I would spend the money on proper lighting that flourescent fixture in the middle does nothing for the space. Then change the knobs if they are not stainless. Make sure the lighting is LED 4” pot lights all in 4000K

thank You. I‘m thinking a hanging fixture thats not too big would work.

You have beautiful cabinets, but it’s like a big wall of oak. I think painting them would make the biggest impact. Then put some updated brushed nickel hardware on them.

you thinking painting vs staining will fare better? I really like gray cabinets.

Live with it for 6 months. You may want to do a bigger remodel than 3K can provide. Or you may want to do nothing.

3K won’t go far. New wiring for lighting and lighting, and you’re done. To professionally paint those, you’d be looking at more like 10K for that size and number of cabinets. You’d have a bigger impact with a 10K budget by doing new laminate counters, lighting, backsplash, and grout staining the floor.

What does the rest of the house look like?

IMO proper painting will not be in the budget and you need overall lighting not a center fixture.. I do agree to live with it for at least 3 months before spending anything.

This is the dining room. The area to the right is the large (enough for a table for 6 with room to spare) in the kitchen.

This is the living room. The natural light helps it so much. The windows show the backyard.

The master Bath leaves a lot to be desired but I spend way more time in the kitchen so it’s my focus.

I can definitely get lighting done and change hardware.

I like the idea of removing the doors to glass doors and just leaving it open. It’ll help with the ‘wall of wood’

Different angle of kitchen

Wonderful house with great lighting. You do have a little room on the right of the island to put in a couple low stools below an extended new island top or just one stool at the end of it if you want to extend it a foot. I would definitely paint that island and get rid of the appliance garage for sure. (You could also paint interior of kitchen door. same as island.) You have tons of storage. Add one or two colorful kitchen rug runners in white, gold, and color of island.

Thank you all for the suggestions. At Housegal, I thought that was a bread box lol. But yes, my first though was it had to go.

These are some awesome ideas. I will live with the kitchen and then decide.

Ha! I didn't think breadbox. That's an easy fix to give yourself more counter space and cut down on so much oak. Oh, one other thing if you have the electrician in there for new over lighting. If you don't have it, get undercabinet lighting installed. Good luck!