ohhh, Fun! At a minimum budget, I'd replace appliances, floors, counter tops and refinish cabinets and add new hardware, remove wallpaper and paint. With a bit more, I'd go for new cabinets (including the removal of the soffet), new backsplash, shift the stove down the wall away from the sink a bit, stash the oven under it and convert the current oven cabinet to a pantry.

With a no holds barred budget, that wall where the table is would go, and I'd have a huge island with cooktop and stainless hood, with a breakfast bar for dine-in.

Oh, I could design this room 20 ways. Love this post.

Moving the stove is going to require a major rebuild of the cabinets above and below. It would be nice to move it away from the corner a couple of feet though.

For replacing the appliances, check to see if the local utility offers a rebate on new appliances. Ours will pay you $50 to $100 each to replace old, inefficient appliances, and they haul away the old ones for recycling.

Some undercabinet lights would really help light up those dark corners (it really helped in our kitchen.)

I don't think I could handle carpet in a kitchen. Our hardwood floor is hard enough too keep clean.

I'd be tempted to leave it as is and pretend I am a 1950's housewife. Although it's really outdated, there is something so cozy and inviting about it.

eaturveggies1 -- Good answer!

No. It will not be left as is. I understand the nostalgic sentiment behind that, but it's impractical for this kitchen. Its defects go beyond the aesthetics; that's one drawback of the web, that you can't really see and feel where a kitchen is really at. A photo can be deceivingly pretty or sleek.

From how you describe the condition of the cabinets, it doesn't sound like a coat of paint will do, so they may need to be replaced. Obviously Ikea is a good choice for budget cabinets if they want options like drawers on the bottom.

Butcher block counter is economical, then maybe some cork floor, or linoleum, depending on their budget. Watch for appliance set sales, and make sure they are energy efficient so they are eligible for rebates.

Growing up we had those same brown appliances. The very height of style, indeed.

All good ideas, If the wall behind the table can't be removed, at least cut an open area out between the support beams to let in light and space.

We had a very similar kitchen when we bought our house, except what is wallpaper in your friends kitchen was more knotty pine wood paneling (and you think their kitchen is dark!) Luck for us the existing cabinets were in really good shape (just super dirty) and the layout wasn't too bad. Because of that we decided to keep the cabinets and paint them and the wood paneling. Just make sure you use a really good primer so the knots don't eventually come through. We also recently replaced the floor with vinyl click lock "wood" floor. The countertop is currently still old ugly linoleum. We may try painting it....still haven't decided. All that said other than the new appliances everything has been fairly cheap and it's our 10 year plan to gut the whole thing and have a brand spankn' new kitchen. I'll let you know in 10 years if that happens ;)

I think that I would get rid of the top cabinets on the wall with the fridge and sink. And you may be able to repurpose some of their pieces to make the shelving in the some of the other cabinets more stable.

That would take some of the heavyness out of the the room, and you're really only losing a little bit of storage. Then sand and paint the remaining cabinets a lighter color, maybe a color close to the color of the countertops?

You've already vowed to replace the most terrible parts of it (appliances, wallpaper, carpet, some to most of the drawers/cabinets), so I only have a couple of side thoughts:
--My thinking would start by picking one really bold color. You'll probably wind up getting a neutral color in most of the things you're already replacing (appliances, flooring), and going with a very light neutral will probably be a necessity to deal with the too-dark problem. But some strategically placed bright blue, for example, would go a long way in a room that is otherwise all dark browns and ecrus. That also means repainting some cabinet doors/drawers if you want, in addition to putting the blue in your window curtains, or chair slipcovers, or anywhere else you want.

--I know that moving the stove around would be hard, but how hard would it be to replace that rangetop with a stove+oven where it already is? Adding a full-size oven means that even if you keep the dinky oven, it's now a "bonus" oven! You could use it just for keeping dishes warm while the main one cooks them, or for starting the dessert while the roast is still occupying the main one, or something else. (I have an aunt who has a second one just for bread-baking, although she got a fairly reliable new one for that, which is also a possibility for that space.) Alternately, that space could be used for a microwave.
--

This looks like my kitchen. I'd love to take pictures and send them in. I'm living in harvest gold heaven.

Thoughts that I've had that might translate well:
new hardware on cabinets
instead of painting over the wood why not re-stain in a lighter color?
take the doors off the large long top cabinets and paint with the new wall color
no wallpaper/carpet/new appliances/new sink.
backsplash and countertop.
no curtains on the windows or new window treatment.

I guess that my personal philosophy has been to try to work with the way that my kitchen was built and not against it. I have learned to embrace the mid-century modern elements that I want to keep while modernizing some other elements. Small changes can add up to a much better look and feel. Apartment Therapy and the Kitchn have a lot of pictures of kitchens and homes which can serve as inspiration. Plus there's always the thrill of the hunt when you're out looking for vintage items.

Have fun!

Since you mention that the layout has problems, drawers and shelves are bad, and appliances are about to die, I think the only solution is to rip everything out and start over. What good bones are you referring to? The cabinets could be painted or refinished, but if the drawers and shelves are bad, what's the point? Basically every element needs to be removed and replaced.

I'd get some snappier vintage wallpaper, a period-appropriate dinette set and light fixture (ceiling fan has to go), and some green period-appropriate asphalt tiles for the floor. And definitely get rid of the paper towel holder. Then, I'd
wax the drawers or do whatever else it would take to get them working well again, freshen everything up with baking soda and vinegar. If any of the cupboard doors or drawer faces are too far gone, I'd replace them with matching knotty pine. There might even be a lovely vintage floor under the carpet.

The thing is, this kitchen is very close to being delightfully retro, with just minor tweaks. If you just do what needs to be done to RESTORE it rather than remodel, you will never have to remodel again. But if you tear it up, in 10 years it will be outdated again, and you'll have to start all over. It's a shame to tear it up!

Is that a freezer-on-the-bottom fridge? I didn't realize they had them so long ago. Wow!

It's important to get the appliances properly recycled.

There is "budget" and "budget." A real budget makeover would entail getting rid of the carpet & putting down a good quality vinyl sheet flooring or Ikea floating floor, washing & painting the cabinets as is but replacing the hardware, replacing appliances if they are really dead, and taking down the wallpaper & funny wood valance over the kitchen window. Paint, of course. And finding a fresh table/chair combo (again, probably Ikea). If I could take it a bit further I'd replace the stainless sink with white porcelain and the faucet/handles.

If you get much beyond that it isn't really a budget makeover!

I gotta say, though I LOVE that old wall phone. I'd probably try to keep that, even if I didn't have a land line, just for fun!

Someone would be happy to get such retro appliances. Recycling them is not the answer.

