I think a new tile on the floor would add a new character and a fresh coat of paint possibly in a richer color. Both add a lot of character without costing a lot of money.

A suite of new appliances will be far more expensive on a tight budget than sanding and painting the cabinets. If you choose to go white paint modern your white appliances, I think, would blend in nicely, allowing you to save up for your suite etc. However, if you invest in professionally spray painting your cabinets, your counter tops will be screaming for a contrasting color. What is the counter top material? What colors are you considering for your cabinets?

You don't say if money is a consideration. If i were doing it and did not want to invest a lot and given you've got white going for the kitchen already, I think I'd paint all the cabinets white, maybe tile the space between counter top and upper cabs. Maybe paint the space above the cabs with a color either to match or subtly contrast with the new tiles. Maybe try the new glass tiles. How about a rolling or moveable work table for the center of the space? New hardware for the cabinets. That would be a quick fix and would look good. Use the detailing/hardware, tile style, color, etc. to add the personality you want to the kitchen e.g. traditional/shabby/craftsman, etc. Done!

Love the arch! I would do the appliances last. I would paint the cabinets first and the walls - more bang for your buck. A new coat of paint is an inexpensive way to transform a room. I PAINTED my formica counters to look like granite and the result was ridiculous. I would also add a backsplash - they even have the inexpensive peel and stick and makes a huge difference! I am on a tight budget as well but the counters transformed my kitchen for about $150. GOOD LUCK! http://generalsplendour.blogspot.com/2011/02/ambush-makeover-my-formica-countertops.html

Thanks so much for the quick responses so far! Money is a concern...I could probably swing new appliances but then nothing else for a while. The counter top is some kind of solid-surface counter (not sure of the brand), but yes, it's quite dull (and that's being kind). I like the idea of painting the cabinets white-ish to start, and then deciding what NEEDS to happen next...either counters or backsplash or both? I also like the idea of a small moveable table in the middle...might be able to find complementary colors/materials to break up all of the white? Great ideas, thanks everyone. I'll come back with any changes...:)

An inexpensive area rug makes a world of difference in the feel of a kitchen. I had the same dilemma last year when we moved to our new place. Not my perfect kitchen but quality. Hated the ugly laminate floor, so .... added a rug with under-pad. Changed the whole feel of the kitchen and now even have guests and family plunk on the floor for visiting. The rug does get dirty, so every now and then I haul out my portable cleaner and do the edges(they are beige) and spot the other spills. I think that I will miss the coziness of the kitchen, when we replace the flooring as the rug will go away ....... at least until winter. Hahaha

To my mind, you will get the most bang for your buck with a fun tile backsplash that evokes the mid century modern vibe you desire. Add some vintage accessories to make the space your own.

If you can't afford to REPLACE the cabinetry, have a finish carpenter add some good molding to create some interest to both upper and lower cabinets. Select a dark mahogany stain and top off with black honed granite (Black Absolute). Put in oiled rubbed bronze knobs and pulls...everything will look RICH but recede in the background. Did this with our new kitchen...looks smart. Didn't want the kitchen as the focal point of the open floorplan.
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You really don't want Pop! Keep things simple...remember Audrey Hepburn and the little black dress. Apply this standard throughout the house. There should be no more than one major focal point in a room or else you lose impact. Gone are ruffled Pricilla curtains, cute anything and, God forbid! knicknacks.. Pilar Kildebeck

P.S. Also, your walls look like a creamy offwhite...why not try pale warm grey 'Amazing Grey' by Sherwin Williams...it's very smart. Or, if you're hesitant, how 'bout Grant Beige by Ben Moore...it's a handsome grey/beige and a great backdrop color for most anything. Remember, forget 'Cute' and 'Pop!' Look through those smart magazines and make yourself a 'Dream Board' with all kinds of rooms that appeal to you...live with this board for a while, add and subtract from it...you will find the real YOU in time. Pilar Kildebeck

I actually like the white appliances and wouldn't change them since they're in perfect condition. Stainless steel will not have the midcentury or vintage look you want. I would also not paint cabinets or change the countertop unless it's really worn out. Spend your money on things that will make a real difference. I think a backsplash with octagon shaped tiles would add interest and functionality, but won't look outdated in a few years. I would tile between the counter and the upper cabinets, all the way around the kitchen.

