your kitchen looks very nice the way it is, but I can understand wanting to make a few updates. , my two cents would be to take out wine rack n cabinet above it n put in open shelves, hopefully that could b done without seeing and damage to remaining cabinets. also removing counter top n painting island is a good idea, but be very careful not to just choose a color you like without making sure it compliments the cabinet color you have. get sample of quartz n paint sample on poster board you can move around to make sure it all works.

Nice kitchen, you may want to remove valence over the window. Staggered cabinets are no longer in vogue, maybe adjust these. You can even eliminate the 2 cabinets by the window to open up the space. New counter tops would be great as well. New hardware, maybe place microwave on a shelf in lieu of wine rack.

I would paint the top staggered cabinets, refrigerator cabinet, and island a color. I would leave all the lower cabinets wood. A similar look to the Adobe Falls Kitchen Remodel. I also would replace the wine rack with either the microwave or shelves.

Glad you wrote pewter, cause I like the grey-greens, and seems or does it, ok with appliances?

What would it look like if uppers at left were removed, for shelves? and to allow window to be seen...

The 2 flanking the window, and all to the left.. that'd leave 2 higher cabinets at the 'ends.'

Saw your items on top of the uppers - place them on shelf too.. :)

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What are counters made of?

Possibly this type? W 48" / D 7.25" / H 1.5" / rustic pine wood, plumbing pipe and fittings

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Nice kitchen. Looks like you have good storage. I would change the countertop on the island to a cream or white and paint island and upper cabinets a pale grey or cream. Maybe add a colorful runner too❣️

Get more and better pendant lights and stools you will use . Then save and wait. For a larger kitchen the cooking situation is lacking . Range and hood need placement on window wall. .., and alleviate crowding near fridge. You want some better upper cabs considering family w kids and for size of kitchen . You want drawers. Not sure abt freestanding piece . So just use the island and plan some improvements at a better time for closer to a full renovation ( maybe island could remain) . It needs to be made better / nothing to do w painting or partial painting.

Lighter counters would brighten your space. Eliminating the small back splash would also give your counters the look of more room. Here might be a place to add some color/visual interest. Your wood is already light and bright. Fads and phases come and go quickly these days. Chasing them is a great way to flush a ton of money. Decide what YOU like. The staggered cupboards IMHO is a much more interesting look, less sterile or industrial. Yours are not over the top with the heights. Paint the island? You could but you will tire of the color you choose so prepare to move from green to blue to gray like everyone else is doing. I would seriously think about the island top. Where you have over hang where you do not. Are stools a fad or something that is really useful for your family? Where is the nearest table and if it is visible from the kitchen are stools over kill? It's more about how your family lives than what's trending if you want to be happy with your choices over the long haul. Your home should work for YOU not show off for the neighbors. The wine rack and trim piece over the sink you mentioned should both pop out with little damage control. Maybe that is where the new microwave will go and a hood for the stove would modernize?

@emrit24 what are the dimensions of your island? How do you like the size?

I love it as-is ( having green countertops myself)... But I know green isn't for everyone.

But if you don't need the wine rack, that's a perfect shelf area for a microwave.

Yes, remove the bridge over the window -- Roman shades would be lovely.

I agree about pure white kitchens - not interested. I like that you want to keep some of the stained wood, stained. Maybe change out the hardware for a different feel?

Other than where the wine rank is currently, I wouldn't go for open shelves. Things will constantly need dusting.

A few nice tall chairs (with backs for comfort) at the island.

"What are counters made of?"

I'm betting they're Corian with an integrated sink.

Here's a pop of color:

I think you're totally on the right track with your photos. Replace countertop with a white quartz, light backsplash and big glass pendants. Play up the wood and white look. The red floor is going to causes issues if you choose a colour to paint the island or cabinets. Work with what you have. No need for a huge reno.

If I had under $10k, I personally would remove the island and the media unit and put in a comfortable dining table. Move the lighting accordingly.

if your photos aren’t showing that there is already a sit-down dining area that is part of the kitchen, then I would use the $10 k to replace the media unit with high end bakers racks and replace the island countertop with something I liked more. Then I might paint the island and some of the cabinets a nice shade of somethIng, to leave a mix of wood and painted cabinets.

the 2nd and third inspo picture would easily translate to your kitchen and look nice

"Upgrading" a kitchen can easily get out of hand because every decision affects another and suddenly a generous budget becomes "small". My advice is along the lines of herbflavor's and arcy's. First evaluate function before you decide on pricey "cosmetic" changes. For example, new countertops on poorly made or dysfunctional cabinets could easily be regretted after a short time.

