Diane's suggestions are good ones. I'd also look for a counter depth fridge so it doesn't grab more than its fair share of attention. Are you planning to replace the lighting? And if you remove the island, do you have enough flooring to fill in the gap?

Good point about the floor Charlee!

Declutter first and get rid of the overly ornate gewgaws. Then you can see if you have potential.

Thank you Diane! Been there, done that....

Can you provide another photo showing the other end of the room so that additional suggestions tie the entire space together in terms of paint and finishes?

I also agree with Diane's suggestion to paint the cabinets, a huge savings so that you can devote your budget to other things. Charlee's idea for a counter-depth fridge is also a good one. If you're getting new appliances, have them all in the same finish.

Some thoughts:

--Before you tackle any decor issues, seriously declutter the existing kitchen so you can free up the space visually. Take everything off the top and sides of the cabinets, fridge, windowsill, the vase by the door. Keep only functional items on the countertop--no vases or knick-knacks. It'll make a huge, no-cost difference. You have an efficiently laid out space, but the clutter makes the space visually crowded. Houzz has many articles on how to declutter a kitchen. Most of us are guilty of this. We have three versions of items that we only need one of. We have an urge to fill every blank space. The eye needs a place to rest, especially in a kitchen where we have to have things like coffee makers, utensils, etc.

--With the money you save getting the existing cabinets painted and with new hardware, get new countertops, including an extended one for the island so you can stow a couple stools underneath it. I would keep the island in the existing wood finish to tie it in with your door, trim, etc. But, yes, paint the cabinets.

--Get a nice new sink and faucet.

--Before you get new countertops, move the base cabinet by the fridge and place it next to the dishwasher. Get a wider base cabinet for next to the fridge. This will give you more workspace and storage. Or carve out the space for a desk since you seem to keep a lot of paperwork in the kitchen. But keep it tidy if you go that route.

--Lower your fancy hanging light to 30"-34" above the table. Replace the kitchen light cans with a simple, smooth finish white, flush-mounted drum shade that echoes your fancy hanging lamp. Put it on a dimmer to give your kitchen softer lighting since you seem to have an open-space kitchen.

--Start checking out Craigslist and estate sales for slightly more upscale round dining table--no more than 48" and chairs in the same wood finish/color--cherry or pecan maybe??-- as your door, trim, etc. Center it in the space; your dining table is off center now.

You have work ahead, but if you do it--the decluttering and the painting, you can devote your budget and time to spiffing up the rest with lovely countertops, lighting, and so forth. Again, add another photo so that future suggestions tie in the other side of the room since it seems to be a single space. Good luck!

not sure what you mean when you say paint the cabinets....like a different color? what about putting crown molding on top of cabinet of there isn't such a big gap between the cabinet and ceiling? would I want to move my lighting center over island. would like to make island longer to have seating at the end...

Yes, paint the wood cabinets another color such as white or something else. Please go to "Advice" then "Before and After" When that comes up, type "painting wood cabinets" and you'll see a ton of examples of wood cabinets that people painted. It should be done professionaly, btw, but it's much, much cheaper than new cabinets.

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/good-bye-builders-stained-cabinets-tiny-island-and-90s-tile-dsvw-vd~801067?n=54[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/good-bye-builders-stained-cabinets-tiny-island-and-90s-tile-dsvw-vd~801067?n=54)

Again, if you want suggestions, please, please provide a photograph of your entire space so that everything ties together--furniture, paint, trim, style, etc. Take a photo from the far end of the kitchen to the rest of the room. You'll get more practical advice that way and the entire space will be harmonious. You'll get more advice from the professionals on Houzz if you do that.