Congrats! Paint and/or DIY tile backsplash. Lose the curtains. :) Maybe new light fixtures?

I think most will ask for a bit more detail, such as what you don't like about the room and what the budget is to make changes.

I can't really see the hardware on your cabinets, but that is one way to update them. The wall color is not good with the cabinets; what colors do you like?

The valances are old-fashioned, and I would remove them or do something different.

To me and my monitor, the wall paint color looks fine. As others stated, get rid of the valance. Also like the idea of changing out the light fixtures and hardware; however, hardware can be very expensive. First would be removing valance and changing light fixtures. The kitchen looks fine, otherwise.

We need a little more info. I agree about changing the valance and the possibility of hardware and lights. I think the paint color looks fine with the cabinets. You could change up area rugs if you wanted also. What color is the countertop?

I honestly wouldn't worry about backsplash if you're looking for inexpensive. For years we just had the counter, splash and painted walls. It's fine not to have tile back there.

Congrats, it's cute!

As for the updates-depends what bothers you I guess?

wouldn't do tile unless you're ready to deal with the countertop..a) you have this 4 or so inches backsplash there already-in order to tile it needs to be cut..never put both together b) since it protrudes creating sort of a bar-you'll have a question as where to finish the tile..if does bother you the most, then yes, but you need to consider all that

somebody might find curtain dated..somebody might think the fridge is too cumbersome..somebody doesn't like oak grain or arch doors or whatever..it's personal

if you ask me-I'd change the lights(since I'm into lights), have fun with accessories(including loosing the curtain/leaving the curtain/finding the curtain I love/etc), and lived happily ever after until I know what I exactly want/definitely hate. And it might be that I'd hate nothing or want for nothing. The fridge would bother me some because less clearance when you walk..but some people prefer deeper fridges.

Decide what you don't like and go from there.

ah..I absolutely love the paint color, but it's you who need to love it of course

Other than removing the valance, I would leave it as-is unless there is something you don't like about the room. Get a couple of stools that you can place in front of the overhang.

Lose the valance and add a backsplash.

IMPO, that wall color clashes w/ the color of the cabinets, floor & countertops. Unless you really love that shade of brown, I would choose a different color for the walls - could be lighter or darker, but something that suits your taste. There are a number of color tools @ paint co.s websites you can use & some let you upload your own photo & paint it virtually. There are also color collections to give you an idea of what colors are harmonious together.

I love the paint next to the cabinets and my first thought was to just remove the valences. Congrats on your new digs!

Remove the valance and paint the cabinets white. If the 4" backsplash is easily removable, then do so and tile the backsplash. If not, leave it as is or put glass over the paint.

Window treatments, light fixtures, wall color

I would just open it up to a brighter space. You could move the wall cabinets on the one side to the utility room/craft room or other. Put all your everyday dishes, bowls and plates ect on shelves. Lighting, wood for shelves and rugs from Home depot. Bar stools cheap from Target. Shades are leaf pattern from romanshadesale.com. You might be able to spray paint the cabinet knobs and pulls.

This is just one wall color idea...there are several that would look nice. Pick a color you like.

DIY cost $530 to $550.

Or for a bit more just buy stair treads for shelving. You can order them thicker if wanted.

http://www.stairsupplies.com/product/8090-landing-tread/?gclid=CNuK1sXol9QCFdFahgod0EcPPQ

Although dated, this is a clean well-maintained kitchen. I like Mdln's idea for a green wall color. I agree about the valence. If you want window treatments I would do roman shades.

I could suggest painting the cabinets white and putting in a counter and backsplash. But, I would get all new front doors as the arches are dated.

Linelle did a really good upgrade with paint (done professionally), new doors, and counters. It all depends on your budget.

Take the fabric valance done, live there for a while. You have a great kitchen, use it and decide how you think it is lacking. (New Paint and backspalse can happen, don't hurry.)

Agree with Arcy on the open shelving..but not because it's a fad or resale mistake..but because-do we know if there's enough storage? What else is in the house? Or how big the family is? We have a four bedroom house right now, and we don't have any craft or utility room..I do love shelves in the kitchen, but we already had too little upper space,..had to be practical and go with the few uppers I could do there. That is the part that involves functioning not only looks..all things should be considered.

