I would put two shelves in there, stained to match the cabinets.

You could also look at installing hardware (knobs) to shine it up!

with a bit of upgrades, this could be really nice.

Hardware. it's jewelry for cabinets and really adds a lot. do handles not knobs.

consider doing a counter depth fridge. the one you have sticks out way too far.

I also see is the shelf over the fridge. I don't know why they do the shallow ones. how is anyone supposed to reach up there? you need the cabs that extend to where the fridge doors are. So take those down and put them somewhere else.

you could do something like this instead (if you drink wine. if not, but some doors on them

It also looks nicer if you put panels around the fridge for a snug, built-in look.

They did it here too.

Also notice the boxes on top of the cabs. those are add ons. You can buy the extras like you were saying, or make your own.

do you have any plans on painting those cabs? At least the uppers? If so, you could do this, But you'll have to paint. At least the uppers.

You could also add a soffit or bulkhead to eat up the space

this is a similar kitchen like yours. look at everything they did

contrasting wall color, tricked out the island panel, (Painted) but they did a tile splash.

I'd tell you to do a tile, but remove the 4" piece first. it's easy to pry off

Painting, new backsplash, and they put some glass in a few of the uppers. pendant light over sink. new hardware

what you could also do is a coffered ceiling. It will eat up some of that open space and make your ceiling look cool

Put A Mirror or art work or you could also hang up our rack for glasses and maybe wine

Or a chalkboard would be good Or do cutting boards

Hang a great piece of art that makes you smile, add hardware to the cabinets and wait it out : ) Bet me the cabinet finish doesn't last two years.

Don't paint the cabinets. But yes, add hardware handles, to match the refrigerator tone.

I can see a couple shelves above the sink. Stain the same shade as the cabs. Either that, or some artwork if you don't need that space for storage.

In about 5 years you may be ready for a practical remodel of that space, anyway. (New cabs, with under counter drawers instead, uppers that are designed to reach better to the ceiling, a safer location for the microwave, etc.)

I was pleased to see some suggestions that matched what I was thinking--add to what you have. How are your DIY skills? My DH could do this snip snap...but not everyone can. Perhaps even just some crown on the top of the cabinets and around the ceiling would help a lot. No suggestions for the sink as it should be by a window..maybe a divided lights widow with mirrors instead of glass???

Sinks don't have to be by a window.

Bushel, very true! Mine IS under the window, which I love, but it makes routine tasks that WAY longer. Yesterday it took me the better part of an hour to prepare a few vegetables while watching a flock of 20+ young turkeys, dozens of other birds, and 4 deer in my yard! LOL

I would see about adding some glass door cabinets above the ones you have, I think art that mimics looking out a window to some place you love would be best above the sink. I agree a counter depth fridge and no to the panels on either side fridges need air all around them unless made to be built in. The rest keep as is for now and down the road if the soace functions well then you can always paint the cabinets and remove that small strip of backsplash you have and replace with tile.Yes to some nice knobs or pulls but for use to advise that we need to know a bit more about your style.

@dada139 my style and also about the backsplash so here's a photo if my living area. I tend to like mid century or art deco alot which has me typically going for something transitional in the end. The 2and pic is the backsplash I wanted to use I prefer the darker one but I the other ones probably make more sense in being neutral. My thought was a herringbone pattern. thanks for all the information and comments!!! very helpful

Find out the cabinet manufacturer and double stack the cabinets. The smaller ones at the top should have glass. Put in matching crown molding.

Fer chrissakes, builders, this kind of cheaping out on finishes does you no favors. Looks totally unfinished.

Here's a photo of what I mean by stacked cabinets:

Recent Installations · More Info

Agreed it just looks like my kitchen isnt finished when people come by they always ask what am I doing to the kitchen. The odd thing about it is also to have the half cabinets with the glass put in I was quoted $5700 and they're laminate box cabinets. I could replace all the cabinets for less than that. So keeping the cost down has left me to come up with creative ideasd it just looks like my kitchen isnt finished when people come by they always ask what am I doing to the kitchen. @salfin

The only way you'll replace all the cabinets for less is if you go with IKEA. Not sure if they carry crown molding, but you could have someone add it and paint/stain it the same color afterwards.

@salfin Cabinets to go and the big box stores Lowes and HD have quoted me less for similar grade of cabinets. IKEA actually costs more in some cases for some reason which I found interesting. that's a good idea I'm trying to keep the cost down since its not my forever home maybe 5 years but it's an eye sore so I want to at least do something

timothy, if you're doing a backsplash, remove the 4" piece. it can be scored and then pried off the wall

I like the darker larger gray tile. Just know that if you do white, it takes on a very cool, icy coloring once installed. it's the nature of the glass.

if you want new cabs, have you looked at these?

https://www.usadistributor.com/kitchen/kitchen-cabinets.html

Well, I suppose that's fine if you want to replace builder grade cabinets with...builder grade cabinets. Seems to defeat the purpose, no? Maybe wait to save some money to do it the right way?

Love those pendants in that photo. Picture is from 2014 Lamps Plus. Not sure they are still available. Can you post photos of this kitchen from as far back as you can stand. Impossible to give input without understanding the full context. You might be able to do other things for less money and keep your expenditures low because you won't get it back upon resale.

@missflomangan hi thanks for the suggestions here are a couple pics from further back. That's exactly my thought it's a new construction home and also not a forever home for me so I dont want to do anything that I won't get back at resale or that's over renovating given the circumstances.