I agree - paint the cabinets and more importantly throw some modern handles on them. I got mine at Home Depot and they were really cheap. Attaché is a photo of what mine look like.

Thank you both. Do you have any suggestions on colors? I'd like to get away from white. I've never been crazy about white, but I don't want it beige either.

I agree that you need hardware. Are you wanting to paint cabinets or just walls? What is the backsplash? Is it tile?

I think I would like to paint both. The back splash is tiny tiles. White, beige, and browns.

How do you feel about the color gray?

Some of the concerns I have for your space are with your limited budget, what to change and what colours? Hmmm..with the backsplash and floor being warm colours, a off white/cream would look good on the cabinets, but then I think the countertop would just blend in and it would look better with a darker counter. More expense. And then there is the wall that the oven and dishwasher are on. It makes sense to me to leave it white so the appliances don't stand out, but then the white wall would clash with cream cabinets. Maybe I'm wrong or someone else has an idea for colours.
If it were my space, I would clean cabinets really good, they look to have some build up on them from not having hardware, and then adding hardware. Then find other ways to bring in colour with canisters, rugs, towels etc.

Either paint cabinets like a beige/green color or gray. For walls 2 shades lighter.

I like the idea of green or gray. But I have a tendency to pick way too dark. I saw a counter top paint kit for a black granite color. What do you think about painted counter tops black, cabinets a sage green and I don't know for the walls? But I don't want it to look like a patch work quilt in there either. I will definitely get the hardware. I had no idea what a difference it would make.

I'm personally not a huge fan of painting the countertops (especially black :-) ). But, I also can't really tell what kind of shape your's are in. We did a job recently with gray cabinets and light countertops and I think it turned out nicely. Here's a link to the job on our Houzz page: http://www.houzz.com/projects/507980/trussville-kitchen-cahaba-project-neighborhood

Elm, that looks very nice. My counter tops are actually in pretty good shape. There is one chip by the sink, that's about it. One worry I had about trying to paint the counter tops is my inexperience with such things. I'm kind of afraid I'll just end up with a big ugly mess. I'll probably say no to painting counters. What color of gray is that? And I don't have any windows in my little kitchen space. Would it be too dark?

I think I'd start with new cabinet hardware (maybe satin nickel if you're sticking with wood-colored cabinets and dark bronze if you paint them a light color) and paint for the walls. Is there a color from any of your kitchen items (towels, mixer, etc.) that you'd want to highlight? Good luck!

Stone Harbor, I like the dark bronze very much. My favorite color is red, but I didn't feel like red would work in that kitchen. I really have no color theme. Just trying to choose now. I would like it to look bright and clean without using white. (other than the appliances)

I love ELM's suggestions! That gray is a gorgeous color. I think you should paint the cabinets gray (like ELM's post), consider painting your walls an antique white (very light cream/white color), and add the drawer pulls. I also think you should get an accent rug for your kitchen and a vase with flowers/greenery (that match the accent rug) for your counter top. I think a green (not sage) such as mint green or a vibrant green would look good as an accent color for your countertop decor and rug. If you live near a Tuesday Morning, that's my first suggestion for you to purchase a rug and decor at a low price. If you don't have a Tuesday Morning store close by, try Wal Mart. I've purchased a lot of my home decor there... Such as an accent rug, vases, and flowers/greenery. If you are thinking about hanging anything, I highly recommend Command Strips!!! :)

Paint is a great way to go. Two options, would you like to bright, or remain neutral. Always nice to add little accessories. For example, a burnt orange cabinet may look great with red knives, or a red tea kettle. If you can afford paint, maybe also a little kitchen mat.
Also consider changing the knobs. Maybe silver cold, shiny, dull, rustic, vintage.
AND
Don't forget a cookie jar :-)

Kenz D - I love your input! But what are Command Strips?

Command Strips - http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/NACommand/Command/Products/Catalog/

Hi Michele - I painted the cabinets in my current house before I could afford a kitchen remodel. I used a blue color that coordinates with the 'spanish style' linoleum floors, added IKEA wood counters and put off-white bead board up as a backsplash. It worked great and I received lots of compliments on the look over the years. Now that I finally able to reno the kitchen, the best piece of advice I received was to pick out a few yards of a favorite pattern fabric that works well with the pieces you are keeping (for example, I am keeping leather couches in the family room next to the kitchen). That has been a tremendous help in pulling together cabinet color, counters, back splash, wall cover - the things that I plan on updating. Pop the fabric on a few pillows and valances and you are good to go! I wish I had that advice years ago! Good luck and keep us updated!