Second, evaluate those cosmetic changes to lighten the kitchen. Analyze your inspo pics and list the common elements. (Did you notice the dark window trims in all? etc.) All those kitchens are very much of their time so they're bound to look "dated" in ten years. Anything that is done en masse at a particular time reveals its age down the design line. So choose what makes sense to your eye/taste and your house.

If the kitchen functions well for you, then yes, a lighter countertop will lighten it. A lot of wood in this kitchen? Yes. Could those vinyl oilcloths runners "break up" the wood floor? They're less of a tripping hazard than a regular runner, if I understand correctly.

Do you need window coverings in the kitchen? I notice the dining area windows are bare. You might want to consider both spaces as a whole.

The first thing I'd do is evaluate the lighting. Is it enough to be functional? Would the working space benefit from under cabinet lighting? Are the bulbs the right temperature and brightness? The two pendants you have are lovely but they're on the small size and perhaps you're in the mood for a change. Second thing, I'd consider a stainless microwave. If you move the microwave, you might want to look into an insert exhaust fan rather than a visible vent hood. Thirdly, I'd brighten up the walls with a creamy off-white.

Those are the cosmetic changes I'd easily consider before committing to changing the counter. But that's me and I don't hate your counter. :)

A kitchen facelift with a minimum budget: I'd do new light-colored countertops, paint the island, new lighting over the island, remove the built-in wine rack and add shelves. Is the kitchen yellow?? I can't tell, I'd probably paint the walls too, something light & creamy.

Personally I’d prefer to live with it as is and save up for a full Reno whenever possible. If you don’t want to do that I would :
The second inspo pic if my fave. THis one 👇 is start with whatever I can to get it to this. Number one would be to have the cabinets go to the ceiling. I’d probably sand them and stain them to something closer to this color. You can probably even diy. But this step isn’t 100% necessary. New countertops. New backsplash new hardware. I would also possibly remove the cabinet above the oven and creat a focal point with a pretty vent hood. Lighting will also make a big difference.
This is a big project. Btw is this your forever home? Because if not don’t do too much. It is a great space with tons of potential!! I’m excited to see what you do with it! 😀

I would: remove the bridge over the window, paint the island, get white countertops, repaint the walls. Your cabinets are lovely. The wine rack is a nice feature. I wouldn’t remove it.

I also agree removing bridge over sink.

maybe move fridge to end of sink run or on wall between the two tall cabinets, just a thought, if not this reno, the next one, fridge n stove are too close together

Beautiful space to work. I love your own ideas! I love all the ideas coming.

Since I am stuck indoors with Covid and ice storms... I thought I would play with your space.

If it were my kitchen. I would save up for a long as I could to update later. It looks like you might have kids? I imagine you have a busy family. $10,000 okay... I would move the (counter depth) refrigerator to where the wine cooler refrig is. wine cooler refrig next to the stove. I's move the microwave to that mini built in cabinet area. If it would fit. NOW if this is going to be too expensive (wattage with outlets) Keep it as it. Note my photo below.

I'd remove most of the upper cabinets on the sink wall put in shelves instead . And put a modified hood (if you can't access outside with a hood just put in a ductless hood)

Replace counters with an affordable product. Some granites can be cheaper that solid surface. $3000 To save money you could also keep the island top as is and just change the perimeter counters. Or keep all the counters just remove the mini backsplash embracing the green.

Hood ductless ventless if you have too. $1200

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Look for a color that will work with your current wood cabinets or your current wood floors. Or painted white. These are $90 you might be able to find a cheaper option but these add up quickly.

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Update backsplash, kitchen stools, light fixtures and hardware.

KKKKAAAAAACCCHHHHHIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGG. But we can dare to dream about spaces.

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$35 each need two

$120 per stoobut I have seem them cheaper at home goods.

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If I had funds in the $10k budget I would Backsplash the entire back wall...(if funds were gone, I would paint the space white no backsplash except behind the range) Tile can be pricey. Its the labor costs if you can't do it yourself. I can not. Beveled Subway tile white (the color will add texture but not take away from the other colors in the space) white grout too. $11

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wall color I would go with white something not too stark but not beige. Work with the colors that the space opens into. My ideas might be too industrial for you. And I have broken the budget at this point. But it was fun trying to find what I would do with your beautiful kitchen. I would probably hold off as long as I could to be sure I could do everything I wanted. You have a great space to work with. Enjoy your kitchen now, make those memories.

