Absolutely 100% start with the lighting.

Paint on the walls, lighting, rug. That would be it. I am not sure I would attempt painting the cabinets.

@Janie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK @julieboulangerie Any specific lighting ideas or paint colors? I'm having a hard time thinking of a paint color that would tie everything together and go with all the wood accents and warm granite counter.

Yeah, I'd paint the walls and replace the ceiling light fixture. New dish towels, potholders, a bowl of fruit or a vase of flowers, a couple of plants in the window . . . it will look warm and fresh.

I would paint the walls and the wood shelving unit the same colour. Can you show us a close up of your granite? Is there a colour in any of the adjacent rooms that we need to take into account? Please take pictures looking into the adjacent spaces.

A slightly greenish gray might look good.

Have you thought about leaving the laminate cupboards, but sanding/priming/painting the wood part of them? Take a drawer to the paint store to match color.

@partim Thanks for your suggestions! I like the idea of the walls and shelving unit being the same color. We plan to paint the adjacent living spaces in a color complimentary to the new kitchen color, so we don't have many limitations there. There is green carpet in the upstairs, but we plan to replace with wood. We're not in the house, but I can get a close-up of the granite at some point.

Consider painting all the walls and cabinets above countertop height (maybe all the oven cabinet, too) a pale brown -- a tan but without the pink or yellow hue.

You could use the side of your oven cabinet for displaying a few colorful interesting cast iron trivets by using screws to attache a board about a foot wide to the top of the oven cabinet frame and hanging the trivets on the board (rather than nailing into the cabinet beside the oven).

https://www.google.com/search?q=interesting+colorful+cast+iron+trivets&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi_ucbdlsvpAhVnlnIEHQvhD-wQ_AUoAnoECA0QBA&biw=1366&bih=654

Would not paint the wood panel wall left of the refrigerator but do paint the niche within it the same color as you choose for the walls.

Since one window frame is painted white, you need to decide should you paint the wood finish one over the sink the same color OR , paint the white one the color you choose for the walls instead.

You could add a swag (long sided) valance to each of the windows.

https://www.sears.com/window-toppers-roslyn-128inch-wide-x-45inch-long/p-000000000000000330360000003100swagset45aP#Imagezoom

https://www.touchofclass.com/hellina-long-swag-valance-pair-80-x-63/p/R491-006/?kc=ZMFPFS2&code=YMF08&color=Ecru&size=80%20x%2063&tid=YMFPLA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInKeZt5jL6QIVDa_ICh0KTQn2EAQYBSABEgKIivD_BwE

https://www.sears.com/window-toppers-stephanie-solid-color-132inch-wide-x/p-00000000000000033036000000000002320set45P#Imagezoom

In my non-pro opinion, the better kitchen overhead lights are also easy to clean but your light could be far enough from your stove for you to even consider a modern ceiling fan for your overhead kitchen light. If you cannot find a light yo truly like, keep the one you have as it goes well with the trim in the room.

A wide shallow interesting bowl atop your oven cabinet could also add color to the room.

Let us know how your project goes. Awaiting after pics.

Number one is lighting. The fluorescent lighting has to go. And you could bring in a nice ceiling light fixture on a dimmer + under cabinet lighting.

And I think it would be fine to paint cabinets and maybe for walls a color like Benjamin Moore’s Edgecom Gray. I am not the biggest advocate of grey paint overall, but your counter seems like it might have some tones that would work with this type of greige color and also give you an updated look. You can try a sample of it once the lighting situation in kitchen is improved. I also recommend BenjaminMoore’s Natura line.

Start with new lighting, replace that light with several new can lights.

Try painting just the wood trim on the cabinets like Tpliska suggested. Include the wood trim around the oven/microwave and around the window over the sink. If after painting the trim you still don’t like it then tackle all the cabinets.

Paint the walls a color to tone down your granite.

the cabinet above the oven/microwave- what about removing the door and leaving that exposed and display your favorite cookbooks or pretty bowls/serving pieces? you could do the same over the fridge, for “neat/organized” storage. Would help open a bit..

