Paint/wallpaper, new curtains, paint the cabinets, change out the knobs+handles, tile the backsplash, get new appliances, add lighting, ditch the microhood and get a chimney style hood, and get new countertops.

How's that for a start?

Agree with antss except I wonder if the microhood is there as because it is non-vented. If on an interior wall and/or with a second story, I suspect adding an overhead vent won't be feasible.

If you add wood flooring, go darker than the cabinets to provide contrast. Adding reno cans and changing out the light fixture in the dining area will change the look. An undermount sink with gorgeous countertops will immediately update the look as will new cabinet hardware and updated appliances. I'd wait on the wall color until you solidify your vision for the rest. While I'd take down the existing window toppers, that would likely be my last decision as I'd want to be in the space to see what replacements, if any, might work.

If you don't want to decorate the top of the cabinets, consider adding crown with uplighting.

Good luck with your new adventure!

Those are beautiful cabinets. I'd paint or paper the walls, change out the hardware, and tile backsplash. I'd hate to see any other color appliances in there.

You asked what kind of wood. Hard to tell from the picture, but there appears to be quite a bit of variation in the color so maybe hickory? I think rustic or country when I think of hickory and this kitchen does look country to me especially with the window treatments and stuff above the cabs. I'd get rid of both. Changing those things, the furniture and hardware would make a big difference. Agree that new countertops with an undermount sink would be great. Everything looks like it's in good shape including the floor. You probably could go with wood floors, maybe choose the darkest shade in your cabinets, but you may want to stain those too. Who knows. You've got to see the rest of the place first. I'd probably live with it first before making any big changes.

It should be pretty easy to de-80's it. Definitely change out the cabinet hardware and paint the walls and ceiling. Get rid of the drapey thing at the top of the window.

You might be amazed at how much a beautiful counter would do for the room. The wood frame on that counter kills it, and loses any definition between the counter and cabinet, making it look muddled. Even painting the counter edge to go with the counter would help.

Because the cabinets and window trim and everything in between match, I'm guessing that the same wood tone is carried throughout the house. If that's true, you might want to be careful before you get too radical with the changes. It's not that you can't change the cabinet color. You just need to make it look like it belongs with the other trims (or do them too).

You might be very pleased with the difference just a few changes make.

I agree with what Pillog said ---Well ahem ahem, I have light wood cabinets and white appliances and love it. ..and I also think that is a lovely kitchen that only needs minor updating in my eyes.
Most definitely the furniture ( I know it's not yours, so that is an easy fix but I wanted to make sure to mention it because I think that REALLY dates the place--- just picture an updated table w chairs and the difference will be huge).
I would certainly change the countertops and the lighting/hardware and window treatments. Paint/backsplash as it comes together.

I guess what I am saying is I would leave the cabinets alone as I think they are lovely and will look great with updated changes around them.
For what it's worth, I could see a darkish wood floor if that is what you want...
(So where is this?-- we keep trying to figure out where we really want to be too.)

Since the floor is the biggest issue for you, I would first think about
(1) Changing the floor by using laminate or other floating floor. You can always take it off later.
(2) Doing the work to pull up the tile and put down whatever you like.
(3) Adding some crown and light rail to the existing cabinets in either black or an allied green if you're keeping the floor.
(4) Change the countertops - white or medium grayish?
(5) Bring a fan deck home.

You may feel limited by the green, but this is just one of many color schemes that could go with that color...
{{gwi:1982396}}

I'm going to guess that the cabs are hickory.

Change the hdwe, the light over the table, take down the window treatment, replace the counters, toss the corner curio cabinet, and replace the floor. Makes my feet hurt to look at it and it's going to be murder to keep it looking clean. Every speck of anything is going to show.

I would 'shelve' the tops of the cabs & use some kinda' understated crown molding to give a 'furniture top' look to the cabs. Also, some lighting atop the cabs.

Also, given the vaulted ceiling, I'm going to guess that adding a vented range hood wouldn't be a big problem. Bigger problem is deciding where to relocate the microwave to.

That said, as is, it's a pretty kitchen. But keeping up with that floor is going to be a killer.

Oh, the possibilities!! Your new kitchen looks quite spacious. Yes, it looks dated, but that's fairly easily remedied; it has also been "neutralized" to get it ready for sale.

Yours cabs look like they're either hickory or oak. Look in the Finished Kitchen Blog (FKB) for examples of oak and hickory kitchens that have been reformed. I've added a link to the hickory kitchens for your convenience. You'll get lots of ideas off the FKB.

My ideas for your space: depends on what you want to spend. ;) If you keep the cabs as they are, start with the countertops & sink. I'd put in an undermount sink with a pretty faucet (pulldown/pullout?) and a dark (black if you keep the floor) granite or quartz. Next, new window treatment--maybe a roman shade that can open at the top or bottom. Wall color--what color(s) do you like? Of course, you can always keep the cabs, but paint them or stain them. New cab hardware will also freshen the space.

