This is my personal opinion. I'm no expert about this. I think if the house is a blank slate style-wise, you can take it in almost any direction you prefer. Although you need to have a vision for the entire home to make this work. You don't want to end up with a country kitchen, super-modern baths, and a Craftsman living room. I guess I would start by asking myself if the lines of the home are more horizontal or vertical. Again, my personal opinion, but I think horizontal lines lend themselves better to more sleek styles like modern, MCM, or whatever. Just something more streamlined. While horizontal lines lean more toward traditional, transitional, and country-ish/cottagey styles. What do YOU like? What do you envision for the rest of the home? I'm sure you'll get better, more concrete advice from others. And it may be helpful to post this question in the Home Decorating forum, too. And probably time to start finding inspiration photos.

Wow! Thanks so much for the great ideas! I never thought about using such bright colors like that DE green hour or blue for the door. I would have never thought of it myself...and I really like it! I love pops of color but i’m always scared to take the leap! Not sure why. Lol I guess it’s cause it’s our first place and it feels risky, but in the end I really should just think of it as paint. I can always change it up! Thanks for paint color suggestions as well, sometimes it’s overwhelming to see so many colors. It’s nice to know what has worked for others who’s homes have the same color palette! I really love the dark trim ideas (for now, our windows have a light color screen over them, but the window itself is actually a dark brown/bronze) and landscaping ideas- I never thought something as simple as deepening flower beds would have such a dramatic effect! Thanks Dig Doug! Our flower beds are pretty shallow and rectangular, the curved beds are a fabulous idea! NHbabs and debbie1000 I totally agree about the tree between the windows and the narrow walkway (its mix matched half with river rock half smooth concrete), they are definitely on the ‘to do’ list. emmarie- I love your idea of the trim on the left window, I agree it needs some bulking up to match the others. I really like your post idea, and i know it’s hard to see from my photo, but it’s acually a brick wall. Right now removing is probably more than we’d like to do, but it would definitely give it a more open feeling. Love your rendering makes my house look cute! Definitely has me thinking about that blue door color! I’m not able to upload more pictures of the house since I’m currently on a trip, but when I get back I’ll upload more, but I can’t say THANK YOU enough. The pictures you all posted definitely have my creative wheels turning! I feel like I now have some direction in looking up design ideas. We’re not in a huge rush to redo our home, but i’ll definitely keep everyone posted with picture updates as we make changes here and there so you can see how we implemented your ideas and suggestions. Thank you again for taking the time to help us out! I really didn’t think i’d have this many people respond in just one day. You guys are AMAZING!!

Houzz its being really glitchy lately, but especially today. Sara, you have to let the photos fully load till they're no longer grayed. You also may have better luck making an ideabook and uploading them there. That's the only way I've been able to post photos lately.

Thanks everyone for all the comments. My situation is a bit unusual because although I plan to retire and live in this 2/1 townhouse in the future, for the next few years I plan to rent it out. I wanted to update this kitchen to make it appealing on the rental market and low maintenance, but when I move in, I would like to blow out the wall and open up the kitchen, which is a more major kitchen reno that also requires removing an ugly carpeted stair and relocating the air handler and hot water tank. Given the advice, I will probably 1. paint the cabinets white, using that expensive chalk paint, 2. update the handles with chrome, 3. replace the fridge, 4. put in a light color wood laminate floor 5. replace the drop ceiling with recessed lighting (diy) 6. install under cabinet lighting from ikea 7. apply an adhesive backsplash that ties it together. I'll keep the counters for now and do that in big reno down the line in 5-7 years. any other suggestions greatly appreciated. I will add better photos when I get back there during the inspection.