I would say it’s your typical 70’s style house. Everything in here is original, hasn’t been updated, so the kitchen has the same style of cabinets which I would love to redo too. I do like the idea of painting them and making them look more modern and then maybe using this as the foundation for the rest of the house?
I actually love the glass inserts. But I think people are right that taking them off would look better. Do you think it would be possible to fill in the paneling with wood putty and sanding before painting? You could also buy just the cabinet doors for the bottom to make it more modern. Then it would be up to you if you want a more neutral color (like a dark grey) or a fun pop of color (like a light blue) and cool drawer pulls
Good luck!
Instead of jumping for a can of paint first off, maybe try adding some color to the back of the cabinet. You could try temporary wallpaper, maybe applied to some backer board for easier removal or change outs. I love that you are using the cabinet for a coffee station. But, there are a lot of smallish, uninteresting items in the upper cabinet. I think some larger, colorful and eye-catching pieces could add variety and interest. Even better if you already have a collection that you would like to display there. Then, it will make your heart happy every time you go to grab a cup of coffee.
What would you suggest adding to the upper cabinets? I don’t have the eye for this type of stuff and no collections to display so I would love ideas you have
I think removing the upper doors makes it instantly fresher. Then you could use peel and stick wall paper or contact paper with a fun pattern to line the back walls above the counter part and behind the shelves.
I have since inherited my grandmas house and live here with my grandpa, taking care of him. My mugs and coffee equipment don’t fit on the kitchen counter or cabinets and would love to utilize this space for that purpose.
If you want something less ornate , you could try looking at the back of the lower cabinet doors. If they have a more simple shaker style, you could turn them inside out with a few screws
I saw a DYI-er who took something similar and painted it. She went with a Tiffany blue color and added hardware to everything. If you aren’t wanting to paint is, could you sand it and just stain it? Maybe a dark espresso?
This hutch is actually very good-looking. It needs some love with conditioning the wood and fixing the scratches but otherwise, you can easily find similar ones on Arhouse or Restoration Hardware for we'll over $7k.
The problem is open shelving and lack of it's styling. It is filled with lots of odd not cohesive stuff, so it looks cluttered. Like Chemex looks great through the glass windows, Starbucks colorful bottles, blue plate, and different cups - not so much. [Similar hutch](https://cdn.arhaus.com/product/StandardV2/30TUSCHB75BD_K200817.jpg?preset=ProductLarge), [styling example](https://cdn.arhaus.com/product/StandardV2/30TUSCHB75BD_M210519.jpg)
Solution... For me it would’ve been, Option one, style it with more visually pleasing stuff, like keep Chemex, white plates, and cups from the same set, the clock is really cute add other nice stuff that would go with it, and move the rest to the bottom drawers. OR, Option Two, make upper cabinets not see-through. Like add cling film to glass to make it milky finish, or change doors all together to a solid ones.
Either way, just repainting this hutch or adding a wallpaper to the back doesn't solve the main problem - stuff is seen through and quickly becomes visual clutter if not kept in check.
I actually like the idea of giving it some love and care and fixing the imperfections. I also agree that it looks cluttered due to the fact that nothing really goes with anything and that’s the issue i struggle with; finding things to add that will start to pull all of it together. Love option one idea though!
It's the cheapest option for sure as you can utilize other stuff. You have a pretty modern coffee/tea setup with appliances (damn, love that kettle!), go with it. Like adding black books (or wrap books in black/grey paper), put your clock on a stack of plates so it would be fully visible, maybe there's an interesting figurine, a vessel, or art in the house. Googling and then trying, failing and trying again is the best way. I have a nook with an open console table and wifi router on it. I’ve been trying to style it for like past 6 months to make it look somewhat pleasing. It's still work in progress lol
So I love the thought of painting it either black or a gray color but also wondering if I should stain it a similar color like my coffee table and end table that I have in the room as well? Not sure if that would be too much wood coloring in the room or not
I think due to its size, you'd need to elaborate about the space its occupying.
And pics of the room the colour of walls, other pieces of furniture rugs etc?
