I love the lighter grey Lkristine showed on the cabinets around the oven, but would think about going with a darker charcoal color where it is currently a wood-trim look (looks yellowish in the pic). That would really bring out the grey in the granite and floor.

Love the mocha idea - Jayme - these are laminate doors - they don't stain! Make sure you give your carpenter a really nice tip - he's not charging enough for the amount of work he'll be doing - make sure you post after pictures please.

I would not paint the cabinets but would paint the wood trim on them. I noticed that the other trim in the room is golden brown wood which is not something I would prefer. Everyone's taste is different. I would paint it all some other colour. I also noticed that your table and chairs are dark wood. One should be aware of the whole space not just the cabinets.

You need wall decor!
Stop by and have a look.
http://www.bargainbacker.com/Wall-Decor_c_13.html

If it were my kitchen, I would ask myself " How am I going to use this space?" "What NEEDS to fit here. Then look at styles of Islands and think about where to put it. Gray and black paint show a lot of wear fast. Look at what finishes various paints and stains come in, look at glass, or putting in shelves, for the island you could use it as a desk, homework space, cooking/baking, storage of cookbooks, cleaners, food, office supplies, backpacks...If you could have anything what would it be? Start there for brainstorming.

I would reface the doors and boxes of the cabinets with a darker stained wood. It would look very warm and inviting with your countertops. Paint the walls a warm color and accessorize. I agree with rouxb, gray is so trendy now and very cold looking.

I'm in agreement about the gray as well. I like the black as long as the rest stays light. Bright green is trendy now too. You can lighten things up considerably with drawer pulls, knobs, lighting and accessories. I think bright white on the walls would pop against the black and some bright artwork would keep it from being too overwhelmed with black. Just some thoughts and ideas. Love the size of the space.

Hi, Whimmel1! I'm Michael and I'm just finishing up a moderate kitchen remodel of my own. I just have to say that I am looking at all that wood trim in your kitchen -- the window, the sliding door, the wall closet and I think I'd be using that and going for the natural wood stained look. I would also paint the walls to something that pulls the wood color. Look at something like "Arizona", an Ultra Behr color that has a great deal of yellow and orange in it. It looks great with natural wood tones. Yes, change the splash -- they do you no favors. If you have money to throw at it, I'd also consider laminate wood floors.

New cabinet doors would be my first priority. It will feel like a nice fresh facelift for your kitchen. I would suggest changing your flooring when/if you have it in your budget. It feels a bit disconnected and dated as well. Your granite is nice & neutral so you have some great flexibility. Good luck! Keep us posted on how the after turns out.

simply eclectic You can take off the cabinet doors. I'd take care to keep them in order. If you clean them well, they can be spray painted and save at least 75% of that cost. I'd take advantage of the black appliances and spray the cupboards and drawers by them in a paint as similar to the shine as you can find as well as the shade. So simply see the sections that have black appliances get spray painted to blend as much as possible with those. Think of it in blocks. If a counter top exists between upper and lower cupboards then just paint the lower part where the black appliance exists. If its in a block that has no counter and solid, then paint the whole thing to the top to match appliance color. The others you can use a white shade, I'd pick that shade up from what's on your counter top. You have some brushed stainless, so I'd do handles the same. Today's look like bolder handles, so its not a good place to be stingy. I would paint the wood pieces the same color as the cabinets. If black, the wood is black too. If off-white, the wood is off white too. As you don't need a high shine to match appliances with the white, I'd do the lowest shine possible to help give even more contrast.

Check out your counter top for a color you like that relates to the rest of your home best. (If its carmel, and other walls are carmel, its a good choice. Idea is to match paint to one of those colors in the counter top. (If you have a scrap you found in the house, a good paint mixer can match it exactly. (Same with the off white.) Your kitchen will look pulled together, interesting, and up to date.

There's a lot of rugs to be found. Keep your colors in mind (paint chips of the colors used in your wallet make that easier!) So choose rugs that you like and are easy to clean. I love the rug (black curls on white) and the pulls Lkristine recommended, but the choice is yours!!!

I've seen tin ceiling tiles used for a backsplash and I love that! The glass ties being used now are beautiful! So much so I think they would date your kitchen due to their popularity in a shorter time than you'd like. Kitchen updates are still expensive, so I'm a bigger fan of using something different. As that pretty glass tile has been a favorite for several years at least, your clock to looking older already started.

I'd put off doing new door fronts. Its expensive for an update, especially when you don't plan to keep them all that long. You'll want the better quality for the cupboard as well as the door fronts sooner rather than later. So I'd try to keep that cost down.

