Kitchen Cabinet Help!
Hi all! Welcome to my NYC tiny kitchen — it needs some help and I'm hoping for your suggestions on what I can do to spruce up this space? But first, should I do something different with the cabinets? They feel dated and misaligned with my family's style. I'd love any help!
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@Rebecca you have such a blank slate to work with here, I am excited for you! One idea I had: Have you thought about taking the cabinet doors off, at least on the uppers to give the feel of open cabinet shelving? I feel like could be a really easy way to bring a little lightness into the space and break up the big blocks of cabinetry. It could be fun to experiment and then see how you feel. You can always put them back on if it's not quite a fit.
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I really love Kylie's idea! If you want to keep the doors, what about completely covering the cabinets with a more modern faux wood peel and stick wallpaper? It's renter friendly but also a complete transformation. These cabinets are peel and stick wallpaper.
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Oh @CharliPenn I love that suggestion — peel-and-stick would be so fun here, especially if you picked something to complement or contrast the kitchen island! @Rebecca I'm not sure what style you're going for, but you could even start with replacing the knobs (or eschewing them entirely!) with hardware that's a better fit.
I'll be following this thread — I really want to revamp my kitchen with renter-friendly fixes and you've inspired me!
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Hello Rebecca
I lived in NYC once and it was one room that included all things and a bathroom! First question- do you own or rent? And if you rent can you bring in new cabinets? Painting is never an issue for rentals in nyc but structural or major projects can be. If that’s cool, can you send a photo showing the wall across from the sink? Also show the wall with a sink too. I’d like to see the relationship between the fridge and the window side. I know there’s an IKEA close to you. I do not like visual clutter whereby you need to store pots and pans on top of the cabinets. It feels like that right wall - is it dark gray paint with a little shelf inset into the wall? - can be better utilized. Don’t love how dark it is and yes, the cabinet style and color is very outdated. Painting upper cabinets could be an option too. Send some more photos and let me know if there’s a landlord. You have a lot to work with! I read your family is tall. I think that’s good to know —lastly — what’s ceiling height? :) Most warmly, Susan Hall
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Try to have another pantry shelf elsewhere so you can remove all the appliances on top of your cabinets. Too many applicances up high can be very oppressive. Turn your microwave flat to the wall. Remove the rolling pin and put the oil bottles, pepper grinder, etc. on top of the stove. Between the microwave and stove, put your toaster and utensil jars…this will give you more counter space. Add a long pretty cushioned floormat.
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thank you @SusanHallStudio and @Avid , @CharliPenn and @KylieMcConville! Love all of these suggestions! Will try and take more photos and show you the rest of the space. I gotta say, we have a LOT of stuff (that we have decluttered several times) but maybe we do it one more time. I do rent so I need rental-friendly options.
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To me it looks too cluttered with no space on the counter tops and all the stuff on top of the cabinets. Maybe use some nice boxes to store thing on the top?
I think the cabinets look well built and in a timeless shaker style and could look great painted and new handles.
Some nice artwork on the pillar by the stove would bring some much needed color to the room.
Finally the lights look like a strong bright white - maybe a warmer white would make it look more homely and hide some of the imperfections?
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Contact paper on cabinets - a renters best friend. They come in all sorts of colors and textures! I'm about to re-do mine!
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^Agree on the spices, oils etc on top of the stove! Also in a tiny NYC apartment and got a magnetic shelf to level out that space. It's been so helpful to have spices, oils, etc right where I need them and use dead space:
Depending on what your window looks out into (and whether you want to see/ hide it), a Roman shade in a fun pattern or style would help bring any other color you'd like into the space. There are tons of DIYs too on how to make faux ones out of fabric if you don't need to raise/ lower it. That windowsill also feels like a great place for herbs or other plants, cookbooks, or other more decorative pieces since it looks like it would be easily viewable from the rest of the apartment too.
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Hi @Rebecca! For sprucing up your NYC tiny kitchen, I’d suggest considering updates to your cabinets to better align with your family’s style. A fresh coat of paint or new hardware can make a big difference!
Additionally, if you’re looking for inspiration, check out this article for "22 Creative Ideas for Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets in 2024." I think you'll find some fun and stylish options to elevate your space!
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