Everyone seems to be discussing the cabinets, but I don't think they are the issue at all. It's that crazy back wall that has become an accidental focal point for the room -- and not in a good way. Once you walk in and turn the corner you're fine. So...what to do, what to do? Here's an off the wall (ha!) idea...an ikea hack with some Pax closet sliding doors across that entire wall. It may not work with the central location of the oven/microwave, but worth a shot. It will be a little pricey, but not hugely so and beyond cool if you can pull it off. Once they are installed, the rest of the kitchen is just some modern hardware, maybe a cool light fixture and done.

Oh, I just thought of one more possibility, which is to use panel curtains to cover that back wall (google it or search at houzz). More budget friendly, but will take some care around the oven. If you are like Carrie Bradshaw and just store your shoes in there, it would be fine. But if you use your oven frequently, it might not be worth the fire risk.

[houzz=]

There are lots of suggestions to paint grey, which I don't think would be good for a kitchen without windows, and all the existing warm beiges in tile, floor and countertop. I like the idea of green or blue, but sage can be quite gray too if you don't pick the right one. So, I did a Houzz search for kitchen with white appliances and found this photo. I think something like this would be a good option for your kitchen.

Paint the lower cabinets in a warm blue or green, then uppers in white. The white will tie in your white appliances. The walls could be painted a light beige colour from the tile.
The back wall is anissue as cazadora mentioned, especially the door above the dishwasher that isn't wide enough. Here is a solution that may work. Buy a piece of trim or moulding to insert on hinge side of door filling in that space. Install another piece of trim horizontally above cabinet doors and microwave? thereby separating the two areas. Trim work can do wonders.
And notice in the photo above the kitchen accessories are reddish/orange. Great way to bring in your fav colour!

Cazadora - that is very pretty, but I do use my oven a lot and so does my TEENAGE boy. So the panel curtains wouldn't be smart for us. : ) I'm the one that painted that wall. Long story short, I'm not happy with it either. But I don't think I'll be able to cover it up.

MarleneM - I love the look you suggested. I will definitely keep this one in mind. I never thought about doing top and bottom cabinets in different colors. I can't exactly picture what you are telling me with the trim though.

Sorry, i hv not read thru the thread but if you are on a super tight budget you could consider adding cabinet handles and knobs in chrome for sparkle and paint the wall a happy blue as seen in the ref/insp. pic

Michele Poe.
You can change the color of the wall, floor and cabinets, but don´t forget that there is not natural lighting. After getting a renewed Kitchen, it is time to get an impressive lights that would complement the design.
Take a look at these pictures, you can use LED Light Strips under, over and inside cabinets and above counter areas. They’re a brilliant way to complete the look of your kitchen and get a better look at e.x. what you’re making for dinner.
They also they came in different colors and they are easy to install.
We can help you with your project.
www.demasled.us

Here are the Command strips I recommend... Just bought more today! They work wonders!!!! :)

Also... Whatever accent color you choose for a rug, get a matching hand towel for your oven (to hang). :)

check out this make over kitchen you may get some ideas
clic under pic for more photos and info

If you cut the curb off your counters you could cover them with copper sheets. If you don't buy your copper from a copper counter site you can really cut costs. A penny floor?

Have you used copper sheets before? Are they hard to keep clean?

What have you actually done in 3 year's time? Saved enough to gut it and start over? Copper is an ever changing color of a handful of pennies look. It wont be the same color two days in a row. Sometimes bright, sometimes dark, and always spots in between.

My kitchen is actually on the far, far, back burner. We have a bathroom that's in sad shape, and it must be gutted and completely redone, including plumbing. We just now got the money together to hire our contractor for that job.

We are in tghe process of covering some of our counter with copper. It is fun and not difficult but we like a rustic, artistic look. I love how copper darkens and/or verdigris. I'll post a photo here when we are done.