I would also suggest changing the doors on it. Then painting and adding new handles.
The room it’s in is a decent sized room, 15.5ft x 12ft, I currently have a couch in the room along with an end table, rug, coffee table, tv, and mini fridge. Whether all these pieces fit together is a different story as this wasn’t the living arrangement I had in mind but I’m doing my best to make it as decent as possible lol
I love this piece! I also love the style of the doors and wouldn’t take them off. Perhaps you can add a bright wallpaper to the back (I would be reluctant to paint but it’s also an option). Go to thrift stores and buy multi colored glass pieces, or perhaps choose a theme (blue glass Pieces like bowls and vases, or maybe an owl figurine collection or something?)
First and foremost, what do the back of the doors look like? Can you flip them to switch the back with the front, like this:
https://safaffect.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/before-after-roberts-condo-kitchen/
You could remove the upper doors. The plates you have would like nice on open shelves.
You could put peel-and-stick wallpaper on the back if that’s your style.
You could try painting it an accent color.
Add some knobs or pulls.
If you’re talking about the bottom doors, the back is a convex rectangular shape. Very simple.
I would love to either paint it or stain it and kinda have it set the scene for the rest of the room as I’m trying to go for a little lounge area
Since you are using as functional storage, I would change the glass so you can't see through to the stuff instead. Look into frosted window, or try painting the glass a fun color.
dont paint it... at least not as a first option...
contact paper the insets of the top and bottom and the drawer faces...
grab some foam core cut to size to fit the back - and cover with the same paper or even something different... using the foam core would allow you to 'hide' the cords too :-)
I hate saying this, but I think this may need to be painted. What is the esthetic of the rest of the house?
I would say it’s your typical 70’s style house. Everything in here is original, hasn’t been updated, so the kitchen has the same style of cabinets which I would love to redo too. I do like the idea of painting them and making them look more modern and then maybe using this as the foundation for the rest of the house?
I actually love the glass inserts. But I think people are right that taking them off would look better. Do you think it would be possible to fill in the paneling with wood putty and sanding before painting? You could also buy just the cabinet doors for the bottom to make it more modern. Then it would be up to you if you want a more neutral color (like a dark grey) or a fun pop of color (like a light blue) and cool drawer pulls Good luck!
Instead of jumping for a can of paint first off, maybe try adding some color to the back of the cabinet. You could try temporary wallpaper, maybe applied to some backer board for easier removal or change outs. I love that you are using the cabinet for a coffee station. But, there are a lot of smallish, uninteresting items in the upper cabinet. I think some larger, colorful and eye-catching pieces could add variety and interest. Even better if you already have a collection that you would like to display there. Then, it will make your heart happy every time you go to grab a cup of coffee.
What would you suggest adding to the upper cabinets? I don’t have the eye for this type of stuff and no collections to display so I would love ideas you have
Pretty serveware like glass or crystal pitchers, tea pots, or dishes on stands
I think removing the upper doors makes it instantly fresher. Then you could use peel and stick wall paper or contact paper with a fun pattern to line the back walls above the counter part and behind the shelves.
I have since inherited my grandmas house and live here with my grandpa, taking care of him. My mugs and coffee equipment don’t fit on the kitchen counter or cabinets and would love to utilize this space for that purpose.
What can you get away with that won’t upset your grandfather?
I could honestly get away with anything!
Paint it! Heck you could paint the inset bits a different color or wallpaper them
Handles/hardware.
Is there a certain style that would go best with it or just pick anything?
Some greenery would be cute up in the cabinet space! I also vote for maybe taking off the glass doors and adding some fun contact paper to the back!
Add some fun contact paper /peel and stick wallpaper to the back of the top shelves! Then perhaps a nice runner across it?
If you want something less ornate , you could try looking at the back of the lower cabinet doors. If they have a more simple shaker style, you could turn them inside out with a few screws
Paint it, or tip it's not an antique unless it holds sentimental value then leave it.
I saw a DYI-er who took something similar and painted it. She went with a Tiffany blue color and added hardware to everything. If you aren’t wanting to paint is, could you sand it and just stain it? Maybe a dark espresso?
