Are you painting the cabinets? You mentioned everything that you would like to do, but then eluded to not actually doing it, so i'm confused.

If you are not doing anything that you mentioned, I would add cabinet hardware to start. I also find it bizarre and unfinished looking that builders install cabinet with zero top molding, even if they do not go the the ceiling.

Pendant lights over the island could add some personality to the space - and if you don't paint the cabinets, the backside of the island looks very stark, I would consider painting that - or adding wood panels to match the cabinetry.

Yes cabinet hardware would add a lot!

Cosmetic updates are good at this stage. I would live there for a while before doing anything major.

If you think you may have it back on the market sooner, rather than later, don't paint the cabinets gray. Depending on your market (and you should check it out thoroughly) you may have to make them white for real estate staging. If there is strong potential of that happening, take the paint colors into consideration. You've already gone gray, so I think white would be a better contrast if you paint the kitchen walls gray too.

I would paint the island the same color as the walls. The white makes it stand out too much. Add hardware & maybe change out the faucet. It's hard to see what it looks like in the pic. If you are moving soon I would not paint the cabinets or put much money into it. A fresh coat of paint on the walls & some hardware will go a long way.

hardware and some sort of veneer to the white part of island. Be creative . Get some stools that swivel, with backs , and use the island. I see a lot of light wanting to stream in that side window....depends on view/need for privacy of course, but get a nice solar shade or top down /bottom up shade. that curtain looks like grandma's cast off. Do you have a drop leaf pedestal table and chairs for that upper corner? It would be nice to sit up there. Would not take on any other projects for now.

Until you change the floor you’re stuck with warm colors. Please don’t paint cabinets with house paint a gray color that will be way too cool for the warm floors. Trust us you will hate it.

That corner pantry would be deal breaker for me. I’d redo the entire kitchen if possible. If not, live with and start saving.

HI! I have been in this position. 1. Not sure how trendy crown is these days but I think you need something at the top of the cabs. You might be able to figure out the maker and style/color of the cabs and get matching crown. 2. Paint the counter top supports the same white as below them (just looks odd to me. 3. Hardware 4. Perhaps look into removing that small 4"? backsplash and the one behind the stove. Good luck!

There's a lot you can do for very little money.

Kitchens need plenty of light, but the recessed down cans don't illuminate the ceiling. There are are conversion kits that allow you to fasten surface fixtures to recessed lights. This would make a big, big difference.

Replace the pantry door with a flush door (no panels) and paint it to match the walls.

Paint the white section of the island (and the brackets) to match the walls.

Replace the curtains with blinds.

Get a taller, more contemporary faucet.

Congratulations! I think your kitchen layout is totally fine.

The only improvement I can see you "need" to make at this time is getting rid of the over-the-range microwave and installing a really good exhaust hood.

I imagine the edgecomb gray as a green-gray is not playing very nice with the orangey cabinets or the pinky countertops or the yellowish tile floor. I'd go ahead and just paint the cabinets now. I think you'll be glad you did before you get all moved in.

I've always liked this oak kitchen update- lots of bang for the buck and effort.

https://www.remodelaholic.com/update-builder-grade-cabinets/

Your painter may be able to match the stain if you wanted to add some top molding. It's usually less expensive to purchase from the local lumber yard than from the cabinet manufacture anyway.

L Baker: " Skil—turn recessed lighting to pendant/ceiling lights? I’m considering adding extra pendant lights for fun as recessed lights are purely functional. "

Google "recessed can conversion kit" or just go to a local electrical supply company. Basically, they're brackets that let you mount any sort of light (within reason, they won't support a fifty pound chandelier). To me, the main issue is to illuminate the ceiling so that it isn't so dark and shadowy. Some surface-mount fixtures light up the ceiling, some don't. Some pendants light up the ceiling, some don't.

Here are some things you could do with the existing cabinets. :

--Paint the island base and door same color as the walls.

--If the kitchen isn't your main dining room, build a banquette at the far end of the kitchen where the window is. It doesn't need to be as luxurious as these, but you get the idea.

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Or find an old golden oak table on Craigslist or thrift shop, but pair with modern chairs, counter stools, modern lighting

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Do a Houzz and Google search for "golden oak" kitchens. Often pairing modern lighting and furnishings can upgrade builder grade cabinets.

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Hardware for the cabinets. Bump out the over the fridge cabinet. Crown, not overly fussy. Under cabinet LEDs. LED's on top of the upper cabinets. Looks like you will need additional lighting over the island. New window treatments. A runner for the sink/ cooktop area. Turquoise, bluish sage greens would be nice accent colors with existing floor & counters.

That is it. I agree with your decision to not spend money painting the cabinets. AFAIC, $3200 would be better spent on replacing the floor for pure 'updating' purpose.