I would leave the floors the color they are now. But maybe it’s too late. I’ve lived with very dark floors and they always look dusty. There is nothing wrong with the kitchen, why would you possibly think about gutting it? I don’t think anyone can advise on paint until they know what your furnishings, etc. look like. Do you have rugs, art, upholstery that’s moving in with you? Favorite colors? Inspiration photos of rooms you like? Thoughts on what direction you want to go in?

Agree on dark floors looking dirty all the time. Your kitchen looks fine. Sure, could be updated but I think it is always best to live in the home for a while to get a sense of true needs, wants and priorities. That said, I’d want to lose that dark granite counter and backsplash. But that’s just me. :)

Dark floors show every bit of dust and scratches, which is probably why they are no longer trendy and all the new design pics are showing natural floors. That doesn't matter if you love dark floors and are willing to Swiffer a lot. However, dark floors in the kitchen will make that a very dark kitchen.

In the kitchen I would paint the window trim white and do light floors and countertops / backsplash. If you like the dark countertop, at least a light backsplash.

My much simpler kitchen with light backsplash and counters:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

If you keep the dark counters you can still lighten the backsplash:

The wall color looks fine on my monitor.

Looks good to me. If you must, only improvement to your kitchen I would recommend is crown molding at top of your kitchen cabinets.

You might make your floors slightly darker, but don't go really dark unless you want to ignore your baby while constantly trying to keep floors clean looking!

Congratulations, it's a beautiful home! I wouldn't touch the kitchen. Unless you hate the counter - other than that I'd leave it alone. As others have said, it's usually a good idea to move in and get a feel for the house before you do any major renovations.

If you stain your floors dark, you will have a gloomy kitchen. I think you need to think things through here and take a breath...

Your kitchen already looks great...Maybe a new backsplash..

Are you redo-ing because it needs it or because it's an automatic response to moving? (And Pinterest)

It’s hard to get a complete vision of the other rooms with the small photos. I do notice rather boring paint colors and lack of crown moldings and other wood trims. The dining room and living room would be first on my list to add this. If your artwork doesn’t bring the light paint colors alive, then consider painting a desired color.

Paint the dark and mismatch wood crown and wood casing over the sink window and anywhere else it doesn't meet cabinetry. Then stop. Stop everything until you have moved in, Lived in it a bit and I doubt the baby needs the entire living room for play. There is no rush. Let alone in the kitchen

I totally agree with most of what has been said already. Leave the kitchen alone until you have spent at least a year in the house. I have lived in my house for 3 years now and we did not do anything major, other than my hubby installing a dishwasher and garbage disposal in the kitchen since the previous owners did not have either. I thought I wanted the beautiful knobby pine paneling painted that is in the downstairs family room until I moved in and lived in the house for a year. I'm now leaving it alone and all of our family members love it! Your kitchen may end up being something you really love and it is a beautiful kitchen.

I agree to wait!

That being said, I would embrace the lighter wood floors and trim and focus on that being the base of your design. The lighter wood is all throughout. I know it’s been really popular lately to paint everything and get rid of all that light wood but I think there are other ways to update without ripping out the unifying element in the house.

Are the kitchen cabinets cherry or are they stained red? If you are still looking to make a mark on your home down the line, and if it was my house, I MIGHT consider lightening up the stain on the cabinets (assuming they’re cherry and the color isn’t off on my screen). One of the most beautiful finishes on cherry is a more natural, matte finish. Cherry ages so beautifully, and heavy stains that are intended to enhance the red in the wood sometimes feel off to me, but that is just my own personal preference having lived in a home with a beautiful, natural cherry kitchen in the past.

I also agree to consider replacing the backsplash if you are looking to make a change without replacing the entire counter.

All of these things can wait, though! Your home may not feel like it’s “yours” yet, but it will, and some of it just happens gradually. Once you’ve been in your house for a while you may find that you want to focus on completely different functional aspects of your home once you live in it, like closets or the yard for your baby ;) It’ll also feel much different once you have started to make it your own home, and you might find you love things you thought you hated and vice verse.

Thank you all for the feedback! New to Houzz and this was great. Planning on waiting until I am in! The master bath is huge so that will be my big project. I’ll post updates as they happen!!

How would you describe your style? I personally prefer light and bright kitchens, so I can understand wanting to make changes. Perhaps make an idea book here on Houzz so you can see common themes of what you like and are drawn to! That would help commenters better advise you as well.

I wouldn't gut the kitchen, personally. Wood is back (if it ever went away).

Wood is back, in all forms, and seeing it a lot in new builds, particularly on higher end homes.

It looks like a nice kitchen, you may want to live with it for a while - before you dismantle it. Maybe bring in some under cabinet lighting if there is not any currently. In my opinion, it's a beautiful room as is.

Since you're decorating a whole house, you may benefit from a consult with designer(s).

That kitchen is lovely! I'd leave it alone for a year or two.

Staining the floors dark - you'll see every speck of dirt and dust.

Looking forward to seeing the master bath changes.

Paint all the interior trim white and add crown moulding, also painted white.

If you refinish the hardwood floors before you move in, just be careful when dealing with the moving boxes. They are just cardboard, but can really scratch up wood floors if you move them around by pushing them along the floor.