are you saying there is only 2' between the end of the peninsula and the front of your refridge? yikes...

or is there space next to the refridge? didn't see a pic of what is next to the fridge tho.

I like the wood cabs - how about new pulls on them?

have a diagram of the kitchen?

are you saying there is only 2' between the end of the peninsula and the front of your refridge? yikes...

or is there space next to the refridge? didn't see a pic of what is next to the fridge tho.

I like the wood cabs - how about new pulls on them?

have a diagram of the kitchen?

I actually love the esthetics of the cabinets. They appear to be very appropriate for the house. Could you post a floorplan?

That era of house originally had a refrigerator that was essentially counterdepth. If that is a bottleneck one of your least expensive options would be to get a shallower fridge...if you don't want to do a remodel.

Let me get this straight...you are not remodeling just updating inexpensively? Kitchen looks like it has good "bones". The layout looks great unless you want to open it up to the room beside it, though you would loose some upper cabinet space. I would paint the cabs white to brighten things up or perhaps order new fronts. Change the hardware, add more lighting and new appliances if feaseable. If your budget will allow you could move your cooktop to your peninsula. This is what I did. And you have the added room to extend that same penisula in depth to keep the bar stools such as this

(this was my first inspiration kitchen along with many others on here!)
You could then have floor to cealing pantry in place of the old cooktop and a built in frige. But like I said, I think your layout is great and you can do SO much with paint and lighting. Sorry if I didn't address your concern about the frige but I am not sure I quite understand. Hope this helps and good luck!

PS. I hope I didn't over do it with my suggestions. Your cabinets look in great condition. I just thought painting them white would make a lovely contrast with the floors. But I know white is not for everyone. And big french doors would look awesome in place of the windows. Good luck again!

If you're trying to do it inexpensively, then I'm not sure what can be done about the traffic flow. From what I can tell w/o a full layout to definitely see where everything is in relation to doors, etc. ... it looks like your cooktop not only doesn't have enough workspace around it, but it's also in the main traffic aisle through the kitchen (and near the door???) At least it's not in the peninsula w/seating! (Yes, that's a good thing!)

What exactly are you planning? New cabinets? Same cabinets (fewer options)? New countertops? New appliances? New plumbing fixtures (sink, faucet, etc.)?

OK, the least expensive change...move the coffeepot from next to the cooktop...that will gain you some badly needed workspace. (Do you have two coffeepots? It looks like Keurig next to the sink & a drip next to the cooktop.)

If you're keeping the cabinets and can't change the foot print much, then I would probably... Move the cooktop to the wall to the left of the door into the FR (switch the cooktop cabinet & same size? cabinet on that wall)
Then, switch it with the 12" cabinet so you have some space b/w the cooktop & doorway (probably needed to meet Code)
Move the sink as far over to the left as possible (switch the sink & 12"? cabinet)
You might have to remove one of the upper cabinets to the left of the current sink. Are there 2 or 3 cabinets there right now (not sure b/c of the knobs)?
Move the DW to the end of the peninsula (switch the DW & the 24"? cabinet on the end of the peninsula)
Have the space b/w the oven cabinet & refrigerator left open for landing space or maybe as a snack/breakfast center (move the bread, cereal, toaster, etc. over here)
Adjust the hinges of the doors so they're all even
Fix the laminate edging (or replace the countertop)
Replace the knobs
Could you recess the refrigerator into the room behind it? (I don't know what's there, so I can't tell)

Something like this...

1: Cooktop Cabinet & Hood switched with upper & base cabinets
2: DW & base cabinet switched

Waiting to here more...what can change/what cannot, extent of remodel, etc.

Oh, I meant to mention that if you do keep your cabinets but switch them around, you'll have to replace the countertops b/c of the sink & cooktop cutouts...but they can be inexpensive if you go w/laminate or butcher block. Several people here have DIY'd both types.

