My thoughts exactly. The fireplace needs some attention. That's all I see when I look at your pics. Those corners of the top molding looks very dangerous.

The very first thing I would do is to get rid of that fireplace.

Congrats on the new home! I think adding some art and décor to the walls and over the sink (on top of the backsplash tiles) will make a real difference. Do you have some items already that you might use or do you want to explore some options to add?

You can paint the walls and hang some art. Maybe garden pictures to bring in your soothing, cool feeling you like.

I do not like busy, and for me, hanging pictures would only make this space even busier. I would get rid of the FP, paint over that gray, and maybe replace the floor.

Do you like the darker color behind the fireplace and on the lower half of the wall where the chair rail is? I think it looks good with your cabinets. Was wondering if you'd consider taking off that chair rail and painting the entire wall(s) the darker color or another darker color that would compliment the cabinets? The beige/tan that's in there now isn't doing your kitchen any favors. :)

For everyone against the fireplace: any thoughts on making it more appealing without removal? As a person who spends hours each day in the kitchen, I would prefer to have that space as cabinets and counter space but that is definitely a bigger project than I can tackle right now! I just want to make the space more liveable for the time-being.

Mark, I agree! I would love to paint the walls all the darker color or another gray! The upper wall color carries over into the living room and the rest of the house but I think ultimately I will paint all the walls that are that color. It just won't be a weekend project.

Stillpitpat: that's what I'm afraid of! I don't want to make it more busy!

Vistas interiors: thank you! I am open to suggestions!

Is that a real fireplace? Where does it vent to? I would at least take the crown molding off the top of it & paint it all the same color as your walls. Changing out the backsplash would help too.

Mark-Rachel: it is a real, dual-sided gas ventless fireplace. (Yes ventless. Horrified me at first too but we have had it inspected and rarely use it anyway.)

I agree with others, the fireplace is the elephant in the room. I would try to tone it down a by painting the bright white surround. The contrast between the white and the cabinets emphasizes the orangey tones in the room.

Sometimes a simple lighting change can warm up cool elements or tone down warm ones. Try switching out your bulbs to see if that helps.

What are you willing to paint? I suggest painting the mantel and walls the colors you prefer, using some wallpaper and window treatments, perhaps a succulent wreath on the wall. You can purchase cabinet door inserts or have them made....of cork, metal, chalkboard.

Perhaps a colorful magnet board on the ends of the cabinets for your child to play. Art on the walls. When you add the things you like the orange and granite will slowly recede.

Unclear if you want a quick fix to make the space more pleasant to be in or if you are considering major fixes like backsplash, remodeling fireplace surround and repainting? I always try to read what the poster wants and respond accordingly. If you are going to remodel, I suggest you consult with a designer who can be on site with you and work out a plan that makes long term sense.

The OP told us that she can't manage large-scale painting right now and that she's caring for a toddler. Under the circumstances, I think we can infer that she's also not up for ripping out the fireplace or replacing the floor. There are lots of clever people with design experience who post here, so I hope that at least a few of them will address the OP's concerns.

"We recently moved into a home ". Everyone goes through this stage in a new home. I suggest removing the top molding on the fireplace and painting the the whole thing to match the color on the lower walls, the white paint is jarring. Other than that, it's a nice kitchen.

The rest of the trim in the house is white. Do you guys still thinking painting the mantel and surround would look good? I'm willing to do that level of painting but nervous to cover up the white that I would actually like with different color cabinets!

D_gw: thank you for the tips! I hadn't thought about the bulbs.

Mint design: thank you for the tips and encouragement!

Vistas interiors: thank you for asking! I am looking for a quick fix to make the space more pleasant for now (i.e. Decor, painting one wall, changing hardware, etc)

Liz H. Thanks for listening!

Chiflipper: thank you for the encouragement and the suggestions! It's easy to be overwhelmed while trying to adjust to a new house. My last house had white cabinets, white countertops, and light gray walls. This kitchen is just so different!

Consider making the area feel a little more joyful and wait until you are ready to do cabinets, hardware, fireplace, paint, etc. all at the same time. If you let us piecemeal you in to making changes, you would likely regret it. So, I'm going to suggest an answer to your original post. Embrace the fireplace by adding appropriate art that entertains you every time you go in the kitchen. Use the end wall (down by the frig) for some bohemian pieces with the colors you want to see. I think the eating area could use a jute rug that would be friendly to littles and food drops.