THis is identical to what my kitchen looked like before the previous owners. They painted all the cabinets white and removed the upper cabinet doors. They also updated to cheap white appliances which I am slowly changing out. They had painted it bright red and left a weird ceiling fan..I painted it a very light green to lighten it up and installed a 5 light fixture to cast more light, it's now the brightest room in the house thanks to that $50 menard's fixture! I swapped the hardware for oil brushed bronze modern knobs I found on the cheap through amazon and will be putting in butcher block counter tops the first part of next year. It isn't the most modern/perfect kitchen but it goes with my home and is really everyones favorite room!

Of course it needs to be fixed. It was just funny to think about pretending to be a '50s housewife.

I would change, in order of importance:

-Floors
-Wallpaper
-Appliances
-Paint the cabinets. If they are not functional, get new doors made and paint the frames the same colour. The actual cabinet boxes are probably fine and it would be a waste to get rid of them unless you want to go euro-style with the hinges, which would not be an economical choice.
-New countertop
-New Backsplash

But if a full renovation is in the near future, I would do the bare minimum to make it functional and wait until you have the resources to do it properly, once.

1. Old appliances, as cool as these ones look, are usually not energy efficient. Also, if it breaks, you probably can't even find someone to fix them. And when you get new appliances, you have to make new ones fit old spaces and that does't always work out well.
2. If the layout is bad and the cabinets are falling apart on the inside, you have to gut and redesign it.
3. If the owners like the style of pine wood and it is still in good condition, reuse all the cabinet doors. Find a cabinet maker who can use them to make custom cabinet doors for the new kitchen. Costs more but at least it'll reflect the history of the home and you might consider that an investment.
4. If you don't like the pine wood, donate/sell it? It seems a lot of people seem to like wood stuff and are pretty good at DIY.

Yikes! Tough critics: someone walking past my desk just saw this and asked what it was for. I asked how they'd update it cheaply. Their answer "Buy matches. Burn it down. Get insurance money." Ha, not really the answer I was thinking but ok lol.

You don't say a budget. Thats important. My biggest thing would be appliances. I'd put most of the budget to those- without decent appliances the kitchen isn't that usable.

I think tear the carpet up themselves and see whats under- might be wood if its an old house. If not, they could tile themselves cheaply or even cooler they could do sealed concrete if it's just a slab or paint and seal it. I wouldn't tear off the cabinets. Embrace that you have a blank canvas to cover and do whatever to get rid of the color/look. Get some inexpensive but nice hardware to modernize it and paint the cabinets. A gloss enamel in a cool color. Some paint or paint with new wallpaper accents and make a fun curtain to give it a pop of color. For a VERY low budget they could paint most things here and give this a whole new life. But I'd toss all the appliances and get good ones with the budget.

I've lived in apartments with musty-smelling kitchen cabinets and it's not awesome. Plus I can't imagine having carpet in a kitchen.

I would start by thoroughly cleaning the cabinets and investing in some good shelf liner. Then pull up the carpet (any chance there's old hardwood floors under there?) and see what you're really dealing with - those cabinets could be in even worse shape than you realize. Take down the wallpaper and paint right away - and if that soffet can be removed, do that right away too. I think that alone will help.

If you don't have the budget to start over (cabinets are silly expensive), I'd look into getting new doors for the cabinets. I don't think the doors look SO bad from the photos, but it sounds like they're in worse shape than the photos lead you to believe. If they're standard sizes, you might be able to just get the doors from IKEA or have someone build them for you. While I was doing that, I'd also turn the whole oven area into a pantry and rip out the stove top and replace it with a normal stove/oven.

If you end up deciding you need to start from scratch, I'd recommend upgrading the fridge as soon as you can. Unless you're doing something custom (which if you're on a budget you probably won't) your fridge will probably stay in the same spot and be a similar size. You might be spending a lot on electricity for that old fridge which you can start saving for revamping the rest. :)

I've never done a kitchen or bath remodel, but I would apply my approach to the smaller projects that I have tackled: do it right the first time. The owners here can do a superficial update-- replace the appliances, paint the cabinets, redo the floor and wall coverings-- but after all that work/expense, they'll still have a poorly-lit kitchen with drawers that stick, plus their appliance options will be limited due to the retro sizes/placements. If they cook at all, I am betting they won't be happy with this outcome.

I think they just have to bite the bullet and redo the entire kitchen-- gut it, wire in new overhead lighting and plenty of GFCI outlets, install new cabinets & countertop, get new appliances, and fix the walls and floor. Save money by DIYing when possible and go for a mid-range solid surface countertop and builder-grade/IKEA cabinets. Postpone the potentially big-ticket items like a backsplash and under-cabinet lighting, but plan for them and add in when finances permit.

Or at least, that's what I would do. But then again, that kitchen would be a deal-breaker for me when house-shopping, so it might just be that I prioritize a functional kitchen higher than these folks.

Here's an absolutely charming knotty pine kitchen, that revels in its retro awesomeness. Can't the kitchen be given a chance as it is? You can always tear it out later, but you can never get it back. http://retrorenovation.com/2011/06/17/betty-crafter-says-yes-to-the-knotty-pine/

It looks like our kitchen when we moved in! First, the carpet has to go. That's too unhygenic for words.

We lived with our kitchen for 5 years, then it went in a major addition/remodel. Sometimes these kitchens look great in these tiny pictures, but in reality are no good. Our cabinets were awful in several ways, and the lighting was really bad. Also, the vintage appliances had broken knobs, etc.

Nostalgia is nice, but a kitchen has to be functional.

I'd use the kitchen until I could afford to tear out and replace the whole thing, because once you start spending money on remodeling you might as well do it right. Since the cases of the cabinets are likely solid wood and great construction, though, it could be worth refacing them with new (paint grade) doors and drawers, then paint the cabinets, put down an inexpensive floor, replace appliances and the counter. But you see how that goes...you've almost redone the entire thing. Better to rip out and replace.

Hello! I would remove the wallpaper. New stock cabinets would be nice if they are in the budget. If I had the money I'd probably put them to the ceiling since it's not too high. I would go light and bright since it's not a huge space using white. Maybe open shelves on the top to the left of the stovetop. A new stainless hood over the cooktop. I would add double oven where the single is and all new stainless appliances. White subway tile is inexpensive and classic for the backsplash. A new solid surface countertop or possibly stainless or butcher block. A dark stained hardwood floor would be lovely against white cabinets. I'm assuming you won't be knocking down walls or really reconfiguring the space if the budget is tight. Good luck, have fun!
Susan

I wonder what's under that carpet? Maybe there will be some cool vintage marmoleum or something you'd actually like to work with. If not- and if there aren't wood floors worth refinishing- I would paint a cool pattern with floor paint. Labor intensive but definitely easiest on the wallet.

Of course do the walls first- so you can make a mess without worrying about your new floor :)

What is "on a budget?" For me that would mean under 5k, for some it would mean $500, or 10k.

Instead of trying to fix everything on a budget, I'd develop a two or three stage plan to make over the entire kitchen, doing it in stages as the money became available. I suspect that unless the "budget" is a lot more than I think it is, trying to fix everything at once will lead to a cheap job, one where things will break down quickly.