But disagree on light fixtures:) It's probably flush mount size ceiling..try to find something timeless:) I don't even know what it means here. It will be of certain decade, or inspired by that time-when most people had standard ceilings. Unless you're me and you're into vintage mcm and Murano flowers and whatever inspires my unsteady imagination-it's hard to source something very different..although I do agree in advance the choice of new flush mounts became better than was 3 years ago.

I love green wall color too, but I love the existing paint(and you can kill me but I don't see how and where it clashes..it might not be somebody's preference, but it works)..there are probably 10 other colors that would look great. Or 20. That's really something that will depend on what else will be in the house and what will make the OP happy.

Hey, I love my open shelving! It's just above my dishwasher and handy handy. The everyday dishes are now on the shelf instead of inside. Shelves hold the same stuff but minus a door and that very bit at the top that I can't reach in a cabinet. I put the cabinets that were there on the utility room wall. If someone wants cabinets back in that space at a future resale date they are near. Really though...at that point someone will probably rip this whole kitchen out.

It was just tooo much wood for me.

Before

To me it's not trendy because it makes me happy ( some of the dishes are in dishwasher right below).

(I like the Schoolhouse light

Interestingly used to strongly dislike it..but prolonged exposure to these lights played its role..)))

Open shelving just seems too messy. I like stacks of stuff (dishes, cups, etc.) behind closed cabinet doors.

Laura Ann, come back lol.

I have a question. Do you want cheap updates just to get you by until you get a new kitchen not to far into the future?

Or, do you want cheap undates to live with the kitchen for close to forever because you pretty much like it and just want some spiffing?

I ask because it makes a difference on how we can all help you.

For example: my thought was that the kitchen is more temporary-ish so inexpensive quick fixes are in order.

Others are thinking more long term with more classic timeless choices.

None of us really know what's in your head about this cheap update thing. Short term or long term or something in between? Also, what is your idea of cheap in dollars? $300 to $550, $550 to $1,000 or up to $5,000?

Oh, and one more question: do you have pictures of the furniture you are going to use in this home so we have an idea of style and colors?

Hi... I would like to keep the updates under $1000. I do not want to do a huge update for at least a year. We would need all new furniture which is a whole other issue. I do not like the kitchen at all but I love the rest of the house...YIKES thanks for checking in

Okay that helps. What style and colors are you planing for the furniture? I ask because it would make a difference on a lighting style/pick. For example: the mockup I did above came in between $530 to $550 for everything including primer and paint because I picked cheap lighting to get you by. Also, that is a DIY price. However, with a budget of $1,000 we could pick you nicer quality lighting that you can keep for the future kitchen remodel. You would also have more options on window treatments that you could use in the future remodel. But, we would need some clues.

Any clues would be good. A picture of your dream kitchen would be even better.

I would put pot lights in the ceiling. No matter what you do or don't do in your kitchen down the road, they will serve you well. I put pot lights in my kitchen 14 years ago, and only added one more light with total kitchen update last year. Nice to spread out that money!

Good point Anglophilia!

I would get new semi-flush lights, a large colorful rug and sweet, white ball-fringe swags from Country Curtains!

Like these swags...

I would start by removing the valance and live with the room "bare" for a little while. My bet is that you'll find your direction from there.

Will you post some pictures of kitchen that you like? That would help us make suggestions. Many of my ideas have already been mentioned.

On my monitor, the cabinets and the wall color do not work well. Green looks nice with oak cabinets. Painting the cabinets would look great. It's cheap but it is a lot of work.

If you already have enough storage space and you're handy, I like the idea of pulling down those floating uppers. It would open up and modernize the space.

The boob lights and the valance also date the space. I would put in one larger colorful rug. I know some people are squeamish about rugs in kitchens but the indoor outdoor ones are easily cleanable. I take mine outside and hose them off a few times a year.

"I do not like the kitchen at all but I love the rest of the house"-that's normal I'd say

I think I didn't like 80% of the house, but still loved the house:)

I pretty much hated the kitchen(and I'm kinda easy going person kitchen-wise). Why? These were my points:

-it was too open a plan that didn't suit me or the house (I think they made it more open)

-it didn't work with the house at all, in terms of style, color, anything. They put it in there for resale, and I bet whatever they had before, dated as it was, would make me happier. That just seemed a waste. It was new, or almost new-well so what? It didn't work with the space.

