Define " tight budget". Is it 1K, 10K, 50 k?

This will help for people to help you.

Echoing @lg222, we need to know how much you want to spend. But the first thing would be to remove the fussy curtain and, if possible, remove the window valence.

Are you able to open the fridge right door more than part way?

If you feel you’ll be able to save enough money in the future, I’d do nothing now, and wait until I was able to gut the whole thing. The layout could be improved, and the cabinetry has given all it can. If you won’t have a budget for an entire renovation, then let us know how much you can spend now for small improvements.

We need a budget and IMO I would wait until you can at least do an Ikea kitchen

The first thing I'd do is remove that window valance. Put in a backsplash, change the countertop, change the cabinet hardware, put a cabinet over the fridge and new lighting.

Is the wood on the sides of the island real? If yes, maybe paint it an espresso color to break up all that blond wood In the rest of the kitchen?

Hardly a disaster. Cute little kitchen. I don’t think I’d waste any money painting the cabinets. Maybe you can just touch them up. Ditch the island and replace with a smaller one on wheels (is there flooring under the island? You’ll want to think about that...you always do a tile inlay if there isn’t). You can get them in fun colors and with different tops (marble, granite, etc.). I’d put in a shelf above your fridge to store baking pans, etc.. Change the curtains. Paint the walls. Rug in front of sink. New hardware if you want. You could change the knobs to pulls on the cabinets and reuse the existing hole where the knob is. New light, maybe.

For a quick and low cost uptight, paint the walls a color you love, And yes, please remove the 1970's window treatment. The wood of the island and the wood of the floor are nearly the same. Paint the island to coordinate with the color of the newly painted cabinets. There are hundreds of photos of kitchen on Houzz to give you color ideas. Good luck.

Our budget would be between $1,000-2,000. The current island is on wheels so it can be removed, floor is underneath. Does anyone have advise on what to do with the countertop? Should we save up for something nicer or is there an easy way to update what's already there?

Agree with all of the above. Paint the kitchen, remove the valance, get a big basket and fill it with greenery to fill the hole above the fridge, Add new throw rugs, a roman shade of some type for the window, and art work across the island on the big wall.....and save the rest of your money, research Houzz kitchens, and wait a year or so. Then revisit room.

They make laminate paint- can get at Lowe’s or HD. I’ve also seen concrete poured over laminate counters.

The island is much too big for the space. You could put in a smaller island, about half the size of the original, with storage behind doors. I would get rid of the window treatment and replace it with a colorful curtain-and-valance treatment to bring in some color.

Check out the islands here: https://www.unfinished-kitchen-cabinets.net/DesignerI.html

I had them make me a "cottage" one with regular doors (instead of the standard beadboard) in my last house and it was awesome. It might work really well for your space. You can paint it any color you want.

I would paint the soffit to match the cabinets and maybe add some crown molding to that to give the illusion the the cabinets go all the way up.

Live with the counters for a bit until you decide if you're replacing the cabinets. Don't upgrade them until you know you won't have to redo them anytime soon.

The first thing I would do is replace black appliances. Get a package deal in stainless. Remove island and get stainless commercial style movable table with storage below in smaller profile. Then paint a pretty, bright color. Add art and a woven shade for window.

Here are some options.

With a “master plan” you can do items as the budget allows and know at the end you will have a cohesive room.

This to me looks like a good candidate for an IKEA kitchen makeover. Your current doors and drawers aren't soft close, drawers probably don't have many built-in organizational features, and the wood has an aging layer of paint. You might take a look at the different configurations IKEA offers if you can save and plan for a renovation. IKEA actually has some fairly good construction standards when it comes to frameless cabinetry, and the price just cannot be beat for the quality you would be getting. The only precaution with IKEA is not to design the cabinetry too wide or else you can get sagging shelves (I speak of experience--use The Sagulator tool to help you plan to avoid that pitfall). If you don't mind a drop-in sink, you could go with laminate countertops to save a little money (Wilsonart's Soft Silk 21 collection is one of the best to simulate natural stone), however, the cost of granite has come down so much that you'd pay almost as much to get granite countertops. You might be able to get by with an under $10K renovation if you watched expenses. I might recommend a full U-shaped configuration with the base cabinetry set forward to a 30" depth to give you more countertop space. You could also consider banquette seating to one side for an in-kitchen eating space if you wanted.