If you go online, you can find conversion schemes that allow you to turn canned recessed lights into pendants. So where its appropriate, you could turn your pot lights into pendants. I'm guessing (hoping?) that the two pot lights are actually over the island. If so, lucky you!

A carmel (?), black and white kitchen would be lovely! That wonderful rug with the black curls on white would be grand! Then I'd watch for artistic bits of wrought iron sconces or decorative bits would make a nice statement on walls. If mocha is in your counter top and in a joining room I'd love that too instead of carmel. The idea is to have a tie to that room so it looks like it got planned at the same time instead of in pieces.

1) Paint cabinets (cheapest) or replace cabinet doors (still most likely need to paint the base anyway). A contrasting color to your countertop could like very sharp. Looks like your countertop is New Venetion Gold? A dark, dark red would compliment the garnet flecks in the granite. Ebony might look sharp too. Either would contrast both your counter and floor nicely.
2) Cabinet door / drawer hardware for new style. Not critical, but could be nice
3) tile backsplash and undercabinet lighting -> there are several tile backsplash options that would compliment your existing granite counters nicely
4) paint the stained trim a white or off-white semi-gloss. Or, consider replacing existing stained trim with larger profile base and casing around the doors and paint white. Your room size will support a larger profile, and it's amazing how "grand" a room can look with trim other than the so typical "colonial base"
5) paint the walls a fresh color
6) paint the ceiling "ceiling white"
7)replace the recessed light surrounds in the ceiling with new ones with white surrounds
8) Would you consider replacing appliances? Or a vented hood above the stove (assuming there is a closet or some not so difficult way to route the exhaust)? This would add considerable expense (very easily more than 1-7 combined) but would be attractive.

I like the red idea too. :D The following would look good with your countertops/black appliances/new backsplash...

I would not invest any money on the current layout. IE replacing doors or even a new countertop. The layout is a particularly poor one, and not up to building code in the US. You need 9 inches of countertop at least on the back of a island cooktop for safety and a venting system. If you are going to purchase new cabinetry, get a better design. New doors cost almost as much as new cabinetry and replacing doors on frameless cabinetry ,which you have, is also not a good investment. Wait and do the job right. And when you decide to redo the kitchen, find a good kitchen designer to work with. You have many great design options in your space and the present design is just not a good one. Here is a link to an article on this type of issue:

http://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/whats-the-best-investment-on-a-new-kitchen/

Getting good professional help from a kitchen designer with many years experience will be invaluable. If you call around experienced designers can even be found in home centers.

Truly best of luck, you have a wonderful kitchen design that will excite you just waiting for you to see. You simply need to find the designer that will show it to you. And a good design costs nothing extra.

Paul

I agree with Paul, from ML Kitchen Design. If you bought the house with a kitchen remodel in mind. Get professional help. A kitchen remodel is not something you want to waste time and money on. Do it right the first time.

Seems like the island is not quite right..seems too far out in room and/or wrong size...too far from sink, counters for convenience. It could be larger, seating,(I did see an overhang on edge).. etc....but if you can get it redone for as little as u were thinking, I still would possibly go for it-but only if it didn't involve a large investment-especially if I were going to redo in a few years! Good luck :)

I like idea of darker cabinets too.It will add some contrast to floors and counter.Looks like you have plenty of light in a nice large space.No worries about making it to dark!

Hi I looked in to refacing and it was so expensive I could not believe it. However I discovered something amazing. There is a place called Greendemolitions.com they recycle kitchens, I got my kitchen from them with applience's and granite counters. Huge selection and they ship Nationwide, If you are far from NJ well you just have to trust the photos you see, but what you see is what you get an if you are close to NJ you might even be able to donate your Kitchen and they will remove it for you. Tax write off. I love love my kitchen. It was $$$$ no more than that. I did get a Dacor double wall oven 30" (used) but good condition and SS for $59.00 T it works great just needed to be cleaned... you see these are the deals I am talking about.
Couldn't be happier. If you don't see what you want the first time you look at the web site and the inventory, just wait a week and take another look, also you can get on there list and they will send you e mails about new arrivals. I hope this helps. Best of luck and hope you find your Dream Kitchen in Greendemolitions. It's about being GREEN.

