“What should I do about this island???”

Remove the drywall on the backside and replace it with finished end panels that match your cabinetry. And since you are pulling the counter, now would be a great opportunity to replace the sink with a single bowl workstation sink.

One simple change would be to paint the white part of the island black. Black will blend more with the darker wood colors on the floor and make it stand out less.

After that you have to deal with the countertops, which will be much harder. The island countertop is not that bad when used with a dark wood and black island. However, the other countertops that have to compete with the totally different pattern and color on the backsplash are really quite hard on the eyes. One or the other, or both (countertop or backsplash) has to go. Neither are a very attractive pattern.

Bruce

You could put panels on the dry wall, either painted or stained to match the cabinet. last resort would be to leave it alone, but I’d at least paint it.

Get some support for that countertop before it kills your Pekinese. The two arms on the end are far from enough for that span.

You don't need to do anything before you move in. When on EARTH did move in day begin implying "House Beautiful" perfection. . You aren't even showing the entire kitchen. Good grief, chill. : )

Move in, assess the entire space, the functions, the appliances, all of it, before you worry about "repose gray" and back splashes.

I agree ....its pretty bad. This is what happens when builders do the design.

I'm not a fan of the two tone kitchen in a space this size. it's just a lot going on especially with that countertop. I'd pick one color and go with it. Personally I'd paint everything white and replace the counters and backsplash, put furniture style legs on the island with a nice big overhang for seating. id replace those cheap pulls with something that gave the space style. The island doesn't know if it wants to be a peninsula....its too big for the space. But I think making the color a single tone, getting new hardware, counters and backsplash (and likely lighting) will bring this kitchen from builder grade to custom very easily.

@Is1114,

The OP doesn't note who designed this particular home. The term "update" implies (at least to me) that it's a resale-- so we don't know if it's been remuddled or not.

Typically, for a spec home, builders tend to be more middle of the road with their choices of colors, counters, etc. to appeal to the widest range of potential buyers.

I would add moulding and paint entire island, including drawers and cabinet the same color as your walls An easy fix and an attractive look

No one said I want it to be move in ready. I am not moving in until August so I’d like to optimize my time in making necessary changes. I don’t need to live there for weeks to know that the kitchen looks off. What I don’t show is the rest of the space that has a gray toned fireplace that clashes with the kitchen. I’m not painting all of the cabinet white. My husband hates white cabinets. The island is what I am willing to paint/change. This home is 4 years old. It was built by the current sellers. They made these terrible choices.

Ashley, do you love the blue walls? Since you have a bit of time, why not come up with a plan to update the kitchen and any other spaces that open up to it so that you get one harmonious look. Can we get pictures of the other spaces? I agree that you need to remove the backsplash and somehow rework the island. Painting the whole island one color would go a long way towards updating the look. It does not have to be white. What colors do you have in mind for the whole space? If you can get a picture of your fireplace, we may be able to offer suggestions you can live with. Also, you will have bar stools on the open side of your island, so the drywall won’t be as obvious. My first thought would be to paint the island a gray that would help coordinate the countertops with the fireplace, but pictures are needed. It could be quite nice without too much time and money!

At least they chose what looks like real hardwood floors. :-)

Well if you like the brown cabinets, take off the weird island back and purchase trim pieces that coordinate with the color of your cabinets. Redo the counters. I would definitely put on some sort of furniture-style legs but if you like the way the back piece looks, you should be able to re-recreate that with a matching wood toned piece. You want to use Repose Gray on the walls-- not the best choice with that browny cabinet. Perhaps a warmer gray like the ever-popular Revere Pewter would pick up the color better?

Personally I would paint these. I am not a fan of that color cabinet-- its a wall of brown. If you don't like white there are a million other options. But if you like the color, tie in the undertone with your backsplash and counter. You need something with a bit of warmth to pull it all together.

I honestly wouldn't touch a thing until you live there for a while. Do you like the flow of the kitchen? You might not know until you start using it. Are you replacing the cook top? If so, what are you replacing it with? That will determine how your countertop is templated. Do you want a double sink? Or are you replacing it? Again, that will determine how your countertop is templated.

As for Repose Gray, I probably would not recommend that as it will not coordinate well with your cabinets or your flooring. I understand you have some time before you move in and you want to tackle these projects so you're not living with demo around you. But sometimes your house and its rooms will speak to you once you've settled in.