The quick and easy fixes--strip wallpaper and paint walls. Rip up carpet. Replace with inexpensive sheet vinyl for a temporary fix.

Then decisions have to be made. What's in the worst shape and needs to be repaired/replaced first? Appliances? Cabinets? Will the cabinet and counter layout change? At this point, it would be worth consulting with a kitchen designer--they could help maximize the use of the space and help with determining what gets done in each phase.

I like that the cabinets are 'flat'; no grooves or design so if you can keep and just restain, I'd go for that. I believe everyone has already commented on removing wall paper and buying new appliances-I'd like to see the phone kept where it's at. I would love a wall phone of that time period. Best of luck.
Faiths reply about not keeping the cabinets was worded kind of in a mean spirit. I understand we can't see all the imperfections, but I think it could have been stated in a better way.

I agree with many that many of the problems can be fixed. I replaced drawer slides in a rental house at a cost of about $3 per slide (using the cheapest hardware available). It made a huge difference.

Also, consider replacing the cook-top and wall oven with a range. They could then get rid of that pretty bulky wall oven cabinet, which might help open things up.

Since this kitchen hasn't been even updated in 60 years, you know they haven't done the proper maintenace either. Therefore, you have to budget between 30-50% for all the problems you can't see (old wiring, rusted pipes, and lack of insulation etc...) therefore if you want to updated it now and on a budget you need to resign yourself to living in a construction zone for quite a while. You would be surprised how well you can make due with just a coffee maker, hot plate and a microwave! If you gut it and see first what is really under your flooring and behind the walls, then you can start layer by layer designing and paying for the best kitchen you and the space can afford. Get a combo stove oven and use the space where the wall oven was for a full height pantry unit. I totally agree with the drawers instead of lower cabinets, they hold so much more, but with easier access. Also, check your local government or power company's website for old applicance rebates. Just take your time and pay as you go. This way you can afford a much more custom kitchen than you might have thought. Use that carpeting as a drop cloth to protect your floor and strip the wallpaper, pullout the appliances and then roll-up all that mess in the carpet!

Looks similar to one my sis had. She had pretty much zero budget, but the drawers and interior shelves were passable. The space had already been partially opened up to the adjacent living and dining rooms. She ended up glazing the plywood subfloor to the same value as the adjacent hardwood floors, painting the lower cabinets a rich greyish brown from aura and the upper more of a maize-like color (not harvest gold - richer but still in keeping with the period). She removed the upper cabinet doors and placed dry food in mason jars and stored other like things together (she's way organized so it always looks good). She got rid of her weird little swag over the window and created a little screen to cover the light fixture - she might have used some wood bead placemats or something like that to make the screen for about $3. Her countertop, which must have been awesome when new - some crazy little star burst pattern, was quite worn but couldn't be replaced due to budget constraints, so she found some sort of food grade stain/oil that she rubbed on it - it looks great and appears to be pretty permanent. She replaced the hardware and hinges on the lower unit and replaced the appliances, which were on their last legs. Outside the appliances I think she spent under $500.

interior drawer kits for base cabinets are not hard to install and are lighter and very easy to use compared to large drawers. that carpet is not 50 years old so something good might be under it? here is a link to a simple update:
http://retrorenovation.com/2010/02/23/a-1956-knotty-pine-kitchen-respectfully-retained-and-revived/

Just redid a similar kitchen in my house and working an an almost identical one at my sister's. I'd replace the flooring with a checkerboard pattern VLC tile floor. I would paint those knots with kilz or similar blocking primer and then paint the lower cabinets white. Investigate the soffet and rip it (and the valance) out as long as the utilities haven't been run through there - that should free the light coming through the window. Pull the upper cabinets and with the space recovered from getting rid of the soffet, put in taller Akrum cabinets with glass insert doors.

As for the counter, we used Rustoleum's Countertop Transformation and found it to be fantastic results for the price. Or you could go witth IKEA butcherblock.
Put up a backsplash with inexpensive tile and then paint or re-wallpaper the walls. That could be done for a couple/few thousand. The appliances are the biggest expense and my bust suggestion would be to find a Re-Store or hunt craigslist for a bargain.

What's behind the non-cabinet walls? Could you open them up to get some light from other rooms and a little better flow?

Good Luck!

That kitchen is nicely retro. I'd replace the carpet with some congoleum and maybe replace the wallpaper with something a little more jazzy and keep with the time period. I happen to love those appliances and the cabinets!

I agree with pretty much what everyone else says, but I will say this: when drawers stick, it's not the drawer's fault - it's usually because over time the repeated opening and closing of the drawers as worn a groove in the supports. Take a particularly sticky drawer out and take a look at the support board that runs underneath it. You'll prob see a huge groove. This is why you can't just replace the drawer. The whole structure has to go. And if you have to replace some, you might as well replace all, since you will never be able to make the new match the old perfectly. Just consider getting off the shelf cabinets from a big box store - they're usually half the price (or even less) than custom cabinets.

I agree with the commenters that said to do it right the first time, but that doesn't mean you have to do it all at once. You can totally pull up the carpet now, glaze the subfloor (or live with it, if it's just pine planks) and put down quality flooring a few months down the road when you save more money.

Paint the cabinets and maybe get some new pulls, paint the appliances with appliance paint (Rustoleum has a line), remove the wall paper, remove the carpeting and replace with sheet vinyl. About $500 worth of work. Leave the appliances alone until they need to be replaced - that might be the perfect time to do a real renovation.

Since there's a tight budget, would it be possible to replace JUST the bottom cabinets and keep the top? You could then paint or stain the upper cabinets and swap the handles and knobs to match the lower cabinets until you could afford to replace them all.

I would definitely splurge to replace the appliances though, and ripping up the carpet is a must. You could probably live with the wallpaper and the ceiling fixture for a while...

Replace the counter top with granite - or if you can afford it - a nice white and grey marbel. Take off the cupboard doors and repaint them white (if you like a neutral) or yellow if you like something bold. Obviously the appliances have got to be replaced, if you can swing it, some new floors would be nice too. You might even install some open shelves next to where the fridge is to make it more open in that area (especially since it`s near a window).

Oh and ETSY.COM has some amazing vintage and refurbished hardware you can replace the originals with.

Our kitchen is just as dark and outdated, and we are on a VERY tight budget. The main issues are 1) the brick hearth/kitchen arch crowding the area between the kitchen and dining area. We probably can't afford it to knock it out yet, but I wonder if there is a way to paint it to make it less of a monolith. 2) the 1962 oven is embedded in this brick monstrosity, in a hole that was cut for a 1962 oven (22 inches). Modern ovens are 24 inches, and there's no room to cut more brick out. The oven is broken now, so I cook only on the grill or the stove top. 3) electric range. I don't yet know if the gas lines are in the slab or open where we can extend them. I am actually more eager to deal with the brick than the range. Anybody ever reno'd a brick 60's kitchen?

