Unable to install a new kitchen as I don’t want to spend the money on it right now.
Also, I don’t have the time to organise it and deal with the stress as I’m busy with work.
Here are more photos.

I'm going to assume that you've tried cleaning the cabinets. Check there's no leaks causing mould, if not, then you could try activated carbon/ charcoal (sold in aquarium shops) to neutralize the smell.

As for the cabinets, I would choose something that looks like furniture rather than a second kitchen tacked on the side. Possibly the last one in your first post.

Another solution would be to buy a couple of cabinets like this https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/besta-storage-combination-w-glass-doors-white-lappviken-sindvik-white-clear-glass-s19187413/

Being modular, you're more likely to use them around the house once the kitchen is sorted.

Thank you, I’ll look into the charcoal.
I think even if that did work we might still have a storage issue.
I didn’t mention it, but the cupboards have a stench coming from them and I just don’t see us realistically getting that sorted at this time but I’m open to try anything. I do have concerns of any bacteria that could be there as well. If there’s mould in there I just don’t want to keep anything I eat off in there.

It would be myself who had to pay and organise to redo the kitchen. I want to wait for my partner to catch up on the total amount he’s contributed to the house before I spend more of my money.

We have been trying to purchase the cabinet you liked (the one with the wood on the splash back), but it’s out of stock until November.

I do see your point though, the wooden style one would look like a buffet type piece rather than another kitchen slapped on randomly.

I was thinking the white cabinet with the chrome would also look okay as the house has a lot of white and chrome. I like things to not be too distracting to my eyes, so I wouldn’t mind the white and chrome one. I just need other people’s opinions as I might be living with this furniture piece for 20 years.

The other issue is we do need somewhere to keep the microwave and also some shoes, so that’s why I’m leaning toward the bigger white one as it has more storage.

The one you suggested is also the next choice, it’s just the waiting and less storage issue that I’m still undecided on.

Out of the 4 ( the 3 you posted in your question , and the one in your comment ) I'd go for the darker one just above in your comment . As you have said , you already have a lot of white and light , including the tiles and walls .

The existing kitchen seems to have dark cupboard doors , and looks more interesting for it IMO . I'm not 100% convinced that the wood inserts really suit , and assume they are fake plasticy and can't be stained , so I guess you'd keep -- if they could be stained , I'd go a redder cedar or even something with a warm orangey tinge -- they then tie in with the white and black . Right now they are sort of nothing , don't clash , but also don't add anything .

The other three either have no character , or have that chequerboard vibe going on IMO , but thats just me .

Thank you. Yes the cabinets are definitely particle board and not proper wood.
So you mean the dark grey cabinet?

I like the white and chrome one or the dark one.
Try vinegar and carb soda or Nilodor concentrated deodoriser, available at supermarkets, this could help

Thank you, I’ve tried vinegar and bicarb as well as bleach but I’ll give the Nilodor a go.

Bee Bee -- in your first post , you posted 3 pictures of new units ( I think all from the same company ? ) -- the first I'd term metallic , the second chequerboard , the 3rd seems greyish and sameish . Personally , none of them grab me .

In your next post below that though , you have posted another option , again the same company I think , that looks charcoal and a yellowish fake timber trim -- it has a yellow fruit basket on the bench . Even though the yellow tone of that trim doesn't look great against your walls and tiled floors , it is my pick of the 4 options .

Not the chrome or any timber.
Pull off the kickboard and check under the cabinets, start with where smell is worst.

Bee bee, You will not get rid of the smell of the cabinets just by buying new cabinets.

You have already posted this dilemma a week ago.
Have you contacted a professional to pull your cabinets out and look behind them for vermin or mould?.

As mentioned in your post from last week, do not spend money on cabinets, spend it on getting the existing ones odour free.

And why do you need your shoes in the kitchen with your microwave?

I would rather live with a big table for microwave and pots and crockery, and get the kitchen smell fixed promptly, than buying all new cabinets and avoiding the real issue.

why can’t you have the microwave on the kitchen bench top? You don’t need a cabinet for that, just a power point.

