With a project this big you need to start by having a firm budget in mind and then talk to some kitchen designers. Some work for a Kitchen and bath company and the design is free if you use that company for the cabinets and counters. Others are independent designers. Taking down a wall means having an engineer or other qualified person determine if you need to add supports and beams - which can take thousands of dollars out of the budget - so you will need a good contractor too.

A good place to start is collecting some pictures of cabinets and kitchens that you like. Keep in mind the present color pallet of you home. It looks like there are warm toned woods. You can work these warmer tones into your new kitchen even if you go with painted cabinets so that the kitchen is cohesive with the rest of the home. Do not try to go with gray or dark espresso cabinets or cool gray tones unless you are ready to transform all the warm tones in the house to cool tones - quite an undertaking, and the on trend color pallet will change again in 10 or so years.

Here is an example of a new kitchen but with warm tones:

The average replacement kitchen remodel is 60K. You also want to do structural alterations. You need to decide if a full is worth it. You could do new floors, paint the cabinets, new counters, add lighting, and new appliances for 20-30K.

HI -- Start with a list of your wants and wishes and what doesn't work for you in this kitchen . A list of what appliances you are keeping or wanting . Do not go out and buy any new appliances or items yourself before you talk to anybody. Kitchen designers will suggest appliances to fit the design. Find a few certified kitchen designers and interior designer and contractors that will come in and measure and do plans . Do not be pushed to make a fast decision . If you also get in a kitchen company and all they do is want to replace what you have with new , then look for someone else . Visit a few kitchen show rooms for ideas . Ikea has affordable cabinets also . Once you start getting ideas then you will get quotes and prices etc. I use to start with a kitchen plan with all the bells and whistles and then we would work it down to the right price for the customer . It is a process with many steps so take your time . Good Luck !

PS;- It is too late to have a new kitchen for Christmas . Better to start in the new year .

Thank you all so much for the comments. It is an undertaking. I have been dragging my feet because I just don't know where to start. We are going to a kitchen design shop this weekend for ideas but I want to look around. All of the ideas are excellent!

Start with your budget.

Draw up a floor plan- you can use the online Ikea kitchen planner - it's fast and easy. http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/rooms_ideas/splashplanners_new.html

After four years, you know what is working for you and what is not working. Looks like you might want more drawers in the new kitchen.

this is a good time to assess what you have inside of cabinets that you dont need, or that could be stored some place else, so if an attractive plan calls for fewer uppers, for example, you'll know if that can work for you or not. also decide on your microwave. who uses it, how much, is there someplace else (a closet down the hall, for example) if its hogging more space on the counter than its worth.

also, RIGHT NOW, empty your baking rack and remove it. if you want to get rid of that wall, you have to assign a location for things currently stored there.

naturescall, what city are you near? There are a few things you can do yourself to save some money. Are you or the other any bit on the handy side? When you find out what it is you actually want to do and what the budget is, let me know and I can give you more specifics.

Here is just an idea to get you started from a recent project we did:

Issaquah Kitchen · More Info

Issaquah Kitchen · More Info