I would wait until you’ve lived there for six months before investing any money. You may find the layout inconvenient (that island looks like a barrier to me). Is it kosher?

After that if you still want to spend money on just looks, I think changing the flooring and backsplash would be the biggest impact. If the existing finish on the cabinets is a factory finish, painting over it would be a step down in quality and durability.

The counters, floor, and stone look backsplash are going to dictate in your kitchen. I’m not sure a different paint color on the cabs is going to change the traditional feel very much. Other than pendants and appliances, I would spend my $ on changing the backsplash.

Agree that the backsplash would be a priority and really give you the most bang for the buck. I also think the flooring leans to traditional. ( I like the flooring and recognize that will be big $$) .

I do think the kitchen is beautiful but as you said, it's not your taste. Definitely consider the backsplash and as you suggested lighting and hardware (but no suggestions for modern hardware here)

New back splash and new flooring, leave cabinets alone.

Thanks all! For backsplash, what color/material that wont look too out of place?

Take a look at this kitchen. It is similar to yours, but has a more transitional instead of traditional feel. The backsplash (glass tile), hardware (still ORB but a more simple shape), and flooring (dark wood) make a big difference IMO.

You could purchase door fronts for the cabinets, it would change the whole look without pulling down the cabs.

Leave the cabs - paint will just make them look cheap, not more modern.

New backsplash. New hardware. New pendants. I wouldn't even replace the ovens. Honestly, white appliances are a fairly new modern trend, while stainless is what you find in every traditional kitchen.

If you can swing it, i'd replace the countertops. But only if the cabs are in excellent condition and you'll leave them for 20 years.

I might look for a backsplash with a little color -- maybe a blue or green - that distracts from the all beige-white look of your kitchen. But very simple backsplash so as to not compete with the countertops (assuming you don't replace them).

Hardware -- maybe lewis dolin bar in matte black? https://www.lewisdolin.com/bar-series?lightbox=dataItem-ja2yeozt

Or check out the wonderful selection of cabinet hardware at anthropologie.com, where they have really cool stuff that could add the punch of modernized interest you need in this beige kitchen.

I had a kitchen like this. Replacing the knobs made a world of difference. I used T knobs in oil-rubbed bronze from Liberty Hardware. Less than $3 each. While it didn't look luxe, it was a great, great improvement. Second most impactful change--a new backsplash. Maybe an offwhite subway tile would be most cost effective? I never got around to this as we sold the house. Third most impactful thing, IMHO, is new countertop. But that gets expensive. My in-laws just did this for 13k. Not worth it, to me.

You’re getting good advice here - add new pendants, hardware, and backsplash. Don’t touch the cabinets. Congratulations on your new house!

I would use the kitchen for at least six months, preferably a year, and see if there are any other changes you want to make. I wouldn't spend much money now, other than to change the pendants and update the hardware to something like polished or satin nickel.

If after a year you decide the layout works for you and you don't want to change much, I'd update the flooring and the backsplash. I wouldn't paint the cabinets, and I'd leave the ovens for as long as you can, especially if they work well. Enjoy your new house and big new kitchen : ) .