I'd change the countertops and backsplash. Rustoleumtransformations.com to change the cabinets if you have time and elbow grease. Go with the Mediterranean or Spanish style note set by the saltillo tile floors, incorporate colors from your rug.

Agreeing with decoenthusiaste. Your rugs are stunning focal points, use them as a color palette. Adding complimentary patterns with seat cushions or curtains could really bring a sense of liveliness as well.
The kitchen has great potential, Happy Decorating!

I would try to rustoleum cabinet transformation. They have over 70 different shades/colors to choose from. It will completely give your kitchen a new look and it's very inexpensive. I think a regular kit is $80. They also sell a kit to redo counter tops but that process looks a little big overwhelming to me.

The rustoleum countertop project isn't as difficult as it looks. Although, personally, I'm more inclined to save my pennies until I can replace them.

I don't think the blue is working. It's a pretty color, but isn't complimenting your space. Perhaps a neutral color that will work with the cabinet and tile? A shade of tan.
There are products to paint tile, but that's a big project for all the backsplash and counter tile you have. If you really want to embrace change and have a project, little by little you could tackle it. Also, keep in mind changing the backslash is one of the least expensive options. Paint and tile. There are some really inexpensive choices with big impact. Save up and you could spend $500-$1000 and have a huge change that you love!

I love the shade of blue and would think about continuing it across the ceiling -- like old-fashioned porches used blue to (so the theory goes) keep spiders away.
Although the rug is gorgeous, a light-colored sisal one would lighten the look and also be a bit more practical under the dining table, especially with kiddos and doggies.
Last suggestion, simply remove a pair or more of the cabinet doors and paint the interior white or cream to coordinate with the tile counters. The open shelf look will expand the space and the color will help counteract the darkness of the space. Start with the space above the microwave and use it to display something you love -- but don't need too often.

I agree with groveraxle. Paint the cabinets in a shade of creamy white or a yellow. leave the backsplash and counter, it is beautiful. paint walls in a close color to your counter and cabinets. then paint the dining chairs in a bright color.

I only see two pendant lights in your kitchen. Would your budget allow some task lighting?

I agree with Christina. I don't think it's actually the kitchen that is so dark as it is the rug. Replacing or even removing that may help you totally rethink the entire dilemma.

Thanks for all the input. There are some really great ideas i hadn't even thought of. There sure is a lot to consider. Although i love the mediterranean idea but i worry it would make the room seem so much smaller. The attached two photos wee kinda of what I was thinking. That said our house is for sale and I'm not to sure how stainless steal counter tops would go over on resale perspective. Any thoughts? Thanks again.

I agree with the first comment. I would also change the counter tops and backsplash.

As an after thought how would a neutral burlap color cupboard go next to white trim around ??window and doors

The blue doesn't work for me, either. With the house for sale, I'd paint the walls light cream as in groveraxle's rendering. If I couldn't afford to redo counters and backsplash, I'd at least get rid of the flowery decorative strip, but even that isn't fatal. Unless they were heavily damaged, I wouldn't paint cabinets or tile before selling. A buyer who loves natural wood would curse you. Let them do the painting if they want it. I agree with suggestions to try a lighter rug to help brighten up the space.

As a buyer, the first thing I'd do is move the microwave from above the range. A stainless counter (or stainless anything) wouldn't fit this kitchen at all IMO. Even if the wood were painted, the floor color is too warm.

Good points. I don't know what to replace the flowery strip with, hence the thought to paint the tiles all together... but then what color?

Your selling this house? I agree it's a very busy looking kitchen.
I would remove the carpets and the border, paint over that blue in the kitchen.
Maybe try some black shades on the chandy. Why is the one fixture longer than the
other over the island?

I wouldn't be putting too much money into the kitchen as the new owners will probably redo it. Declutter. Take that stuff off the side of the fridge, remove the small mat from under the desk.

Is that your dining room in the background?

The rug is way to busy...remove that and then paint color on the soffits something neutral.

Matching appliances would be nice. I understand budget, kids and pets. Two ways to go ...do nothing ...complete renovation.
For me I would want new counter tops, even Formica. And fun colorful rug like stripe. Shop for colorful bowl, pottery, something to decorated island and table that will not be in the way.

Hi. I think the easiest and most cost effective thing to do that would make the greatest difference is to paint the walls a creamy color that is in the same color family as the cream tile. Also swapping out the rug for a jute or seagrass will lighten everything up. You could also add a table cloth for a pop of color. Especially if you are selling the house. Let the new owners change what they don't like but give them a neutral palette to begin with. You could spend a lot of money, quickly and they might tear it all out. Here is what it might look like with new paint and rug.