Use dark colors on the floor, floor boards...it grounds the room and makes it look wider. Dark colors on the walls are not good in a space that gets a lot of light on one side of the room than another. You could have two walls or worse sections of the same wall that don't even look like the same color. You want light colors that are at least a semi-gloss paint and some good lighting to keep it unified, open, and yes ( in my experience ) less depressing. If you need furniture than do that first, but lighting really does create space, define space, and give a room a brighter or warmer feel. If you want it bright on a rainy day, that's the majority of what you use, then at night cozy it up with warmer bulbs from recessed, tract, scones, .... Now, I'm not sure but it looks like the kitchen goes into a family/living/great room, and another on the opposite side of the kitchen is that right? because if so, you need to decide if you want to make the kitchen an extension to those rooms or keep them as defined spaces using different flooring, base board, wall, paint/stain. I know someone with a similar layout that put their table where yours in and it works fine. They did choose to relate the wall colors in all three rooms and it worked well, but you don't HAVE to do anything any of us suggest. I once read that the only successful spaces are those that reflect the people who live there living in them. I take that as, if you're comfortable while using the space and it feels like your family then it is perfect!

That layout would work fine for me-nice tight working triangle and an island that isn't in the way. Jayme, if count the floor tiles you will see that the island is in the middle of the floor place and maybe 4 ft. from counters. Photos can be so deceptive. This is also the case with the clearance between the cook top and back edge of the island-it is easily 9 inches (from my eyes of course!) If you can't live with what you have until you are able to afford a total reno, I say do what you can to create a space you can live in happily.

@rouxb...IKD for sure...I counted 7 1/2 tiles...if they r 12 inch tiles..that's about 90 inches...but maybe they are not 12 inches..If they r 6 inch tiles...closer to 4 feet...Yes pics can be deceiving..but it looks like a lot of space to me...

The tiles, I would guess based on width of cook top, are 6 inches rather than 12 inches. If they were 12 inches the kitchen would be about 23' wide and I don't think so.

@roux...hard to say...as I am not there to measure it, but it appears further away from the other side than I would like, in my own space.

I say go with your gut! My advice on other parts of the kitchen would be don't use a rectangular rug when your island curves unless it ends before the curve. A cheap way to stay trendy is drawer pulls, knobs...As far as anyone you hire goes ask if while working on your kitchen they would take on another job as well and do both at the same time. If they say no, get it in writing. Find out where he will be buying supplies, ask to see plans and cost estimates, if things go over budget, ultimately you will have to pay for materials. Make sure he is licensed, bonded, and insured. I would think in a kitchen electric and plumbing experience would be needed to keep things up to code. I would figure out what the town building inspectors codes are and use that not just the cabinet makers or the inspector who looked at the house before you bought it. This is an investment in your home. Think long term. Do your research so you have piece of mind about safety, legality, resale value, rental potential, cost, and time frame.

spend the money to hire a proper designer - you wont regret it.

how about a stainless steel counter with a hardwood floor for contrast?

I agree with Coates Design. Not everyone can afford to gut a kitchen and replace everything and whimmel1 already said her budget is limited. A consultation with a designer would be a good investment. Not everyone has vision or the knowledge to know how to get a new look for a small price.

Go to some paint websites, like Ben Moore or Sherwin Williams, upload your picture and play around with color. The thing you have to be aware of is that a dark color can make your kitchen a lot darker, but the computer won't change the amount of reflected light from your original picture, even if you make everything black.

Your home looks "earthy" (stone wall in the background). If you like that stylet, continue it into the kitchen using muted earth tones - sage, cream, etc. I'd recommend hiring a color consultant since the countertops have yellow undertones and the floors have pink undertones. Your color choices will make a dramatic difference in the room.

Looks like the grey backsplash clashes with the warm granite! Remove backsplash and paint walls a warm neutral to compliment granite. That, in itself, would make a big difference! Your granite looks like its filled with earth tones. Really not sure about grey cabinets unless you have the grey in the granite (can't tell in the pix). I think for a budget friendly facelift:
1. remove backsplash , paint walls warm neutral
2. choose cabinet color wisely, don't go trendy cuz it will go out of style in 5 years!
3. add handles/ pulls to cabinet doors
4. install nice light fixtures over island and dining table
5. add your "pops" of color in area rugs and accessories, you have a lot of space to fill nicely

Good luck!

Back Splashes are AMAZING! We did an estimate in a customers house (see attached pic) and they had just re-done their kitchen for a rental. The cabinets are Blue and the back splash is silver. You can really have fun with the colors! You will not regret getting a back splash! It's modern, clean, and appealing to the eye! Best of luck!

what computer program are you using to change the color of the cabinets in the photo to show the homeowner? i would love to purchase that software.

Photoshop! Very versatile. I love to use it for clients to help them visualize different colors, artwork, lamps, etc Click of the mouse and voila - a new wall color. .

It's hard to tell from the photo, but the countertop looks like a grey/black/white speckle. If this is correct and you like modern, I would suggest that you do reface the cabinets in white and do the island in black or vice versa. It doesn't look as though there is much backsplash space, so perhaps you could price out getting a new one. I think that either subway tile or a mosaic would look lovely. Try adding some pendant lights over the island and some bar stools...that will warm it up a bit...just my "unprofessional" opinion. Enjoy!

