Unless you get a counter depth refrigerator, I don’t think you can add 6 inches and be able to open the doors comfortably.

I’m also thinking increasing the kitchen island by 6 inches or so on each side but not sure how it would look -too large?

Get a large piece of cardboard from a refrigerator box etc. and cut out a larger top for your island, then lay it on top of your current island and see how it works. This way you can also experiment with longer vs. wider.

I wouldn't worry about what might or might not be popular in 10 years, it's all a crap shoot. Pick something you like that works well with your space now.

Agree that your island should not be enlarged at all, it looks a little tight the way it is right now. Even 36 inches from the island to the perimeter is tight to me. Can you reduce the size of the top on your island so you have more room on the refrigerator side? What is that dimension?

Agree with changing the wall color and removing everything from the top of your cabinets. .

To my eyes, your light fixtures are too small. Both the pendant over the sink and the light over the island.

I like the idea of roman shades that K Laurence mentioned. It would warm up your kitchen and give it that finished look.

Quartz closely resembles granite and can be made with different edges. Not quite sure how it will not be popular ten years from now, but it certainly will last that long. It is sealed, so it's pretty easy to live with while granite needs more upkeep.

Yes to all suggestions here. Definitely consider quartz for the counters.

Are you certain those cabinets are worth the expense of adding granite? In 10 years they will be 10 years more outdated. I would look at the new laminates on the market. Why does the island have an overhang on the inside? How do you use those cabinets?

Yes to changing out the countertops, granite is a great choice, having nothing to do with what is on trend, it just functions well. I don't think I would enlarge the island -- are you talking about enlarging by replacing the cabinets or just enlarging the top? I would either keep it as is (or I think it would be too large for the space), or replace the cabinets to the full size of the countertop you currently have, and just not have an overhang with seating there (I see you have a table really close by anyway). I would not increase the size of the island's footprint or it will take up too much room. I would use brushed nickel, and agree with changing paint to neutral and changing out lighting fixtures.

Quartz is a good idea. Look into Cambria with the gray veining. You need crown molding on top of your cabinets and on the side of the island. I feel like you need larger cabinet pulls, maybe in a polished nickel. It would look very elegant. Maybe a large see through lantern or glass pendant light. What about painting your island a different color? Some ideas...http://i2.wp.com/syonpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cambria-quartz-bellingham-with-stone-and-countertop-professionals-kitchen-minneapolis-.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/d5/3c/6e/d53c6ebfa3be6d74e509f7b719a0e081.jpg

Paint walls a neutral - nothing on top of the cabinets. Get a stainless counter-depth refrigerator. Leave island as it is - your floor most likely would be damaged making it larger and you really don't have the room to do so, anyway.

Get Corian Glacier White countertops. Are they trendy? No, but they're classic - think about a really great white blouse/shirt. Trendy, no, but always looks fabulous when paired with neutrals. I've had mine now for 33 years and re-used them when I redid my kitchen last year.

Break up all the white with honed Carrera marble subway tiles for the backsplash. A great source is <http://www.carraratiles.com>;. I order my large honed subway tiles from them. They are SO easy to work with and they have CONSISTENCY OF COLOR, something even expensive tile stores do not!!! I was told at a local tile store to order 30% more than I needed for "color matching". I ordered about 5% more to allow for breakage and my tile guy said he didn't have to search to match tiles at all while installing it. They can tell you if the tile they have in stock (and will send you samples of), is running more grey or more white. I've never experienced such great customer service and their advice on shipping costs saved me a ton of money.

You will be astounded on how inexpensive this is and what a difference it will make in your kitchen. Wait until the walls are painted and the new countertops are end to make any decision on hardware and lighting. What you have may look good and work for you.

I'd consider adding a crown to the top of the cabinets.

Agree....Would not spend the money to put solid counters on the current cabinets. You could pick up a partial slab for the island only and even change out or paint those cabinets for a bit more color. If you change out, you could reorient and shift the bigger set closer to the sink side and add wall cabinets (skinnier) on other side-just no overhang on sink side. The back splash area is another area you could add additional personality without spending too much. Counter depth fridge..Lighter wall color. Good luck!

