I wouldn't do anything for a while. Do you plan on keeping the cabinets as they are? If not, save up for what you really want in the space. Don't put lipstick on a pig if you aren't keeping the orange oak.

Congrats on your new home!

I do agree with others you need to decide if this is kitchen you want, or not. If not, then hold off on granite and save up. As another poster said, you can get a really lovely IKEA kitchen if you take your time to do it right. It would be a shame to put all that money into granite and realize the kitchen does not work for you. So, live with it for a while. If you still want a Tuscan style kitchen, it can be done in time, but a slab of granite will not turn that kitchen into a Tuscan one!

Agreeing with the other comments. If you decide to change the granite don’t buy that slab. Look at the picture you posted and in mind’s eye, cut into counter top shape. You won’t be seeing what you see now.

I just did a quick search andI had no idea this existed. Might be a good option for you and very budget friendly.

Start by fixing the LIGHTING. Then you can at least see to not chop off a finger. The green isn’t objectionable. The flooring could do with a luxury vinyl plank laid on it. Start there, with something inexpensive and fairly easy to DIY. Build up a small series of successes. Kitchens are one of the most difficult and expensive rooms to tackle. Best to have a better master plan before touching anything.

I agree with what's been said here already, but want to emphasize that you should just say No to "Tuscan". Yes, the look is out, for at least since 2000, but that is not the sole reason. Your kitchen just doesn't support that look. Go for simple clean lines, and no fussy stuff. I think the granite you chose may be too dramatic, and I love dramatic granites. Just not right for the kitchen you've pictured.

Jessica, your cabinets painted up very nicely, but they look like maple. Hers are oak, which doesn’t paint up nearly as well.

Another, more affordable, option would be new laminate countertops. But agree with others, don’t waste money on this kitchen.

From others postings I have read on houzz, that Rust-oleum product is quick fix and wears off.

I usually tell new homeowners to wait a yr, see what works and doesn't work and put together a plan while saving for a bigger budget to do more. I still recommend that but looks like you may have a baby in a yr and won't want to be messing with this. If that is the case, I'd replace the counters as that seems to be your #1 issue but I'd look at laminate. There are some decent ones now and it will fit more in with the look of your current kitchen while not breaking the bank. This should hold you fine until you can do a complete kitchen re-do and have a plan and budget in place. Congrats on your new home.

I got some inexpensive granite because I knew a guy ;) (an installer), so I put that granite in an average kitchen, along with new chrome bar hardware, all new can lighting in the ceiling, new stainless appliances, and vent hood. It looked pretty good, actually.

But yeah, don't spend retail money on granite counter tops for that kitchen unless you have a workable plan to modernize it. It can be done, but it will involve some ceiling and lighting changes, which you should do first. Always work top down.

We agree that you should start with the lighting and the flooring first. Then really decide what you want after that. Those aspects are the most important part for the kitchen. Save your money until you can do what you really want.

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Save your money until you can do something you really want to do. And before you know it you will be busy caring for your baby and the kitchen will be in the background of your life. Instead think about saving ideas of what you want, and spend time planning. Live in the kitchen and in time you will learn what you love and what you want to change. Save to tackle and turn this kitchen into a dream that you love.

I did put new counters on my older cabinets and I am very happy with the results. The questions I asked myself were - would I still have these cabinets at least another 10+ years, did I like my layout, and what kind of shape are the cabinets in. The answers in my case were that they cabinets were in great shape, the layout was very good and I had no plans (or foreseeable budget) for a gut job - the college fund and 401K taking precedence.

I do not think your cabinets are ugly. I don't care that mine are older - white shaker cabinets (which I think are very pretty) will be older in a decade too:) It is possible that I may change out my doors someday. One of my friends is refreshing a kitchen very similar to yours - and she is a professional baker. She is also doing it in steps and the first things she has done are new floors and under cabinet lighting. The under cabinet lighting alone has really brightened her kitchen and it just looks prettier even with her older laminate counters.

Here is an older kitchen nicely refreshed:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/finally-finished-with-kitchen-updating-dsvw-vd~4512247[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/finally-finished-with-kitchen-updating-dsvw-vd~4512247)

Here is another:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/kitchen-before-and-after-dsvw-vd~4931492[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/kitchen-before-and-after-dsvw-vd~4931492)

Here is mine - more pics in my "my pics" idea book:

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

I have a "wood kitchens" idea book that includes some refreshed older kitchens.

Changing out the central light has been discussed. You do have a good layout which makes it more possible to work with what you have if necessary. A dedicated hood works and looks better than an over the range microwave, so consider a stainless hood. Under cabinet lighting and a stainless hood would be of benefit whether you refresh or do a more drastic change later.

As far as going Tuscan or not - my neighbor just did her kitchen (gut job) with some Tuscan elements because it is her favorite style. I know another who has spent time in France and has incorporated some real French elements into her decor. My kitchen and home is in a cottage / vintage style because that is what makes me smile. We all should not have kitchens that look like carbon copies of each other!

One nice thing about an older kitchen is it gives you some room to be creative. Enjoy the baby and have a little fun putting your own look into your new kitchen.