I would start by painting the walls a light shade, probably a creamy off-white, which will make a huge difference, and add nickel pulls to all the cabinets. (Am assuming you're in no rush to change appliances.) Then live with that a bit. if you still hate it, I'd recommend painting the cabinets a light gray that will mesh with the flooring and current backsplash -- that will lighten and modernize at the same time.

(would save changing the backsplash for last, if you still need more lightness.)

Thanks acm. Yes, I'm painting those red walls first! I feel like its the brown backsplash that grabs my attention (and not in a good way). Would a light grey backsplash work with the grey floors and dark grey counters?

Hello. Congratulations on the purchase of your new home!

My suggestion for doing minimal changes in your kitchen, would be to change the new paint color to a compatible warm gray. This will give the room a more updated look. If going for bare bones budget changes, I would suggest adding color through the placement of a couple of rugs, such as khilims or textured sisal rugs. Next, I suggest searching for framed art that will fit the vertical linear walls of your new kitchen, with common colors of the new rugs.

If you can spend more money, I would suggest changing out the black appliances to stainless steel and replace the existing backsplash with a mosaic backsplash of glass tile combined with tiny mirrored mosaic tiles. The small mirrors add a spark of brilliant light for added ambiance and excitement.

I wish you good health and happiness in your new home!

I like it. Just live with it for now. It takes a while to decide what you really will want to do with it. I has good bones. Congrats on the new abode.

Both Home Depot and Lowes sell "tin" tile look alike so, made of plastic, that you adhere to surfaces using double sided tape. They are paintable. You can attach them to the backsplash, except for the stove area. You can also get thin sheets of stainless steel, and do the same thing. Or mirror, or beadboard, or any material the is light enough to tape up.

Definitely paint the cabinets whitish to blend with the floor

A new vent hood would really change and update the room. Change the paint and backsplash.

Sorry, I gotta differ here and advise you, do NOT paint the cabinets. Aftermarket paint will not stand up to the test of time and will eventually wear/chip off on the spots that get the most touch. If you really hate the cabinets, replace them. If that is over budget, try adding hardware you really like plus other minor changes as suggested above.

Hello Erika and congratulations on a new home! I would suggest not to rush into any big decisions right away...

Start small: paint the merlot walls, pick out a shade from the wall tiles (if you keep the wall tiles) or from the floor.

Bring beautiful vase with tall fresh flowers in the archway; add transitional hardware to the cabinets; add a colorful pendant above the sink... live with that..

If you still dislike your kitchen, I suggest you change the doors to full overlay recessed panels ones. Good luck!

Walls white-ish. Upped cabs white-ish, Patterned or white backsplash, off black lowers.

I agree the paint won't last, but it can be touched up and they don't look to be great cabinets.

Fairly heavy metal hardware, not shiny.

Rug in middle of room, maybe with a freestanding, small island.

But as others said - I would wait.

You have to realize your Cabinets Builder grade Oak Cabinets (JUNK) for now I recommend paint wall ....No MAGIC if you paint your Cabinets it's still junk and cost to you as much as buy new Cabinets ....if you are try to change layout and install new Cabinets you must to do floor retrofit ....and replace counter tops ...I need more information before I can guide you in right direction. Send to me e-mail I need more pictures. .

Thank you everyone! It seems that everyone has a different opinion on what I should do. I will paint walls first and go from there. I just feel like its such a mixed up kitchen with all the brown, black, and grey. And just like 99.9% of everyone on Houzz I hate builder basic honey oak cabinets!! Do you think I should keep the vent above oven or put in a microwave? We will need to buy a microwave for the new house so I wasn't sure if we should get a small one for the counter/pantry or if we should get one for above oven.

Well, if you get a microwave, you'll have to replace the cabinet above, as it needs to clear the cooktop by a margin more than that under-cabinet hood would allow. That probably argues for a countertop model or for hanging it under a cabinet somewhere.

The kitchen is beautiful. If you painted the cabinets lighter, you can accent the dark countertops and appliances with silver cabinet hardware. Check out our store:

http://www.houzz.com/pro/glideritehardware/__public

Here is a photo of painted builder grade oak grainy cabinets. This was professionally sprayed (several coats) and a Valspar Primer and "Grain Kill" product used. I don't think you'll be happy with the kitchen unless you paint the cabinets. If you can modify a cabinet to make a shelf for a small microwave I think you would like that better than above the stove. Or modify a lower cabinet for a microwave drawer. I love the idea of a nice vent above the stove for a custom look.

Its going to be amusing when in several years honey oak will be back in. Oh well

That's pretty kitchen darzy!! I just grew up with a white kitchen and it was always a happy bright place for the whole family so that what I gravitate to. I like oak- but on floors.

I agree that a pretty stove hood wood add to the kitchen. I am making that change myself right now. I agree to paint the walls. It looks like there is a lot of cabinetry. If you think you can live without all the storage, consider removing some of the uppers - I am seeing more kitchens with less upper cabinets - especially if there is a pantry to help with storage. If there is not a pantry then it just depends on how much stuff you have.

A few shelves as in the first pic below give a chance to display some items and give personality to your kitchen. Removing cabinets rather than buying new ones might give you more money for a pretty backsplash and less cabinets to paint. You want to be careful of going from too much oak to too much white. Removing the panel in some of the upper cabinets and replacing with glass (clear or not) can also help avoid feeling "too much" oak or white.

