE a fireplace, which is more than I can say!

Good luck and have fun!

For the fire place, I would just strip the black paint and revarnish the wood.

For the kitchen:

1. Add a backsplash from the counters to the upper cupboards. Something brighter or darker.

2. Get real curtains or blinds

3. Update the handles on the cupboards

4. Take everything off your counters that you can - spices, utensils, dishes, soap, the thing on your microwave, take the stuff off your fridge (front and top) which will make it seem bigger.

5. Your microwave appears to have stainless steel on it or wood (not sure which). Stainless steel doesn't work in your kitchen because you don't have any anywhere else, and there is too much wood already, so consider getting a different microwave.

Personally I think it is cute, but that is how I would update it with little to no budget.

Otherwise you could tear out the stove, sink, dishwasher and fridge and do stainless steel. You could get new cabinets that are more modern and cover your island so it matches the cabinets. But would that fit with the rest of your home?

See how great the red looks in that kitchen ?

It's the only color besides neutrals.

You can inexpensively paint the cabinets an off white , paint the room a red or any real color.Blue is great too.

Change out the hardware for some thing in the "silver " color. I like Brushed nickel.

The off white will make the stove look just fine.

Either leave the window unadorned or get a very light curtain.

Later if you have more money to invest, Try a great back splash.

Enjoy decorating.

If you have a Great Indoors store near you, go there and look for some great handles or knobs that reflect your taste and dress up those cabinets! Tile can be very inexpensive and easy to install. How about tiling the back splash?! Then, add a great color to the walls to co-ordinate with the tile. Don't forget the ceiling!! You can paint it the same as the walls or a lighter version of the same color. Get rid of the blinds and consider tiling around the window too! A frame of tile or just inside the window on the sill. Counter-tops are not as expensive as you may think if you find something you like that is "in stock." Formica or laminate has come a long way. If you like tile I know that you can tile over formica. Check the DIY web sites. You can find instructions there. A great rug on the floor could be just the thing to tie the whole room together. Good luck and have fun!!

I love the kitchen! But painting the cabinets white and updating the hardware on them will make a great deal of difference! You can also replace your counter tops with a slab of concrete that will make it more modern, but if concrete isn't your style opt for something else.

A back splash will also help the space, maybe subway tiling which are beautiful and neutral. I would also paint the walls something more of your choice as well. And as for the fire place I would paint it all black as well or even white.

Paint the cabinets white. Also Paint the wood on the fireplace white to match the baseboards.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/574377/pa...

http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/11/how-to-paint...

http://www.ehow.com/how_4828741_paint-kitchen-cabi...

Don't worry about the appliances. I have the same exact stove. I had to replace mine but couldn't afford the one I really wanted. I buy only white appliances. They never go out of style.

Double ovens are a great feature for all kitchens, they are especially useful when cooking for a family.

In terms of choosing ovens, it really depends on what you will use the oven for, if you have a large family or

are planning on roasting large meals regularly then the full double ovens may be a good option.

In the modern kitchen the built in double oven is an essential and key utensil

for more details follow the link below,

www.builtindoubleovens.org.uk

To make your kitchen a little cozy try adding decorations to your kitchen to make it look a little better than plain (white).Try adding colors like red,blue,or any color that you think that has a warm or cozy feeling.Also try painting that wall get a professional to do it. For the fireplace I would just leave it as that it actually look good like that don't change the color! :)

it looks like all you really have to do it replace the cabinets and stove. maybe with something more...flat and modern. something simple and clean.and yeah i think that the fireplace would look good black.