Remove the "railing" on the top of the cabinets. Install hardware on doors and drawers. Maybe change out light fixture to a flush mount that is more stylish and maybe paint. That's it.

Remove the trim from the top of the cabinets and build up cabinets to the ceiling. Paint cabinets. New hardware. New countertop. Are your appliances - refrig & dishwasher stainless steel? Hard to tell on my monitor.

Is this a forever home? You wouldn’t want to put money and effort into this if you decide to change flooring or layout in the future.

If purchasing new stainless appliances, consider a counter depth refrigerator. Ditch the galley rail.

Beautiful window. Do you think you'll gut the kitchen within the next 5 years? If not, I'd remove top railing (maybe even remove the piece over the window), add hardware, and get new counters and backsplash. It's not a HUGE space so counter shouldn't be too expensive. Then as appliances die, get SS (counter-depth for fridge). Price all that out. If there is money left, perhaps a new light fixture and kitchen mat to bring in color. Paint walls.

Other option is building boxes to the ceiling and have everything painted. Perhaps even enclose the fridge with paneling so it flows with rest of kitchen. Also new hardware and paint walls. . That may be all of the $10K budget. If not, perhaps new counter and you can wait on backsplash as you save up.

How long will you be staying in the home? Do you ever think you'd like a total gut of the kitchen in that time frame? The easiest and least expensive things to do now are to remove the top rail from the cabinets and put on some hardware. That's less than a hundred bucks. Your refrigerator is too big for the space but you may not want to address that now. If you want to spend the money, I'd replace the floor and the counters, and look into swapping out your fridge and dishwasher for stainless steel. Make sure you get a counter depth fridge. You can probably sell the old appliances online. If changing the counters, I'd get a stainless steel single bowl under mount sink. However, first make sure you want to invest in the changes and not save for a larger remodel down the road.

I'd choose to replace the vinyl flooring with either the same wood as the rest of the house or new sheet vinyl. Remove rail above cabinets as others have mentioned. Counter depth SS fridge. Replace dishwasher in stainless steel when it needs replacing. Echo the cobalt color in some way in another area of the kitchen (placemats, wall art, dish towels).

If cabinets are in a good shape, I would

1. paint them in white,
2. new backsplash,
3. new countertop,
4. remove the railing.

I think it's quite charming, right down to the countertops and the decorative rails on the tops. (Now, if the grout is a pain, I get it, but that color is so fun. And as decorative things go, that trim is actually not bad at all.) I'd probably just get a counter-depth fridge (stainless to match the range) and then a stainless dishwasher at that point, and buy a table/cart/something for the middle, assuming there is space. What year is the house? I like the door trim, and that's a great kitchen window. Any chance there is a decent wood floor under that vinyl?

ETA: consider investing in better lighting.

New appliances (with counter-depth refrigerator - add cabinetry to make it appear to be built-in). Remove the railing above the cabinets. Install hardware and new ceiling fixture. Paint trim to match the rest of the home (I'm not sure why you have grey trim??). Big colorful rug.

If you plan on building up those cabinets, this might be nice.

Remove rail top, change perimeter counter to granite and add an island with butcher block counter. The island can wait a year or two if your dream granite is too pricey. You could get a rolling butcher block-topped cabinet as a mini-island you can move to where you need it.

I think a lot of the suggestions might well exceed 5-10K when all is said and done. Especially if you throw in new appliances - but if you get scratch-n-dent or floor samples, you might get nice ones for half price or less.

If you are willing to take the time to shop hard, wait for bargains, plan ahead, you might be surprised at what you can do. With that budget, I assume you will DIY some if not all?

Better lighting would be a priority for me, and I probably would make that my first move (installing ceiling LEDs along the counter edges - such a small kitchen wouldn't need more than 3 or 4, I think.

Can you relocate the fridge to a space that it fits?

Is the counter tile and grout in good shape? (I love the blue, and would work with that if I could - but I did hate having a tile counter.) If leaving the blue backsplash, I would paint the rest of the wall a similar, but paler blue.

There is nice, plain granite that is not expensive, and there is also nice solid surface and "formica" that won't break the bank. If you live near an Ikea, check them out. In my town there are places that sell pre-fab granite that would work for your small sections of counter.

I would remove the railing definitely, and build boxes to the ceiling if I could. Even a faux cabinet to the ceiling will improve the look. Clean the cabinets thoroughly and paint. Buy the more expensive paint that is meant for cabinets, and plan on it taking quite some time to do a good job. Don't be afraid to go with a color if that tickles your fancy. Add pulls to the cabinets.

Remove the board across the window, and apply some nice molding that compliments or mimics the door molding - up the sides and across.

It’s actually very charming. In order of importance- remove railing, rug, add cabinet hardware, work toward having all stainless appliances, new floors, new counter/backsplash. So many people recommend under-cabinet lighting, but I have it, on a dimmer no less, and never use it. You could get a new light fixture or chandelier. I wouldn’t paint the cabinets. If you decide to keep your counters, which are cute, you could splurge on a new sink and faucet- that, with a rug, cabinet hardware, and matching appliances, would be an instant facelift.

inspiration:

I think it's cute! But I can't see what shape the cabinets, counter, sink, and floor are in. Remove the rail on the cabinets. Mostly free.

New vinyl plank floor: $1500-$2000 or thereabouts (hire out install)

New faucet: $300

New light fixture: $200

Under cabinet lights: $150

Hardware for cabinets: $100

Double the price if you need to hire someone for small jobs.