Your kitchen is almost the same floor plan as mine. I had the long bar and had DH cut it down. Sometimes I wished I had not done that, when we have family at my house , I need it for the serving space, so I bought a serving cart for the end to use when I have company. That gives me the best of both worlds. My fridge is where you oven is. I know there is not alot of space and I could not move things around like I would have liked but it works. I took part of the wall out over my stove to open to my living room.

Rdsso...your kitchen looks like it might be narrower than TxGypsyGirl's kitchen. If that's so, then a peninsula will work better for her than it did for you. Unfortunately, you have the same issue of the range right in the main path through the kitchen; but, b/c your kitchen is so narrow, there probably wasn't much you could do about it short of switching the sink & range. However, TxGypsyGirl has a wider kitchen and I think she can do something about it.

TxGypsyGirl...I wanted to ask you, you say your kitchen is 9' wide, but if the cabinets are what I think they are, then it looks like it's closer to 10'....

Back wall looks like:
24" corner cab + 12" cab + 36" cab + 24" door + 24" oven cab = 120" (10')

Peninsula side looks like:
24" cab + 12" cab + 36" cab + 24" aisle + 30" refrigerator = 126" (10'6")

Those 36" cabinets might even be 48"...in that case add another foot...

It's difficult to tell for certain, though, without a layout showing all the dimensions (wall-to-wall, walls/doorways/windows, distances b/w walls/doorways/windows).

I figured out how to change a pdf file so here is the existing floorplan. I would like to keep these kitchen cabinets but change the pulls , paint a different color, change out lighting , appliances, and countertops. Thanks everybody for all of your input- it is amazing the talent that is out there and sooo helpful!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Existing floorplan

Check out IKEA, Master Metal Works, or Doug Mockett, for pulls that would look great with those cabinets.

I since you have that cool stainless shell around the cooktop, I would probably go with stainless for the other appliances

If you could get a counter-depth fridge and do a side panel that matched the cabinets it would be great.

Your cabinets look as if they are really good quality, with beautiful wood. New pulls would make them look brand new.

The cabinets are in great shape and most of the new cabinets people are buying look like these with the silver handles.

I wouldn't TOUCH those cabinets, except maybe minor refinishing and modern handles. They're grain-matched between the doors and drawers--unaffordable today!

If this were my place, and I wanted a cost-effective re-do, I would:
- Replace the countertop with Caesarstone (nothing with too much movement)
- Put up a cool backsplash--long rectangular tiles
- Get a counter-depth fridge; that thing you have now is the source of your traffic problems
- Replace the wall oven; I don't normally like stainless but it would look good here.
- Replace the cooktop with induction. Leave the hood
- Add doors by the table
- Cool lighting
- Replace the furniture--something less explicitly country that won't fight the cabinets so much. You can do a kind of country modern, actually
- Fill that lost corner with cabinetry that's NOT stained wood. You could do painted wood, stainless steel, gray, whatever. But simple and clean.

FWIW!

Silestone makes Zen Series that is completely monolithic in appearance (no speckle) including White Zeus, that would replicate the plain white countertops in a nicer material.
I think most natural stones would be a mistake in that kitchen (too much movement). The matched grain in those cabinets should be the focus.

Ok, first I'd vote for new cabs and a new layout. So I am very biased.

Take the cabs from the peninsula and the wall cabinets from the left of the sink and re-install on the south blank wall. Extend the counter beyond the cabinets and make either a lowered section of counter or a desk. If the taller cabinets are towards the ref, that would work best.

If one of them is a two foot end cab, put that where the peninsula was. Get a good sink and new cook top - cause you'll be replacing the countertop anyway.

If the table and chair can be moved, buy a bigish stainless prep table (30 x 60) (coupla hundred) from a restaurant supply place and some counter height stools. Leave table pushed up against wall where hutch was except for big prep jobs.

Carefully clean the cabinet doors and see if they will clean enough for new hardware. If the finish only is bad, consider refinishing them. If you don't have endless time and patience, paint them.