If I had to do this in phases, in phase 1 I would replace:

flooring
appliances
lighting
remove wallpaper
improve overhead lighting
buy an ikea kitchen island

Ultimately in phase 2, I'd tear out the cabinets,
move the stove to the exterior wall and get a good exhaust system in place
Move the sink/plumbing
new cabinets/counters to optimize food prep space
undercabinet lighting
improve dine-in space or install a kitchen island.

Take up that carpet immediately and see what is under there. If it is weird linoleum it is preferable to a carpeted kitchen!! If there is wood under there that is in good shape, paint it. If there is linoleum, think of painting it with durable floor paint in a pattern or solid or laying new b/w check linoleum over it. If I were you, I would keep your drawers and cabinets but make repairs where and when needed, sand and fill in chips, paint them, and give them new hardware!

I would take down the wallpaper and paint the walls. Paint the cabinets and change the hardware. Take dowm the curtains and put up blinds. Change out the blades and lights on the ceiling fan. Buy some appliance paint and paint the appliances.

All those old appliances, although old, would probably last longer then new ones.

I have a 50s kitchen with knotty pine beneath decades of paint and it's seriously the saddest thing ever. I LOVE the knotty pine and black hardware to pieces, it's charming and perfect.

With this kitchen I would get rid of the wallpaper and paint the walls a nice white like Swiss Coffee and do a lovely blue subway tile to make the natural pine pop and then add a stainless counter top. To solve the lower cabinet issue I'd just install roll out storage instead.

What's under that linoleum? If it's wood sub-flooring, refinish it! The larger planks are awesome. If not, checked tile by armstrong for sure, maybe a blue similar to the backsplash and white check?

I HATE modernized kitchens because they have such a short time span for looking updated and then you have to start over. Keeping with the vibe of the home's era is a much more budget conscious decision and it's charming. Beyond.

Finding a buyer for a home with an out of date or strong personal taste kitchen is hard. Finding a buyer for a home with a kitchen appropriate to the actual home? Easy-peasy.

I would simply wait to gut it but I can imagine the expense. I am currently gutting my teeny gally kitchen in my condo and its already ten thousand for the cabinets countertop (and that's laminate!) sink, tap, hardware and white microwave range hood (I am not replacing my fridge and stove simply because they are white). I still have to get a new backsplash and hire a painter to finish up

Painting (along with other various painting projects that need doing). At least my dad can redo all the lighting and rewiring since he's and electritian. I can imagine that one would be four times the price.
Sorry my original post posted early ha.

On a really tight budget, I'd paint EVERYTHING just to make it liveable for a year or so until I'd saved up enough to invest in quality cabinets & appliances.
If the cabinets must be done RIGHT NOW, check out Habitat for Humanity's ReStore
http://www.habitat.org/restores/default.aspx they often get the generic cabinets that builders put into McMansions.

Like many others, I recommend the following be done immediately:
1. Pull down the wallpaper & paint the walls.
2. Switch the curtains to white roman shades (you can make these cheaply, esp if you thrift the fabric).
3. Add some Pergo floors.
Living with the kitchen before renovating it will really help clarify the most important pieces and give you an idea of what is really keeping the kitchen from being functional.

How handy are the new owners? The more talented you are, the more options you will have. Also, budget is relative. Even a new floor is very expensive, so hopefully there is something in usable shape underneath. You would not want to invest in a new floor if you are going to change out the cabinets in a few years. If you are not handy, even a vinyl floor can run more than a $1,000 installed.

I couln't even read the posts because "Floor is covered with old CARPET" was just gnawing at my brain giving me the creepy skin crawly retching feeling; If nothing else you MUST remove the carpet.... gross.

Our kitchen was similar, though smaller. I had to gut it and start again. I mean, there were dead cockroaches in the cabinets that had been painted over! We used the cheapest white cabinets from Home Depot with the hardware bought separately. The sink and tap were in their bargain department. We used their cheapest worktop. That sounds like a recipe for a kitchen that would last no time at all but nine years later I still love it. AND we rented it out for a couple of years - it's not as though we've been lovingly caring for it all the time.

The stove (no room for a separate oven and hob) cost more than the rest of the kitchen put together.

We used tiles from the bargain bit of Home Depot on the walls between the countertop and the wall cupboards. Actually they are floor tiles but look great. Admittedly this was nine years ago but the fridge was $99 because of minor damage inside. (Who cares about scratches inside the fridge?) We abandoned the idea of a dishwasher a) because of space and b) because of the additional expense. Also, there are only two of us. The walls were painted white.

Carpet in the kitchen sounds gross!

Aw this reminds me of my own kitchen. I was a bit put-off at first by the cabinet hardware, but I knew I didn't want to change the cabinets, and the hardware has grown on me since then. It's a shame the original owners of this place (in the post) didn't take care of it well. Otherwise I'd agree with everyone saying to preserve as much as possible. If it isn't functional and cannot be repaired, probably replacing everything is the only way to go.

Paint. Paint everything. Strip the wallpaper & paint the walls. Paint the cabinets, paint the appliances, since they will have to be replaced eventually anyway. Make it bright, clean it up and then you can either gradually replace everything as you get the money, or you can save up for a major renovation.

A friend of mine gutted a similar kitchen and then used craig's list and similar to find used commercial kitchen equipment (open, stainless shelving for under cabinets with stainless countertops, usually with sinks built in and stainless back splashes as well), and then put stainless open-shelves above (ikea, I believe), and then was able to get great, small commercial appliances from a cafe that closed down, and then basically painted the walls white and had a very simple all-black flooring.

It looked really cool and I think it cost her something like $5k all done.

I've renovated (well overseen renovation) two ancient kitchens. Sometimes you can save a lot (the most recent we saved the cabinets, replacing the drawers, for instance, and kept it very 1950, which was the year the house was built), but in this case I'd opt for gutting it and making it into what they want. If the drawers and innards of the cabinets need replacing and the fronts are not what the owners want...what's left?

Whatever you do, I'd check at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore for cabinets and appliances (and even flooring), which would definitely help your budget!

I like in a small city and ours often has great appliances and nice cabinets. If you're close to a big city I bet you can find some amazing deals.

Wallpaper of course has to go. And carpet that's 50+ years old...in the kitchen? That's a first.

If the cabinet boxes are in good shape, based on a quick googling, IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET NEW DRAWERS added to old cabinets. Then you could reface/paint the existing cabs. I would remove the "tower" with the oven – is there room somewhere else for a freestanding stove?

New counters are easy, backsplash. Paint/reface/stain the cabinets, new handles.

Most of the time, I've understood based on DIY network, there's nothing in soffits. You can just remove 'em. Gaining more space.

