FWIW: I'm bringing almost no furniture with me, so I'm free to populate the adjacent spaces with whatever new pieces I want.

I think that's the plan for now, esp since the layout looks functional and I can talk to people while making dinner. :)

Just curious what others see here.

based on the countertop colors I'd get dark bronze hardware for cabinetry. Maybe cup pulls for drawers and larger knobs elsewhere. I would price out changing the doors , left of window, to glass doors, maybe with grills...and keep nice looking bowls/mugs/plates/etc there. That would be all and make it a little more spirited kitchen. And Re: appliances ….they would need replacing but not right now...You may want a hood...that's a big infrastructure project.

I might change the hardware(knobs etc). If it doesn't have pull outs inside I might look into installing them.

otherwise, I wouldn't lift a finger to change anything (though the microwave is too high for me. So maybe that one too..that's more complicated a project already)

I wouldn't even install a different backplash. Unless I really fall for some tile that also goes perfectly with granite. Slim chance. And I'm a big fan of tiles.

I do like glass front cabinets, so I might check-maybe I can redo the one next to the window into glass front..i like to display some dishes etc

(oh I see I think along same lines that herbflavor does)

In short. no, I wouldn't specifically save for new cabinets..until these run their course. Nothing truly bothers me about this kitchen. Looks nice and warm..and btw I'm not a big fan of oak and its grain, neither I am of many granites..but it does look nice and warm. I like it as a whole. I'd have fun putting there useful-stuff-that-looks-pretty-and that I love. I'd be able to live with it for years..again, on condition I can actually use that microwave))

Congratulations on your new house!

"Unless I really fall for some tile that also goes perfectly with granite. Slim chance."

So, are granite and tile are hard to match? What about some kind of greenish subway? Does this way lie madness?

"You may want a hood...that's a big infrastructure project."

I do have a hood in my current kitchen. I'll miss being able to vent, I suspect. Maybe I could sneak one of these in?

That said, I have no good idea for where to move the microwave.

On the glass door idea - it would be pretty easy to drop a cabinet into an adjacent space for open display. If I wanted new doors on some of the upper cabinets, do you think it would be hard to match the grain / stain?

I have oak cabinets and a few years ago refreshed with new counters, apron front sink, backsplash and under cabinet lighting - just between the sink and range. If I moved into your space I would spend time deciding if I wanted to make the same changes with your slightly different cabinets. The panel on your door has a different grain style - probably due to the way it was cut - it may be a veneered plywood. Since the layout is good, I might look at a different door, probably because I like my solid wood raised panels - but then the more shaker style of yours is more the current style. I also would need to replace the micro with a hood - just because i am short.

I would wait on a backsplash. See how the space works for you because backsplash is last. if you do one and then a year later decide to change something you may end up damaging the new backsplash. I am not sure how good they look, but you could try something easily removable like peel and stick subway tile. If you do tile, it is best to remove the 4" small splash first. If the small splash is covering some gaps between counter and wall - I was able to find a subway tile that was 1/4" thick and covered a gap I had from a bowed wall.

The positive about your good layout is that should you change out the cabinets down the road, you don't need to buy appliances or move plumbing / electrical - a huge savings. It may also be possible to reface with new doors / drawers.

This is my wood kitchens idea book. It has both new and older, refreshed wood kitchens:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

I'd find the tile I'd love of course if I was set on it-and I'd go with something simple yet providing slight variation, something handmade..and I would go with one of the colors drawn from the granite, most likely..

Stones don't like to be contradicted too much. They're capricious. Unless they're more or less of solid color.. I can't see the countertop very well, it's not very busy, but it does have movement to it, quite lovely I must say. So I wouldn't contrast it too much. If I use tiles next to it-I'd go in blending direction. borrowing from the stone itself.

(something in blue green family was on my mind right away, to be honest, but as paint. And then you need to take into account the whole space since it's open. Depends how much you love the color, etc)

For example I find the tile I consider perfect. it will be something not cheap though, as far as know myself, something like Ann Sacks or Encore ceramics or Fireclay or Sonoma. because I personally don't like handmade look, I prefer either going real handmade-or just going plain, period.

So..unless you do labor yourself, I can see minimum a thousand dollars put into a backsplash after contractor's discount, but probably more than that. (again..if it was me)

Whereas i must say it looks pretty nice as is.

You'll also have to think where to finish it, how to finish it, all the blahblah. You'll also probably have to decide about the hood beforehand..or purchase more tiles for the future, if you ultimately decide to redo the hood.

Now, I'm a lazy person, in terms of improvements, and still incredibly tired after our own huge remodel, so there's that)) take me with a grain of salt

Ultimately it's your kitchen and you are excited to make it yours, and you can be very successful too, by doing these little tweaks.

(no idea whether will be hard to match the grain. My intuition is to say "yes" but I've a pessimistic day. Another grain of salt)) I hope though you'll get more informative responses regarding that)

I was just answering your question of "What would you do" from my perspective, and my perspective is of a person who prefers to do nothing major, unless he's absolutely has to(to me, that'd be when things don't function well, or seem like they don't belong together, or to the house)-and if he has to, he wants it done once, and use whatever he considers the best, within what's affordable.

It's truly a nice kitchen.