Posts that actually include the photos get more comments. Are you selling or do you want a new look for yourselves?

Plan on selling in 6-12 months.

Continue floor into kitchen- hopefully without threshold strip. Assuming you're keeping the black appliances- paint the cabinets black, dark grey or dark blue. Add two floating shelves above the sink 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" thick. Add hardware to the cabinets. Can't tell what your counter is, but keep that white or very light beige. Paint the walls white. Add white subway tile backsplash (optional).

Since you are selling soon, make it fresh with a coat of paint on the walls that matches the existing countertops. It looks like the color of the wall behind the fork and spoon would be fine. No backsplash. No need to replace the existing countertops unless they are actuallly damaged. Extend the flooring you have already (good that you planned in advance). Remove all the decorative items on top of the cabinets. Then hang one colorful artwork over the sink.

Light gray primer is often more effective at covering red than regular white primer. Some paint stores have it ready to go, others will tint it for you.

Paint the walls for sure. Painting cabinets is an arduous task. I would not do it unless you are good at it. Poorly painted cabinets are worse then old cabinets. I am in the Midwest too and many are fine with wood cabinets. A buyer can also chose to paint them if they want, or do a new kitchen. Price appropriately and clean very well. Older painted cabinets are not an update that will make a difference on what price you can ask for the home - they are what they are.

Apparently we are a little short on flooring, so we are thinking about getting a different color to break up the monotony. Do you all think its possible go a little darker on the kitchen floor than the oak laminate that is the next room? Or should we just get the same color? When we did the rest of the house we went with a mid grade flooring, now Im at a point where I dont mind spending more money for better flooring. Seems like all floors being the same color is a bit much, but what do I know!

Thanks for all the suggestions, I really appreciate it.

I would continue the wall color and flooring from the adjoining rooms. I wouldn't bother with new countertops since you're looking to sell. Remove everything above the cabinets and on the counters for listing photos.

Use the exact same floor it will visually expand the space. Same effect will happen if you bring the same color or a lighter tone of it in from the adjoining rooms. Other than that take stuff off of the cabinet tops, clear counters and price the house properly and it should sell just fine.

Why spend money on someone else's flooring? Keep it all the same. Paint the walls a new color that works with the other grays and clear out everything else (called staging.) No clutter, no fridge magnets, nothing above the cabs. Make them believe they can literally eat off those new floors and it will sell.

few ideas for the kitchen sink area. no one wants to stare at a blank wall.

you could span it w/wood shelving, painted, shelves, glass, even find a shallow oak cabinet to put above. (take off the doors and have it open, or put glass in them)

If you don't have enough flooring to continue it into the kitchen, I'd leave the floor alone. I agree with just continuing the wall color from behind the fork/spoon throughout the kitchen.

If you want to take on the task of painting the cabinets, consider a two toned/black and white look. It'll make your appliance look more purposeful and white uppers with light/white walls should open up the space.