Paint the walls a light steel color and change the knobs to brushed nickel to modernize it.

I would start with changing the knobs which you can buy multi-packs at Lowes for a reasonable price. You can pick something that you would like and then use them when you do reno. Liquid sanders that are now available may help in reducing the amount of work involved to repaint. Since they are laquered ask a professional at the local hardware store how you can apply it. It seems to be a yellow and blue theme, you can run with that with small decorative items to complement and it would make it more personal to you.

Also agree that changing the knobs and going with a birght white paint like dytecture suggested will make alot of difference. However, if you are a little handy, with some work you can take the yellow tile out and replace it with one that you like. They have white ones that are all white with a raised design on it so the color would not have to be exact. Then remove the cabinets with the glass in them over the sink. They usually only have screws to hold them up. Looks like your back yard is beautiful, so white shutters on the bottom half of the window as well.

I think I would try to paint the counter top or replace it. They have a paint product that has speckles in it. I would paint the counter charcoal gray or black with white, yellow and gray speckles. Eliminating the dark wood trim would improve the appearance and the yellow speckles in the counter would tie in to the tile.

Please don't let the varnish stop you! A light sanding and a coat of quality primer will allow you to change the color. I'd go with a shade of white on the cabinets and I would definitly swap out the hardware for something in satin nickle. If you decide you will be repainting the cabinets, you have the opportunity to fill the old knob holes in the drawers and put in pulls. I love the look of cup pulls on drawers! Rustoleum makes a countertop paint (as well as cabinet paint) so check out their offerings at your local Home Depot. A new countertop can get pricey, but don't hesitate to get a quote. Lastly, glass mosaic tile (for the backsplash) is all the rage, and is easy to install. There is bound to be one that will pick up the counter and cabinet colors. A product called Simple Mat makes it quick to install. You'll need to bump out your outlets and switches but they sell spacers for that. Have fun with this!!!!

It's those damnable cathedral doors again! Something about that shape just screams "remodel me!" But of course, that's today - 10 years down the road ... it will be the "must have it" shape again :-)

Thank you everyone for your help! I am checking into Rustoleum products, will change the knobs, and paint the walls white. Hopefully I can get my husband to remove some tiles.....

Some very good suggestions have been made tho i'd be cautious about painting the countertops.....

Thinking aloud: I'd first off definitely remove those glassed shelves over the sink....that would open up the space tremendously and you might find that's all you need do till you can remodel. Seems an easy fix. Removing them would open up the view into your back yard---wonderful! Don't even consider shuttering out that view!--or mucking it up w/ valances or curtains. Looks like a landscape painting. Keep clean and open.If you need to close those windows for privacy, i suggest translucent, cordless!, single cell honeycomb blinds in alabaster (color) that when closed tuck up out of sight.

I suggest you prioritize what you can do now, do #1 on your list and stand back and consider if this is enough till you can really remodel. Then do #2, etc.

Those white knobs are fresh and clean looking....i'd keep them cuz brighten up the cabinets.Compare the look of your white-knobbed cabinets with the drearier look in the pic above.

BTW, that picture above (Heights Kitchen Remodel) with the 2-color scheme for the top and bottom cabinets is very attractive and something you might consider when you decide it's time to paint them. And I agree re the cathedral cabinet fronts on the top cabinets...arrrrrrrgh!. I notice the bottom ones aren't cathedral.Maybe you could (when you remodel) just change the cabinet doors of the top cabinets to match the configuration of the bottom ones......
good luck!

If it were my kitchen I would remove the glass fronted cabinets. That would completely change the look of the kitchen. Next I would paint the cabinets white with Annie Sloan chalk paint. No sanding needed! They would match the existing appliances and the kitchen would look fresh and clean.

I would remove the border from the dining area then decide if I could live with the yellow tiles or if they needed to be removed.

Latly I would decide on paint color. You may want to go with a soft grey like this: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/gentlegray

Or a deep yellow: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/valleyview

Hope you will post updates!

I forgot to add a photo of how I would hang drapes in the dining area! You may not be able to tell but they hang over each narrow wall separating the windows.

Hi Essential Home,

The cabinetry is certainly dated, but I think a few cost-effective upgrades to the kitchen will end up going a long way for you.

First, paint. I'd suggest a mid to dark shade of grey. I really like Benjamin Moore's "Englewood Cliffs" grey- http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/englewoodcliffs

Next, hardware. Changing out the hardware and faucet to a brushed nickel would help bring the kitchen more up to date. Brushed bronze is also pretty nice.

Also, backsplash. You could change out that dated backsplash for a new mosaic for fairly cheap. You could do it yourself with the supplies from Home Depot, or you could check out our selection and services here- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/mosaic-tiles/colors/traditional-mosaic/#!prettyPhoto[col_gall]/4/

Finally, odds and ends. New hand towels and some nice decorative touches could help modernize this space for you. Try not to clutter you counters, but some tasteful additions would go a long way.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Rustoleumtransformations.com might have a solution for you.

I would use Malamine paint and redo cabinets. Change hardware and rip down the upper cupboards to open it up