If you can take out the oak shelves/cubby it could help open the space up. You may have to have a side panel put back in on the side of the fridge but it doesn’t have to cover the entire side of the fridge. This of course only works if the flooring is under the shelve/cubby. Otherwise paint it the same as the trim on the cabinets.

Painting the wood trim to match cabinets and adding hardware would update without going through all the trouble of painting finicky laminate.

Another vote for color matching and painting the wood trim to match the cabinets. Then add hardware. That alone will make a world of difference.

Is the sink window one of those that has space to put plants? If so: lucky you! I’ve always wanted one. You’re getting great advice here.

It’s a small space and to maximize what you have I would paint the wood part of the cabinets, and walls, a light gray (or maybe a really (really) light blue) - I worry that a white would look dingy bc of the limited lighting (my kitchen is dark also).

Like everyone said, the ceiling light has to go :D to improve the lighting situation you might consider having a small lamp on the counter. I love having one and it makes the kitchen much more cozy and sophisticated

@tpliska Great idea! I think we will do that.

@lara1812 Yes, it is! I can't wait to fill it up with plants! We are in the process of buying the house so we haven't moved in yet. Thanks for the suggestions.

I would paint the wood trim and the wooden shelves to match the cabinets and the right hand window trim, then add some modern hardware. Paint the trim of the window above the sink white too. Replace the ceiling light with something similar in color to your cabinet hardware, maybe black or ORB. Get rid of the yellow, and paint the walls a soft shade of one of the grays in your granite. Good luck!

I actually like the wood trim on the cabinets.

@MarleneM So cool that you found a before and after of the same cabinets. Thanks so much!

It you end up wanting to paint the laminate and not just the wood trim - https://www.bobvila.com/articles/painting-laminate-cabinets/

https://brepurposed.porch.com/2017/09/07/add-trim-paint-laminate-cabinets/

https://www.thehandymansdaughter.com/tips-for-updating-80s-kitchen-cabinets/

Paint the kitchen a white that looks nice with all the existing white you have in the room, see if the paint store has a designer that can make suggestion for the best white....install woven woods in the windows in the color of the wood tone that is in the kitchen.

Put a plant/flowers that enhance the granite colors in the niche and remove all the stuff there now.

spotlight bars on the ceiling to take place of the fluorescent light; or you could remove it and hang a pretty retangular farm style type chandelier up into the insert.

Home Depot and Lowe's have some fun Farmhouse type rectangular metal chandelier/ceiling lights....at reasonable prices. Keep us posted.

You’re welcome Hannah. It’s hard to recommend a wall paint colour from your current photo, but a light warm neutral or sage green could both work. Below is a link to a blog on creating a paint palette and her example shows a granite that has golden tone to it.
Also included an photo showing white cabinets, gold granite, and walls look to be Greige or light tan.

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/create-paint-colour-palette-room/

I had those laminate cabinets in my previous home. I did what others have suggested. I took one of the doors to Lowe’s and asked them to color match the paint. Then, we painted the oak trim on the cabinets/drawers. It was a BIG improvement.

@MarleneM Thanks for sharing that great paint color palette link! That is super helpful.

You’re welcome Hannah. She has a great blog. Between that and Houzz I’ve learned a lot about picking colours.

I agree with others about painting all the wood trim to match the cabinets. Looks like you have a bit of a blue/gray in the granite. I think that could work well to tone down the warmth of the granite countertops. Updating the fluorescent fixture would definitely help as well.

Agree with either painting just the wood trim on the cabs or I think a color like this would be nice (either for your cabs or on your walls if you keep the cabinets white). Paint yourself or don’t paint the cabinets- too expensive to hire a pro for those cabinets.

Of course, change the ceiling light- you’ll have a big recessed area when you remove the fluorescent light, so you can either work with it or have it covered.

They are 30 year old cabinets. That was one of the first of the media fueled popular fads. Some of those were great quality. Some were quickly churned out poor quality . Just like white shaker is today.