And if you have money left:

New counter depth refrigerator: $2000 (Kitchen Aid makes a nice counter depth one)

New dishwasher: $800-$1200 with install depending on what you buy

Although I'm no expert, if you are staying long term, I might save up and wait a while, then take that wall down where the fridge is as it looks like a small, unused room next to the kitchen. Unless that is a door/hallway. That will bring in more light.

Then, after the above suggestions, add a large island, using quartz tops. Definitely replace your counter tops and the railing!

Good Luck! I want a kitchen remodel so badly! ;)

New flooring, new cabinet and drawer hardware, and remove the railing on the top of the cabinets unless you plan to put things up there. If you're putting decorative objects/plants up there, it will look fine, but if you're not, the railing just draws attention to an empty space. Personally, I like the tiled countertop, and I don't like all white kitchens so I wouldn't paint the cabinets.

I also think some of the suggestions seem to really blow over your stated budget, but then again, things might be cheaper where you are.

Small kitchen but a really nice one. Like the cabinets and countertop. Really like the huge window but ... guessing it doesn't open? Might want to reconsider lighting such as change the overhead light to a ceiling fan -- but considering changing the light would depend upon what is in the rest of the room.

Would NOT paint the cabinets. Like the uncomplicated look of them so would not add new hardware either.

Unless the countertop is damaged, would not change it. Really like that color.

Would add a few decorative straw baskets or canister(s) or cookie jar(s) atop the overhead cabinet rather than remove that top trim. (Check Habitat for Humanity Restore Stores and Good Will and other charity thrift stores for bargains -- use your remodel budget for what matters most.)

Is the wall behind the refrigerator where you've enclosed a porch?

Are you standing at a dining area in the same room as the kitchen?

How large is that room: measurements from window to opposite wall? From wall behind fridge to opposite wall?

You might add more pics and a sketch of the entire room -- kitchen and adjoining space where you're standing -- drawn, to scale, on graph paper showing doors and windows and current appliance placement.

Would likely want new flooring especially if you want to add the same flooring to the room behind the refrigerator t make that part of your kitchen:

Would you want to open that wall behind the refrigerator and/or change the location of or size of the doorway so you could make that space a part of your kitchen, perhaps moving your fridge and/or adding a pantry and/or a peninsula and/or an island.

another idea for the cabinets if you're going for diy

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As has been said, remove cabinet railing, add workspace lighting, change out the overhead light.

At some point, look for a fridge that fits that space better - doesn't block any of that door framing. I don't suggest counter depth as you will already have somewhat smaller storage space IN the fridge! (Depends on how many people you typically feed / how often you go grocery shopping....) plus I think counter depth is still more pricey?

I wouldn't paint the wood. First, the wood adds character, and second painting over stained wood has to be done right to prevent problems down the road.

While I like the blue countertop, I would weigh replacement, due to the grout issue. I think I'd focus on flooring - wood to match other house flooring, depending on price - or a different vinyl.

"New vinyl plank floor: $1500-$2000 or thereabouts (hire out install)

New faucet: $300 who .. pays $300 for a tap !

New light fixture: $200

Under cabinet lights: $150

Hardware for cabinets: $100

Double the price if you need to hire someone for small jobs.

And if you have money left:

New counter depth refrigerator: $2000 (Kitchen Aid makes a nice counter depth one)

New dishwasher: $800-$1200 with install depending on what you buy".. I'm .glad I don't live in the US, some of the prices that are quoted are ridiculous !

@Snaggy, maybe labor is cheaper where you live? Here is some of the method behind my madness.

I looked on the Home Depot website. Run of the mill Delta pull down faucets are about $220.

Dishwashers: Yes, you can get a $300 model. A middle of the road dishwasher is $700-800 with $200 to install.

Add sales tax if you live in a state with it. I slightly over-estimated on purpose. Unrealistic expectations abound in remodeling.

Are you DIY-ing or hiring contractor? Are you staying longer than 5yrs or selling soon? I live in CA where prices are higher for hiring labor. This will affect how far your $ will or should go.

1. Remove rail at top of cabinets
2. Install prefab “remnant” quartz countertops.Prefab cheaper than slab, remnant discounted , make sure u purchase enough length. Install new backsplash.
3. Refinish cabinets with either paint or stain to update and coordinate with new countertops . Add hardware .
4. New flooring. Is it vinyl now? If so lay new vinyl (so many up to date styles) if short term stay in home. Otherwise long term, then install new tile. It’s durable , no moisture issues in a “wet room” and comes in lots of styles and price points . Large tiles have less grout lines.
   5 . Update lighting and sink fixtures, and get stainless steel appliances. Counter depth fridge for built in look. Some stores offer package discount if you buy a “suite” of same brand appliances
5. Fresh paint and add color with fabrics in either window treatments or kitchen accessories.

I’m trying to remove the railing from my cabinets as well. Can’t seem to figure out how.

I would start with a smaller refrigerator that Is counter depth, a fun light, and Paint the walls something to compliment the blue tile counter. As others have said, it’s a charming kitchen don’t spend money just to spend. If you wanted to update even more you could replace counters and backsplash with a nice formica or solid surface.

Carolyn J, have you gotten up on a ladder to take a close look at how it is attached? It is either glued, or screwed/nailed/stapled, or both glue and whatever fastener. Most likely both.

If screws, removing those would be first. The rest would require prying the railing from the cabinet. A hair dryer or heat gun (used very carefully!) to soften the glue would probably help. I've used a putty/spackling knife successfully, but there are also small prying tools and tool sets that are made for removing trims and moldings that are not expensive. You also need a mallet to force the pry tool into the joint between the rail and the cabinet.

Do use a stable ladder, don't climb on a chair or the counter!

You can do it!