Go through the FKB and see which kitchens you like. You can go to the categories and search for wood types, granites, all kinds of stuff. The FKB offers a wealth of ideas and inspiration.

I hope you'll keep posting and let us know what you decide!

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchens with hickory cabs in the FKB

There will be lots of GW Kitchen forum readers who dislike this kitchen and lots who don't. When you chose this forum instead of the Decorating one, you got into a crowd who often pull out hammers and checkbooks and head to a constractor when they see a problem, not head for Joann's and start using sewing machines. It's like the old saying that to a guy with a hammer in his hand, everything looks like a nail.

What do YOU want from this kitchen that it isn't giving you? You don't tell us about your tastes--do you at all LIKE these cupboards, floor pattern, green countertop, layout, etc? What are your dishes and cooking tools like? Do you cook? How will you use the room? What are your furniture and style faves--ultra modern? Am colonial? Something else? The vagueness makes the challenge hard to respond to.

Personally, just so you know, this airiness and the wood are similar what I have just installed into my kitchen so I guess I like floating in air.

[curmudgeon mode on]

This is a super kitchen in so many ways, at least in this photo, although there's a lot of distortion by the camera that's fooling me. I can imagine cooking here. Plenty of room between counters. Good amount of "plunk space" to work at. And what an inviting place to sit down to eat! I suggest choosing a startling contrasting color to change the flavor of the room and make it yours--red-brown? baby blue? screaming chartreuse? whatever. I'd use it in heavy doses using simple, temporary things that are "you"--paint, tablecloth, new light fixture, rugs, dishes, maybe window treatment. Spend $300-500 or so making it a nest, add your own stuff, and then live in it for a while. But don't wait too long to make changes if you don't like it.

Although you're retiring into someone else's house, you will find that if you're like many of us, there isn't so much money in the pocketbook that you can splurge a lot, unless you get the house on the cheap. In my case, DH and I retired at 59, dithered a year, and finally got around to doing the too-long delayed maintenance and aggravations our 1954 tract house--esp. new windows and insulation and roof that should have been done long ago, plus a revision to the front of house so it's not claustrophobic and added large kitchen addition (large for us). Oh, and a geothermal system. Although this is all actually modest in many ways, adding it up, this is an expensive and very ambitious project and will probably top out at $90,000 before we're done. I don't think the current part of the project will be done for another year--that's a half year of active planning and two years of construction during our early retirement when we should be doing other things. And then, if we get around to the rest of our hoped-for changes, I'll be pushing 70. My point? I've found how easily I can get caught up in the wrong things when I get going; it's essential to keep my eyes on the prize and the scope of the change within bounds. If the house is a good, sound, energy efficient house and will work well for you and your budget, keep that in mind. There's nothing wrong with these countertops, I suspect, except what peer pressure tells you. If the floor is comfortable and decent, you might live with that also. On the other hand, if you're able to afford some changes, you've had some good advice here. If you can afford anything you want and you have the wherewithal and the desire to have it, hey, then dream away. [curmudgeon mode off]

Once the room is cleared of the current owner's nicknacks and dining set, I think that changing the countertops to something neutral without the wood trim would have the biggest impact on personality.

I think the cabinets are fine. For me, it would be flooring first (darker wood), counter top, hardware. Then of course your own personal touch of window treatment, furniture, lighting and paint. Also would add nice crown molding to the top and not put anything up there but lighting.

We are reaching the beginning of the end of finishing our eighties kitchen remodel. The basic formula was new appliances and finishes. New floor, countertops, backsplash, wall paint and cabinet hardware. Structurally, we increased the top moulding from 1 1/2" to 2 1/2", raised the cabinets, built and added open cabinets with a bead board back under the existing 32" cabinet and changed my 1980's "fog" stain on oak ( fog, taupe, or gray is one of the new popular trends--but ours needed freshened)to a clean sunny white.

Raising the cabinets and adding the open cabinet/box underneath adds stature to the space and open shelving can't be beat for convenience.

Wow, thank you, everyone, for all the ideas. If this turns out to be "the" house you've given me lots of food for thought. I've just finished going the counters/backsplash/paint/sinks/faucets/lighting/vent hood route with my current kitchen so know about the process. :)

I have hardwood here, but have read/heard that tile can be tough on the feet and back and that is a concern for me. Again, thank you for everything.

One thing to check is what kind of foundation there is. If it's slab, wood isn't going to help your feet and back much, and it might be a lot easier (and cheaper) to get some GelPro mats.

Sorry, I couln't read all the great suggestions on all these threads. One thing I didnt' see mentioned that I think would be a great solution for your floor would be marmoleum. You could do some subtle shots of color there you certainly have the space... (rhome I know has this idea). There are myraids of options to chose from. Otherwise, much of what I think has been said. I'd leave the appliances and don't think I'd want to darken the hickory(?) because I think it's beautiful in it's natural state. For the countertop; I personally prefer something light with some movement (Shviaski(?)... or something like that. OR... in the total opposite direction I'd love sosapstone there. I should really go back and check about what you said about budget...