Well, that curtain right behind the cooktop seems like a Huge Fire Hazard! wow.

Otherwise, it's hard to suggest much given your parameters -- for example, the only real way to overcome the white/off-white issue would seem to be painting the cabinets. Even if you just did the fronts, since it's short-term, that would stop bothering you. And maybe you could help with the lighting with a couple of small touches, like getting a puck light over the sink (could be something that plugs in, or even a battery type!). Beyond that... what are you using the breakfast nook for? Maybe you could get a rolling cart that could hold a bunch of the stuff that is otherwise "stored" on your counters. And/or some baskets for on top of the fridge. I like the yellow, but I fear that the row of pictures up there is really adding to the clutter/feeling of clautrophobia, so I would take down everything but the clock. I'd take down the curtains for the same reason -- maybe you could get some red dish towels instead.

"Make my kitchen better without changing either the layout or the finishes" is a pretty steep challenge. But maybe I'm just not understanding what kind of help you thought might be possible.

You seem to have gone from a pleasant and serene look in the first photo, to something else entirely. How about removing the curtain--fire hazard indeed!!--and painting the space a tone of gray the seems to be in your countertops.

It looks like decluttering could help open this space up. Look into organizers for cabinets, if you don't have room for all the items on the counter. Clean up all the pictures/coupons/things on the refrigerator. The yellow, in the pictures, looks quite neon and would do better with something a little softer...Even if you keep the yellow. Maybe it is just the monitor, though. The curtain just makes the room look more awkward and closed off.

I agree, do the best you can to declutter.

I like the sea salt color idea. I do realize that the yellow is probably not the best color and is something easy to fix. That was literally a spur-of-the-moment decisions. I like the color but I don't think it works in the kitchen.would the sea-salt color work with red accents? ... the pictures/clock and towels are easy to change the color of, but my pots & pans and several other things are red as well.

I like the extra lighting idea. I also thought of painting the frame on the florescent light. but not sure what color (white? off-white?)

Curtain behind the cook-top is sprayed with stain resistant and fire resistant sprays... so theoretically should be fine from that standpoint. the "breakfast nook" is currently storage but I want to put a workout area in there. that's why I put it up so that you wouldn't see that when you look into the kitchen.
the kitchen table is in the great room (right where the pics are taken from). I like the table there... more social and fills an otherwise empty space in the great room.

Yeah, i realize that its impossible to make this kitchen amazing without remodeling. i'm mainly looking for ideas to make it good enough to last a few years til I have the money to remodel. ie, paint color, decorations, storage, etc.

I would get rid of all the junk on the fridge--that will help to de-clutter and clean things up.

I would also suggest at least switching out the curtain you sewed. The plaid makes it look old and tacky. I would try to get a plain fabric to match whatever color you redo the walls with. Or maybe a red to match your cook wear.

I'm not a fan of all the tiny pictures lining the top. I would probably take everything down but the clock. Having too much on your walls can also create a cluttered feeling, even though they're not actually invading your space.

Another easy update you can do is to get new knobs for your cabinets. It can give you a more modern look without totally redoing the cabinets.

Hope this helps!

Your first photo was the best. The yellow walls may be cheerful, but with the white trim and cabinets it fells cut up and smaller. Stick with a white, tan, maroon/red color pallet, paint the walls white to match the cabinets. There would be not cut up feeling and would make the space look larger.

The curtains are a fire hazard. Purchase one sheet of white bead board, paint the back the same color as the once eating nook. Nail it to the back of the cabinets with the white bead board facing the kitchen. Try putting the curtains from the stove area on a tension rod and hang them above your fridge, this will hide the things you have to put there and bring the red to the other side of the room.

I have a small kitchen and things are just going to be on the counter top, you have nowhere else to put them. But I have learned that when all the small items are on a tray it doesn't look as cluttered. Get a nice vase, pot, pitcher, whatever (paint something if needed) the maroon/red color of your curtains and put some utensils in it, this will bring more red into the room and possibly clean out some room in one of your drawers.

Like others, I'm having a hard time getting past the use of fabric as a backsplash above the stove top. Perhaps use a screen to obscure the view into the dining/work out space? Or use a perforated metal to hide the view: Metal screen link

Easy fixes (which are so satisfying, yet require little effort or $$:

Remove the framed art from the bulkhead

Paint -- neutral, taupe kind of colour

If you like easy access to the papers on the fridge, how about putting up a bulletin board on the other side of the pantry door (or is it the door to the garage or basement? Anyway, the door beside the fridge).

Best of luck with whatever you choose to do.

Here's a link to Behr's compatible colors to their Sea Salt, maybe you'll like on the these?

http://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/780C-1

Love the ideas. Thanks so much! now to go implement them!

Please consider leaving the adjoining room open. You lose the feeling of light from those windows when you close it off. There's nothing wrong with seeing exercise equipment. Buy an inexpensive closed storage cupboard. Hang some art. It will be much more pleasant to see into the room than looking at a divider that makes your kitchen claustrophobic. You could use your fabric for curtains for the windows.

Many great suggestions above. 1) Get rid of that curtain! Store things in that room neatly and below counter level. If that's not possible, store it somewhere else! Garage? Storage Unit? 2) Get rid of the yellow, and opt for neutral beige/gray? Get rid of all the little pictures above the cabinets. You need to fool the eye that the space is bigger than it is. 3) De clutter! Nothing on the fridge unless it's a wine rack or a closed decorative container. If you need all those notes, get a bulletin board on the left side of the double ovens. Out of sight! 4) If you are handy, get rid of fluorescent lighting, replacing it with recessed lights. Not expensive but makes it much more modern!

so i really don't like grays/beiges. hence the spontaneous yellow paint job. I just couldn't stand the original color anymore. not a huge fan of the yellow but atleast my kitchen isn't depressing anymore. possibly a light neutral green?

Sea Cove!

Change the ceiling light to a flush shade over an LED bulb. Love the idea for using a metal screen type division for the breakfast/exercise area. Remove all items from the fridge & the soffits. Use the Sea Cove color for walls & add some throw rugs & towels in same color mixed w/red you are wanting.

Have only essential daily used items on the counters.

sandra, can you attach a picture of what you mean by the light option you suggested? i'm not sure exactly what that is...

All of the above, and get rid of the dish drain permanently. Use dish mats, dry and put things away.

Consider this: new black counters, paint walls white and the trim charcoal gray or gloss black.

no dish drain idea is brilliant! so is the tray idea.
paper wheels. that's easy to do as I already replaced them... silly me I got the ones recommended for kitchens. I'll have to go find some softer ones.
The black counter idea is interesting I will have to think about that one.

I like the idea of light green for the walls. I think I see some stools beside the counter, andirons think red stools would look great.

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