Want to go dramatic? Check out kitchen ideas on Houzz with filters of black cabinets, wood countertops, wood floors. You have a kitchen that has potential, so that is a real plus.

That being said, Paint cabinets black. It will make black appliances and cabinet door hinges almost disappear. I would be tempted to put the black paint on the soffits above upper cabinets to increase visual height.

Replace door and drawer pulls with nickel pulls or handles since you already have nickel elements going on. You can get some decent ones at the box stores.

Replace the island. Many options even on a tight budget.

Paint the walls including backsplash (except for soffit) white or ?

Put lovely bright green foliage in a white bowl on top of fridge to make that 'hole' useful as a tasteful display.

And yes, get rid of dated window treatment and that little box thing appearing on the left of your first photo.

I anxiously await your final reveal!!

For under $2K, I’d paint the walls, remove the curtain, roll the island out of there, and replace it with a kitchen table if you don’t have one already; if you do, get a movable ikea island.

You’re not touching the counters with that budget unless counters are all you do. You might be able to get ikea or formica counters, but you’d also likely need a new sink, and you’d probably not want the 4” counter backsplash, so you’d want a tile backsplash within a year.

The current island is on wheels so it can be removed, floor is underneath. Does anyone have advise on what to do with the countertop? Should we save up for something nicer or is there an easy way to update what's already there?

What is that countertop? Laminate? Wood?

In any event, I'd remove that 4" piece and with the budget in mind purchase sheets of formica from HD or Lowes to go over it. Not unless you want stone.

A lot of interesting ideas, but some are way outside your budget or you need to plan carefully how to make them step by step as you can afford them. This said, your kitchen is fine and I am not sure it needs any major updating.

There are a few things that everybody seems to agree with (myself included). Get rid of the curtains and valence (if you can). You may buy some nice new blind with nice colors.

If your wall color is only in the kitchen or that the kitchen is not open, you may want to consider painting a lighter color, particularly if you can paint it yourself. If it is an open space and you have to paint several rooms and use pros, it may become too expensive.

Something that you could consider that would soften your kitchen would be some green plants and color items (jars, vases, ...) Not too many so that it does not look cluttered, but some to cut the space.

When it comes to the island, there are links up thread that are really nice, but they will eat most of your budget. You may find islands that are less expensive on Ikea and other sites. Have a look and see if something inspires you.

You can find relatively unexpensive laminate or wood countertops on Ikea.com as well as Home Depot and Lowes (and probably other sites), but they will only fit your budget if you're handy enough to install them yourself and I am not sure they will look much better than what you have. I would wait to change the countertop until you have enough money. I agree with what some other people have said. If you change it, dont add the 4" backsplash. Wait until you can afford a backsplash.

So it is really a choice that depends on what you want and your priorities.

I just have to say, people, read what the OP said her budget was. It is clear some here did not.

Lg222’s post just above gave the best advice.

You can buy an island cart on overstock or wayfair for a few hundred bucks. Get a top material you like for it, to get your fill until you can replace your counter with what you want. Your cabinets and counters look fine- wouldn’t waste your money there right now. Work with textiles and paint Mostly.

@Andrea Hugh Just wanted to say, in defense of those of us who made more comprehensive suggestions, that your budget wasn't noted until well down into the comments, and some of us were responding based on an earlier reading of your original posting. With an average kitchen renovation coming in at $68K in the USA according to some estimates, a tight budget can mean anything under $10K, so specifying numbers and details really helps clarify what you intend. You can also find incredible deals for kitchen makeovers from Ebay, Craig's List, or other places that recycle upscale cabinetry. Homeowners in upscale markets will sometimes take out perfectly good cabinetry just to update the styling, and you can find amazing deals for pennies on the dollar. A local, custom cabinet shop might also be able to help you with a new island piece if you had something specific in mind, and those costs can often be very reasonable.