To tie into your preference for vintage, you could make curtains or a roman shade from an vintage printed tablecloth. If you can get enough fabric, use extra to make dish towels, and/or seat covers for bar stools if you're putting them at the counter. Pull your favorite color from the fabric, and paint the area above the upper cabinets.

Use an indoor/outdoor rug to compliment your color scheme.

You may have money leftover to purchase a new faucet if the one you have doesn't have the features you want. You may want a disposer and/or instant hot water dispenser. Look on ebay and etsy for vintage dishes, canisters, etc. Soon your kitchen will have the vibe you want.

There are a few takes on mid-century modern. Personally, I like the organic feel of wood tones rather than paint. I would start by leaving the cabinets as they are, paint a nice neutral color on the walls, change the cabinet hardware to modern "pulls" , use an awesome fieldstone tile product on the front and side of your breakfast bar and install a coordinating back splash. If you can do the work yourself, this will cost well under $1000 and give you a big bang for your buck. Fortunately your cabinets have straight panels which lean more toward a contemporary style than if they had arched panels. You could also remove the panel in some of the upper cabinets and replace them with an opaque glass for more visual interest. I wouldn't use a window treatment unless privacy is an issue. This room has great bones. With these changes, the eye will be drawn away from the features you don't like. Later on you can make the big changes like the floor, appliances and the arch if you want. You could even have a good installer float a poured, stained concrete floor right over that tile. Sounds like I've done this before, right? All too often, and I'm always finding things ways to improve my "nest".
You can really give it the vibe you're looking for by the counter stools or chairs you select. This is all a good thing, have fun with the process.

Darker granite countertops, tile backsplash, lighting over the peninsula, new tile or wood flooring, stainless Steel appliances, a warm color on the walls and carry it into the adjacent room, beautiful fabric window topper and matching drapery at any windows or doors in the adjacent room to tie the rooms together. Good luck, this kitchen has good bones!

Given you are just moving in and are on a tight budget, I would recommend only changing out the cabinet hardware, painting the walls, and perhaps installing a nicer faucet on the sink. There will be other things that pop up as you settle in to your new home, and you want to give yourself some time to get used to the new space. You can also start saving to paint the cabinets, replace the countertop, and add a backsplash.

Many appliance stores offer packages where you can buy a range, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave at a steeply reduced price. Everything will be the same brand, and you cannot mix and match, but it may be something to consider if after living with the appliances for a while you decide you really want to change them out.

Good luck in your new home!

I agree with Marci4, but would try to add a backsplash right away. I love your white appliances which you can always respray if needed. Old appliances usually work a LOT better than new ones in my experience. If you must have stainless steel, use IT as a backsplash. I've even seen subway tiles that look like stainless. Bright red glass subway tiles are also a great pop of colour and style. Also, consider that the trend is going away from predictable granite and stainless, thank goodness.

I know people have said they like the arch, I myself would loose it you don't see archs in mid century design! just keep the side walls it would open the space and make your kitchen look bigger and paint the cabinets some sort of dark color and get new hardware have your counter tops polished and get a stainless back splash or glass tile type that would save you until you can afford new appliances. then for awhile you get to keep the floor your white appliances cabinets and counter's and the dark cabinets will make it all pop oh yea definetly paint the walls something rich in color be bold its fun we did it in our kitchen

I'm also a white appliance lover, I'd leave them. And I'd add planks or beadboard to the back of the peninsula and exposed sides to make them look more custom, then paint the cabinets. Definitely add a tile backsplash, something in a subway tile shape, solid color. Perhaps a glass subway for some " sparkle", and under cabinet lighting.

