You can update without changing counters. How would you feel about painting the brick and the cabinets, and covering those beams?

Can you show us inspiration images of kitchens that you like?

Are you planning to remove the 4” backsplash? If it were my kitchen, I would definitely change and modernize the light fixtures. Do you really need a fan in the kitchen? I would not paint the cabinets, but would consider painting the window trim the same white as the walls to lighten it up a bit. To me, the light fixtures and the floor are the most visibly dated components.Any thoughts about whitewashing the brick?

Before doing one more thing fix all the lighting. change all bulbs to LEDs in 4000K then remove the fan and light in the kitchen replace with another pot and IMO the other fixture is lighting nothing but the ceiling and some new pendants over the island also with the same bulbs. What happens then is the colors you are working with all stay true no matter what time of day and you will be amazed at how much better everything will look without the yellow glow. A warm white for the cabinets to work with the floor will be a huge cange for that space and I would do that for sure . When you say replace the tile are you talking about the floor? IMO the backsplash can stay it will save you having to find a tile that works with the floor , the cabinets and the counter .

Are you considering redoing floor and if so, compliment living room if its wood and budget permits. Cream may be a nice choice with beveled subway tile to keep it simple and if not replacing floor, this would work as well.

You could white wash brick and maybe look into painting the 4 inch backsplash the same color as subway tiles. New hardware and would suggest black pendants to tie in with the dark counters

It‘s a big commitment and to help you decide, look at lots of inspiration pictures and save them. Over time, you’ll see you are drawn to a few looks and wonder what you were thinking with others! I did this with my recent kitchen makeover and it really helped.

Do you mean the huge light fixture in the living room- by the beams? I can’t stand the light fixtures (previous owners taste not mine) and am anxious to fix the lighting! So would a first step be 1. Buy all new light fixtures 2. Change the ceiling fan to a recessed light (pot light they’re called?) and 3. Buy the 4000k light bulbs to go in them all? I don’t want to replace all the light bulbs if I’m going to switch out all the fixtures ya know?

Also yes by tile I meant floor. I can’t stand the floors. Too much cherry wood for my taste but I also don’t want to break the bank.

And Yes I’d be open to whitewashing the brick as well! I want the cabinets professionally refinished eventually to lighten them up. I didn’t know covering beams was a thing! This is my first home so I have a lot to learn. We also moved in ten days ago so I’m trying to just form a plan and start with uodates that will make a big difference and I think you guys have a point. The lighting needs to go.

For some reason the previous owner decided to put cherry wood floors in the living room (to match the cabinets?) (you can see it’s connected to the kitchen) while the rest of the floors in the home are a different wood stain And I def want to get rid of anything cherry! Love the black fixture idea

Lighting can come last. Suggest deciding on the bigger and harder decisions and purchases. Lighting can add up and you’ll have a better feel when kitchen is updated, as both as rooms should compliment.

There are some great tiles and I would suggest finding the tile first, as you’ll want a cupboard paint color that compliments and it’s easier to find the right paint than tile. Look into the possibility of tiles being laid over your floor and check to see if your appliances have adjustable legs.

It’s a new home and lots to think about, so take your time with decisions and do a lot of research Enjoy your home!

https://www.armstrongflooring.com/residential/en-us/engineered-tile/alterna/item/D7196.html

@Rebecca Guyon, congrats on your new home.

Everyone will tell you their idea of “first steps.” The actual first step is sitting down with your device, or books in the library, or magazines, and collecting images of kitchens you love within your restrictions; so, you are keeping your counters - Google images of kitchens with black counters.

The second step is to look at all of those images and dissect out the recurring themes. I once went through the inspiration images of an OA who was certain she wanted soapstone counters. Every single inspiration image had white or almost white counters. What we think we know about what we like, and what we actually gravitate toward can be so different.

Take some time, gather your images, study them, then make a plan for the future.