I actually really like your rug with the flooring and cabinet colors you have going on. I would def. paint over the light blue colors as it seems to be fighting the rest of the warm colors. The cream someone recommended would make a big difference. I think you would be surprised how much that would make a difference.
I wouldn't paint all the cabinets unless you are getting a professional to do it or you are very good at that sort of thing. If anything, you could paint just the island, so it breaks things up a little. If you had extra money you could change out the island c.t. to something complimentary and break away from all the tiles. Besides the backsplash/countertop tiles, I don't think the space is too busy, just appears that way with what can be seen thru the cased opening and the papers on the refrigerator ( of course that is living though!)
I

I have the same problem coming up in a Spanish Colonial. We plan on painting the walls very light. Love a eggshell blue with white trim and repainted white cupboards and some glass cupboards over the desk area. I love mixing colors and a contrasting rug and woods add so much character.

Will probably put some natural creamy stone backsplash and hopefully black soapstone. You can even put a light distressed color/wood on the island. Love to change things up.

Don't forget wrought iron light fixtures go great with the floor and the dark umber knobs and pulls match the wrought iron but if you go light, use chrome fixtures. That is so bright and shiny and has a real WOW factor.

Don't know much about painting tiles but may need to do that as well.

Now knowing you plan to sell, my suggestion would be remove the rug, dress up the table with some light colored flowers, runner, or some sort of centerpiece and see what potential buyers have to say about the colors. If you have a motivated buyer that doesn't like the color, give them a painting allowance and let them choose the colors. I am semi/sorta looking at houses now and one thing I hate is seeing where a house has been "updated" but it's all a shade of beige that I'm going to have to repaint anyway. Your blue is fairly light (at least on my screen) and when compared to the beige in the renderings others have done, I don't think it's worth the time, effort or expense just for resale.

Staging for sale is so different from renovating for yourself. Now that we know what the purpose of this overhaul is, we can give some valid advice for your space: neutralize, simplify and clean, clean, clean! To create a feeling of spaciousness (more square footage,) eliminate rugs so the open floor can flow without rugs stopping the eye. Get rid of the wallpaper border, clean the grout and paint the walls in a slightly darker shade of the tiles. Prospects will open cabinets, so edit, clean and simplify them too. You want them to see how much storage you have, so partly empty cabs are a must. If they're stuffed to overflowing they will tell the wrong story to prospects. Since the saltillo tiles are what they are, the dark cabs are more suited to them. I'd just clean the wood really well and let buyers change it out if they want.

I agree, if you are selling, don't spend too much. The advice to paint the walls a neutral color would make the soffits less noticeable. The advice to declutter is essential. Get the tv out. Take out the stuff stuck on the fridge and definitely the books and the black thing visible in the adjacent room.
Can you put the tables in the bay window? It's a bit small for the room. The chandelier will have to be swagged over.
I love the rug, but agree it isn't right for the neutral look you'll need to sell.

Lampshades on the chandelier might be nice.

new countertops, new backsplash and a few cans of paint could transform this space on a budget. there are backsplash and countertop surfaces for all kinds of budgets. you need to make the floor work...it's a difficult color to work with, so embrace the spanish homes that use this tile often and use lots of creams. paint the island in a rich red, then paint over that in a soft black, then with sand paper sand the black paint on edges and corners (where natural wear would occur over time) and apply a flat poly. then top it with a great piece of butcher block it will look more like a piece of antique furniture. then if in the budget add quartz or granite to the remaining countertops...consider a honed finish (non-glossy) granite which can look like a more expensive soap stone or black slate. there are more backsplash options and tile than you can imagine and you can never go wrong with a clean lined subway tile (if you go this route, use a shade of brown for the grout). but you have other less costly options too.....for example, I recently helped a friend apply bead board as a backsplash, we finished in a durable, oil based, glossy cream colored paint that is scrubbable. we considered running it horizontally, but she chose vertical instead. either looks great. this would cost you about 120$ and would instantly brighten up the entire space. then paint the walls in a similar creamy shade...I too love blue but here, it feels a little disjointed due to the floor color.