Then, a custom cabinet maker, or a savvy DIY'er could add more storage (even with losing some of the existing cabs) by extending the cabinets all the way to the ceiling. I've seen budget makeovers where they hike up the upper cabinets and add a shelf or little cubbies below. Like here: http://www.houselogic.com/photos/kitchens/kitchen-cabinets-shelves-storage/slide/corner-storage-unleashed/#raise-your-expectations

Here are links to drawers:
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/upgrades-put-kitchen-cabinets-to-work/index.html
http://www.kitchenbathtofit.com/Refaceplus.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_7169294_add-drawers-kitchen.html
http://www.kitchensolversfranchise.com/research-kitchen-solvers/the-kitchen-solvers-story

Good luck! Don't forget to share the "after"!

Beautiful cabinets! I'm a fan of midcentury styles and like to see preservation of the quality elements like cabinets. That said, I would replace the countertops, sink, faucet, appliances, floor, backsplash and any lighting fixtures with items that are new yet have a period-correct appearance. I'mm certain you can find a local woodworker or carpenter to repair any damaged cabinetry. The cabinets also look like they could use a thorough deep cleaning and maybe a light sanding and refinish with a durable polyurethane coating.

I recently restored a circa-1952 home that was all original. I wanted so badly to keep as much intact as possible, but the kitchen was really a mess and the cabinetry wasn't salvageable. The bathrooms were even worse, although I did save a bunch of original "french poodle" wallpaper and re-use it as an accent in the "pink bathroom."

One more item of advice: keep your mind open and take your time in choosing your finishes. My biggest regret is not putting more thought and taking more time to consider finishes that I am already replacing.

First, I LOVE these appliances. SO handsome! If they work, I'd keep them. I'd paint the cabinets white or cream and add hardware and a stainless steel counter. Pull up the carpet and do a gorgeous plaid in natural linoleum squares. in gray and cream and white. Then I'd accessorize with lots of worn wooden bowls and such to warm up the cool tones and work off the brown (lovely) APPLIANCES. Once those beauties die, I'd replace them, but not one second before! The backsplash would be to taste...anything from subway to penny to carrera marble mosaic would work.

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback! This is all do great - I love the refacing advice. My friend will be so grateful!

@lyonstill I'm sorry my comment came off as rude; it was not at all intended that way. I was just trying to state quickly and clearly my friends' perspective on the kitchen reno. I was trying to be very clear because I find commenters are sometimes very quick to question people's judgment in redoing kitchens, which I do find extremely rude and disrespectful. I totally appreciate everyone's feedback here, and my comment was written to be clear - not as a snap back.

I say, rip up the carpet and if necessary replace the flooring underneath with an inexpensive vinyl. Give everything a good scrubbing. Then have fun pretending to be Betty Draper for a year while you decide what to do, what works best with the rest of the house's flow, etc. For me the carpet is the only element that would have to go RIGHT NOW. Ick. I think if you don't like the retro look and/or the cabinets are beyond restoration a total redo is the best bet. If you end up liking the cabinets they could look great with a restored finish and new counters. While some are into the retro appliances, new appliances would be really nice. I still like stainless, particularly with the warm wood tones.

One thing I would not do is any sort of refacing.

OK - sure the easiest thing would be to rip it all out and put in a new kitchen but where's the challenge in that. There's budget and then there's budget.. so here are some pretty rock bottom budget ideas.

Floors: I once removed a linoleum floor in a very similar kitchen and found fir subflooring. Even with lots of flaws, it looked lovely and warm, once sanded and polyurethaned. So it would be worth figuring out what's under the carpet etc. It was basically free, but for elbow grease, which was considerable because there was black goop under the lino that had to be scraped off.

Obviously, paint the cabinets. That pine is not pretty. Just removing the doors from the top cupboards and painting a nice color inside the cabinets might help. Or, if you can use a router some or all of the upper cabinets could be converted to glass fronted cabinets. New hinges and hardware would help the functionality as well as the appearance.

For the bottom cabinets, I think it would be possible to convert the lower cabinets to drawers. You might be able to adapt Ikea drawer, or get retrofitted rolling inserts from Home Depot or Lowe's- depending on the size of the cupboards and how handy you are. The existing drawers could also be replaced -you can buy premade dovetailed drawers in custom sizes online, here's a link to one place:
http://www.barkerdoor.com/Baltic-Plywood-Dovetail-Drawer-Boxes-p/drawerbox-baltic-dovetail.htm

Countertops - Ikea has nice butcher block quite cheaply. I once made my own using solid wood flooring which might even be cheaper. Granite and marble tiles are quite cheap, if you have to have stone but can't afford it. I've also seen the stuff used in laboratories used in kitchens. I don't know where to source it, though

Appliances are tricky. If this were my kitchen, I'd rip out the cupboard under the cooktop and insert a range there - that's the cheapest solution. There are lots of ways to save on appliances. Check Craigslist because there are many people who are getting rid of nearly new white appliances because they want stainless instead. The thing to do is buy the cheapest that will work for you because appliances are the easiest thing to replace in the future.

The space for the old oven could be a nice microwave slot with a shelf for cookbooks above it.

I could go on (but I won't). I love kitchen redos.

If you really want to take your time and do it slowly. Then some quick fixes right now could be as follows:
1. Cover the existing horrible wall paper with some tempaper: http://tempaperdesigns.com/
2. Go ahead and PAINT those cabinets something bright.
3. Put in a new backsplash for 50$ these are on clearance at Lowes: http://marketplace.diynetwork.com/shopdiy
4. Change out that cabinet hardware - i like Ikea's line, cheap and cool.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/16298/
5. You can actually paint those appliances too! I know it sounds crazy but there was a great article on this site a couple of years ago and the metallic periwinkle paint made a world of difference on some appliances that looked like these. At this point you wont sell those so you've got nothing to lose.
6. New kitchen table and chairs
7. I would add a little island as well.

These are all very good well thought out responses too, great job everyone!

OK. I am redoing my own kitchen on a budget of basically $0.... lol.. well, my goal is that with a bit of elbow grease and DIY know-how i can do it for around $500.00.
This is what i would do with a crazy small budget:

Paint the countertops! -they make kits, or for less, you could just buy regular old paint, and then apply this product that equates to 50 layers of poly in 1 go ontop of your faux stone design--there was an article about painting laminate on here a couple weeks ago.

Refinish Cabinets. Either strip and cover with a dark stain (filling in dings and whatnot) or paint them a nice milky white. (I'm doing an awesome baby blue that i saw on the cover of This old house a couple months back). You could even add trim if you hate the design
Replace pulls, and the tracks to make them open better

Pull up carpet! Whats underneath?... you would be surprised at how well a gross looking wood floor can come out once properly refinished...or even coat that with paint :) (go paint!) IF you can't... cheap ol' linoleum.

Stip wallpaper and paint. You can even paint tile to any color you want to update that, or you could paint a faux tile patern onto the backsplash since it looks like there isnt any tile.