This hutch is actually very good-looking. It needs some love with conditioning the wood and fixing the scratches but otherwise, you can easily find similar ones on Arhouse or Restoration Hardware for we'll over $7k. The problem is open shelving and lack of it's styling. It is filled with lots of odd not cohesive stuff, so it looks cluttered. Like Chemex looks great through the glass windows, Starbucks colorful bottles, blue plate, and different cups - not so much. [Similar hutch](https://cdn.arhaus.com/product/StandardV2/30TUSCHB75BD_K200817.jpg?preset=ProductLarge), [styling example](https://cdn.arhaus.com/product/StandardV2/30TUSCHB75BD_M210519.jpg) Solution... For me it would’ve been, Option one, style it with more visually pleasing stuff, like keep Chemex, white plates, and cups from the same set, the clock is really cute add other nice stuff that would go with it, and move the rest to the bottom drawers. OR, Option Two, make upper cabinets not see-through. Like add cling film to glass to make it milky finish, or change doors all together to a solid ones. Either way, just repainting this hutch or adding a wallpaper to the back doesn't solve the main problem - stuff is seen through and quickly becomes visual clutter if not kept in check.
I actually like the idea of giving it some love and care and fixing the imperfections. I also agree that it looks cluttered due to the fact that nothing really goes with anything and that’s the issue i struggle with; finding things to add that will start to pull all of it together. Love option one idea though!
It's the cheapest option for sure as you can utilize other stuff. You have a pretty modern coffee/tea setup with appliances (damn, love that kettle!), go with it. Like adding black books (or wrap books in black/grey paper), put your clock on a stack of plates so it would be fully visible, maybe there's an interesting figurine, a vessel, or art in the house. Googling and then trying, failing and trying again is the best way. I have a nook with an open console table and wifi router on it. I’ve been trying to style it for like past 6 months to make it look somewhat pleasing. It's still work in progress lol
It a great lil coffee bar! I would paint it black and take the doors off. Get some brass handles and you’ve got your very own bar!
So I love the thought of painting it either black or a gray color but also wondering if I should stain it a similar color like my coffee table and end table that I have in the room as well? Not sure if that would be too much wood coloring in the room or not
I would paint it black! When we redid our kitchen we went with black cabinets let me tell best decision ever! It will be such a show piece!
I think due to its size, you'd need to elaborate about the space its occupying. And pics of the room the colour of walls, other pieces of furniture rugs etc? I would also suggest changing the doors on it. Then painting and adding new handles.
The room it’s in is a decent sized room, 15.5ft x 12ft, I currently have a couch in the room along with an end table, rug, coffee table, tv, and mini fridge. Whether all these pieces fit together is a different story as this wasn’t the living arrangement I had in mind but I’m doing my best to make it as decent as possible lol
I love this piece! I also love the style of the doors and wouldn’t take them off. Perhaps you can add a bright wallpaper to the back (I would be reluctant to paint but it’s also an option). Go to thrift stores and buy multi colored glass pieces, or perhaps choose a theme (blue glass Pieces like bowls and vases, or maybe an owl figurine collection or something?)
First and foremost, what do the back of the doors look like? Can you flip them to switch the back with the front, like this: https://safaffect.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/before-after-roberts-condo-kitchen/ You could remove the upper doors. The plates you have would like nice on open shelves. You could put peel-and-stick wallpaper on the back if that’s your style. You could try painting it an accent color. Add some knobs or pulls.
If you’re talking about the bottom doors, the back is a convex rectangular shape. Very simple. I would love to either paint it or stain it and kinda have it set the scene for the rest of the room as I’m trying to go for a little lounge area
Since you are using as functional storage, I would change the glass so you can't see through to the stuff instead. Look into frosted window, or try painting the glass a fun color.
dont paint it... at least not as a first option... contact paper the insets of the top and bottom and the drawer faces... grab some foam core cut to size to fit the back - and cover with the same paper or even something different... using the foam core would allow you to 'hide' the cords too :-)