Weekend decorator: Even on a budget, a kitchen upgrade can be in reach 

Appliances can be moved around for better efficiency, but even painting or replacing the cabinets will give the room a big lift.  Photo by SUPPLIED

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Dear Virginie, 

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This is my kitchen and I think it’s time for a refresh. However, my budget isn’t robust. I need to replace the fridge and stove with an eye to painting and changing more features down the road. I would love your opinion on the bulkhead above the cupboards. I hate it. It seems like such a waste of space. 

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Jennifer in Leslieville 

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Hi Jennifer, 

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You’re right to try to get a plan sorted out before you start buying new appliances. Kitchens are expensive to remodel, and given that your budget is tight, I see three possibilities. 

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The first is leaving everything where it is and undertaking a cosmetic makeover. That means refacing or replacing the cabinet fronts but not moving anything around. I know you said you hate the bulkhead over the cabinets, but there is a good chance it’s there for a reason; bulkheads usually hide HVAC ductwork that feeds the rooms above the kitchen. Demolishing that bulkhead could snowball into having to redo a lot more than the kitchen.  

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Instead, you could paint the cabinets and the bulkhead in a creamy hue that is close to the existing colour of the room, unless you’re craving a pop of colour. Dress up the bulkhead with a simple trim at the top to make it seem more intentional.  

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Another, fancier option is to have new cabinets made that are the same depth as the bulkhead but with doors that go up to a piece of molding at the ceiling, essentially hiding the bulkhead behind doors.  

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When buying the appliances, it’s important to have all your dimensions on hand to ensure a good fit. Stoves are usually standard sizes, but fridges come in all different heights, so measure carefully. Also be aware of the door swing and any plumbing needs a new fridge may have if it has water or ice-making features. Counter-depth fridges that line up with the front of your counter (24 to 26 inches deep) are lovely but considerably more expensive, especially when you’re looking for something integrated (that means with a panel that matches the cabinets), and also much smaller inside, since they are shallow. I’d stay away from these.  

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This classic, entry-priced marble will endure the test of time. Prices go up as the slab gets whiter, so start with the slab you can afford and choose paint from there. Bianco Carrera slab, price on request, Ciot.com. Photo by COURTESY OF CIOT

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On the cooking front, gas is nice to have, but an induction stove is great because of how easy it is to clean. It’s really up to you here, but try to pick a stove and fridge by the same maker for a similar look. 

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An integrated hood can be made to disappear or used in a statement feature. Best Cabinet insert range hood, $899, canadianappliances.ca. Photo by COURTESY OF CANADIAN APPLIANCES 

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You could also consider replacing the sink and counter. That small four-inch backsplash over the counter is making the kitchen feel builder-grade. If you have the budget for solid surfacing and an undermount sink, as well as a new backsplash, you can really start to change the look of the room. Replace the handles on the cabinets for a quick and easy update. 

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The second change you could make would be to move the dishwasher to the island, put the stove in its current spot, as long as you can vent it, and relocate the sink to where the stove is. That’s only an option if the basement is open and you can easily do a bit of plumbing. But it would certainly give you more cooking space.  

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It looks like your island is a freestanding table, but installing a dishwasher and a cabinet in it might buy you a bit more space. You could even look at moving the microwave to the island so that you can have a freestanding hood in place of the microwave hood, which makes the range feel closed in.