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PaintDesign DilemmaKitchens
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Brighten up our kitchen

Laura Thomas
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

Having had some great advice on here already we thought we’d ask again 😊.

We plan to redesign our kitchen diner but that won’t be for at least 18 months or so (just starting the process).

In the meantime what can we do easily that won’t cost too much to brighten up our kitchen?

It’s key that we can do the work ourselves. It’s so dark with the black floor , work surface and high sheen plastic splashback (this covers a large section of wall behind the photo too behind the rad). We were thinking about replacing the worktop and splash back - have any of you done something similar and can recommend what you’ve used / how you’ve done it? It’s west facing and would love to inject a bit of colour too.



Featured Answer
  • claire4223
    3 years ago

    Why not try putting a big outdoor washable rug in a light colour on the floor? That would reduce the darkness and you should be able to hose it down outside to clean it.

    Comments (33)

    • Daisy England
      3 years ago

      I wouldn’t bother doing anything if you are planning to swap it all in 18 months. I just think it’s a waste of money.

      The current fascias look as though they’re beech so if you’re trying to choose a worktop and splashback to work well with that and then for instance choose graphite or blue doors when you do get around to the new kitchen how will you know that what you may swap it to now will still go with what you swap it to?

      Wait, plan and then have the whole lot done in one go.

    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Thanks for that @Daisy England - 18 months may be optimistic and we’ve lived with it for the last year. I love cooking so spend a lot of time in there. Parts of the splash back have been damaged (whiteish blooms), but you’re right in that we’re not looking to spend much.

      The previous owners obviously loved the big plastic panels since they used them in the bathroom too which we’ve painted over (using Zinsser as a primer) and we’re really happy with that.

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    • berrecka
      3 years ago

      If you liked the way the splashback worked when painted elsewhere in the house, could you do the same to brighten the kitchen splashback? I agree about adding a rug etc., but also agree that if you're planning to rip it out I wouldn't be putting in much by way of time or materials.

    • Sonia
      3 years ago

      I think changing the worktop for white will make a huge difference to the light. You could get a cheap and cheerful laminate worktop from, say, Wickes to tide you over. I bought the previous worktop from them, off the shelf, and it lasted pretty well. I’m not sure if you want to go as far as retiling the black backsplash, so you could leave that and see how it looks? I have a dark slate effect floor but as my units are pale cream and the worktop is oak, it never feels dark.



    • Sonia
      3 years ago

      Found these cheap worktops at Ikea and Wickes, but Wickes isn’t so cheap any more!






    • Juliet Docherty
      3 years ago

      I agree a white worktop and something to cover the black panels would be worth doing, I would struggle to live with all that black, it looks funereal. I would make a decision either way and then find out how difficult or easy it is to remove the black backsplashes. It might be worth getting a plasterer to skim those areas and then you could fit a worktop and just tile a strip around the edges yourselves if necessary. A small job for a plasterer.

    • Daisy England
      3 years ago

      Good heavens those worktops are expensive. If you want a cheap worktop don’t look at square edge as they’re the most expensive. If you can get away with it go for a thinner 30mm top as opposed to the usual 40mm but if you’re taking a 40mm out you will have a space before the Splashback.

    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      @claire4223 thanks for that. I hadn’t really thought about a rug, partly because I am a little clumsy and would worry about spillages and trips. Plus due to spills would probably end up wanting one that wouldn’t show too much up....will explore that more though and have a look at some pics.

    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      @berrecka thanks for taking the time to comment. I do like the bathroom but they are whole walls , rather than splash backs and I was worried how standup to the normal wear and tear in a kitchen. The wall behind the rad might be good to paint out though but not sure where to go on colour. Tempted trial some colours ready for when we do the planned knock through.

    • PRO
      R.A Interiors
      3 years ago

      Hi Laura, your kitchen looks a decent size which is always a bonus! West facing rooms can be tricky to work with so it's worth considering when you'd be using the room. The light tends to be cooler in the mornings and warmer in the evenings. If you're looking to maximise the light, I'd recommend sticking with cooler toned colours that have blue or green undertones. I personally love Coat Paints 'Hamilton' or 'Lie-in'. If you are looking to replace worktops or cabinets, try going for a glossier finish to keep the light reflecting round the room, ultimately making it brighter.