Storage is an issue if you are not organised. The smallest pantries can hold lots of articles if organised correctly.
You need to clear your space of clutter. Organise the pantry and utilise that for pots or crockery until you can get smell eradicated.
If you have a clear uncluttered home, then your mind tends to be clearer, and stress levels may decrease.

I work 7 days week sometimes. This photo was taken before a clean up which took two minutes. Not everyone has the time to go to the shop every day.

Also with regards to the shoes, there is nowhere to store them outside.

The goal of the house is efficiency as we both work such long hours.

When I get ready for work, its efficient for my shoes to be near the front door. This works as there’s a no shoes rule in the house.

I would get new cabinets but I’d have to organsie it and I don’t have time. I’d also have to pay for it, and as I said, my partner can’t pay his half at the moment.

Would you suggest we leave the wall blank? Eventaully we would want furniture there any way. My boss is understaffed at the moment, so it would be so rididulous for me to take time off to get a new kitchen.

My partner is okay, but he could never organise something like that. We also want to save up until we can purchase a really nice kitchen.

I don’t know about you but I don’t have endless money.

I work 5 days a week and have two young adult children. I do not shop every day. I go to the shop on Tuesday on my way home from work. Milk and lettuce fruit at end of week. I work at four different accounting jobs, and my husband and I have our own business which I do the accounts for on saturdays.
I feel I need to be organised and put things away because it keeps my mind clear.
My suggestions are trying to save you money. Don’t buy cabinets.
Organise a tradesman to look into your kitchen issue, don’t buy a new kitchen.

And unless a person has won the latest lotto jackpot, none of us has endless funds. It’s about priorities, and health and safety.

Yes keep the wall blank until you have funds to buy a wonderful buffet for storage of extra things. Get the kitchen smell fixed first, then you will have full use of the existing kitchen, and won’t have to get a new one. By your photos, your kitchen and home look newish and kitchen cabinets look good. It would be a shame to replace them if you are on a budget.

You may have misinterpreted what I mentioned about getting a tradesman to pull the kitchen cabinets out.
With this I meant for them to be pulled away from the wall, and assessed for any damp, mould or vermin. Then the cabinets can be put back.
I was not suggesting you get a new kitchen.

Yes I completely agree, I do hope to attempt to pull out the shelves at some stage.
We have looked under them with a camera / light from the hardware store that’s intended for looking in holes.

It seemed normal. The issue is the previous occupants had a leaking dishwasher hose and a clogged dishwasher, so the smell is thoroughly in the particle board, so like you said I need to remove the participle board shelves. I am just a bit worried this could damage the structure of the kitchen, but I will get someone to help me eventually.

Ok, you have mould in cabinets under sink. They will need to be pulled out and disposed of. No way around that. You should be able to keep doors and bench. It may only be the cabinet that holds sink.
This smell will never go away until the affected units are taken out. So spend money on that.
Get a handyman/carpenter to help pull out those cabinets and replace them. Don’t waste money on a buffet. It won’t save you any money.
I’d measure cabinets and call Bunnings kitchens. See if they have flat pack to suit and can recommend a tradie,

Yes, sad but true. I just wanted something temporary until I have the time to organise that, because I’m working night shifts and day shifts in the same week at the moment and it’s giving me sleep issues.
I have tried to contact a few people but nobody’s got back to me yet. I might wait a few months and then organise all this for some time when I get a day off during the week.

Best of luck.. not easy at moment. Invest in an air purifier now if you don’t already have one. It will collect up mould spores in the air.

Thanks, at this stage I can’t find anything in the cupboard. It took me about half an hour to find something tonight when I have a 12 hour shift tomorrow.
I’m thinking I might just get some plastic shelves for now.
I don’t know if there’s mould spores in the cupboards under the sink but it’s quite possible.
I can’t even get my partner to do his own dishes let alone organise a new kitchen so I’ll just have to deal with this for a while I guess. My main priority is keeping my job and saving money for the future.

I hear you. I’d grab something cheap for minute off marketplace or Kmart. Etc. Then get the prob fixed
Best of luck and remember these are just little hurdles in the big scheme of life. Keep your head up and remember to smile at the little things.

Thank you :)

Vanilla Essence has always been a good way to eliminate smells in the fridge. If you can find out where the smell is coming from, try wiping the area with Vanilla Essence.