I love the red island though! Maybe a coat of fresh paint...try a different look until you can afford to replace them. 😊

Maybe go to a Home Depot kitchen designer and bring them these pictures, and your problem. That's what I would do. I agree with the new coat of paint.

Your list of projects is going to be very costly, especially demolishing the tile floor and replacing it without changing out the cabinets. Since you really dislike most or all of the kitchen, you may want to live in the house for a good amount of time before changing anything, and in the process save up for a total renovation.

Leve it until you have the money to redo ..or you will be spending twice !

I spent one full year planning my remodel. There is no point in replacing anything until you decide if you want to get new cabinets otherwise you will have to work around the new floor which will limit you to the old floor plan, tear out new counters to install new cabinets, and trash the new backsplash. Use your Wolf, make lots of notes about what works and what doesn’t in the existing layout. Plan, plan, plan, then start.

Thanks so much! I was also thinking that “waiting” is better but I am concerned about removing the tile after we have all of our stuff in the home. We haven’t moved in yet and still have our apartment lease for 2 months. I was hoping to at least get the floors done before we move in. I’ve been told removing tile is very messy! I forgot to mention there is radiant heat in the floor so that’s another beast all together. Anyone have any experience with painting or “glazing” tile floor?

I'm starting to think you should not have bought the house either. Since you hate everything about the kitchen. I like the red part, and the color of the cabinets. The floor is neutral...it's a floor, you walk on it, get it dirty. Don't replace the floor now. Waste of time and money, when you want to save up for a complete gut job. When you gut the kitchen of the cabinets and counters, you'll mess up your floor too. And it WILL be messy when you replace counters and cabinets, so might as well wait to mess up the floors too.

What's wrong with the floor? It's neutral and looks great. Your kitchen has the triangle placement of fridge, sink and stove, so I'm not sure what you find objectionable. Perhaps it the unusual shape that is throwing you off. Here are some corner kitchens with unusual islands for reference.

Most pros would recommend you live in the house for a year before you start making big decisions on design. Your concepts will change multiple times before you settle on one thing.

I would have to agree - you mentioned changing the floors, the countertop and the backsplash. Thats half the kitchen. Then painting the room an the island. You will be surprised how much all of that will be. Then when you do want to redo the kitchen, you will have to change the counters since they probably wont fit your new layout and the backsplash will most likely get broken when removing the counters and the old cabinets - not to mention a new layout.

So you have just wasted a lot of money.

Take the 2 months you have to get the rest of the house cleaned, painted and updated. That way t is all done. The only thing left will be your kitchen. It is a messy job, but everyone goes through it just fine.

Best of luck with your new home!

If you hate the cabinets, putting in new counters/backsplash/floors/etc makes no sense at all. Plus, I'm not sure why you don't like the refrigerator placement - can you elaborate??

I don't see the bad design. You actually have a fairly decor-neutral kitchen (other than the red island which is an easy change). I would check to see if the flooring goes under the island - if so, I'd rotate the island and re-evaluate.

Don't do much until you've lived in it for a long while. Some thoughts about your totally nice kitchen:

--I'm with everyone who says your floors harmonize well with the cabinets. Save yourself a gazillion dollars by not changing the floors or the backsplash.

--Your work triangle is totally efficient. Don't change that.

--Get a carpenter/finisher to remove whatever that wood is above the stove that so dominates the space and get a steamlined non-wood venting hood in stainless to match the finishes of your appliances. This will cost some $$$$ but way less than replacing floors and backsplash and will address the "too wood-y, too uneven cabinet heights" that bother you so much.

--To me, what throws things off is that red island--totally clashes with the cabinets and floor. What is your palette for adjoining space?. To me, an ivory or blue island, if it would work with the rest of your furnishings, would really help. Here's a similar palette to yours but with a lighter island.

Craftsman Kitchen · More Info

Uneven height cabinets, which look fine:

Natural Cherry Shaker kitchen with dark granite countertops · More Info

Natural Cherry Shaker kitchen with dark granite countertops · More Info

Craftsman Kitchen in Farmington, MI · More Info

Instead of making a bunch of cosmetic changes that will really add up, hire a color consultant to help you pick the right colors for your new home that will harmonize with your kitchen, furniture you plan to bring or buy. I would also spend that floor money instead on hiring a decorator to help you play your layouts and buy new pieces, if you need them, that will fit in the home you bought. That's the best use of your limited budget.

Lovely Shaker cabinets, great looking stove, neutral floor. The island is the problem: wrong color, style on door. Maybe just fix the island: paint & new doors?