Spray paint appliances stainless steel with the product from rustoleum. There is also this sticky paper that looks like stainless, and looks pretty good on appliances and other surfaces. Also spray paint anything else... pulls, light fixtures, whatever!

Actually go to the rustoleum website and check out the "remodel for less" area. They have kits for "transforming" cabinets, counters, and appliances... (but with a little more effort you could do it yourself for even less, and get a more personallized result)

There you go... paint paint paint and more paint... Then as you have more money replace the things that are most important to you, but for the cost of a couple buckets of paint, you will feel a lot happier in your kitchen until you can save up for your dream appliances, cabinets, etc.

Also, hit up your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore... sometimes that have entire kitchens with appliances on sale, along with fixtures, tile, furniture, and even the kitchen sink for 50-90% off retail.

I'm also going to be removing some of my top cabinet doors and cutting out the middle, adding glass and some of those wooden cross things for a pretty look. As well as removing 1 set of lower doors and diy building in some shelves and using as much of the doors as i can to make the drawer fronts. I'm going to buy kits that add a sliding out shelf in the lower cabinets to use that area more efficiently.. and remind me of new shiney kitchens.

Google all of these projects i mentioned to get great ideas and instructions.. People do amazing things with paint!

Good luck! Hope to see an update!

Just one comment... if the wall stove functions at all, do try using it for a bit before pulling it out. I lived with one for a while and LOVED it, and replacing yours with a new wall oven is an alternative to a standard stovetop/oven if you like it as well as I did.

Good luck!

As everyone else is pointing out, available budget matters a lot. This could easily run insanely expensive.

Peering under carpet is pretty cheap. I'd start there. If it looks promising, ripping up carpet is doable by almost anyone. Measuring appliances and cabinets is also cheap and doable. If (as is all too probable) the old appliances are no longer a standard size... you can still see if there are options. Some appliances will be easier than others to find in small sizes, and a lot of the time the cost in a renovation comes from not doing your comparison shopping.

At that point, I'd evaluate the budget. Long term, you need to know how the wiring is. Electrical fires are bad news. And it can often be surprisingly inexpensive to add some wiring. Getting a professional in to look things over might mean that some of the light issues can be fixed with an added wiring box or three, and some additional light fixtures. This won't be as cheap as painting, but it can still be shockingly cheap. Same deal with a plumber. You need to know that the fundamentals are in good working order. And a professional can tell you more about the options and costs if you plan to change anything related to the plumbing.

All this is moot if trying to scrape together $2000 will be pushing the budget to the limit.

When Betty Crafter and Eartha Kitsch went to *update* their original knotty pine kitchens, they kept the cabinets, replaced other worn surfaces and added light and color -- their kitchens are happy delights. Even if the KP has seen its day in this owner's kitchen, maybe the new owners can pick up some color and material ideas from these projects -- especially if they want to stay connected to the home's original retro vibe.You can see both projects on http://knottyisnice.com/

I also agree -- the appliances may make a retro fan very happy -- so take them to the Re-Store or put them on craigslist. Note, old refrigerators may or many not use more energy, the key issue seems to be whether they have auto-defrost (uses more energy).

Finally, haha, I have a popular story about how to RECREATE Betty Draper's kitchen today! I even like this owner's wallpaper, from what I can see. Alas, I am the only one, but I am crazy that way ;)

Am I the only one who absolutely loves the cabinet hardware? I just replaced the newer hardware our previous owner put in for vintage that matches the era of our house, and I love it!

Sorry. I don't think anyone can fix this kitchen "on a budget." I would have to totally gut it and start over. New appliances already put it over a "budget" as new appliances would run me somewhere between $15,000-$20,000. The flooring needs to be replaced and my preference would be tile. The cabinets and counter need to be replaced. Lighting needs to be updated, etc. etc. etc.

wow, you mean to tell me that that first photo *isn't* Betty Draper's kitchen?

I think for some of us who grew up around these kitchens it's impossible to see them as vintage and charm-y. To me this is just a hideous kitchen of childhood. I'm turning into my grandmother!

I'd be tempted to tear down some walls to make the home more open (which would also help with the lighting problem). It looks like there is carpet in the hallway too... I'd take out ALL flooring and put laminate throughout the first floor. You can buy some beautiful laminate that looks just like hardwood on a budget. I have hardwood in my kitchen and I cringe every time my kids spill something or their hands drip from the sink. I agree with painting EVERYTHING for a quick fix (add some blingy pulls... I'd go for gold) and taking out the wallpaper. I LOVED how Rohde put wallpaper on his fridge...
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/rohdes-opportunistic-design-laboratory-house-tour-174896

You could also put led lights under the top cabinets for more lighting on your countertops.

It is hard to decide what to do since the phrase 'on a budget' could mean $125,000 to some and $10,000 to others. If your budget allows, strip to the walls and start over. Save money by leaving plumbing and electrical in the same place.

Go to ikea.ca (I'm in Canada - ikea.com probably has the app). Create a profile and with their online tools build a new kitchen from scratch - you place doors, windows and electrical and then choose a kitchen and build up. It is quite easy. Once you are done, you can print out the list and you see the cost of materials. If you have a contractor, you'll be able to figure out how much a new kitchen could cost with different quality materials from a store like IKEA.

If that is not an option - call in a woodworker, ask for a quote on refacing the cabinets and perhaps the shelving. He'll be able to quote on drawers instead of shelving if that is your preference. But my gut tells me that if the cabinets are in such dire straights, you'll be best to rip out. You could perhaps recycle some of them in a garage though.

This reminds me so much of the kitchen we are rehabing. Ours is more of a mid century cabin, so its more rustic. If you kitchen is constructed like ours, the knotty pine is also in the back of the cabinets. One idea people have suggested is to paint the cabinetry white, while leaving the knotty pine in the back exposed by glass cabinet doors.
See what you think... www.thisregeneration.com
Good luck. I'd love to see an update when its finished!

if its real rood cabinets I would sand the lovin heck outa them then stain them something neat and modern. I just bought some funky color stains from: http://www.woodworkingparts.com/j-w-etc-craftsman-wood-stain-4-ounce-bottle/
DIY Cement counter tops. Find slightly less old appliances used on something like craigslist, or buy floor models from a local dealer if you MUST have new. Obviously get rid of the wallpaper and paint the walls. New hardware on cabinets. Under-cabinet lighting. Bamboo/cork laminate floor.
Obviously DIY it since most of the cost of remodeling is labor. Few hundred bucks not counting appliances and some elbow grease.
Appliance price would depend on how germaphobic and handy you are. Personally Id find a free and decent looking broken stove and fix it.
All depends on the depth of your pockets and how... greasy your elbows?
*shrug*

The appliaces are not brown. They are "copper tone". When this kitchen was new, appliances only came in two colors: White, and copper tone.

