cpartist all very true. What do you think about a light tan, like BM Lenox Tan? Too brown? I was also considering BM Muslin, White Sand, or Revere Pewter (but think I need something warmer than RP).

jhmarie asked if the cabinets can be rearranged to perhaps to get the DW next to the sink. Good question!

If your cabinets are modular and the lay-out can be tweaked before new counters go in, I recommend that you eliminate the awkward peninsula and straighten out the cabinet run under the window. That would allow you to move the DW out of the corner. It looks like you can barely open the DW door without hitting the fridge. I'd hate that.

I think that your kitchen will look larger without the peninsula chopping up the space plus it will also give you a wider stretch of uninterrupted counter than you currently have. And you won't have to walk around the peninsula to get from sink to range.

Here's a mock-up of how that could look. (I'm using Paint, not the best tool so excuse the rough mock-up).

As for what to do to give your kitchen a face-lift, I think the suggestion to paint the walls first before deciding on the next change is wise. Give yourself time to settle in and look beyond the cosmetic features that are driving you nuts. As artistsharonva stated, once counters are in, the lay-out is set. I agree with cpartist; the lay-out isn't great. Make sure the lay-out works for you before spending money on new counters and backsplash.

PS Hopefully you know that it's wise to buy samples of the paint colors you're considering to test on the walls before purchasing gallons of a color and painting the room. Before I knew better, I painted a room in what I thought would be a mossy green only to end up with lime sherbet walls. Ack! I couldn't repaint that room fast enough! I've spent a fair amount of money on paint samples since then but I've never had to repaint a room because I'd chosen the wrong color based on a paint strip.

frostyfootball painting cabinets, such a contentious topic!! I have similar cabinets in the house I'm leaving, and struggled for years with whether to paint or not. I finally accepted the oak there because they're good quality and can be updated with other changes. So I was thinking the same here, but anything is possible! Now you've got me considering painting them...

chloebud I agree and appliances could be flexible whether layout is ever changed or not. This is probably a transitional home and I bought it at it's almost max value, so it wouldn't be wise to do too much improvement wise. I was hoping I could get away with painting only!

It will cost a heckuva lot more to get the cabinets professionally painted - by a cabinet pro, not a house painter - than it will to replace the counter. It's a labor intensive process to properly prep the cabinets so that the paint adheres well. Kitchens are hard-working. A bad paint job won't last.

barncatz a laminate change is exactly what I was thinking, if anything for the counters. I started looking into the sheets, but that seems more of a pain than just getting new laminate slabs. But then adding that up + install, maybe new stainless (not top of the line) appliances would be a better choice.

lisa_a thank you for all of the feedback and for taking the time to do that mock up. It's great! That layout would be much better and would really open things up. One saving grace is that the fridge is not pushed back all the way in my photo, so when it is, it is counter depth and the DW does fully open, thankfully. I guess I'd have to find out about the cabinets being modular and how much of a project that would really be? As I just mentioned above, this is a small transitional home and purchased at the top of it's value so I wasn't planning on doing any major renovations, but, I don't want to hate the kitchen I'm in everyday either (especially at a difficult time personally [divorce]), so smaller projects with big impact are welcome -- but then again, aren't they always?!

I agree with much of what has been said here. I can't wait to get an induction stove, myself. On my budget (don't know what yours is), I'd go price out the cost of white laminate. And then paint the walls some pale shade, maybe soft green, or white. And trade out the appliances for stainless as you go.

@heartmom Leaving? As in selling? The pics below are of two homes' kitchens. Both homes built 50 years ago. Both sold within 6 months of each other. Both the same model. In the interest of budget and ROI when considering which updates to prep for sale, we opted paint our home's cabinets off white, add new hardware, get some update BM grays on the walls. keep the neutral floor and ignore it. Put in stainless and new counters. ROI > 100% Buyer of ours said she loved the kitchen. It is what it is. A 50 year old home with updated colors. Invest in the kitchen with strategic updates you can afford and you won't lose. Market time, sales price, increases prospective buyers

With your colors I found that Edgecomb Gray can read cool and flat. You might want to try BM Grant Beige which is similar, but warmer with a hint of khaki.

