If you are going to update in the near future anyway, what about painting the floor?

I would stay away from grey walls, I think they clash with the gold of the cabinets. I think the colors that would go with the cabinets are off white, blue or green. A greyish blue / green might work. I've used BM Misted Green.

For the hardware I'd use a pull that is similar in color to the refrigerator handle. Top knobs has some nice selections.

But for the hardware, as for the light fixture I'd pick something I really loved so I could work into a future update.

The cabinets have a nice style, but look like they are plywood. I'd paint them. You could do all white, or pick a minty green, teal or blue that goes with the floor. The floor is nice, but doesn't go with the cabinetry. I guess I'd go for white cabs and walls a pastel green or blue that goes with the floor.

Unless you were going to change the layout of the kitchen (which looks fine to me, but I don't cook there), paint is what I'd do.

Without changing the color of your cabs, the hardware isn't going to make much difference.

a light blue/gray for the walls and nickel hardware. that's it. less is more. maybe try a large sisal rug or something for the exposed area of the floor.

BM Sweet Innocence

or try, BM Blue Springs

i think painting the cabinets and replacing the handles, would help a lot to giving the kitchen a nice update.

to everyone that's commenting to paint the cabinets, the OP has said they want to leave them as is.

yes, painting would be an option. Painting is also an expense and a lot of work. OP says they will be gutting the kitchen in the near future. prob doesn't want to invest the time/money on these cabinets.

They are asking for paint color and hardware. leave it at that.

Beth this is so helpful! I love the paint colour you suggested.

If you're going to do a full reno in the near future, why bother spending money on pulls and fixtures that you may not be able to re-use? Nice hardware and fixtures are costly; if I were you I'd save my money and use the space as is while I dream and plan!

SMTG, you can buy a contractors pack of the nickel hardware for less than $40 at Lowes. Or, look online at AliExpress. you can find some GREAT deals on that site. I've ordered many items from there and saved tons!

No significant advice here, but I gotta say I love the phrase "quirky and intentional." What a fabulous way of approaching the problem :). And thank you to Beth H who as always listens to OP. Why anyone is talking about painting cabinets is beyond me. I do have to say that those lights are already looking quirky and intentional to me - not sure I'd change those out. They're kind of cool looking in a retro way and draw the eye up (and away from the floor). The light coming from them is looking pretty yellowy but that might be remedied with different bulbs.

lwfromny: leaving the two ball pendants never even occurred to me! but you're right, maybe with a cooler toned bulb and a little wipe down they could work! Thanks!

^ No prob - sometimes it just takes new eyes to see things differently! One other thing - you might want to consider painting the backsplash the same color as whatever you paint the walls. BM probably has paint that will stick to the tile and since it's only to buy you time anyway, it would be one more way to tone down the stuff you don't like by making the strong tile disappear somewhat.

I think you could make it quirky by painting the cabinets. That blue floor is so atrocious I'd consider heading to Lowes and covering it with sheet vinyl just so it didn't upset my tummy at breakfast. You could then live with the cabinet color. That is what I did. I even applied a bit of darker stain and it lasted me for 10 years before I did a complete gut. I think the floor cost $400 installed over the top - so worth it!

You can also reuse the hardware, just head to Hobby Lobby, get some Rub 'n Buff and you can change the handles to silver, black, bronze, gold, for all of $9

Paint the backsplash a white and your off to the races with a more neutral kitchen.

Have you thought of an inexpensive area rug in the dining area of your kitchen? I have quirky flooring in my current home and a Target rug in one area and Flor carpet tiles with a border hides 80% of my floor issues.

Another idea is to use peel and stick wallpaper which you can get on Houzz and other websites. You could add it to the walls or even the cabinets. Some ideas.

Lydia: wow, I love that print! Thank you!

I also like the idea of crisp white and satin nickel pulls(if you can do them inexpensively). If you really are interested in a renovation in the near term, don't invest too much. When the time comes consider the IKEA cabinets, they have so many nice styles for a budget. I wonder if anyone has any ideas on how to update the backsplash as it seems to be a really different green from floor. I also like the idea of a cute updated rug.

Cindi: It's actually the same exact ceramic tile! My thought is that the rest of the floor might be sun bleached as it is original from 1990. Or it could just be the lighting. I am intrigued by all the suggestions re: nickel, silvery finishes as I've usually heard to keep that 'honey' oak away from cool metals but I do think it would really freshen things up as you say!

I am surprised the tile is the same, ha!

SMTG, if your backsplash really gets to you, you could do a quick cover up with:

peel and stick vinyl backsplash, beadboard, cut to fit and then trimmed around the edges, those look-alike- tin tiles, mirror (you can find free mirrors off of craigslist from old vanity mirrors. get a glass cutter and cut the mirror to fit your splash. file down the edge or trim in mirror edging or wood border) , reclaimed wood (not behind the stove),, etc. these are all inexpensive, temporary fixes to hold you over.

if you can't afford 30 bucks for hardware, look on craigslist, or, remove what you have and spray them w/a can of rustoleum metal spray. heck, do a bright blue to go w/your floor. or gold. or silver or black or whatever your heart desires. if you don't like it, buy a different color! I've sprayed a tone of handles for furniture and it holds just fine. 2-3 LIGHT coats, with ample drying in between, are the key.

ok, have fun.

I think that adding the silvery finishes just make the room feel a bit more current. Think like when people have the more golden oak floor finishes and they add modern elements it seems to make their room look more updated. I'm wondering if it will be hard to find the exact size of the hardware though. If you have a bit more to invest, some cute IKEA lighting.