500 won't go far. I'd change the flooring. In my opinion that is the most dated thing.

$500 will not even begin to touch the flooring other than adding a cheap rug.

It won't even cover having a Pro paint the walls.

Keep saving and putting away $500 here and there until you have done that 100 times. Then talk with a KD.

I know it wont go far. I just threw a number out there. I just dont want to spend a fortune. The floors will be done when we do the big reno. I'm definitely painting the walls. Just don't know whether to go dark or light.

We do everything ourselves. So the money will only go to supplies.

You cannot do a backsplash for $500. If you paint, if will cost you $500. What the heck, get the cheap rug to put some color in there. Change the knobs and change the window curtain - there you've spent the $500....Also, remove the clutter from the refrigerator door(my pet peeve - might not be yours).

What paint do you buy? A gallon of BM regal select is 50.00

Replacing the cabinet door pulls will update the look.

So, one gallon is going to do it for you? The point is, as you've noted - $500, will not go far.

What would you suggest for the knobs?

Shirlpp- to change the wall color, yes, 1 gallon is enough. There is not a lot of wall space. I know 500 isn't a lot. I just threw a number out there. We would do the backsplash ourselves so would just have to pay for tile and supplies.

Honestly it's not that bad. Take down the valance, the mirror isn't doing anything just remove and replace w a nice larger scale art piece. Do not paint that room that dark color. Save every penny for 5 years then go to town on the remodel.

I like to have a soft surface to stand on, so I have rugs in my kitchen. Two runners, one on each side of your island, would allow you to have some good color on the floor, and some accessories in the same color (canisters, ceramic pot for big cooking utensils, potholders, curtains, and art on the wall) will spread the color around the room. Rug runners are not expensive. Your kitchen is all neutral, so you could choose bright color runners at least the length of your island for nice impact and few dollars.

OMG $500 WILL go far, especially if you do it yourself! Sherwin Williams paint. You can get a few gallons and paint your cabinets white, get it on a 30% or 40% off sale and it comes in cheaper than a gallon of Behr at Home Depot (right around $35 per gallon). You could do white uppers and keep the lowers wood or even just paint the island.

Head over to floor and decor and you can pick up some white subway tiles for 19 cents and do a back splash.

Even just the back splash would change the look up enough to make it "yours".

Look around for a cabinet supply place. Not where you actually buy cabinets but where you buy the wood to make the cabinets, they will have drawer pulls for a TOOOOON cheaper than anywhere I've been able to find. I don't mind your pulls though. I think paint is your biggest bang for your buck.

I'd be tempted to stick with paint and the curtain if the plan is to gut it in five years. Personally, I'd probably just lose the curtain since I like natural light, and it seems to block lots of the window. You can definitely DIY backsplash within that budget (I just did marble subway tiles, and while I had way less backsplash square footage than you, I came in around $600 Canadian for the tiles+adhesive+sealer+grout+wet saw... I therefore think if you really wanted, and kept an eye out for sales, you could do a decent ceramic tile within your budget...) but if you're redoing your countertop in your big Reno, you'll have to redo the backlash then. So I'd personally stick with the simple stuff like paint, and splurge a little more down the road. Hardware pulls also totally transform a kitchen, and if you get something you love, you could reuse those when you do your big Reno, so it wouldn't be lost $$$. Good luck!

It's not an unattractive kitchen. I wouldn't waste any money on something that will be undone in 5 years. Take down the valence. Spend whatever you want on some great art instead of the mirror. (It's not an unattractive kitchen, but you don't need to see it twice!!).
That's all I would do.

Cup style pulls on the drawers. the cabinet doors could be round knobs or something more rectangular. Since you plan to renovate in a few years I wouldn't spend time and money on a backsplash. Perhaps paint the wall above the counter a bold accent color. Also remove the window treatment and replace the recessed can with a pendant fixture.

pay whatever is necessary to keep someone seated at the island from putting their foot through the glass cabinet door.... or buy a lot of bandages....

Does this look better?? Minus to curtain rods brackets...

Take down the valance, replace the mirror with art in colors you like, get some colorful accessories (a fruit bowl, canisters, tea towels, etc. - I think red would look great in your kitchen) and a couple of rugs. Remove the stools from the side of the island. Remove the "stuff" from the front of the fridge. And whatever you do, do not paint the kitchen that dark gray color you have a sample of on the wall!

Echo many here. Very nice kitchen.

I see you took down the valence. Good.

Find the mirror another home and put up a beautiful piece of art there.

The backless stools don't really belong.

Add towels and bowls in pretty colors.

If you want to paint, go bright. Bright green is very trendy right now and fun in a kitchen.

I'd invest the small change for some grout paint and lighten all the grout lines in the tile -- it would take 30 years off the floor. I think that and new pulls is all I would do for the time being, as it's pretty nice kitchen. I didn't even mind the valence, except for size.

So, it looks like the dark walls is a no go. What color do you suggest?

I think the color you have there right now is fine. If you feel the need to repaint, a light greenish gray or grayish green would work well.

Here's a suggestion for paint and art. Just not crazy about the mirror, but another 'view' in the room could be nice. I just took the color of your counters for the wall paint.

You must have removed your $500 reference from your original post.

I'd install a backsplash because there isn't one. It will cost you more than $500, but you need one and will be glad you did. I would probably warm up the flooring, too. But I like your kitchen for the most part and don't think it necessarily needs a completely overhaul.

I did remove it because it seemed unreasonable to a lot of people. I just don't want to spend a fortune if I'm doing a major reno in 5 years or so. BUT I do want to like the space until then.

Beverly- I love that look! Where is that painting from?

And Beverly- How did you do that?!?! Was that an app? I need that!!! My husband would so much rather me do that than paint a million swatches on the wall :)

Maybe bring in a colour on the walls. Like the way Beverley's picture does, but by painting the actual walls. Patterns are also a good option.

I'd get a pretty bowl and fill it with fruit and treat yourself to a bouquet of flowers every week to put on the island.

What do you guys think of these changes? I ran to homegoods and grabbed some things. I also got a "backsplash".

I like the backsplash! Now I really want to see the cupboards painted white though...! A little greenery is always good too!

I agree with the white cabinets! They would make your countertops look better. There are a lot of good DIY cabinet painting tutorials online. It's a project for sure, but it would make you happier. 5 years is still a long time. :)

I definitely think the cabinets would look so much better white. The floor is going to look awful if/when I do them. One project really opens a can of worms!!

The canvas is from GreatBigCanvas.com, but the large images can get expensive. If you take the time to read your options you can also get it in a poster format. I think the gold tones in the art is a good contrast with your kitchen gray.

I changed the color of the walls on your photo using Microsoft PAINT. Not an app. I believe it comes standard with Windows, or at least it used to.

I don't think your floor tiles look bad at all. Every kitchen doesn't have to have wood flooring. Your cabinets are in nice shape too! I love white kitchens, but it does cost a lot to have them painted. Painting cabinets is not as easy if you want it to really look good. I think a backsplash would look nice. I think you have to figure out what colors you love and want to look at every day and enjoy. Work toward that.

Hi everyone. I just want to share what we did with the kitchen. I still need to add decor.

It looks great! I like your cabinets. Can't see any reason to go to the expense and work of painting them. Now all you need is art for the wall. I would also suggest taking down the paper towel holder and putting it in a lower cabinet (just a little thing that's always bugged me in houses).

Just noticed that you did paint the cabinets...lol. I would live with that kitchen for way more than 5 yrs! Maybe just a new floor eventually.

Would something like this look ok or is it too blah?

Do you mean for that big wall? I think you need large colorful art there.