I haven't read all the responses.

I would ONLY replace flooring if you are keeping the exact same footprint in the kitchen. SInce that seems highly unlikely, given the shape of the island, I would leave it be. There is absolutely nothing wrong with those floors. They may not be your style, but they appear to be in great shape.

Use the time on your lease to move in at your pace. If you want to paint any rooms, these 2 months would be the time to do it. But major renovations, esp when not needed, are a waste of time and money. Live IN your house before you decide on major projects. And you never know what might pop up that did not turn up on an inspector's report.

You need to live here for a year and see how it functions. It may not be as bad as you think, and after that time you'll know exactly what your priorities should be (if there aren't any other issues you have to sink money into like HVAC, plumbing, etc.)

I am wondering if the flooring is through-out the home and you are needing it all out...The mess/hassle/expense of replacing tile makes me wonder why it's a flooring choice ever. Sounds like painting brick..once ya ruin the brick there is no going back..I would have to wonder why you bought the home. The kitchen appears very 'now' and far from builder grade. It is unfortunate you dislike so much of it. It really is quite nice from what I see.

I would wait on this. Repaint the walls (too many competing tans), island & maybe replace the island pendants for now. Save the money & remodel this right down the road :)

Some bad kitchens get posted here, but yours isn't one of them. You can accessorize it much better than the prior owner. All those cabinets and she has stuff on top of them! Get a decorator to help you.

Paint the island a color you like and this kitchen should be fine for some time.

Yes removing tile floors is messy. You’ve gotten good advice about waiting and doing it right - but who knows what ‘right’ is just yet?

Changing just the backsplash would be a huge improvement. I don’t see much issue here. it’s actually quite nice, and probably a good indication of what the house looks like overall. I hope you learn to love the home.

what’s your style? Do you have any inspiration photos?

Great advice from everyone! I feel so much better after reading this. I think I was influenced by a few friends who are set on the “white & gray” kitchen trend and I actually didn’t know the design was bad until a “friend” pointed it out me. Honestly, I’m starting to like the floors. I’ve been pushed toward all cool tones and this simply wouldn’t work in this home. I’ve started looking at warm color ideas and I love it! I’m not a trendy person so I’m going to appreciate what I have and it will be fabulous!

Getting a new hood for sure. I’m gonna paint the island a blue/green. Changing counter tops and backsplash to something lighter. I’ll post some inspirational photos. Now I’m just stuck on paint color. I did hire a professional. She suggested repose gray throughout and dove white on trim. I can’t seem to find any photos of repose gray being used in anything other than cool toned “white and gray” interiors.

Don't fall for the gray trend; its not so trendy now. I was using it 25 years ago, but find I'm happier with happier colors.

Sorry I said to get a color consultant if she's recommending gray. Here's a Houzz article on wall paints that go well with wood:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/11-terrific-paint-color-matches-for-wood-details-stsetivw-vs~9025200

Benjamin Moore Gentle Cream is pretty warm and gorgeous with wood. Whatever color you choose, make sure it goes with both the cabinets, countertops, and especially the floor as well as your furnishings.

Separate subject--range hood:

Repose Gray is a nice, warm gray

check out this article

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-to-go-with-oak-wood/

Not sure where you live, but where we are there is no way you could get the type of work you are considering completed in two months, even if you knew exactly what you wanted to do and materials were selected. Contractors and subs are working, but crew size is limited by a variety factors. Scheduling is tough with only one sub in a house at a time. Material deliveries are delayed.

Your kitchen is beautiful! The possibilities are endless!

I see what you mean with kitchen not being completely there. After staring for a bit I am thinking it might be too ‘cluttered’ on the eyes. There are too many show stopper items so all competing. The back splash and tile do go together well. I think the countertops are too busy with it though. So either a great countertop to pull the eyes or a great backsplash but not both. The island is very distracting. I agree with wrapping it in same door style as rest of kitchen but in offsetting color so maybe a dark brown or cream. Whatever will work with backsplash or countertop. Or in a shade that matches your accent color scheme throughout main living area. I would also lower it counter height instead if bar height. So decide on what key piece you want to highlight (cabinets, backsplash, or countertops) and go from there in replacing the rest. I personally do not have backsplash since find it very hard to not get the cluttered feeling since have trim and nice cabinets with multi shade countertop. You can also pick up or order samples. Will be worth the money to see it all together before it is installed and too late. Make sure to pay the money for ‘big’ samples and not couple inches ones. There are sample paint sizes so paint cardboard etc and lean up on wall and stare at for a few days too.