Please post your pics here in the comment area. Hopefully we will then be able to enlarge them. They are too small as is.

No, the photos will not expand. We can't offer help when we can't see what you have.

Like your kitchen, including the black countertop and wood flooring.

One "update" you might consider that would not break the bank is changing the cushions on the island/bar seats. Usually such cushions are a piece of plywood with a foam pad and fabric stretched over it stapled to the underside of the plywood. With a hammer stapler intended for hanging fiberglass insulation in vertical walls, this is a relatively easy DIY project. The hardest part is picking out the fabric.

Nope, but that is OK. There are a few things you might look at, the least invasive being accessories. Colour on the seats and a runner to replace the mat would give some punch to your neutral palette. You could switch the curtain to a reed shade, upgrade you hardware, leave the tops of the cabs unadorned, and freshen the wall colour. You might also look at repainting the oak cabs ( that being the most work intensive option). Best of luck w your project.

Best bet would be a coat of white paint and some new hardware and leave the island alone. It is a great layout. The big box home improvement stores also have some great, easy to install tile that you could DIY a new backsplash. I would do new cushions on the stools and swap out the black rug for a colorful one. Hard to see what is above the cabinets, but I would clean that up.

It's too hard to see well, but you might replace some cabinet fronts with glass. Don't place a lot of "stuff" on top of the cabinets. Very little or nothing up there would be an instant update. Although not inexpensive, stainless appliances would be an update from the white ones, especially with the wood cabinets.

Is painting the cabinets an option?

Wow. Lots of great ideas! Thanks so much, everyone! If I were to replace the stools, what kind of stools would you recommend? I also like the idea of putting some glass in a few of the cabinets. Any suggestions on colors for a black splash? Are there hardware that you suggest that would modernize the room more?

Much better! Definitely a new window treatment...such as a Roman shade. If possible, remove the wood 'valance' above the window. The first thing you could do that's no cost is just declutter. It really makes a big difference!

Brushed nickel hardware would be nice...especially if you...eventually...go with stainless appliances.

One more...recessed lighting over the sink would be nice. Tons of potential in this kitchen!

Those pics do enlarge. Thanks.

Like your kitchen even more now that I can see it better.

When you NEED to change appliances, you should at least consider stainless steel. Would not replace good appliances There are ways to turn your white appliances into stainless steel. You Tub vids show how.

The one and only thing I'd want to do with your kitchen is hide the counter clutter because there's just too much setting out on the counter to have enough space to do food prep ... that and I'd feel as if I always needed to finish cleaning up and putting things away.

Personally, I wouldn't even mind the visual of the items atop the cabinets -- what I'd mind would be needing to dust/wash stuff I rarely, if ever, actually use during every seasonal cleaning.

If the stools are comfortable seats, don't replace them. You could remove the fabric covered seat and paint them your favorite bright cheerful color and then put them back together, with or without new fabric on the seats.

Like your swag curtains. You might consider replacing the overhead light above the sink to something more modern ... with black metal to compliment/coordinate with your bar chairs.

Wouldn't change the actual backsplash that matches the cabinets but you could repaint the painted surfaces, including the space above your backsplash and above your cabinets.

Here is my oak kitchen with the wooden valence piece above the sink removed and a roman shade - it is actually a "faux" roman shade. I have a cottage / vintage style so it is in a floral fabric:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

I have a glass door as suggested. I also retrofitted a plate rail into a cabinet. The best thing I did was not cosmetic - but I added under cabinet lighting between my sink and range - it is so helpful, and it makes my kitchen brighter:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854029

I also really like my cream subway tile backsplash.

While my countertop is light, I have seen cream subway tile with black counters too:

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Now I have a question. I realize I cannot see the whole kitchen, but your stools at the island appear to be on the working side of the kitchen and infringe on the needed 42" of walkway space between counter and island. Is that so people can see the TV? I would turn that island around so there is room to work or move it farther away from the counter.

If you can afford to lose the storage, take out the cabinet to the right of the sink and put up a couple of shelves and put your decor items there - help get them off the counter. I hang some of my favorite decorative plates on my walls. There may be another wall for shelves or a wall hutch to display them too.

Wall hutch:

Nicely done, phun! :-)

To answer your question, jhmarie, the Island was positioned that way so it would not look into a messy sink or prep area if we chose to eat at the island. It doesn’t really interfere with prepping except it’s a bit tight when I open the dishwasher. I love the cream subway tiles in your photo and the wood “valance” that was eliminated. Thanks for sharing those pics. While I’d love to remove cabinets to open up space, I do need the storage so not sure I could make that work.

The kitchen needs light, color (and decluttering :)...

Inexpensive to paint backsplash area...a not too intense sage-ish green or aqua or.... Probably would also paint the wall between top of cabinets and the ceiling with the same color.

Replace light over sink with a low profile LED flush mount light.

Crown molding top of the cabinets with some LED tape lighting up there. LED tape lighting under top cabinets to light the counters.

Something about the pendants lights over the island is bothering me. I think it's the scale & that they seem a bit small. Two larger pendants might look better?

Remove window curtain & wood valance. Leave window naked or use just a top valance/ not too large.

I would replace the appliances with LGs matte stainless. It does not show finger prints which is awesome

https://www.lowes.com/pd/LG-27-8-cu-ft-4-Door-French-Door-Refrigerator-with-Ice-Maker-Black-Stainless-Steel-ENERGY-STAR/1000296733

I would consider adding molding to the top of the cabinets to the ceiling

DECLUTTER

add a bright backsplash and under cabinet lighting.

The key is lighting! - check out our portfolio for inspiration! https://www.regalhomemaker.com/our-portfolio/