This is where I have to make a rebuttal and say I think there is a certain essence to that kitchen that makes it worth trying to keep and update, despite its inperfections, and it has a lot to do with the cabinets.
If you painted them it would destroy that essence and you might as well demo the kitchen and start from scratch.

it sounds more like you just want to do a few updates than a big remodel.
I love the cabs - they are beautiful - I'd keep them.

I put in a new counter top - a beige background granite - with a few bits of browns, golds in it. I've seen some like that on here. put a new cook top on the far kitchen wall (shares wall with another room). I'd have a local cabinet guy see if he could make 2 end cabs out of the 4 there (using the end cab on each side of there and the center ones for spare wood). put in a fan between the 2 remaining cabs (move the other fan over if you want to keep it). You could possibly use the small cab to right of fan now as the end cab in new area and put those 2 center cabs where the fan is now.

Some nice (rather plain) tile for a BS above the cook top. Nothing too patterned or bright to detract from the cabinet wood or conflict with it.

put in a cd fridge and new oven (with new counter top between them). good place for the mw or on a shelf over the oven.

the back windows - i'd put window panels on each end and the center panel would be the door. (or put the door on one end if that works better for you).

paint and replace lights (I can't see them that well to know). the light over the table looks fine - but I go with dark metal on any others if you put others in - to match it. and dark metal (orb) on cabinet pulls.

the floor - do you want to replace it? maybe tile? light color to lighten up the room.

can't tell much about the window over the sink either...

the table - i'd wait and see - possibly change out to one w/o wood grain later.

I'd get the cd fridge first and see how much that helps in space for traffic flow. if not enough then you can cut back the end of the peninsula a bit before putting in new counter top. or maybe move the fridge closer to the oven if the cook top is gone? There'd still be room between it and the oven for some counter top and the mw.

I think these things would make a terrific difference to your kitchen - and get the cook top out of the traffic lane.

they'd spruce it up and make it look new again.

also, some of those things could be done in stages as time and money allow.

Yes, the cabinets are grain matched b/w drawers & doors in each cabinet, but not b/w cabinets, so moving them around doesn't disrupt any grain matching.

Please remember that if you do move the cooktop to the "top" wall that you need to at least move the DW so it and the cooktop are not in direct conflict.

Moving the sink as well increases the amount of prep space you have b/w the sink & cooktop as well as gives you enough room for two people working in the kitchen at one time...one can be cleaning up while another is prepping & cooking.

The peninsula can even be used as a secondary prep zone...so you could have two people prepping & cooking at one time.

Additionally, if/when you get a new countertop, I would consider no more than a 6" overhang on the table side of the peninsula. First, the overhang appears to be only 10"...too shallow for comfortable seating. Second, your table area is crowded even w/o the stools and the stools make it worse. By eliminating the stools and cutting the overhang down to 6" you gain another 4" of floor space + eliminate the space the stools are taking up. I know the current counter lines up w/the current upper cabinets, but if you move the sink those cabinets will probably need to be re-configured anyway so move those a few inches away from the door as well... If you do these two things, the door will look less crowded as well.

BTW...your kitchen area (minus the table area) appears to be approx 13' x 10'6" (it's a little difficult to read the numbers on the layout).

Just some additional thoughts.

Those are really beautiful cabinets, Txgypsygirl. Certainly you're in a mood to update. We all get tired of the same old thing. Since their design is so classic and fine, though, if you do change the handles I'd strongly suggest you use single-hole replacements and carefully store those for some future renovation (so they don't get accidentally thrown away in some garage cleaning, like something I still miss).

Also, given that you, so unlike most of us, have something fine to work with, how about consulting a woodworker to discuss possibilities? Not so much regarding touching up the finish (although they probably warrant some touchup for their own sake), but because, should you wish ultimately to change the footprint and cabinet function, the doors could no doubt be used as material for new drawerfronts and so on. Since your kitchen is so narrow, with any big change that I'd consider removing some of the upper cabinets to open it up visually, which would provide material for additional base cabs as needed.

That said as a just-in-case, I agree that you can create an enviable and nicely functional kitchen of fine design with some relatively minor fiddling with what you have to start with.