Now for the professionals to give you REAL advice. Thanks for letting me play with your space.

• Some colors that work with oak cabinets: Rainwashed, Pilgrim Haze. I would not use rectangular subway tiles with the arched cabinets. Too jarring... will clash.

Wow! I am amazed at all of these thoughtful responses. Thank you 🙏

After considering all the comments, I'm leaning in this direction:

• new lighting - yay! good points.
• upgrade microwave to stainless
• remove cabinet bridge above window and add matching roman shades on this and other windows in room.
• remove wine rack and replace with a floating shelf
• keep the countertop green but remove the green backsplash and instead do subway tiles or something of the like
• white or other neutral color countertop on island only

*I would also consider putting the microwave where the wine rack is now as many suggested. But I'm just not sure if the hood vent would look right over the stove, if there's enough room, if it would even work if it's not piped outside, and if I even care ;)

With my bullets above, what do you think would look good as far as mix of island countertop, backsplash/tile and roman shades go? Stick with white/creamy white on all?

You could have these upper cabinets and the island painted white. White countertops and backsplash.

Here are Rainwashed and Pilgrim Haze for wall color.

I would swap the counters out for a light colored quartz, paint the island and maybe the freestanding built in a dark charcoal or navy blue like your inspiration pics, trade out the microwave for one that matches your other appliances, and remove the doors from some or all of the upper cabinets so that they look more like open shelving. If there’s money left in the budget after that, I’d put in a nice tile backsplash. I recently did a similar update/mini-remodel of my kitchen and only spent about $10k even though I had all of my cabinets repainted, upgraded three appliances, and replaced the flooring. So I think you could easily come in under $9k.

It sounds like you're on the right track. Having lived without an exhaust hood, I can attest to how good it is to have one. You could remove the cabinet above the microwave (and possibly the narrow ones on either side) and get a nice stainless hood. If you end up tiling the backsplash, running it to the ceiling behind the hood is a great look and makes a big impact for the money.

Instead of painting the island (or in addition to), you could paint the cabinet on the other side. Because they have a different door style and visible joins between the cabinets on the end, painting them would make them look a separate piece of furniture.

latifolia's idea to paint a neutral or bright [chalk paint?] the separate unit is good. And nice to consider same neutral for that unit, as for stove/hood tile, if you chose to install.

Say you added large accent with painted unit opposite wall. Maybe all upper doors replaced? a cream, not white.

Idk how, but shelves and hood in cool finish would reduce amount of 'warms'. The whole kitchen is wood and warm...and a match next to large steel frig.

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Is there any chance that you could put the microwave where the wine rack is? That way you can still have a microwave, eliminate the wine rack, and get a real vent hood.

I love wood cabinets, but your wood cabinets + wood floors + dark counters feels like a bit much to my eye. I like the idea of painting the island a color in your case. I also like the white countertops in your last inspiration picture. I think that could work well in your space. Of the mockups @zeld kindly provided, I like the black the best.

I would change out countertops and backsplash, paint the island & the freestanding cabinet. I would remove wine rack & either put microwave there or open shelving. I would also remove painting that is in the the freestanding cabinet & add open shelving there for a coffee bar. I've heard of this stuff you can put on cabinets that can change the color of them slightly but it's not paint.

The Op has said that there is no venting for a hood. And it appears that the kitchen isn’t near an exterior wall to easily put one in. She can clarify whether it is or not.

ooh white island and counters....

Have the cabinets professionally painted a light color or white and get new countertops. This would be transforming. Then add the details of updated lighting, etc.

2nd idea: keep the cabinets and counters as is and put a light color tile floor or beautiful linoleum pattern. I feel the only real issue with this kitchen is too much wood.

Mockup of your kitchen with only the changes you were thinking of:

- removed bridge over window, added roman shade

- removed wine brackets and used as shelf with canisters (which I love the look)

- only counter on island is replaced and backsplash

- replaced microwave with stainless

- replaced lights over island

I love the hood and microwave where the cannisters are...why can't one go up with the venting? There would be a wall but it would probably cost sooo much!!

@zeld what program do you use for the mock ups?

@Michael I use the photo portion of Realtime Landscaping Pro.

Anyone have an opinion on ductless range hoods?