Consider adding some wood back in if you paint - flooring or shelving possibly.

You can convert a cabinet to a plate rail / display shelf as in this picture. There is a plate rail kit from Kitchensource which is very easy to put together. Beadboard and brackets are added to give a custom look:

Glass doors and pretty hardware:

I won't recommend painting over that ghastly red as its already been mentioned. If it were me I would immediately demo that does-nothing-for-the-room backsplash tile. But first, measure how many square feet you'll need (plus 10% + extra) and go shopping for some awesome tile. You can build your entire kitchen color palette now using that same awesome tile as a jumping off point. When you can afford it tackle the flooring next, and there are so many options in all price points. I actually don't mind the cabinets and think they need some great hardware to start with. I'm a confident DIYer & have painted my own, but not everyone can do this. Take the doors & drawers into someone who can professionally spray paint them for you. They must be top coated as well. This should carry you a few years down the road to the point were you can afford to replace them. You can replace the appliances when they're on sale, & get a better deal by buying them all at once. Have fun, it's a nice big looking space to work with.

Congratulations on your new home-. I had the same experience when I bought my house. First- get the red out! Go lighter and neutral. Then add a lighting fixture over the sink and change your hardware

Erika672

There have been a lot of great ideas and opinions said already. Here are some of my favorite and a few new ones

1. Paint the walls

2. Paint the cabinets (diy or pro, they should last until you are ready for a full renovation.)

3. Add handles ( it will help keep the painted finish cleaner)

4. Change out the backsplash (not as expensive as you might think)

Start out with the above and if budget allows continue with below.

5. Change out the black appliances for white or stainless (you can reuse these later if you decide on a full renovation )

6. remove the vent fan with the cabinet above and replace it with a nicer hood

7. Replace the countertop with a stone or Quartz

8. Replace some of the door centers with glass inserts

I would do as much as possible before you move in. It will be harder to live through kitchen renovations once you are living there. You might get stuck with this kitchen for a while if you move in 1st

Congratulations, good luck, and enjoy your new house.

Thanks RE3! We plan on being in this house for about 10 years but I don't think we will have the budget for a complete kitchen reno even by then (and if we do I'd probably just save it to build a new home). I'm not scared of diy. I've painted plenty of furniture before. The cabinets make me nervous because it's such a big job and will get plenty of wear. We did our current backsplash and that was a lot easier than I thought so I hope that is another small project we can do. As for the rest, I will probably have to choose between counters, floor, or new appliances but I can't have them all. I do like the idea of glass inserts- or maybe removing the 2 off-center cabinets and putting up some open shelves. We move in November so I'll post pics as soon as we make some progress!

I'd change the receptacle covers to blend with the backsplash

FYI this is where we are now... added crown molding and open shelves, painted walls, and painted backslash. These are just quick fixes to help it feel brighter until we can change more.

Looks a lot brighter. Consider using white appliances if the black ones need replacing.

Thanks, Yes, we are saving up for new appliances.

I'd say there's too much going on in terms of color - black, gray, brown, burgundy - and they don't really compliment each other. That's the main problem. I would suggest you try to limit it to two of those colors, probably black and gray. I would start by painting the walls a light gray to match parts of the flooring. Also, I don't think you'll ever be happy with those cabinets. It's worth the cost to have them painted white, or even have them replaced. If you are willing to spend more, go for a blue-gray or white backsplash, and add prints and decor in cool grays or blues. I'm not a pro but I hope this helps!

Molly, I just posted a picture of the changes so far...

erika, I think you made a big improvement. For the appliances, my vote goes to stainless.

Way better! Happy that you used the white backsplash and paint. I think stainless steel would be great. And I'm not liking the cupboards for some reason. If you did some more open shelving like on the far wall, I think that would help.

Oh, we hate our cabinets... they are cheap and the most annoying shade of orange!! But we can’t afford to get new ones so we will most likely paint them.

Omg I'm sorry! I didn't see lol. Nevermind

I feel like some cabinet knobs and pulls would do wonders for you. They would make those not so great cabinets into a little more likable.

An amazing transformation! And on a budget. Great job!

Everyone is going with open shelves in kitchen. I’d hate all the dusting and cleaning you’d have to do to keep it looking nice. I’ll stick with cabinets.

Rlaufen, we are a family of 5 and those are our everyday dishes (even the colorful ones)... there isn't a chance for them to get dusty. The shelves are dusted the same as any other surface in my home.

What a difference a coat of paint on walls has made! Amazing job! I would suggest to add hardware and just enjoy your home!

That looks so much better - you’re doing great!

You did a great job--great fix. Consider nickel hardware and under cabinet lighting. I'd add an indoor/outdoor rug in pale gray and gold and an accent color.

Paint over the red….probably two coats of paint, maybe three. Then save up enough money to redo whatever else you want to redo. I would include closing up the opening (or reducing it) which allows you to see the front door (and anyone entering the house to see into the kitchen) unless you are a clean-kitchen-fanatic and your kitchen always looks neat. You should hire a professional to paint the cabinetry, especially if they are in good condition and you intend to keep them for five years or more. The interiors should get a good cleaning, too.

Erika… if you want to paint your cabinets, check kristy wicks on Instagram. She had wood cabinets and had them painted white. I believe the entire process, used by her painter, is noted in her blog.