Post a 2D floor plan with measurements and then post a plan showing how the kitchen relates to the rest of the house.

From the looks of your kitchen, I don't think you have enough room for an island.

Are you keeping anything? You mentioned everything but the cabinets...are you trying to keep them?

Zach, what cpartist said. We had our kitchen fully 'designed' without really knowing much. The gurus here on GW redesigned our kitchen to suit our needs and fit in our space correctly. There are a few reasons for posting the rest of the house, but mostly to see how it relates to the kitchen. For us, a better layout meant less walking to get into the kitchen (big help with lots of groceries or late night trips for water!)

Start with the layout first by posting your home's layout, dimensions included, and mention any needs or preferences you can think of for your kitchen.

Then, one thing at a time. Function first, then form. No need to worry about back splash until the very last. When you have an idea of your appliance needs, you can post in the Kitchen and Appliance forums here.

And this is the best place to start: [New to Kitchens? Read Me First![(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-dsvw-vd~5500754?n=440)

First thing I've noticed is that you have full length upper cabinets (up to ceiling) which is usually lacking in older kitchens. I think that is a huge plus. For that reason I would invest money in updating counter, backsplash and probably flooring, but I would try too keep most of the cabinets, specially those that go up to ceiling.

Have you already compiled an inspiration book? (Either collage or online platform). It can help you to gain clarity about the common threads of your design preferences.

What do you HATE about the kitchen and what do you LIKE about the kitchen currently? This would help us make suggestions. The current floor plan of the kitchen and how it relates to the rest of the house would be a big plus.

How long have you lived in the house? Are you remodeling to sell? To stay in the house for another 20 years?

One thing that stuck out to me was how very low the microwave is over the stove. I wouldn't like to be cooking with that hanging into the work space like that. Could you get a real hood that vents outdoors? and find another place for the microwave?

It is important to know what you need to do about the cabinets -- if you need to keep them, or can replace. I vote to replace and reconfigure. I wouldn't go to the expense of new counters (which I definitely would do) without new cabinets, unless I absolutely couldn't afford them.

I am not sure where that bank of cabinets with the desk is.

Overall the layout of his kitchen is not bad. Your fridge space is tight. I don't know if it is possible, but removal of the peninsula and reworking that wall space by the sink - it would be good if the fridge could be moved to the left of the sink - with some counter space in between. I am not sure if that could be done. Another thought would be to go with a small but sweet fridge like a Smeg.

You do have room for an island with the removal of the peninsula because it becomes an L shaped kitchen then. One change I would make would be to remove the microwave over the range and install a true vent - it would look better and vent better. I would have the square central light changed out to either pot lights or whatever you like - perhaps pendants over the island - talk to a lighting specialist - but if you do not have under cabinet lighting put that on your list. That was the most functional change I made.

I have older cabinets and chose to keep them and go with a vintage style. I do have a small island. This style would work with a vintage looking smaller fridge - I would have done it if I could have afforded it:

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

If you are going to attempt to work with the wood cabinets, here is my wood kitchens idea book with both newer and older, refreshed kitchens:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

Smeg fridge:

we are thinking of going with st. cecilia granite.

the rest of the house is hardwood that is about the same color as the cabinets. so how would I do incorporate a different color/style of hardwood?

Also, does anyone know how to reface cabinets or make them a lighter stain color?