Your ideas sound like quite a bit more than a facelift. A scale floorplan will help the pros give you some detailed ideas.

I would definitely remove the microwave and do a vent there. Not sure I’d put the microwave in place of the oven though.
I’d probably put in in the island. Or a cabinet.

What’s that white closet door?
Pantry?
Can we blow that out? And enlarge the entry to the DR?
or can we replace with matching cabinets?
Do you want a walk in pantry?
Do you want to remove the entire wall - fridge, and bar area included for a more open feel?

Also thinking maybe we can do some glass fronts on some of the cabinets. To add a more airy feel.

These kinds of projects get expensive VERY quickly.
My advice is to think this through, make some organized lists. Have a set budget and plan to do this right the first time round.
If it means waiting until you can rework some of the layout and customize some finishes that’s the route I’d go for a space with such potential! Good luck!!

I would not turn the oven - that looks like it would be too tight. If you are going to be pulling out and moving cabinets, you might as well look into getting new cabinets. You are changing everything else, including the island cabinets.

Are the cabinets you have now worth it?? Do you know what brand they are or how old they are?

Somehow these types of renovations will backfire. What happens if you need more molding or parts to move cabinets around ? you won't be able to match them.

Just be 100% sure. Get pricing for doing a complete reno vs an 80 % reno

Good luck!!

I would leave the existing kitchen alone, and just do your countertops and backsplash etc, with one exception, and that is moving that microwave and putting in a stove hood. I would rather have a microwave on a cart, than having up there above the stove top. If you cant stand the floors, then I would change them, but, they actually do look good with the rest of your kitchen. I like the paint color in there too. Yes, it can get way out of hand, if you try to do too much, and your kitchen looks very workable just the way it is, with the exception of that microwave over the stove.

If it were my kitchen, I’d definitely move the microwave and install a stainless vent hood. I‘d replace the light fixture over the table with someting more modern, and get a counter depth refrigerator. I’d also repaint the walls. As mentioned, your list is pretty extensive and would require a pretty hefty budget.

Budget-friendly facelift to me would be:

--Keeping the floor, which harmonizes well with cabinets and flooring but making it work for you

--Painting the walls of all adjoining spaces an ivory from the flooring

--Painting the island same ivory & building microwave into microwave or put a microwave in that section on the fridge wall.

--Ivory and reddish brown wallpaper backing for glass cabinets

--Getting a tall, counter depth refrigerator to give yourself more room

--Adding a vent hood

--Maybe repainting dining chairs a creamy white

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--Changing dining pendant to something like this:

It's still going to be very pricey.

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I love everyone’s ideas! Thank you! For those suggesting keeping the floors - we don’t have that option. The floor is in bad shape - tears and ripping up in places. So we are going to replace the floors on entire first floor which is why the kitchen came up in the first place. We have lots of carpet which is now 15 years old and not i great shape.

The cabinets are in great shape. So while i would love to brighten them up, don’t want to pant because they are very nice. Just want to update some and can’t figure out where to start and stop. You all have some great ideas to help think through though!!

when the floor is chosen you'll get more ideas. I'd look for a nice granite and replace counters. I'd work on an undercab hood instead of microwave. I'd paint the walls. I'd change the pendant. these things can be done one at a time and in the end will give you a budget friendly update.

I didn't understand about the floors absolutely needed replacement. Since cabinets are great, think about getting wood flooring that has varying mix of light slats with occasional warm, darker slats that harmonize with the cabinets. This will greatly lighten your home yet echo the cabinet wood. Whatever you choose, get a large enough sample to put against the cabinets and your furnishings.

We might recommend updating the flooring, adding a new countertop, then doing the new sink, backsplash, lighting, and paint. Here are a few of our kitchen designs that might aid you with your current dilemma.

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