I just replaced all my appliances in stainless from the sears outlet and still have $8000.00. This may encourage you to stick with paint and flooring for now

My kitchen is similar with cabinets and floor. You do not have a lot of wall space to paint. I would paint the cabinets not necessarily white. Attached photo is a cabinet painting system. I am doing the black splash as described in other comments. If enough $$ would definitely update the floor. The white is a pain to keep clean. Would keep the countertops. Add some color with wall paint and backsplash. New lighting and pulls on cabinets definitely...good luck

p.s. If you paint the cabs white or cream (or even come up with another solution), you could add glass doors to a couple of cabs. That shouldn't be too costly and can add a lot of character depending on what you choose to display in them. There are glass door solutions for any period/style you choose to go with. I think taking the arch out, changing the tile, the counter tops, right now sounds like more than you wanted to invest. If you decide not to paint the cabs, new hardware and a couple of glass doors,paint and new back splash would do wonders. Have fun!

Paint the upper cabinets a light color - off white or white maybe charcoal color on the bottom or a deep sage green or what ever darker color you like. The dark color will set off your counter top and redo the hardware. Something more contemporary. 8" silver handles but not round - too trendy. Then when you can get new black or stainless appliances. Spend your money on a professional back tile splash - but don't go too small. We installed an 9" subway tile using 18" tiles, or you can find a 24" it really cuts down on the cost, then accent with a few really beautiful accent tiles. We used a crushed quartz tile for an accent. It turned out beautifully.

I would leave the cabinets and appliances as they are and replace the countertop and paint the walls. if there is any additional money, i would add a fun backsplash and change the floor. Start with the one thing that bugs you the most.

Without having taken the time to read all posts. Off the top of my head the first thing I'd do is get rid of the white tile floors and replace with hardwood like in the rest of the place.

Paint the kitchen walls. At some point you might want to do white cabinets. But for now changing wall color to something like sage greeen would really perk it up.

good luck

Lose the counter that divides the kitchen from the area where the picture is taken & put in a movable island. Put in a bigger window, bay if possible. Make the cabinets glass & extend them to the ceiling. Definitely change the kitchen tile & put in a backsplash.

Hi everyone! Just wanted to come back and say THANKS to everyone and post the latest pics of the kitchen. While it's not yet "perfect" it's soooooooo much better for me. I'll also share general cost of my updates:

PAINT- had the entire first floor painted the same color-- it was "stone grey" I believe? It's very nice, neutral, yet looks different in different lighting situations. (So, the cost to paint just the kitchen? I don't know, maybe $100?)
BACKSPLASH (wallpaper)- It's a vinyl wallpaper from Graham and Brown that was on clearance, and I did it myself, so it cost a whopping $30. :)
SHELVES- I had great friends who helped me move in and that same day they removed the BIG cabinet that we just above the breakfast bar. I went to Ikea and purchased the shelving system (around $120) and I installed that myself. (yep, pretty proud of it!)
CABINET HARDWARE- Purchased the new pulls off of overstock.com-- they were all less than $100, and I had enough to also replace the pulls on the bathrooms upstairs. Even sold the old hardware for $40 on our local version of "craigslist", and installed myself. (So...less than $60 total?)
APPLIANCES- HAD to do the appliances. Not only did I hate that they were white...but I am a cook and found out that I could get a gas stove. Plus I liked the idea of a shallower fridge. So, over July 4th Home Depot was having a good sale on appliance groups, so I bought these Frigidaire appliances for about $1600.
RUG- I hated the tile, but now that I have more furniture in the space, and an area rug, it's just fine for now. Rug was $70.
BAR STOOLS- Bought this pair of bar stools off of our local "craigslist" I mentioned (It's called ksl.com) for $15. Had this vintage fabric that I love and had them professionally reupholstered. So the pair ended up being about $130 total. :)

SO- my kitchen renovation so far has been under $2500...not too bad! The next thing that I REALLY want to do and then will probably leave it alone for awhile is a new sink and kitchen faucet. I'll probably work that into my budget before the holidays.

THANKS again for everyone's comments! Hope you like the next pics (and if you don't, just keep it to yourself! HAHA).