    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      @Sonia thanks for all of that will have a look through some worktops. That would certainly make a huge difference. Not sure of a solid white or a marble type effect. @Daisy England good point about checking 30 mm options. Lots to think about.

    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      @Juliet Docherty I know it’s so dark. The floor is one solid colour, not like slate which can often have different hues running through it.

    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      @R.A Interiors thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I’ve not heard of Coat Paints before - both colours look lovely (in fact we have a slightly greener version of the Hamilton in one of our rooms upstairs. I guess we mainly use the room in the evening and the sun absolutely blazes through the window.

    • Ellie
      3 years ago

      18 months is no time, do nothing that costs! It'll go by do quickly. Spend the 18 months planning, sketching, looking at floors, units, colours, worktops, sink, paint, lights, ...... and more if it's going to involve building work. You'd just be throwing any money away

    • PRO
      R.A Interiors
      3 years ago

      @Laura Thomas No problem, I love adding colour to rooms! I like to use Coat Paints (amongst others) on my projects because they have low VOC's and are cruelty free, plus I get a trade discount ;)

      Possibly consider warmer pinky toned colours if you mainly use it in the evenings then, it'll make the most of the evening blaze!

    • pjdklm
      3 years ago

      Hi Laura- if I was in your situation I’d feel freedom to try out cheap and cheerful solutions, especially if they help you test out ideas for when you want to do your kitchen properly. For example, you could easily cover the floor with sheet vinyl/linoleum , or peel and stick vinyl tiles, or even “wood” planks, for as little as £8 per square metre. Picking a lighter colour would transform your kitchen, and it’s easy enough to DIY to a passable standard. Curious about marble countertops? Try vinyl worktop covering available on Amazon, a roll only costs about £5.. Same with a splash back... you can get inexpensive acrylic online cut to size in all sorts of colours. A 1 metre by 300mm piece will set you back about £25. None of these suggestions will result in a high-end / skilled professional finish, and certainly won’t last forever, but they will likely make a big difference for the time being.

    • Olivia McCarthy
      3 years ago

      A cheaper and quicker way to update the countertops could be to use contact paper on them. For 18 months it should last ok!

    • ali270
      3 years ago

      I agree with pjdklm . You have the perfect opportunity to experiment with colour and pattern . You know painting the backsplash works so go for it . I’ve never used contact paper on worktops but my neighbour has and you really can’t tell, it looks amazing , although I do think a bit of skill and patience is required to do the job . I can see why you are frustrated with your kitchen ( l couldn’t live with it either) but by experimenting now you will get it spot on when you come to spend the big money. Good luck .

    • faye_lloyd
      3 years ago

      Banish the Beige on instagram did the exact same thing you are looking for on her Kitchen when they first moved in. She painted the floor with a tile stencil, used contact paper on the worktops, painted the backsplash and cupboards then just got some really nice handles.


      https://www.instagram.com/banish_the_beige_/?hl=en


      She has a highlight called Kitchen renovation on her instagram page which shows everything she did, I hope this helps :)


      As a side note I liked it before the contact paper on the worktops but will probably look great if you go all the way up on yours.


    • Shazzamma
      3 years ago

      What about those under the cupboard lighting strips? And I'd certainly explore painting the splashbacks if you've already done it successfully. :)

    • moorlikeit
      3 years ago

      Please have some thought for the environment. Only replace the worktop if you can recycle or free cycle the current one and the temporary one you replace it with. Otherwise that is 2 more worktops going to landfill.

      I am with those that suggest a quick fix such as a washable rug and maybe painting the splashback. Then, when you do the whole kitchen there will only be one worktop to hopefully recycle In some way. Sustainable living is a necessity in our overcrowded world.


    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      @moorlikeit thanks for that...I’m a big fan of Freecycle. I’ve given and received lots for different projects and worktop offcuts always seem popular on there. Plus I regularly repurpose things we have.

    • PRO
      CJ Interiors
      3 years ago

      Have you considered tile stickers? It a great, inexpensive way to change a room, you could go for a lighter colour to open up the space!


      A couple of years back my parents wanted to re do their kitchen but knew they needed to save slightly longer to afford what they had in mind. But they knew they could not wait and needed a change, so my dad decided to paint spray all the units in the kitchen. He is a car panel beater and paint sprayer, so he has experience.