Don’t spend more than $300 on cosmetic changes to them. No saddling them with granite or a pro paint job. Live with them for at least 6 months. You may decide that the other major functional issues with the kitchen trump the lipstick on the pig approach. A gut redo where you’ve just spent 30K on a pro paint job and quartz counters just won’t happen. Do t waste money on expensive temporary changes.

Katie B, that bathroom makeover was amazing. Can’t believe they are the same cabinets!

@alwayscold

Those are my favorite types of transformations. Anyone can do amazing design with new everything and $$$, but creative updating to what’s there is inspiring.

@Hannah

Can you please post a few more pics?

From further out so we can see what the adjoining space looks like?

BTW, LOVE your bump out window, would make that the focal point if this were my kitchen.

Have you removed the cover from the fluorescent light? What does it look like?

If you haven't moved in yet ...

If you truly don't like the kitchen as is ...

Consider what you DO like most about it. Then decide what you do like LEAST about your new kitchen. Focus on saving the former and getting at least a temporary fix for the latter that is within your budget before you actually move in -- or at least before you move your kitchen items and appliances into the kitchen. Then wait a few months before doing anything else. Breaking your budget not increase the enjoyment of your new home; it will have h opposite effect.

If you buy knobs and/or pulls, choose those you'd want to reuse in your dream kitchen -- or wait until your budget permits that.

If you do actually like the wood "greenhouse" window, then WHY would you paint the wood trim on the cabinets intended to mimic that wood? If you only want to keep that one wood window, do that, but if you like the wood and just want to change all the rest of the colors, do that instead.

There are even paints that will adhere to countertops but that require the countertop be "roughed" first. It may be that roughing the laminate will help as well to get you a temporary paint fix to the colors in your kitchen if that is the way you choose to go. Check You Tube to see if that is a fix you could live with until you can do the actual renno you truly want.

There are paints that, applied in thin coats and permitted to dry fully between coats will actually adhere to plastic ... and laminate such as the 2x RustO'leum spray paints, provided the surface is totally clean -- you paint a greasy film or dust or dirt and it falls off, then the paint falls off.

Before you move in, invest in the quality painter's tape and some plastic sheeting and cover what you don't want painted. Wearing clothes you don't care if you throw them away and with the window with painted frame and any doors open for ventilation paint what you want changed. If that is all the white laminate, paint it rather than tossing significant money at a temporary fix that you probably will not like and yet will likely cost enough to delay the real fix -- replacing the cabinets.

What color do you want to be the dominant color in your future dream kitchen? You could paint the walls and the painted window frame near the stove that color as a test run to see how much you really do like the color as much as you thought --

for instance

-- your favorite color is green, you could paint everything that is to be painted beneath the countertop level a darker green and everything that is to be painted above countertop level a lighter green.

Congrats on the new home and good luck with your kitchen upgrade.

@Janie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK Here are some more photos! We haven't moved in yet, so I haven't had a chance to remove the cover from the kitchen light. We should be in the house in 3 weeks and then I'll let you know:).

What Connie Stackhouse said - 💯

@Hannah

Congrats on new house, I must have missed that part in this thread.

Honestly?

Just paint and LED energy bulbs all around for now, live with it for at least 6 months, go through a few cycles of mortgage/utilities and take it from there. Save your $$$ until you can afford what you know you will eventually want.

Color?

Agree with @partim with a greenish/grey as a starting point.

Does your stove have a downdraft?

Please post pics! And congrats again!

Congrats! The fuller views of the space are nice. I like your floors. Agree, don't spend a lot because I foresee a gut reno in your future (even if it's far off). Get rid of the faux paint finish. I think a warm white or a light greige or green-gray would make the space look new and clean. Add some plants. I'd spend money on lighting (remove overhead) and add under cabinet.

@suezbell I think you nailed it. Pretty sure that's exactly what we'll do - paint, possibly some little cheap cosmetic things and then do a full kitchen remodel with new layout in a couple of years. I've already started daydreaming up the floor plan and can't wait to start drawing it out on graph paper.

@Janie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK Yes, the stove has a down draft. I've never had one of those before so we'll see how that goes;).