I’d change the counter tops to something lighter n change out the appliances later. To me it’s the dark counters that make the room feel oppressive best of luck. :)

I think Lennox Tan could be an excellent choice. If it's too dark, try one shade lighter on the color card. Another color I happen to love as a neutral is BM Manchester Tan (HC-81) I have the SW version of it for my studio and DH's office. The wall color is the SW version of Manchester Tan and the ceiling is another good color, BM Wilmington Tan

I would try them both along with the Lennox Tan.

So I was thinking the same here, but anything is possible! Now you've got me considering painting them...

Your cabinets look fine and wood look is actually coming back into vogue. I wouldn't paint them, especially with children. Ask me why I say that. LOL

Mrs. S my budget is on a budget. Haha. That's why I was wondering if an inexpensive counter replacement would be the best fix, and the most cost effective (vs. all new appliances). I get the idea of not replacing the counters if there's a chance of a layout change, and to wait to do anything until I give it time living there. But the black counters against the white appliances, oof!

frostyfootball beautiful, love your updated kitchen. Those seem like wise updates. Definitely a striking difference between the 2 kitchens. I'm leaving the prior house, but not selling it (divorce). Unfortunately I bought the new house really at the top of its price point, given the market and my own external constraints and timing. The mechanicals are all newer and it's a cute starter home or place to downsize. I don't think it will be a forever home for me and unfortunately I think most projects by me would be over improving, so I'm hoping to find a sweet spot with making it mine, helping with eventual resale, but not over improving if that makes sense?

chispa appreciate that! I have no eye for reading undertones. I love Grant Beige! Manchester Tan could also be a good choice. Wilmington Tan reads a little yellow to me with the cabinets? The color above Lenox Tan on the card is Tyler Taupe, looks a little dark/orangey to me? One below is Shaker Beige, which I like too.

cpartist painted cabinets are a hot discussion topic! People are very opinionated on them. I prefer the look of a painted or just generally another color wood, but I think weighing the pros and cons in my particular case results in keeping cabinets as is. Kids, cost, time, wear, etc.

Forgive me if this has been said already. I didn't read all the responses. I would start with just the paint and then live with it awhile. It's really difficult to imagine what that one change will do to your space while the red is staring you in the face. I don't especially care for the look of stainless appliances, and I think with lighter walls and white appliances you might find that the dark counter grounds the space better.

sherri1058 no forgiveness necessary :) Some other people have shared that wise advice. It's true, it's hard to get past the red!

I think most projects by me would be over improving, so I'm hoping to find a sweet spot with making it mine, helping with eventual resale, but not over improving if that makes sense?

When the time comes, I'd look into redoing the layout within the confines of the kitchen as it is. No tearing down walls. Maybe not even moving appliances. And I'd seriously consider Ikea since they are budget friendly, great quality and look fabulous. Even if it doesn't get you much more in value in selling your house, it will help you be the house that stands out and sells more quickly. Plus you'll get to have several years of enjoyment from it.

However, like I said before, the best thing to do right now is paint the walls and live with what you have. Once you're in the house and have your things in the kitchen, you'll know more what you want and need to do.

The clash of colors will not be so awful once you're living day to day.

cpartist painted cabinets are a hot discussion topic! People are very opinionated on them. I prefer the look of a painted or just generally another color wood, but I think weighing the pros and cons in my particular case results in keeping cabinets as is. Kids, cost, time, wear, etc.

I have painted cabinets and have had white cabinets in almost every house I've had. The exception is the rental we're in now, the rental we were in before and my condo in FL. I love white painted cabinets but there is a huge difference between painted on site by yourself and painted in a factory setting. Especially when kids are concerned as you noted.

cpartist oops mean to respond to you that Manchester Tan could also be a good choice. Wilmington Tan reads a little yellow to me with the cabinets? The color above Lenox Tan on the card is Tyler Taupe, looks a little dark/orangey to me? One below is Shaker Beige, which I like too.