      Perhaps you could contact a local paint sprayer and ask if they would be able to accommodate this, I cant see why they could not not as long as they have a portable paint sprayer and you are able to take to doors off of your units.


      It crazy how much colours can change a space.

    • Heather C-B
      3 years ago

      I had the same kitchen so I feel your pain! Do try and wait before spending too much. I think you should work with it, not against it. Cheap short-term fixes could be to paint the walls white, install a black Venetian blind, change the light fitting for a longer track of spots along the length of the kitchen (maybe also in black) and then get herbs/plants in white pots and several large chopping boards...

    • PRO
      Aga Hosking Photography
      3 years ago

      I have painted the cupboards few months ago (being exactly in the same position where we only bought the house and don’t have a budget this year to do the whole kitchen). I am a photographer and the yellowish cast coming from our kitchen cupboards was driving me crazy. I discovered the paint that is especially for cupboards - it’s B&Q’d own brand Good Homes. It’s absolutely amazing! I also changed the knobs and the whole project costed me around £200 (including some mistakes like wrong paint colour etc)
      I am also trying to paint my tiles before Christmas, they are off white at the moment but I just want to freshen them up. The same range from B&Q has tile paint as well so I am going to try that too.
      Btw I painted bottom cupboards charcoal but you can do lighter colour if this is too dark for you.
      The worktop replacement in our case didn’t work as there is about 7 meters of it all around the kitchen. I couldn’t find a cheaper and good looking one but expensive misses a point of a cheap renovation (plus it’s silly to buy one and put on old furniture).

    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Thanks @Aga Hosking Photography they look great! Were the wall cupboards always white / a lighter colour - I really like that. I’m not sure about painting the cupboards...only due to my abilities and don’t really want to spend the money on paying someone else to do it with it only being a short term fix. I am tempted to paint the splashbacks and the wall and get some simple under cabinet lights (which I can use elsewhere after).

      @Heather C-B thanks you‘re right I really don’t want to spend too much. We are lucky that we’re not overlooked from the front so we pulled down the blinds. There is another may hing set of lights. Plants though would look lovely - I think a lovely bright green could really lift it. Thank you.

    • PRO
      Aga Hosking Photography
      3 years ago

      All of the kitchen cupboard were yellow-ish - I only forgot to take a picture before I started painting. So I did the knobs and painted the top/ wall cupboards and then remembered to take a picture. After 6 months of having them painted I absolutely swear by that paint as it doesn’t rub off and it looks like a laminate rather than paint. For The bottom cupboards I used Valspar egg shell but it’s a disaster - so many scratches all over and I think I will address them with the Good Home pain again when I have a chance. Yes it’s a little hassle / it took me 2 weeks to finish them off and it took me a while to find relevant brushes (like the one of edges and around brackets ), rollers and waiting time between the costs drying so I can paint another coat - this all was quite time consuming. But I love DIY and I hated my kitchen so badly that it gave me excitement and patience to do it all. I think as you say there is no point hiring someone to do it and better save money towards completely new kitchen. Good luck with it x

    • Mike H
      3 years ago

      Would you consider removing the over-head press beside the cooker hood, nearest the window?

      I know people are reluctant to remove storage, especially in a kitchen. But you'd be surprised how much light the unit is taking out of the room. Also, visually, it would open out the room a bit.

      Again, you would lose some storage, but if you can live without it it might work. You could have some pictures or a notice board in the space. Maybe some open shelves but some people think they add clutter?

    • C H
      3 years ago
      last modified: 3 years ago

      As an interim solution I'd just inject some colour and character via displaying cheap and cheerful items, colourful gadgets and adding some plants. Even a colourful blind. or some framed prints. At least some of those could be used in your new kitchen.

    • Laura Thomas
      Original Author
      3 years ago

      Thanks C H I have avoided plants for a while (we have 2 cats) but now their older I’ll try again.

    • C H
      3 years ago
      last modified: 3 years ago

      Little cacti might be practical (or even a mini herb garden on the windowsill). How about something like this? Kitchen blind and plants

    • Rowland
      3 years ago

      change the black worktop or backsplash. that would give some reflection of light as black absorbs the light.

      paint the cupboard if you want but you have to do something with the black on both wall and worktop. one of them must go!

      best

      Rowland

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