-I would waste a lot of money trying just to paint it for example since it was laminated. Yes, I know there are special primers but I'd spend money on something that wouldn't hold anyway, would spend on changing hardware and what not-and be still left with the kitchen that didn't suit nor me neither the house.

So. If you can describe what you don't like more specifically-it'd be very helpful I think.

Because some of the things can be redone or tweaked very easily, and it will give you a lot of immediate satisfaction. And to tweak other things is a waste of money and energy and it's better to wait until you can just tackle it all.

If you walk us through your list of dislikes-it will become easier for us, and I believe, for you, to decide what to do when.

Maybe you'll see you shouldn't bother at all at this point with tweaks but new paint if you dislike this one, tea towels you love, teapot that you love, and a plant will make you much happier while you waiting to redo it.

Or maybe you'll see that small tweaks suggested in the thread are worth it, or are actually enough.

Big points are:

-does the kitchen function as your family needs it to?

-does it correspond well with the rest of the house? in terms of architecture, style, layout

-does it make you feel you want to be in there, and if no, what will be helpful?

the first two are harder if the answer is "no"

Hi Laura Leigh Ann --

Lots of great ideas above. Without knowing what you like and what the house looks like it's hard to give examples, but I'd also start by ditching the valance (free) getting new lights (watch for sales and/or clearance), and possibly getting new hardware (tough to see yours clearly, maybe it works for you all?).

I'm seeing arched doors up top and squared-off Shaker-style doors below, right?

It would probably put you over your $1K budget, but I'd look into getting a local carpenter to make matching upper doors. If you're not in earthquake country you could do open shelving for some cabs and/or you could do some/all with glass inserts -- a semi-opaque white would provide screening and pick up your white appliance color.

My daughter bought a house two years ago with the same color oak cabinets and flooring which she disliked. The house was previously owned by a lovely older couple who loved antiques and country style...lots of wallpaper and borders and stencils. The kitchen actually had little red apple wallpaper :). They started with stripping wallpaper and painting to make it their own. She painted the kitchen and breakfast nook and den SW Sea Salt.....it made a world of difference. The oak look really nice with the paint. She accessorized with a cute table runner, a couple of place mats on the bar, and a couple of scatter rugs for a pop of color. The accessories are prints in shades of turquoise, soft greens and bright red. She also has white appliances.

There were several other colors that were in the running .....Rainwashed, TOp Sail, Mt. Saint Anne, Beachglass to name a few. Do a google search and the blue/greens, gray/greens are used frequently with orange oak.

I also agree with others about new lighting and hardware. I think you can do a lot to freshen up your kitchen for $1,000.

Add molding and backsplash.

White and black and runner.

Look at your dishes and small appliances. That can add a splash of color. Also, some canisters if you need to keep some out. For example, I have a little coffee area in my kitchen including a coffee maker and coffee and sugar canister, and that adds color. I like the red and black suggestion, but really depends on the colors you like. As it is, your kitchen is neutral and that's not a bad thing. I would use my dishes (If I liked them) as a color and style inspiration. I'd also spend the money on cool stuff I loved for the dining area and tie the two rooms together.

I need a lot of great lighting in my kitchen, that's another place I would spend money on getting something great. Also, when you decide on a color scheme and direction, I am in love with adding tile backsplashes to jazz up a kitchen.

Frankly, I wouldn't add moldings for the cabinets that don't reach ceiling..also I hear from the OP she looks forward bigger update in a couple years or so..I think it's important to understand from the OP what her dislikes are, what absolutely bothers her, what she can live with meanwhile, is she planning to change the plan later, and how much time until that happens (a year or five? makes huge difference)-and if a year, then I'd definitely not do any backsplash or moldings now....etcetera.

Everybody understands "update" differently. Many great ideas here. Like the red and black! But that's all very personal, this color thing. It also looks like an open/semi-open plan..what else is there? will be there? what Laura Leigh Ann would love to be there?

at this point, I think feedback from the OP would give us better direction as per what to suggest

and if no feedback-it's fine..not everybody wants to write back while they're thinking things through.