Definitely update the countertops. There are so many inexpensive ones, but for such a small kitchen granite would not be that expensive. I personally think granite is overrated- the upkeep is a pain, but there are lots of alternatives. You seem to go towards a more contemporary style. Have you considered concrete? Love it! Not that difficult to do. A glass tile back splash would be very cool. Or choose a basic tile and add an accent tile to keep the budget down. I personally am not a fan of the flooring. They make some great laminates that look like tile. Easy install and care. Good luck. Don't be afraid of color. Love the dark wall by the way.

HI -- Could you post more photos of the surrounding room like the area on the other side of the stove wall etc.?
I am trying to get an idea of the floor plan of your space. Thanks

Love your piece of artwork on the wall over your table!

This is such a small space I think you need to lighten it up with painting the cabinets a light off-white color and buy new countertops. With your counters being not all one-piece, there may be boneyard pieces of granite that would work for you. There is a beautiful granite out there now that looks like marble. Need to streamline the color of your appliances. I would also add molding above your cabinets, you can put a 4" piece of wood with molding attached to it to almost reach the ceilings, painted the same color as the cabinets. A fun light fixture would add some whimsy to the space, instead of a flush mounted fixture. I would also add hardware/knobs to all the cabinets.
If you paint your cabinets, I would also try to either find panels or trim out the two sides of the cabinets that are visible to the right. This will dress them up quite a bit. '
I would definitely get rid of the light above the sink. unless you want to under mount it to the cabinet for light, depending if you really need it. Once you decide on countertops, pick a subway tile or glass tile, nice and clean, to go along with it. you could tile all the way up the wall above the sink and cover up the light outlet.
If that right corner is a corner cabinet, think about taking the panel out and replacing it with a pebbled glass just to break up the flow.

Hi Jodi Wasion,
Here are a few color options, hope this helps.

thank you spacialist,if i got to choose it will be the choclate!!!i know its dark buti think it looks best with the floor!!

One thing before you paint...cabinets are mounted to the wall with 4 screws. Raise up the micowave cabinet and the sink cabinet 6 inches...add a crown moulding to all uppers and you will have instant upgrade with the staggered cabinets. I would change put the light fixture to a fun track light that shoots light around the room vs one light trying to illuminate everything.

Here are pictures of the adjacent living room. (I know I have a serious lack of wall decor) There are hardwoods under the carpet and I'm planning to rip out the carpets and stain the floor a dark color, paint the walls a less creamy color, add new trim, change out the railing, and get different furniture.

Ooh ooh! One of my favorite dilemmas! Raise those cabinets and install an open shelf below (see attached, from http://www.domesticimperfection.com). You're a paint whiz, so don't let the laminate boxes bug you. Just paint them (sand them first) when you paint the cabinets. I like the white above/gray below combo, but the options are infinite.

If you like the butcher block, Ikea sells (and delivers) a birch that will achieve this look when treated with Waterlox. It's cheap ($192 plus delivery for an 8' run) and simple to cut with a circular saw and guide. (There are approximately one million tutorials on painting oak cabs and finishing butcher block, so no need to get into that here.) But if you want to save some $, just keep your laminate countertop. If it's in decent shape, it's probably just fine for years to come.

I would caution against a busy backsplash. Save your money and give it a glossy paint job for now.

I am SO IN LOVE with that black wall. *swoon*

Do you see that light blue in the upper right of your art? Make THAT your cabinet color for your lowers. It'll be bright and play nicely with what's there. Then go with a bright, solid white countertop and white upper cabinets. Fresh, modern, and classic. (The cabinets can always be repainted, but the counters are money. Leave what you've got until you can afford what you really want.) I wouldn't do backsplash everywhere, especially as long as you've got that 4" kicker. I'd run stainless tiles (cheap at Lowe's!) vertically behind the sink up to the counter. That'll contain messes there, be a nice pop, elongate your kitchen, and keep the price down. Man, I wish I had Photoshop right now!

Under cabinet lighting is always awesome! I know our local Home Depot just did a class on how to install it. Maybe check with your local stores and see if there are any DIY classes you can check out?

Here's the closest picture reference I can find:

Keep the cabinets light... A soft gray or even a soft blue if you want color. I love the idea of concrete for the counters. And adding a touch of sheen somewhere always make it special. That could be done with your backsplash and hardware.

I used Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations on my very similar cabinets after adding crown molding. It covered their laminate sides just fine. Lots of color options but pretty labor intensive so be prepared if you decide to go that route. Definitely less expensive than refacing or replacing. We chose Quartz countertops and love them...durable, no sealing, very user friendly. Good luck!

Fused glass cabinet hardware would add interesting elements to the kitchen without clutter - and that is the beauty of functional art! By adding hardware, you can instantly upgrade and personalize without construction mess