I went back and read the original post 3 times. I did not see any plan to replace any appliances. Big chunk 'O money if she does that and it won't address any of the things she did list.

Having gone through a kitchen "refresh" in the past few years, I'd recommend doing it a bit at a time. You'll be amazed at the change from painting the walls a neutral color; I bet the kitchen will feel brighter immediately. At that point you'll have a better idea of if you want to change lighting. Those changes might influence what color counter you pick (and the choice of counter is the biggest investment you're making, so you don't want to find out later that new lights make it look wrong with your cabinets!). After you have a counter you love, you can decide what backsplash completes the picture.

If you'd like to see the evolution of my kitchen, I created an idea book from when we moved in until the changes were completed.

First things first. You didn’t mention your budget. That will determine how far you can go with freshening up your space. Definitely change your wall colour as you said. If you want a new countertop make sure your existing cabinets are in good enough shape to warrant the investment of new counters. I wouldn’t change the size of your island but I would definitely change the size of your light fixtures. They need to be much larger. One thing I consider when choosing taps etc is how long am I going to be here. For me I’m not going to be moving therefore I choose things that I really love so trendy or classic doesn’t necessarily come into play. We recently renovated our kitchen. Granite was not in the budget but there are also other really great options. Also consider a backsplash.

Good advice being given. I concur with quartz having some inherent benefits over granite. Wouldn't hesitate to put solid tops on these cabinets; they are classic. But I agree that a crown would help finish them off, AND hide LED tape uplight. I only see light fixtures at island and sink, which is far too little light. If you don't have them now, add LED undercabinet lights as well, and a light backsplash tile will help push the light out onto your counters. Also agree that clearance especially on refrigerator side already looks tight. 36" is a minimum; 42 or 48 is better if two people are sharing the kitchen prep. Good luck!

Picture on the left backsplash wasn’t grouted or sealed yet

Your pictures don't show how much of an overhang is on the far end of the island, and the space between island and stove. Rather than enlarging the island, you might be better off making the top smaller so you have a better path from fridge to sink. You could make the top narrower but keep the overhang we can see in the picture so you have a place for one stool.

I suggest going ahead and paint the walls now so you'll have a better idea what your direction should be. The red will be hard to cover so start with a coat of primer to get an idea. Then you can do additional coats in a different shade if you choose.

Katy miles, I love your suggestions! Questions for you:

Do I need to purchase the cabinet crown from the mfg of my cabinets?

Would you decrease the countertop overhang on the left side of my island? We put a chair on the right side and in front and use them!

Would you paint the island cabinets?

I’m looking for a good paint neutral paint color. Someone said mixing BM grant beige with marble white is nice. Suggestions for colors? I’d like to keep more in the beige or beige gray tones.

Cathy
4/8/18
Katy miles, I love your suggestions! Questions for you: Do I need to purchase the cabinet crown from the mfg of my cabinets? Would you decrease the countertop overhang on the left side of my island? We put a chair on the right side and in front and use them! Would you paint the island cabinets? I’m looking for a good paint neutral paint color. Someone said mixing BM grant beige with marble white is nice. Suggestions for colors? I’d like to keep more in the beige or beige gray tones.

Unfortunately, I am not a good decorator, I just suggested things I would love to do in my kitchen that I've bookmarked. lol

Personally, I would have the countertop flush in the front and extend it in the back (towards the fridge) so you can have seating. If you do that, you could move your island towards your dishwasher side and add legs to the backside. (see picture 2). I don't think I've ever seen a countertop extended in the front, I think it might look silly and hard to get into your cabinets and drawers.

Yes to painting the island a different color. Black is coming into style. I was either going that route or a dark navy blue. I have granite right now, but will be replacing it with quartz.

My last house had Worldy Gray by SW in it, I loved it, it was a nice greige. But my current house, it didn't work well at all. I currently have Requisite Gray on my walls. Hope this helps, I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help!