Do you have a carport or garage? Are you or your spouse at all DIY inclined and interested in saving yourselvesmoney?

There are ways to clad white appliances to at least appear to be stainless steel but that may well take skill even with multiple You Tube vids showing you how.

Potentially at least, a better alternative (if your appliances are all still ingood working order ... and rather than break your renno budget replacing them), could be to clean them very well and then paint them (black or gray or another color) w/2X RustOleum spray paint.

cpartist Thanks for the wise advice. I can handle that. I would consider Ikea cabinets, we don't have one near us so I'm not too familiar but I've seen some beautiful projects online. Yes, if I'm going to do anything more than paint, I'd like to be there to enjoy it for some time too and not just do it at resale time, you know?

Like your wood cabinets; painting them would likely be something you regret as they, inevitably (as pretty much everything painted eventurally does), get to the point where they need to be repainted.

Have you considered changing your flooring -- would that be less expensive than changing all your appliance before you need to do so?

suezbell now there's an interesting idea. Painting appliances was on my list of things to Google but I thought no way is there a good solution. The fridge unfortunately is rather new, the prior owner purchased it I think only a year or two ago, and the rest seem to be in pretty good working order. It would feel foolish to outright replace them. I do have a garage. I wouldn't call myself handy but I like a good project and certainly interested in saving money! I will google the Rustoleum idea.

I would definitely change the counters right now. Appliances die, and when you replace them, get stainless.

suezbell the flooring is another piece but almost the least offensive to me between the white appliances and black countertops? Only saying that I think the current floor would be okay if the counter was lighter or the appliances darker... It's certainly nothing to write home about but I don't think replacing it would address my black counters/white appliances conundrum? Would love to hear I'm wrong and maybe the flooring would help?

RustOleum also makes cans of paint you can apply with a brush but I've not tried those on an appliance. I do know that the spray, carefully applied, works well on refrigerators. Mine got scratched up during the moving of it and rust tried to develop in those scratches. I sanded away any rust and applied RustOleum Rust Reformer to those places before painting the entire fridge.

If you do paint your appliances, make sure you have plenty of ventilation (open garage door(s/window(s) -- not fan blowing paint.

Wearing eye protection and old clothes you could throw away or cut up into dust cloths are also cautions I take when painting w/spray cans.

To avoid drips, rather than trying to apply the paint thick in any one coat if you miss a spot, apply multiple light coats as needed.

I actually like your flooring as is ... but I'm certainly not a flooring guru. It's just that replacing a perfectly good appliances with a even more expensive ones would not be my first choice to resolve the issue of the visual black/white jolt.

Painting the appliances -- either black or a shade of gray (something that would blend well with the color(s) on the edge of your countertop) -- would be my go-to practical fix.

suezbell thanks for the painting tips. This seems like it could be a doable project. I agree, not smart to outright replace all the appliances just for color. I'm also going to get a quote (maybe in a few months after I live in it and see how it all goes) for replacing the counter with even an inexpensive laminate. I don't mind the white appliances in and of themselves.

While I'd be reluctant to do so myself, there are You Tube vids on painting countertops.

After you move in and set a few decorative cannisters, etc., on the countertops, the stark contrast might not bother you quite as much.

"...especially at a difficult time personally [divorce]), so smaller projects with big impact are welcome..."

My dear friend and neighbor was in your shoes 2 years ago so I know what you mean. Thankfully, she and her kids were able to stay in the home because it would have broken my DH's and my heart to lose them as neighbors. Anyhoo, one of the first things I did for her shortly after her divorce was to paint her office, which was a baby poo yellow brown on the walls and ceiling, to a lovely, serene purplish gray on the walls with a white ceiling. She was amazed at the difference 2 cans of paint made! Since then, I've been slowly transforming her home with paint, making it her own. She's told me more than once that the new colors lift her spirits in ways she never imagined possible. Paint is magical. =)

Here's her kitchen before (baby poo yellow brown walls and ceiling, POs were in love with this color).