Well. If everyone thinks that I need to just live there and make no changes then I am okay with that...Even though I'm pretty sure the counters and backsplash will be out. I just wanted repose gray because I wanted light white/gray walls but if you all think that that will be a terrible idea then I am open to any color at this point. The owners have this weird blue two-toned thing going on. The fireplace has beige as well a some light blue color notes that I thought would look nice with gray walls and blue artwork. I'm probably all wrong though

It looks like a great house! Now that I've seen the bigger view, I think worrying about that island is the last thing on the list. :-) Paint the walls a color that will blend the blues and the golds in the stone with the cabinets. There are sooo many colors out there, one will work. When I was renovating my house, I found I simply could not coordinate colors. I found an interior designer who came to the house, spent about 3 hours going over everything such as cabinets, flooring, light both natural and lighting fixtures, furniture, fireplace tile, etc. (best $450 I ever spent) and recommended colors I never would have thought of but I love it! I was so impressed but as she said, that's why designers spend two semesters studying color, to actually understand it.

You've purchased a beautiful home, invest a little more to make it all come together with the correct colors. Use the Find Professionals area on Houzz to find someone. It is going to be a big cost to paint the rooms, consider this part of that cost. You'll be happy you did.

The two tone blue is really cool and nicely done... and also something I would paint over with a different color.

I told my husband a while ago that I felt that I needed to hire some help for the paint color choices. He said no🤣. Well obviously he’s wrong. He also said that the counters and black splash looked fine. 😬 I will hire someone for the paint and I’ll circle back around to figure out the other stuff in the future. Thanks

Hi Ashley. Absolutely paint before you move it. It’ll be so much easier, and even with low voc paint, far less smelly. Do you know what quartz you will be using for the counters?

It's open space, What is your furniture? What are your rugs if any? Nothing lives in isolation. Tell hubby you will waste a lot less money and time getting a bit of design help. Even if that involves only looking at what you have, and where to put it and what paint color would work.

This is actually the best money you can spend. Then plan a bit and take your time. The smell of latex paint kills nobody. It is gone in a day. Open a darn window. turn on a fan!

Decorate in haste? Repent at leisure. Yes you can make a meal and not die for a bit with blue walls. REALLY. : )

People do not move out every time they paint. ..............and in a stay of many years? This happens, You paint. Not a big darn deal.

Tell hubby that my designer has actually saved me money. Whenever I see something and fall in love with it, i text her a picture and 90% of the time she says, "We can find something better." And we always do at a great price!

That double bowl sink has got to go.

The main offender is the blue..once that is gone you wont feel rushed into changing all those other things...there is a lot going on architecturally so accent colors are not really called for here...you are on the right track with starting with the kitchen as it is the obvious problem...the main problem is that nothing really looks like quality construction...unless you have unlimited funds i would start with the cabinets and island ...the location of the appliances...and the countertops...this is where a designer can really help...you need to decide whether you want to try to work with what you have as much as possible....or create your dream kitchen...this should be based on whether this is your forever home...in either case your chosen color scheme is not going to be a move forward ..it is just a repeat of what everyone has been doing for years...second place a designer can help...going back to live in the home for a while...to me it makes sense with all the Attempts at architectural features...i have a feeling a more open clean space will be less restrictive in your future choices and more comfortable to live in...all this is just to give you more to think about ...no one here should just tell you what to do at this point....

why can't you paint the wood part of the island the same white as the front? There, done.

paint your walls the repose gray, (or whatever gray that will work w/that fireplace)

Actually, I think this dark blue called Gentlemans Gray is a perfect choice for that room (or the hallway, or even the island (since your husband doesn't like white cabs)

It goes perfectly w/the fireplace stone. And, would look nice on the walls in hallway, or even on the island.

this is how it looks next to a white countertop

Here's Repose Gray. You'll have to get samples and try them on the wall next to the fireplace.

Personally, I'd paint the entire wall the gentlemans gray and do the other walls in a soft white . Bring in the white on the island, white quartz w/a bit of gray to it, and new hardware for your cabinets.

then I'd do these island chairs.

Well You certainly don't want to take out the drywall portion of the island because then you will be dealing with patching the floor. I agree that if cabinet panels are available I would add them. If they aren't I would hire a finish carpenter to make some, You husband doesn't like white. What color does he like? Is he just completely opposed to painted cabinets. You have a nice large space but sadly the previous owners have cut corners on quality. The cabinets would just look better in a painted finish and it would help remedy the island. On that same note something needs to be done around the stone "fireplace" that looks like its unfinished. Build ins even if shallow that surround the entire stone would improve and beef it up. For a neutral paint to keep it light and bright take a look at Sherwin Williams First Star.