It sounds like the owners need to make this functional in the interim. Although I'm not a usually a fan of vintage, I can certainly appreciate a nice vintage style kitchen that is bright and clean. You've had many beautiful kitchens like that on AT. And we've all had to make due at times in our life and just work with what we have. Here's what I would do.
1. chuck the carpet (huge ewe factor !) If you can't work with what's underneath, invest in some eco friendly linoleum to cover up the eye sore and a clean working floor surface.
2. search craig's list /habitat restore for second hand newer appliances. There are plenty that people replace due to remodeling.
3. either replace the cabinets with a basic ikea cabinet or habitat restore cabinet set or just paint (and work with the vintage theme). If painting them, I would replace the hardware with a style that will still work with the existing cabinet.
4. remove the wallpaper and paint the walls.
At this point I'd stop and just decorate with some vintage posters if going with the vintage theme. Save your money for a complete remodel.

FAITH - please tell the owners that they need to show us what they decide to do, We need some follow-up girl! Do a revisit from time to time and show us their work. Thanks - love AT!

I would first look for inspiration. See this kitchen renovation, which was presented on AT. Holly's before kitchen reminds me of yours. She and her husband did a splendid job on a budget!

http://nothingbutbonfires.com/2010/11/our-kitchen-and-after

If they can't afford to rip everything out and start fresh, the walls and the floors can at least be done while they save up to do a major reno.

My recommendations for DIY wallpaper removal is to get some DIF (liquid not gel). Use a putty knife to scrape off stubborn spots. Then all the walls will need a good washing (I like TSP for wall-washing).

Everyone has mentioned surprises while renovating but no one has talked about surprises under wallpaper! When I did my living room, under the two (!) layers of wallpaper I found bits of tape over the walls (I suspect there was once floor to ceiling mirrors all over the wall). With some mineral oil and a razor scraper I was able to get it all off. I'm not too keen on wallpaper after all that! Hopefully they will not have so much trouble.

There are some great ideas from the posters here. I'm sorry, but how can anyone give really good advise without knowing what the budget is? Can you please post the budget?

Based on how bad the condition is of the cabinets and how pricey I've seen cabinet doors be, I'd suggest checking out the unfinished stock cabinets at Home Depot or similar stores. They're usually decent quality yet still affordable. We put a clear varnish on them and were very pleased with the final color. They could also be painted or stained any color you'd want.

I didn't have time to read all 82 comments, so if someone has already steered you towards Ikea, forgive me. I'm an interior designer & have done some amazing kitchen with Ikea. People generally don't realize how adaptable their cabinetry, hardware & countertops are. You can basically do a custom Kitchen. They even offer Quartstone or maybe it's Caesarstone counters. All you need to do is bring your measurements there & they will giude you with their really userfriendly design software. Good luck!

Get Ikea cabinet drawers for the bottom rows.
Get rid of the wall oven. Replace stove top with drop in stove/oven. Replace old hood over the stove with microwave/hood combo.
Turn oven wall cabinets into a pantry.
Get rid of the wall paper.
Replace the countertop with a laminate that looks like black speckled granite. It's pretty cheap and if you haven't got the money for a complete reno...
Use vinyl plank flooring. Again, it's inexpensive, easy to install and looks convincing enough. And anyway, carpeting in a kitchen is just weird.
Put a banquette in the corner. It's hard to tell how much space is in this kitchen and whether it can accommodate an island. But if the room is squarular, you might not have much room for an island. Better to maximize move around space in the kitchen and use the corner of the room for a banquette and table. Try two Stuva benches with Bestad drawers from Ikea.
Replace the appliances with stainless. Yeah, yeah, I know there are other colors out there but stainless goes with everything.
Get rid of the scallop molding over the sink. Remove some upper cabinets, replace them with open shelving. If you can't afford to replace upper cabinets but can't afford to lose them either, replace the doors with paint grade wood or mdf.

Having read all the comments, and re-read the origi al post, here is what I would do assuming a budget in the low thousands.

Carpet, wallpaper, paint. Leave soffit but remove that thing over the windows. If not handy, see if you can find a handyman or carpenter who can repair the cabinets. The big questions aren't the doors, it is the shelves and the drawers. If those can't be repaired or replaced at a price they can afford, then things get tough. If they can be, the doors and hardware are easy. I'd opt to do the minimum now.

I would look at laminate for counter tops, if that is the cheapest option. Someone mentions Caeserstone, which is a fortune. That's for later. Unless you can DIY or find someone to install tile cheaply and acceptably, consider running more laminate as the backsplash - pick a fun color or pattern (this assumes you are painting the cabinets).

The bottom line is that, when the appliances go, the kitchen will need a serious reworking because of sizes, so for now, get things functional and to a place that is tolerable.

I think the removal of wallpaper and addition of paint would be a huge improvement.
The carpet needs to go, not sure what I'd replace it with though.
Obviously, the addition of new appliances - or even just white appliances will dramatically move the date of the kitchen up a few (or more than a few) years.
Could the cabinets be painted? I don't think much else can be done with the cabinets as they are and new cabinets will be pricy.
That window treatment has to go.

As the owner of an even older home, I would suggest first spending one's money on upgrading *behind* the drywall - plumbing and electrical and maybe updated gas lines - if that has not yet been done. In fact, by updating the plumbing, you might be able to get rid of the musty smell. It's originating from somewhere, and once you get rid of the source, the big box stores have a lot of products for smell removal, but you must get rid of the source first.

I've never understood buying a time capsule home if one is looking for modern and clean-lined, but to each their own. I do dispute that the kitchen "is in sore need of an update."

Get rid of the carpet. Carpet has no place in a "wet" room unless you want to live with mold and mildew. That, too, could be the source of the smell issues. Keep in mind, however, that the former resident may have put carpet in there because the floors get cold. If possible, find a flooring solution appropriate for "wet" rooms and which will keep the floor a little warmer. You didn't mention if this was a raised or slab foundation or what area of the country this was in, but new / added insulation might help as well (more behind the drywall expense that will pay itself back in multiples).

Even if one does not appreciate the retro look, one can appreciate green - in terms of the environment and money - and not completely gutting the kitchen will help with both. Think "fix" rather than "replace," where possible.

Some of the issues:

• The floor is covered with old carpet, which even runs up the toe-kicks of the cabinets.

Yes, get rid of that, as explained above.

• The brown appliances, which were probably quite handsome when new, are quite old now and at the end of their useful lives.

Are they at the end of their useful lives? Often a cleaning will help an old oven and, frankly, I've not found a new oven to cook half as well as an old one, particularly when it comes to browning, reaching high heat, or holding said heat. Downside of an old gas oven - an always on pilot light that keeps the kitchen pleasantly toasty in winter, but is downright uncomfortable in summer if you live in a place that gets above 70 degrees in summer. If it is electric, I have no opinion, as I have no experience with those. I would just ask that if they are replaced, they are donated to Habitat for Humanity or listed on Craigslist.

