The cabinets are lovely...no need to spend money there. Consider the layout of the kitchen vs. your needs. I don't see a space for the stove...Live in the space for a while and see how it works for you. The kitchen looks clean and well cared for. Think about function and then the changes you want/need to make.

If the cabinets are solid and in great shape, I would probably keep them. You can keep them as is or paint them. What are your other design choices? Budget?

I decided to keep my walnut cabinets in my "new" house. They are solid and beautiful. They are only 14 years old and were well taken care of by the previous owner. I am having my island and coffee bar area built out by a local cabinet specialist.

Can you post a floor plan with dimensions? It's hard to get an idea of the space and overall layout from the two pics.

Getting new cabs could mean creating a better layout. Your cooktop has virtually no prep space and is a hazard being so near the doorway.

Do you think you have to do it now or could you wait, live in the space for a bit and figure out how and what changes you'd want to make for long term?

I get doing it now while you are just moving in and motivated, but there is something to be said for living in a space and seeing what works or doesn't work before tearing it apart.

I would start by painting the walls white. Change your faucet and add black knobs accessories like a retro toaster or mixer to do a cheap update. Then live in it for a year and decide what lay out improvements are needed.

The dimensions of the kitchen are 9x11. We are trying to avoid living in a construction site again. Also, the cabinets are in good shape. Just not sure if we should paint of keep them as is. You bring up a really good point though @ the cook top being near the door. The middle picture is a full on view of the kitchen. There are hallways both behind & in front of the kitchen that prohibit expansion.

Threers: "I don't see a space for the stove..." - There's a cooktop under the microwave.

Honestly, as much as I appreciate wanting to save well built cabs, that layout is not great and I would pull them and redo with a better layout. Or leave it altogether and wait.

I'm not great at space planning, but many here are and, IMHO, it would be worth it to get some input and ideas on possible better layouts now even if you plan on waiting to reno it.

Not a fan of the layout. I would suggest living there for a while first so you can get a feel for the space before making any decisions. Replacing tops now is a mistake - especially if you are not 100% on whether you are keeping the cabinets.

The appliances I'd be looking at are not what you have now. A range uses your limited space better. Because of that and the less useful door cabinets you've got for some lowers, I'd replace the cabs. And reconfigure. A floorplan of the whole floor would help generate ideas.

I really appreciate the input. Although a range would be space saving, i prefer a double oven. I have always wanted one. We are thinking @ adding a penninsula to the left of the dishwasher. The other issue is theres no place for a concealed garbage can. Its just such a small kitchen & just not sure that replacing everything will make it any better. Also concerned about the cost.

fridge/ oven wall looks about 8 foot ...stove wall looks about 4.5 to 5 feet......long sink wall???? not sure . besides the space widens out underneath the light fixture and you have wall space between window and patio door. you can possibly have an island in the wider part under light fixture generally ...more options than a peninsula added on there.... and a coffee bar w shallow cabs between the windows..... and still room for a table at the far end by sliding door....all together this is not small....what is required is planning. and this takes time. Of course costs are crucial....thats why you save and wait. Pad of Graph paper with wall dimensions of entire space..end to end and side to side should be tucked into your desk/ and you will see what all can be done.

Hold off on spending money now and investigate your options. I don't think a peninsula will gain you much. Here's the math, assuming that is the 9' dimension: 9' less 4' for cabinets= 5'. You need 42" for the aisle (more in front of certain appliances). So you're talking 18", which doesn't even consider your counter overhangs.

There are ranges with two ovens, so you might want to take a look at those. Ventilation is another thing to consider.

Your kitchen looks pretty good compared to many, so taking the time to plan shouldn't be too painful!

A total gut remodel, including changing the layout will cost you $40K - $100k, depending where you live and the choices you make. Since you just bought the house I'm assuming you might not be ready to do that in the next few years. So until you're prepared to go that route, I'd focus on making the space more functional and attractive.

My first thought was to find a small portable kitchen cart that you can move around. Check out restaurant supply stores for affordable options. Put a small garbage can under the sink and empty it frequently. Find a spot for a small recycling container (I use a small waste basket by the back door) and empty it frequently. Think about attractive cabinetry (dresser, armoire, china cabinet, etc. you can add to the adjacent room for storage. Paint, treat yourself to some fabulous dishtowels, change out the cabinet hardware and start cooking! Good luck in your new home.

If you are thinking of a peninsula, could you move the sink to that and move the cooktop to the wall where the sink was. That would help your layout and still allow you to keep the double ovens.

Getting rid of the yellow paint would do a lot of good. New appliances will update it a little too and I would add a rug to break up all that same color toned wood.

Are you guys handy enough to rearrange the cabs you have now? or get someone to do it for you?

It might not be too hard to move the double ovens to where the cooktop and micro are now. Then you might have room for the fridge to go where the ovens are now (with a filler piece at the wall so the door opens) and then cooktop next to fridge. That might give you a bit of prep space on either side of the cooktop. However, it's hard to tell without measurements. I would look into that sort of movement before ordering new counters.

We need some better dimensions including the open area next to the kitchen. I think you can def do a peninsula in here, it just depends on which side?? we need more detail on the space and the relation to the adjacent areas. There seems to be so much more that can be done, but we can't really say without a floor plan detailing the size of the kitchen, the rooms around it and more pictures.

