Hi Danielle

My suggestions are:

Remove the cabinet section with the bar stools and cooktop. Replace with a rectangular island which would be opposite the sink and window. Cooker in the island as now.

Overhanging counter with barstools as you have now. Access is then easier from the door, as right now the bar stool area is a real barrier.

Remove the soffit with the recessed lights and that will make the space look bigger, and if you extend the base cabinets on the window wall you could fit in another wall cabinet, the kitchen will look much bigger. Hang 3 lights or one long/wide light over the island.

Replace fridge with a smudge-free stainless steel one.
Replace hardware and faucet with matte black.
Paint island cabinets grey and wall cabinets white.
Use granite for countertops if you prefer real stone or quartz in white with grey veins if you don’t mind engineered tops.
Consider IKEA for cabinets as they are well priced and good quality. They also offer planning, counters, sinks etc.

Hope that helps!

I also meant to say, if your budget doesn’t include new cabinets and layout/island, you could still replace the countertops; have the cabinets professionally spray painted; remove the low soffit and install new lights; replace hardware and fridge.

Hi Danielle, congrats on your new house!

The kitchen's main challenge as I see it is a layout(say I'd be bothered by a very close position of the fridge next to the entrance, cooktop in the peninsula with eating space next to it) and lack of storage.

It looks nice, at least on the pictures.

I wouldn't do anything cosmetic, (including putting heavier countertops on older cabinets, or painting cabinets that from aestheticall point of view look fine and appropriate to the house..unless they're very worn and I can't see that, etc) until I'm in the house, maybe minimum half a year, studying how I want it to function, considering how layout can be changed(if you decide to go for it) and how it will impact the space as a whole. Changing the layout in 60's house..I don't know where the house is but here wouldn't be 20 K. Even with a small kitchen. Would be almost twice the cost. You touch walls, plumbing, electrical, you might need to abate asbestos, etc..drives the prices up, even if you keep the materials etc very reasonable.

And it takes lot of careful planning, thought put into it, weighting pros and cons, your own preferences (say I'd be tempted to enclose the kitchen some, or move it a bit, to create the better sense of entrance, and increase storage..maybe I'd shorten it on the entrance door side, but encroach more toward the hallway so to say...I'd consider whether a pantry can be put in, or free-standing hutch would work better on the opposite side..I would give up seating there..and hundred other things)

You will know all that better when living in the house. What bothers you the most, what bothers you the least..what are you ready to sacrifice and what you plan to gain.

I'm waiting with interest to read other responses-there are some very talented people here, with better eye for layouts and spatial thinking than me..they might have great suggestions for you to consider.

If you can upload even a simple plan with dimensions, that would be helpful too.

If you want to paint meanwhile-your preferences will work nice with the kitchen as is.

So you'll already feel more at home while thinking about bigger picture of a remodel.

Thank you so much!! For all of your suggestions! I really really appreciate it. im disappointed to hear how expensive it will be to redo the kitchen. I think I still will get a bid to see if they can offer some insight.

Thanks again!

Of course talk to KD s and contractors..you're jut starting your research. Say, you arrive to a decision that you'll change cabinetry, counters, appliances, etc..and add some storage across the peninsula. You can save on appliances, hunting sales, open box ones..because the kitchen is small, you can find a local cabinetmaker that will do custom work and use every inch of your space thus increasing functionality, and the costs still will be affordable..or you can go with IKEA indeed, etc..you can do many things if you've determined to keep your costs down. You'll get a new kitchen But the footprint will-largely- stay the same..Which might be okay too-it's a workable kitchen..it's just not ideal.

Think, consult people in your area, feel how the house works each day for you, decide on your priorities..that's how one knows his scope of work, costs, etc.

Good luck to you!