Also could you suggest window covering options? Thank you

Here's an adjusted photo of your kitchen. Post a picture of the wall behind the seating at the island so we can have a full view of the area. Does the desk have to stay?

This is wall behind the island.

We built desk recently. So i guess we can't change that at the moment. Do give me options for it though.

Do you have a picture of how the box would look? I think i don't understand clearly. Also i think it tends to get really sticky and dirty above refrigerator as it is right next to stove.

More pics of floorplan and kitchen

I definitely don't like the current tiles but want to keep tiles in the kitchen. If I end up having wood throughout in living and dining i am not sure what tile to go for in kitchen. With this open layout it's very difficult to envision what might look good flooring-wise.

You can no longer have wood floors in the kitchen if the cabinets stay that color.

what tiles do i go for? Also do i do the same tiles throughout or just in kitchen

Love this look:

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/carmel-valley-traditional-dream-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-san-diego-phvw-vp~125430218

If i decide to change cabinet color with stain what color do you think might go well with my decor?

Make sure the floor tiles pick up the warm tones of your adjacent flooring as well as the cabinets. Consider repainting the kitchen a very warm, creamy white. The current walls and flooring harmonize with each other but not with your cabinets and adjacent flooring.

Americana Boston East Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile · More Info

Or something like this, assuming you will have a light backsplash then backsplash tiles that echo the very lightest part of the floor.

Forest Retreat Kitchen · More Info

May I suggest that as you update that you remove decorative wall items especially above the cabinets for a cleaner look? A bold kitchen rug, single piece of art, new counter stools, or even painting the island would do more than a lot of random wall pieces.

P.S. I think a wood "box" above the fridge is basically an open bookshelf with four sides.

Looks like you already have a warm tile floor? I wouldn’t absolutely consider your ex. pic, an example of an updated look. Personally, I like colour so I would, if it were my kitchen, consider something like solid colour sheet linoleum.

https://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-gl/products/linoleum/marmoleum-marbled/marmoleum-real/b0vpm3

https://www.homedit.com/penny-tile-designs/round-penny-tile-backsplash/

Seems as though you already have a backsplash that matches the counters. I think painting would really help more. Seems like where the desk is could be better used for more storage, more of a built-in buffet with doors would be good there if you did that you might not have to try and match the countertop. As to the flooring, I would have the tile professionally cleaned to get a nice white grout back. I think the rooms real problem, I wouldn't want the silly bulkheads over the cabinets I see one is an air return over the fridge but the others seem useless.

another thought is to have the island made a bit larger to actually fit the granite piece and get a breakfast table in the nook area. for the space above the fridge stain a piece of wood and put a small shelf up there...

A porcelain tile designed to look like stone in a Versailles pattern would be nice in your home.

https://www.tileoutlets.com/blog/porcelain-tile-patterns-and-shell-stone-marble-for-outdoor-patio-looks/

Here is my wood kitchens idea book with both new and older, refreshed kitchens.

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

Backsplash comes after counters, so if there is a thought to changing the counters down the road then wait on the backsplash. My own preference is for lighter counters and I would change those before the flooring, but that is personal preference. If you do not have under cabinet lighting, put it on your list. It is the best / most functional thing did.

It's amazing how much visuals can help.

If this were my kitchen, I wouldn't put my money and energy towards the floor or backsplash. Instead, I'd work on optimizing the lighting (could the light fixture be replaced with another can light? what about adding under cabinet lighting? Etc.) and streamlining the decor, as someone above pointed out. Lightening the grout will do wonders to brighten the space. I'd remove everything above the cabinets and paint the vent the (new) lighter wall colour. No need to call attention to the soffits. I'd be considering a warm white for the walls, something that harmonizes well with the floor and cabinets. The current colour works but it's a bit dark for my taste. I like how the sunflowers look with the cabinets so would look for elements in that yellow for the counter (utensil crock? towels? soap dispenser?) and do my best to keep the counters as cleared off as possible. I think I'd want simple roman shades in a solid colour to match the walls (find the shades first then match the paint colour to them) and consider that colour for the counter stools. Surely the cabinet maker could make a false front/door for the gap above the fridge? If not, painting the gap wall to match the cabinets will make it "disappear". Putting something on top of the fridge calls attention to the space.

Bring home alot of floor samples and make sure they go with all your "givens:" cabinets, countertops, and especially the flooring in the adjoining room. Evaluate the samples under all light conditions. As someone said, there are tweaks you can do to update. Maybe start with those--wall paint, decluttering, items off walls, etc.

I would try to find a cabinet box for over the fridge, or have one built and attach corrigated metal or even a floor grate to the front to get the look of a sub zero unit.

Sub-Zero Wolf · More Info

Try reducing the amount of ornaments (am thinking here the items above eye level - the clock, the item over the sink and stove, bench top items, fixtures on walls ) in the kitchen area to give a more simplified canvas to think about what you would like to get out of any changes. Removing the window covering on both windows may help you find out whether you really want window dressings. For the moment, painting the area above the fridge to match will just make it look better!

Is it possible to wrap the soffits in the same wood as the cabinets. The cabinet people should know how to do this. The refrigerator looks nice. Some things have to be cleaned more often. The only other solution is to get a new refrigerator that is less likely to show fingerprints.