Are you just moving in or do you want a change after living there for a while?

Can you upload more photos so we can get a better sense of how the kitchen looks like now. The two-tone cabinets looks better in a bigger kitchen, otherwise it may look like you ran out of one color and used the second color instead.

Thank you. We want to change it up as the cabinets on the bottom are getting tired . I have ideas swirling in my head and am confused as what to do without a renovation . It is an open space.

It seems you have two areas for sitting around the bar which doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Even if you have a limited budget, I think you can change the layout of the room and transform it to a galley kitchen . You can take the end piece of the L shaped cabinet out and extend the island allowing for a bigger one in the center of the room. This way, you will have a better flow to your dining room as well.

Creemore Kitchen · More Info

Prospect Park West Kitchen · More Info

If it is possible to remove the short 4" splash on the Corian before adding a backsplash, then do so. With wood cabinets, a simple backsplash is better. Consider having any of the damaged cabinet doors refinished - one at a time if necessary.

DIY cabinet painting is a difficult process if you are not an experienced and patient DIY person. It is best as a way to give cabinets new life while saving for new.

I used cream subway tile with my wood cabinets:

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~57088087[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~57088087)

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58830325[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~58830325)

Everyone is different - If this kitchen were mine the thing that would bother me the most is the large microwave over the range. Probably sounds silly but I have a hard time cooking in that sort of enclosed space and I would replace it with a regular hood. I mention that because if you do a backsplash now and remove the microwave later, there will be wall space that was covered by the microwave that need backsplash added. So, either take the micro down and put backsplash behind it and then put it back up, or get a pretty hood - stainless is not too expensive.

Rather than painting cabinets, consider painting your trim work only - leaving doors and cabinets stained. This will brighten the space, but keep the warmth of the wood. It is also a lot easier. Then, to continue your country style, consider a beadboard in the wainscot area in white. You could also do beadboard as the backsplash:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/4512247/finally-finished-with-kitchen-updating

This is not the best pic - but this shows the white beadboard and trim with wood doors. (While some of my home has real beadboard, some, as in this hallway, is really the textured, paintable beadboard wallpaper.)

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~88642832[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~88642832)

You can remove the sink doors if they are in poor shape and do a curtained cabinet. I did this in my basement kitchenette:

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573)

To make the space more accessible, use a curtain rod assembly that moves easily:

You can freshen up your style just a bit and I think you can have a sweet kitchen:)