There is some great potential here

Replace the appliances using a counter depth fridge. New countertop, add a backsplash and a new wall color. Get a rolling commercial satinless work table to use as an island. Put LEDs under the upper cabs and install new hardware. You're done for now!

Sometimes a 'small project' like moving a door opening over can allow better cabinets, or more room for stove work. Please post a drawing layout esp. of the halls, not for expansion necessarily.

When people are over...entering the house - what part of kitchen is viewed first? sometimes a stove can have attractive tile all surrounding, with a new hood...

Cherry Shaker Door Kitchen · More Info

Or backsplash like this might not cost so much.

Can smile if you buy an item that you and yours like, maybe lighting. Nice tile here.

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Huniford Design Studio, Holiday House Hamptons 2014 · More Info

I like what you have. If nothing else, could invest in upkeep and a new quality counter --

Whitten Architects wrote: Soapstone slabs can vary widely. If available in your area, take a look at "Churchill" soapstone. The manner in which slabs are sealed can vastly affect the look: colors from gray to dark black / green. Work with your local dealer to find a method of sealing that achieves the aesthetics you are going for but also fits your lifestyle and preferences from a maintenance standpoint. Soapstone can certainly be a little fickle!

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Soapstone contains talc, which gives it the softness that defines it and determines how hard the counter will be. Too much talc in the stone will give you a countertop that is simply too soft to be workable. https://countertopinvestigator.com/soapstone-countertops-cost/

SOAPSTONE PRO / Vine Properties: They do not stain - completely impervious. The mineral oils are used to accelerate the darkening (oxidation process), but are not required. Super heat resistant. It can get scratched, but you can usually remove marks with very light grit sand paper and a little mineral oil.

That’s a small but functional kitchen. I like the cabinets would never paint them. It is expensive when done correctly, and I’d rather put that sort of money aside for a complete redo. But you don’t need a redo. You do need a nice backsplash, sink, faucet, counters, appliances — yes, definitely a CD fridge — and fresh paint. The cooktop placement isn’t ideal, especially if you have kids or elderly folks in the home. Replacing it with induction will make it a little safer. A small Boos cart or similar might be helpful if floor space permits. Overall, it is just a pretty space and I hope you will enjoy it.

I second Mizlizzie above, mostly. No need to rush into renovation.

Here are a couple of schematics from a cabinet estimate that we received. I whited out the areas w/ notes & figures. The concern is that if we start moving things @, the cost to move water lines etc drives the reno price up significantly. In addition we will need to run a gas line to convert the electric cooktop to gas. What are good cabinet lines nowadays? would you recommend frameless?

What about doing induction instead of gas? I’ve had both and I just changed my gas to induction. Love it. Only electric needed then.

Hi, an option , if you plan to redo

140 inches across. stove and fridge on longer wall... use an island in up/down alignment for sink / you get seats because you have width.....altho not necessary if you prefer table seating only.....and then table area at patio door zone [48 in pro stove is a little big]

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l.

you are using a ton of cabinetry with the double oven. I love my range with 2 ovens

https://www.yaleappliance.com/product/caf-30-stainless-steel-slide-in-electric-range-chs950p2ms1-223239?utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=PS+%7C+Ranges&utm_term=&utm_source=adwords&hsa_ad=588811679746&hsa_cam=16628344454&hsa_grp=139995275172&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&hsa_src=g&hsa_acc=7807900691&hsa_tgt=pla-295245725736&gclid=CjwKCAjwjZmTBhB4EiwAynRmD-bnKkk8IeDjqXjm96mBidkcFWFtbAnwpLnYZrxCz5o1bfIHznDnThoCKGAQAvD_BwE

I agree to paint the walls a nice warm white, upgrade your faucet, add a terrific rug and perhaps a rolling stainless cart/island that gives you some more utility - and then live with it for a while to see how you interact with the space. (We lived with a crazy kitchen for several years before a remodel - we ended up moving the kitchen to another part of the house and I shed no tears bc we had not spent any money on the original) - I think it's a nice bright space with solid cabs, good floors, so there is a lot to be thankful for!

I 100% understand wanting to renovate your kitchen. However, I too would wait until you can spend more on a full redo. And as someone else said, you don't want to lock yourself into appliances that fit these cabinet measurements if are going to do more of a full redo down the line.

So set a budget for what you want to spend on something you can live with for a few years. This is what we did and were able to create a really beautiful in between look.

* Perhaps getting a SS fridge, microwave, and dishwasher but leaving the ovens and range white will help tone down the white. Wait for a Memorial Day sale to get them cheaper at a big box store.

* Inexpensive backsplash, beautiful faucet, and new hardware will do wonders.

* Depending on what you come up with you may or may not need to replace countertops for now.

* Get accessories and art in there that make you happy.

Had some time on lunch today. Without knowing the dimensions of the areas outside of the kitchen, I thought a peninsula might be nice. It would be nice if the door way that goes to the room by the cooktop could be made bigger or moved over.

Just a thought:

Hard to say how many other options there are without more pics and dimensions.

I still would urge you to live in the home for a while before doing anything. You mat find that this layout is great for you or that you absolutely hate it. While you are deciding, save save save so you can do what you want.

Good luck!