One can buy an Ikea rolling cart/island for $109! https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/foerhoeja-kitchen-cart-birch-80035920/

I have this one - painted the base black and oiled the top. I've had it now for 3 years - love it. VERY well made and sturdy and I'm very picky!

Someone mentioned black for your cabs. I love that look. Painting cabinets the right way isn’t cheap to pay for or fast for DIY. But black would look awesome.

I have been thinking about your island and given it’s size, unless you have French doors, it probably is too big to get out! Might have to take apart. Just be aware.

Andrea, we remodeled our kitchen 7 years ago. It was a 25-yr-old builder grade kitchen in a spec house - cheap as can be. The cabinets themselves were in fine condition (and got repurposed elsewhere), but the layout and storage were not functional. I'm guessing the same is true for you - you have some narrow cabinets, no drawers, a dead corner - and no storage where you need it.

I would only take down the valance and curtains, maybe paint the walls, and save for a remodel. I know that's tough - but I waited 15 years to remodel my kitchen, and it was so worth waiting to do it right! Any money spent now takes away from meaningful work in the future.

We can't see what's on the right side, but your kitchen looks like it would be well suited to a U shape. You can keep the range and sink more or less in place (saving expense), and move the fridge opposite the range. I would eliminate the pantry cabinet, in favor of more counter space around the range. Cabinets to the ceiling and drawers should give you enough cabinet space that you don't need the pantry.

Costco often has runner rugs at reasonable prices. I like to have them in front of my prep areas, and they add some good color.

I would replace the valance with something simpler or nothing at all. Put a couple of baskets in the open cabinet above the fridge. Replace the island with something in a pretty color with a butcher block top, add a pretty runner in front of the sink and paint the walls in a pale sage green.

Paint ! Replace the light fixture, add a side panel to the fridge to soften the black hugeness, replace knobs to black , put something over fridge -looks like you are missing a door to that upper cabinet

agree with others: first, remove the window treatment. i think the wood valance is ok if you like, goes with that 'period', remove if you 'hate' it. put in roller shade or something similar. if you have privacy and don't need anything on the window, leave it bare.

next: paint the walls a color! that neutral/nude shade is doing for nothing for any aspect of your kitchen. go green, blue, yellow, aqua, something fun!!

replace island with something smaller, no butcher's block, already have that look with floors and counters.....good suggestions above.

replace light fixture... maybe something hanging over island?? but need to know size...

when you paint, paint the cab above refrigerator, just let it blend with wall or if possible have doors made, but that's $$.. i would hesitate to put anything on top, just looks cluttered no matter whats up there. and a dust and dirt collector, more work for you !!

i don't think you can do counters. 1. $$ 2. could open a can of worms 3. if in good shape, just leave them and save for a complete remodel, although cabs look in good shape.

runners to add color...also will break up the floor and counters...

under cab puck lights

wall art...pick one of the colors out of it for the walls

some ideas below:

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6441-white-mint

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6230-rainstorm

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6334-flower-pot

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/milagro-23-inch-wide-black-and-brass-6-light-pendant-light__71f60.html

https://www.greatbigcanvas.com/view/kumquat-tree,1991901/?s=kuV5ppqL7SQFdiEi8d9zLKDHPvM01iULYCN8iqg9MihIlLpxld3UYx7JLdPpRw8

Andrea - have we overwhelmed you with suggestions. Just remember, you are in control. Just make a list of ideas and then prioritize them. Give them numbers from #1-gotta fix this on down the line. Then see what your estimate for each item and the costs will emerge. You take it a step at a time and it won't be so overwhelming. Hope that helps.