Maybe a lively "food" selection or a boho modern piece for over the fireplace.

A suggested treatment for the wall area referenced.

In any case, your eye goes straight to the stark places now and you can change that by adding some simple quick fixes to make the space friendly to you!

i understand that the fireplace is hard to remove. but i urge you to consider how very many problems would be solved by making it less intrusive into your kitchen... its a showcase for the very granite that is bugging you.

while you dont have space to stand even a baker's rack in front of it, even if you did cover the firebox (safely!) on this side...it sure would be great to not look at it.

consider unwiring it, perhaps? then you dont need to worry that someone will turn it on while its masked on this side.

anyway, its what i would do.

You have your entire home to consider in planning to make any reno changes to your kitchen.

Vistas interior: thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging answers! These are the kind of manageable suggestions I was looking for.

Quickest, cheapest fix is to try different light bulbs. I am not a lighting expert, but warm vs cool LED light bulbs can change the way colors and tones look. Give any change a couple of days to get used to before trying something different. I have cooler LEDs in my warm wood kitchen - seemed too bright at first, but now it's fine and the wood looks less orange.

Already said.... unify every area with same paint color: fp area / the lower might be painted [w/o painting more]....

Bringing home paint fan, etc... and you could determine a basic blend for that lower that draws "unneeded" attention, imo.

Or - what about easy-clean wallpaper for lower only, that blends upper paint color and trim?... but as well said above: it might cause confusion with family room.... ?

Just showing appearance of medium neutral paint all over fp /// could yours look good painted, or just mantel removed?

https://www.houzz.com/products/spark-modern-fires-prvw-vr~774385

Your mantel seems a tad fancy for the "kitchen side" [?] -- what if you removed white mantel, and had basic resembling cabinets over it, sorta like this? maybe the Ikea glass-front type, if blending....

This gave me the idea:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/spark-modern-fires-modern-living-room-new-york-phvw-vp~38896898

Even without any other changes - a difference - by removing mantel, and having framing and plastered or whatever [possibly safe].... up to horizontal plane of cabinets....

I personally would box it in. If you want more cabinet space then consider shelving
to display your large kitchen items like colourful cast iron casserole’s, large colourful baking ware and photo’s of your family.

Look at your second photo and block out the fireplace. Nothing wrong with the room. At the very least if you could paint the fireplace......after baby is in bed ? One of the pros can choose a color. Either wall color or close.
If and when possible, remove the chair rail across the kitchen and paint that wall all the same. I realize your time is limited...I have been there.
Black framed and matted photos or prints would look nice on that wall. Maybe a large inexpensive art piece.
I personally don’t see how bringing lots of vivid
color would help. Good luck ....and kiss the baby!

Paint the bottom of the chair rail throughout and over fireplace to match the top walls. That will take out some of the visual inconsistency. Unfortunately, while the wall paint matches the floor, it doesn't work with the cabinets. So that's a wall painting project for another day.

With the walls all one color, a large piece of art at the far end of the kitchen in the taupe, white, and touches of gold would link everything together. Ditto the dining room, which also needs a rug and art.

RUG FOR DINING ROOM:

Do you know about Rev-a-Shelf. It's a super-easy-to install shelf system. One model is for kitchen garbage cans. If you can hide yours, that'll remove some visual clutter. Also don't put anything on the cabinets or fridge. Do your best to keep counters clear. It looks pretty good now.

I think the paint color on the top half of the wall is a good choice for the room. I would remove the chair rail and paint the walls to match the top color so that the walls are all consistent and one color (above the fireplace too). I think that alone will quiet things down a bit. Bring your personality into the room with some art on the walls, a few items on the fireplace mantle, and maybe a few larger accessories atop the cabinets. Next, I would tackle the fireplace and remove the top mantle that juts out into the room (for safety reasons) and replace that with something simple and squared off. Then, paint the surround something similar to your current gray on the lower walls. Over time, maybe you could add a hanging light fixture over your dining table and island to bring in another layer and some more of your personality. All in all, not a bad kitchen to have.

One very easy thing to do is to change the color of the switch plates on your wall and back splash. You can either find ones that would blend better or try your hand at painting them or a paintable replacement. You could even get artistic and paint the plates that will go on the back splash so that they match the tile shadings and grout lines.