Excuse me please, could you tell me if that is a dog or a chair in the lower right hand corner?

I vote dog!

Great, now onto other things! Raise the island.... Remove cover, either get a new fan that works so you can take the one on the counter. Remove tassel from doorway frame.... Store items on top of the refrigerator, elsewhere. And the clutter removed from cabinets and sink. Then take another picture so that we can see the kitchen.

To clarify this is a property I am buying and the kitchen current status. I will pictures of the "after" once I finish.

Do you have photos to show what is on the other side of the fridge? What is the space behind the photographer of this photo? From this one picture it looks like a complete reno is needed: new floor, new cabinets, countertops. Are you thinking of removing the wall behind the stove to open up the space to the room beyond? Is there somewhere else to locate the stove? This space is a little tight to have the island -- why it's so narrow. I have extended the kitchen cabinetry into the eating area for some clients and had a bigger island instead of a breakfast table. I can't tell if this is an option for you. A mobile island/prep cart is also an option in a kitchen this size. Also, you could probably remove the bulkhead over the existing cabinets and have the new cabinets go right to the ceiling. I agree with the previous comment about changing/relocating the ceiling fan. You might want to consider putting some pot lights around the perimeter of the room instead of a central light fixture. Also, a pot light over the sink would look much better than the light fixture that is there now.

Possibly think about taking out the soffit?

You need more windows on the sink wall. The bigger the better and the closer to countertops the better. Maybe a wall of tall storage to build in the icebox, with a built in pantry. No overhead cabinets on sink wall. I think it would really open up the space.

Get rid of the island. Keep the fan, I like it. The table fan, get rid of it.b

Or, if you want a new fan, get a hunter original. (Be aware that it needs new oil every 5 years or so)

HI -- Just how much are you planning on doing ? If you are doing a total remodel , then more pictures and measurements and what you want in the kitchen (appliances etc.) is needed . I can see that you may need a better layout . And you will also need to up grade the electric and so on . It is an old kitchen and we have come a long way with things since that one was put in . If you could include a drawing of the floor plan of the house relating to the kitchen and surrounding rooms that would be a big help.--- Yes, that is a dog's hind leg ,- a big dog !

I still haven't stopped laughing about chair vs dog leg!! Made my day!

Can you lose the soffit? If so, I'd put the new cabinets all the way to the ceiling. To me, that looks like a total gut job. Can't wait to see the 'afters'!

For better ideas, give more information after you take possession ... a floor plan of the existing kitchen and adjacent rooms and pictures of all walls and pictures of the kitchen from the other rooms.

I would say immediately: remove the soffits and get rid of that corner cabinetry ... you will have better access with a straight line of cabinets.

If that's the dining room through that doorway, removing that wall and making a combo kitchen and dining area would increase the usability.

Dog butt, tail, leg...

Imagine the space with nothing on the walls, no appliances and no cupboards. Actually, if you could, you should strip it all down, off the walls etc and start fresh. Often open shelves or glass front doors make things look more open. Upgrade the appliances, stainless keeps it looking light and clean. It look so small, I think I would not make an island but put a table there .. use it as an island but it would be more open looking, with light under and around. I have lost my love for islands.
Very funny about the dog parts showing .

I would take the cabinets out and have 39" cabinets all the way to the ceiling. A few glass doors with light inside will give it a up scale edge too. All stainless appliances and a Silestone counter top with a under mount sink will give it a non-stop counter top and it will be much cleaner looking. Extend the counter to the edge of the sliding door and place a cabinet above as well.

An additional comment; if you do not care for the sliding door any more; you can choose a French door with side lights that open up for ventilation and the door itself is closed and locked. We just did that for 2 sliders we had in our home. Right now, I have no kitchen; counters are coming on Tuesday! Plan for at least
7 weeks minimum down time without a full functioning kitchen. I'm 70 years old and you can do it too! LOL

Lol, the question about what was it a dog or a chair... Daughter said chair leg.. I said DOG..... Thank You very much!

Here is what I would like:
A layout measured (inches please) It doesn't need to be to scale.
Include wall lengths, Window size (include casing on windows and doors)
Electrical sockets measured in inches from the nearest wall. Plumbing ie water lines & drain.. Doesn't need to be exact but it could determine how big of a sink cabinet you need.
What type of appliances do you want.
Full size fridge? Typically 38" wide by 72" high fridge space.
Free standing range, Slide in range, cook top, wall oven? Gas or electric?
Microwave,, countertop,, drawer.. Microwave space saver, built in?
Dish Washer?
Ceiling height (Please tell me you are knocking out the soffit)
What you want done.. what you are planning on replacing.. ie total tear out (including floors I hope)
Is it in an area that is worth putting money into?.. does this house just needs a face lift to get it threw until you sale it.
How long are you keeping it? Is this a flip? Rental? three year house? lifetime house?
About where is this house? East Coast, West Coast? Mid West? etc..

The layout is very good this kitchen has potential .

I have idea for you just move and buy new house with kitchen done

@dubavoy - they haven't bought this place yet

We've got a far worse kitchen that this one to 'remodel'. But we love a challenge and we love the view it have to the water in the old town of Russell in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. Loving all the Houzz ideas and enjoying collecting ideas for our big reno. The entire house, circa 1930, needs reworking, so lots of ideas are needed.

hi, it depends on how much or little you want to do. I think you could lose that island in the middle and have a peninsula at the end where the sink is like the peninsula in the picture and perhaps even create a little breakfast bar around the far end. You can use the dead space where the dog bowl and go right up to the door. At the back of the peninsula you can always create a pet station at the back of the peninsula like this one if you don't have space for the dog bowl elsewhere:


I would lose the clunky light above the sink and replace with a spot light.
How much do you think you want to change in your kitchen?

You may want to consider suspended counter chairs at an island in this kitchen. People with suspended chairs love the clean organized look--chairs are always there in their place for when you need them. Flooring is less likely to get scratched or damaged because with suspended chairs there are no legs. This also means easier clean-ups!

A floor plan would help. The flooring definitely must be replaced..it is cupped badly. I would strip the room down completely. Start fresh. Hopefully the soffits are removable and don't have any utilities running through them. But even if they do, you can reroute them. By "center wall" do you mean bearing wall? Is that the wall on the left where the refrigerator is? It looks like the kitchen has an eating area with a door wall in one end. That's where the dog is standing...(wishing it was outside), right? :)

Redid my kitchen and put the stove into the center island, extended it so I also had a prep sink and a space where I put 3 stools for the kids to eat at the island. Also painted the Island as opposed to the stained cabinets. Drawers for pots and pans, cabinet on reverse side for broiler pans and slide out drawers under prep sink for towels, pasta, onions and potatoes. Sounds like a lot but I just actually planned and made the most out of the space. Good luck!

A picture is worth a thousand words.. or so they say. I have a great guide for you if you are building or just decorating your kitchen or bathroom, it’s called Can’t Fail Color Schemes: Kitchens and Baths. Whereas it offers many color selections to compliment your design, it also guides you in counter top selection, cabinetry, tile and stone, you name it. Full of photos, it is a priceless guide and one that will be make your project much more fun and less stressful! I found the Barnes and Noble link but you can also check your local bookstore. I hope this helps: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cant-fail-color-schemes-kitchen-bath-amywax/1110764475?ean=9781580114134

I would definitely replace the ceiling fan .It's a low-end fan & the blades are drooping. Visit www.fanfairceilingfans.com for some ideas.

Looks like a great space to work with! When it gets to that point, if you have any questions about cabinetry or would like to explore design options, feel free to reach out to us :) http://www.cabinetstogo.com/