And after. We both stood and stared in amazement. A few people thought that she had had her cabinets repainted, too, because everything looked bright and fresh.

I had a heckuva time finding the right greige to work with her cool toned tile floors and her warm brown tile counters (and she can't afford to change either any time soon). Another neighbor suggested SW Agreeable Beige. It's perfect! I had them mix it up at 50% strength for the hallways since there are few windows in those areas.

I wish you well during this difficult time.

Definitely in the camp to update counters, and wait to replace appliances once they die.

While you're doing the counters, I'd also replace the sink and faucet to further update and elevate your kitchen.

Nice space! Good luck!

Is the flooring tile? If so, then paint your walls a shade of the floor color, skewing to a warm ivory. Then change out countertops to a mix of white, ivory, gold. This mix will tie together floor, current appliances, and a different wall color. This sample is granite, but there are other, more budget friendly countertop materials that would offer some of these color combinations.

Polished White Gray Bianco Romano Granite Tile, 12"x12", Set of 4 · More Info

suezbell I agree about the counters, they will fill (cover) up fast!

lisa_a thank you for the kind words! You are a great friend and neighbor. I'm sure it made a world of difference to have your support and help during such a difficult time. I am blessed by good friends as well. I agree that paint can be magical and can totally transform a space. Hence why I'm feeling so much pressure to pick the "right" color! That kitchen looks entirely different, and fabulous! Like your friend, it's probably not realistic for me to change the counters or appliances right now, and certainly not the layout at any point in the near future so I'm putting all my stock in the paint! In a total change of direction, I've also thought about a blue like BM Stratford blue or Harlequin Blue? Am I crazy?

PS that's totally baby poo yellow, I've seen enough of that in my life! Ha!

housegal200 thanks for the suggestion. I like that color palette for a countertop. The floor is actually vinyl. Another thing that could be updated but is also okay as is. I am going to look into quote on an affordable counter replacement to see if that is an option.

Here are some crappy photoshopped images of what your space could look like with the different variables you're considering:

my favorite is #2

Glo European Windows & Doors that's amazing!! Thank you! I like #2 for sure. Any chance you could do #1 with a blue on the walls for me?? Just to get an idea of color but still keeping with current appliances and counters. Like BM Harlequin Blue or something like that?

Ok here's some color choices

And some more.

Looks like cpartist beat me to it ;)

In as much as I didn't like the counters at first, I think you should paint first and see how things go after. A paint color is easy to change if you don't like it. Not so much for counters. Same for the floor

heartmom, I think Ben Moore's website lets you upload a photo of your room and then 'paint' it with one of their colors. I know Sherwin Williams does because I've used it. The photoshop Houzz wizards results always look neater than my paint company website attempts, but you can save results of colors you're considering.

cpartist WOW! Thank you! You guys are the best. I really like the blue! Also like a tan but that one looks a bit washed out? Maybe it's just tan period? I still like Lenox Tan. I think I'm down to Lenox Tan or Harlequin Blue...

I like the blue ceiling but my guy already painted the ceilings white, I really waited till the last minute to pick colors :)

barncatz did not know that, thanks! Will check that out. But wow what a great group of people you guys are!

"I am blessed by good friends as well."

Yay, glad to hear that! Good friends buoy us up during bad times and celebrate with us during the good times.

I'm glad others have stepped in to help with wall color selections. Can't decide between Lenox Tan and Harlequin Blue? Sample both. Paint big patches on large pieces of white posterboard, leaving a white outline so that the color isn't next to the red, and tape the samples up in different areas to watch how the colors change with the light.

A fresh coat of paint is going to make your kitchen look heads and tails better than it does now.

Agree with the suggestion to repaint the walls and live with your stuff in the kitchen at least until next spring before you do anything too drastic and costly.

In the meantime, you can always gets some magnets and colorful pictures to cover much of the the white of your appliances.