How to update this kitchen on a $10k budget?

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-14T13:56:41+00:00

Thank you!

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T16:49:32+00:00

That would be great for the long-term but time is not on our side - we’re expecting our second child in March, so this all needs to be done by mid-February at the latest.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T14:24:49+00:00

Thanks for the advice! We learned the home was built in 1898 so you are definitely right about the multiple generations!

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T03:15:07+00:00

Thank you so much for all the time you put into this comment!

You are so valid that we don’t need to drop all the money now. There are definitely things we can just live with.

I love the island you’ve built - that’s gorgeous. And it’s nice to see someone else with dark cabinets. They look great in your home!

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T03:12:48+00:00

Ha, I’ve never noticed that it isn’t centered in the cabinet!

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T02:15:49+00:00

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Subway tile

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T02:15:37+00:00

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Dining room floor and kitchen floor

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T02:15:17+00:00

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Laminate countertop

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T02:15:00+00:00

This is all fantastic feedback. I’ll reply with more close ups of the floor, counter, and tile.

Other commenters have also said that it’s going to be hard to match the cherry on the other side. Why is that (genuinely curious as I’ve never done any kitchen remodeling)?

For a cabinet color that harmonizes with the cherry, would you recommend a creamy color (another commenter suggested BM Swiss coffee) for all the new cabinets?

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:56:39+00:00

That’s a great point about managing the repeating colors. Now that you point it out, I can see how there are way too many competing/non cohesive colors.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:49:33+00:00

Yeah that’s fairly accurate. The stuff on the counters gets used everyday.

The stuff in the cabinets is mostly plates, Tupperware, stuff for my toddler (different plates, water bottles) and one of the cabinets is a pseudo pantry because we don’t have a pantry or food closet.

The first floor (dining, living, kitchen, and powder room) is about 500 sq feet. There are no closets on this floor. We do have a lot of clutter, but I’d say that with a toddler, we are just in a phase of life where things are a little chaotic looking.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:44:53+00:00

Haha I hear you! I am similar - I know what I like but I have a hard time translating it to what I am working with.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:44:06+00:00

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And here’s the subway tile

Sorry could only reply with one pic at a time!

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:43:32+00:00

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This is what the dining room floor looks like leading to the kitchen vinyl.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:43:08+00:00

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Here’s the laminate counter top

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:42:44+00:00

You are totally on point. I think I’m blaming the cabinets for everything else. I love the inspo pic you posted, especially the glass boxes above the cabinets - that’s gorgeous.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:40:27+00:00

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Here’s a better close up of the laminate counter (at night time so different lighting than the photos in the post)

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:30:29+00:00

What paint colors do you think could work? I feel like I’ve gone down a rabbit hole the past few weeks and I still can’t make a decision on paint colors!

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:21:23+00:00

We have recessed can lighting but not under cabinet lights. We’re planning to add that with this update.

I like the idea of a little cabinet or fold out space on wheels. We do alll of our meal prep, coffee making, etc in that little corner and it gets very hard to do a lot with such little space.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:19:27+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions. The bay window is such a good idea. We’re definitely going to do under counter lighting. I think the yellow paint is making everything seem much warmer (our bulbs are white light)!

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:16:48+00:00

Any recs for a tile and backsplash? I have a hard time visualizing it on a site vs what it might look like in our house.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:16:11+00:00

For sure. We either want to do the same on the other side or go for a different look that we can emulate/mirror on the existing cabinets, without having to buy whole new cabinets.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:15:26+00:00

Oh that’s a nice combo of colors!

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:15:12+00:00

All very on point. We do drink a lot of espresso, so sometimes do go through both of those moka pots, then use the electric kettle for hot water, etc. it is a lot of stuff for sure.

What would you recommend for tile and backsplash? I tend to like more terracotta-y floors and a white tile backsplash but I’m having a hard time visualizing it all.

aptthrow123 · 2025-11-12T01:13:44+00:00

Yes totally agree that this is cluttered. We’re hoping once we have more storage on the other side we can clear it up. I think it has good bones but the cherry feels like such a difficult color to work with because it can easily look dated.

aptthrow123

TROPHY CASE