• The stove is in a slightly awkward location, and the oven is quite small.

Depending on how much the folks cook, it may not matter. If you're not cooking more than three times a week, is this really the best use of one's money? It may not be the most convenient layout, but it doesn't strike me as the worst either. Would changing the layout be a big improvement or merely an incremental one? Unless there's a money tree in the back yard, I'm not sure the value is there.

• The knotty pine cabinets are good wood, but they are chipped and peeling in places.

This is easy to fix with wood filler and paint. Get a good painter and/or handyman if one must really lose the natural finish. Why would you want to completely remove "good wood" for the poor / weaker wood and MDF that is out there today? Improve, don't gut, if possible.

• The drawers are barely functional and need to be replaced.

Replaced? Really? No, get a handyman or carpenter to sand the slides. Our even older cabinets just needed some smoothing along the rails (I used a tape used by woodworkers to create a smooth slide; a neighbor used silicon spray). Maybe the rails and maybe the drawers would need to be replaced, but that is way less expensive than gutting the cabinets. Also, you can't overload them weight-wise. Our ancestors had less "stuff" in the post war era. I usually keep eight settings of everyday utensils in the drawer and had to cut that amount in half for the drawer to slide properly.

• The shelves in the cabinets are not in good shape.

Replace them. A decent carpenter or handyman should be able to do that.

• The kitchen is much darker than it appears in these photographs (I pushed up the light to help you see the details).

Add under under counter lights and can lights or a solar tube. Maybe a sky light (is there a second story over the kitchen). New lights may require new / additional electrical.

• And that wallpaper just has to go!

I don't think it is that bad, but if they are painting the cabinets, then it could clash.

Anyway, my most vehement advice (and remember, you asked!) is to first spend money updating the infrastructure and getting new flooring. Every other decision will flow from the capabilities of your house in terms of incoming and outgoing. Also, paint can be a good and quick solution. I'm not sure I would do the cabinets yet, because if you come to like them, getting the paint off will be a pain. Have they considered the Rustoleum colored stain (don't remember the name of the product)?

Lose the wallpaper, replace the appliances, replace the floor. The knotty pine cabinets won't look so bad then. (Fix the wonky drawers and stuff, obviously.)

Well, If I were doing the design work, my first question would be "what's the budget?" The appliances can be refaced, but if they are gross and and the end of their life, then they need to be replaced.(A girl's gotta have a frig and dishwasher.) For the least expensive but most visual effect, I'd start by getting a quote from a local cabinet refinisher. If they were to be painted, fauxed, glaze etc. the chipping could be made to disappear easily. So lets say they go a lighter color (they could even add trim to give it a modern look). Then the hardware could be replaced which also makes the big difference. The location of the hardware can also be changed if the pieces are being painted. (puttied first) Lightening the color would really help. Then I'd go to the floors. Old carpet is unsanitary. Find a suitable clean and affordable replacement. Adding Can lights in the kitchen is both affordable and great for adding light. You can save a place for a great chandelier if you want. Be sure to pop that back splash with some color or great pattern! It doesn't have to be tile work. There a few places where you can do some painted patterns. Get rid of that wall paper asap! There's a great place for an accent color where that dining table goes. (if you want a pop of color) Even a big art piece would draw your attention there! the counter tops would be the last thing to replace. They look like formica, so they can stay until the budget allows them to be changed. The biggest question I'd ask, is how badly do you want those drawers on the bottom? Doing that would require you to change out most of the cabinet doors on top as well as the bottom. I'm not sure what style they want, but doing a contemporary meets modern style with lots of color would do wonders on a dark 50's kitchen.

This kitchen needs a major overhaul, but it IS kind of nice and reminiscent of times where life, as far as I am concerned, was just so much nicer. I would therefore renovate with a spirit of keeping the cheerful, cozy 60s look. Instead of renovating, I would really be doing conservation.

I would totally keep the cabinetry, especially since that would be THE big ticket and this project would already be costly enough without changing the cabinetry. I would sand and paint with milk paint, using a cheerful but clean colour, probably yellow. Obviously, I would change the shelving inside and change the drawers, and while I am at it, I would repair anything inside that isn't quite in good shape.

For the floor, since you can save big money on installing it, I would change it myself. I would probaly use black and white tile and would not get the expensive tile either. If it is simple black and white, no need to use the classy stuff as that timeless style comes from the look, not the quality of the materials used.

I would entirely forego the backsplash, that would only mess up the lovely sixties look. But I would totally replace the wallpaper, even though it could look much better once the kitchen is updated. The thing is, even on the pictures it shows that this wallpaper has lived beyond its normal life expectancy, is fairly used and it is time for it to retire. I would probably just paint the whole room the same colour with something everything-proof and then use a funky but simple geometric pattern using stencils (I am crazy about playful polka dots right now).

I would buy a new stove and put it where the cooktop is. I don't find the cooktop's location awkward - where else could you put it? I would NOT buy stainless appliances as they would ruin the look - I would just use white appliances, with a glossy finish.

I would also not demolish the dining room wall, although I might make the doorway a bit larger. I can't stand kitchen islands, they eat up a lot of space for nothing and chip away at room that could be used for gatherings. Besides, an island would not work with the sixties look. I would instead change the dining room furniture, place it farther from the wall so it is more central in the room and that is where I would go wild with colours. Cherry red upholstered leatherette chairs would look awesome! A big, chunky light fixture above the dining room table would complete the look.

To make a long story short:

- I would save money by keeping and only updating the cabinetry and by installing my own, cost-efficient flooring
- I would keep as many elements from the original look as possible to pay homage to this cozy look from an era when kitchens really were the heart of the home
- I would forego the backsplash
- I would replace the cooktop and oven by a stove

I think it is more important to make this kitchen functional, durable and reliable than to go into a frenzy of out with the old and in with the new. It has great bones with lots of decorating possibilities, and you don't need to spend a fortune trying to make it look good. Choice of colours is key here, and that alone can make or break this kitchen.

I would remove the wallpaper, and paint with a cleaner color paint. Nothing to heavy or dark though. Strip the cabinets down to clean wood, and use a clear poly. If you can't afford new appliances (Habitat Stores have affordable options) then I would use appliance paint or you can have custom covers made, but I don't know the cost of those. I'd actually remove that oven and add matching cabinets in its place. If you can't tighten up the drawers yourself, then maybe a handyman can do it affordably. I also don't know the situation your heating. Is it electric or gas. If it's electric, then maybe you can move the stove to another location. It's difficult to tell by the photos, but in our house the frames aren't all one piece. If you can I'd rip up the carpet. You never know what's beneath. We found the original oak flooring under our kitchen linoleum. If it needs soemthing laid, then there are always peel and stick or laminate options depending on budget. And shelves are easy to replace.

Also do you need a table in there, because if you can get rid of it then that creates more space to work with.