As you are selling ... Just titivate...
Most buyers end up changing the kitchen....
You could always recommend this site ...I LOVE IT
They might even end up here anyways...
Good luck with the sale ..
And finding a new home

If you were going to be staying in your home, I would suggest at least a new backsplash and countertops-although with this type of update you are still confined by your current configuration of cabinetry as well as the condition of the current cabinets. But since you have the home up for sale, I would say to keep any updating simple. Unless you have the patience and all the right tools, re-painting cabinets is a time consuming and tedious process to do it correctly. I would keep what you have, paint the room a lighter color, replace the oriental rugs with neutral, non-patterned ones and clear out any clutter. Instead of a farmhouse table, you might want to put in an inexpensive, smaller round table that isn't wood toned to help make the space feel more open and lighter. Or simply play around with furniture placement with what you have (maybe borrowing from other rooms?). Do you need all the chairs at the table, or can you rearrange things so there is a sitting area by the bay window? Your realtor can help with staging suggestions. Sometimes less is more. Good luck!

You may change the greenish colour on your walls to something lighter. Someone have posted a before/after photos for your reference, and another commentator suggested using your cabinets and carpets as colour palettes. If you follow this you might have a cosy kitchen on a small budget.

The cabinets & floor are great dear...just the paint colour is off.... Get in some neutrals & jazz up the backsplash for an oomph factor!

Start off by
Painting the island and stools ..a perfect color would be "Retreat"by Sherwin Williams...think it would tie in to soffit color and go with wood and floors

# think this is a terrific color for all cabs...but...baby steps!

Just a thought. Paint upper cabinets a cream. Make sure it's a variation of the cream in the tiles. Paint lower cabinets two or three shades darker that the upper ones. Take your upper cabinet doors off and take to a carpenter and have him cut the center of the cabinets out and replace with glass. Mine cost me $125.00 to do. Take off hardware and spray paint a pewter color. Ta da! Looking good.

I had same idea as carmayne212 and that is insert glass fronts on certain cabinets. Think about which cabinet fronts you visually see when you first walk in the room, then choose only those to put glass fronts on. The ones I see from your picture is over the stove and maybe one at either end of the cabinet past the sink.

Taking it a little further, capitalize on your soffit color (it's a popular aquaish color) paint the back interior board of the glassed cabinet fronts so that color really comes out. Dress those with your prettiest dishware or china if you have that. Also, interior lighting for the glass front cabinets will really make them pop at dusk or night time. You should be able to find cost effective in cabinet light systems that don't require a complete rewire.

If your budget allows, consider changing the cabinet hardware ( handles and even the hinges). This is the "jewelry" of your kitchen.

Painting or resurfacing just the base of your island could also be an option. By painting the island base, you give the eye other interest, breaks up the monotone feel and even delineates between the floor and cabinet area. Of course use a color for the base that is complimentary.

Next, definitely remove the rug to show off the floors. It's beautiful but could serve a better purpose other than the dining room floor. Hardwood flooring is what sells a home for the majority of buyers so let it shine!

Consider replacing your current dining set or revamping it (i.e. paint, recover seats, mismatch chairs to add interest, etc.).

Changing the backslash is great if you have the budget for it however if not, then do something that tricks the eye into not focusing on what's there now. Either something minimal or something that says wow you can put on the counter top to draw attention.

Most of these changes can, with judicious shopping, provide an interesting feel for minimal cost. And remember, have fun!

Correction to my previous post, the flooring appears to be tile design rather than wood flooring. I suggest if you want a rug there , replace current rug with a jute rug. Will add a natural element to room.

Every time I look at the pics I see something else.

What about the dining room light over the dining table?? If the budget allows, changing it definitely could add a different look. Raise it up about 6 inches?

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. I thought I had a plan but it all seems to be changing due to some good sound advice. THANKS!!!

Overall, the room is too busy without any commonality. The easiest and most budget friendly thing you can do is to paint.

I would paint your walls and cabinets the same color. This will reduce a lot of the busyness almost immediately. Then you can decide what yo want to do with the backsplash and counter tops.

I think replacing the backsplash would be my priority #2 and I think your kitchen would look dramatically different with a common color and more a more current backsplash.

The rugs others mentioned are just accessories. You will not be happy with any accessory until you build the right canvas.

For resale, don't paint the cabinets! If the potential buyers want to paint them, they can do it. If they're painted and a wood lover wants to buy, it may change their mind. Just tidy up countertops and remove the rugs. Although they are gorgeous, you are selling floor space and the room will look more spacious without them. Is it possible to move the table and chairs closer to the bay window? That would open up the space, as well. Good luck on your sale!

Oops, also wanted to reinforce what others have said: paint the walls a light color. Benjamin Moore's Linen White would look beautiful.