Okay I've seen the photoshop photos above and I only like a monochrome scheme. You don't have enough height in cabinets and perimeter cabinets to do opposing in my opinion. Also make sure the cabinets look rich with the brick fireplace I see through the door with the pics. Stay classic with ceramic subway....looks great and not trendy.

I would collect photos of kitchens that you like....it takes time but it also gives you the opportunity to see if there is a theme to the ideas..one that you like. I also taped the ideas to the part of the room I wanted it for..and then kept looking at it. Gave me an idea of what it might look like and how I would feel about it...It is OK if you take your time....

I thought since you all have been so helpful with my kitchen, I would share pics of my master bathroom.... This will give you more of an understanding of what needs to be done in this new home of mine, and my budget constraints for the kitchen!! LOL!!. Tile Tile, everywhere in the bathroom, literally. This was done in the 90's I think. I am thinking we will be gutting this room and putting all new everything in here! Start from the ground up. Going to need to get an estimate and then start saving I guess! ;-)

more..... The 2nd pic is actually a closet that they put in... Makes no sense to me at all but.....

you have a water saving toilet, granite, a large space, and nice shower. The problem is there are no defined spaces because the same tile used on the walls are used in the shower. I'm wondering if a less costly cosmetic fix could be some kind of treatment for the existing tile rather than a gut. Any one know of something like that?

I have those same cabinets. Until I have the time and money to redo the kitchen I sanded and painted them. Once they were painted I screwed in handles as well. Then the oak trim faded back and you can't notice it. I also put in a new back splash and tiled the counter top. If you do these things your self you can really save big. Here are some photos of before and after.
Oh, when you sand the cabinets use an electric sander and be prepared for a funny smell. Ugh!
The flooring is just a vinyl that looks like wood. $2 a square foot in Home Depot.

That is a lot of beige in the bathroom but a complete gut/remodel will cost you in the neighborhood of $30K.... You could remove the tile/drywall from the walls and replace the drywall, tape, mud and paint. Get someone who works with drywall for the best outcome. It didn't appear from your picture that the tile was failing in your shower - if it isn't invest in a piece of granite for the bench seat to add another color - I'm only guessing but is the granite counter top Uba Tuba? I wanted to suggest replacing the one large mirror with two that are framed but I see they tiled all around the mirror as well - boy, someone loved that tile!

Rather than gutting you could remove the tile in the bathroom from counter level down and leave a "border" around the perimeter of the room to make it less overwhelming. Another option might be wainscoting after removing the tile...which would personally make it less modern...unless you went with a cedar/spa look...just some thoughts. My previous comments were made with your budget in mind. I'm all for doing renos/remodels as cheaply as possible. You can't get much cheaper than paint and knobs/handles! (I don't think the backsplash in the kitchen would be as bad with darker cabinets) :D

This video is a step by step guide to painting ceramic tiles. I suggest the tiles on the walls be painted.

In a bathroom I would keep the tile from the counter down outside the shower. Inside the shower, keep the tile up to the ceiling. From the counter up you have a lot of options including using an pigmented clay. Research it!

Some DIY stuff ideas are dumb & cheap. Painted tile looks like painted tile. Direct quote from video above: "you have to make sure to clean up your countertop as SOON as it gets any water, liqueds on it". Sound REALLY practical. Good Grief!

If you want to keep the cabinets, I would change out the island. The shape is odd and may be what's got you stuck. It's too narrow and long for the space you have.

To copperpot - the painted tile reference was to the tiles on the walls in the bathroom. Of course it is totally inappropriate to paint a countertop. This homeowner has two projects.

I had these exact style cabinets and I painted them MYSELF! It was very time consuming and will confess I had a nightmare I forgot to paint a drawer,LOL,but it worked well and held up well.I would recommend hiring a painter to do this or if you do it yourself sand well use a good primer and 2 coats of paint. If I was to do it over again I would invest in a paint sprayer to make process faster and more professional. As for color that is personal choice but I had a friend use a color consultant and her house is beautiful,might save some headaches.I personally love the idea of a darker grey.You have a lot of light don't be afraid it's just paint! Have fun.

Just saw pics of bathroom and can say I have seen MUCH worse ,but if you dislike the tile on walls maybe you could go over it with wainscoting and trim.It could be painted or stained

Ypu need some cabinet door handles - changes the whole look of the kitchen with very little money.

You can go for classic ... or contemporary! (Or both, but not recommended :)

Pleas help for smal pleace and kitchen & living room
Thank you