What would that be then?

i think changing out there backsplash would make the kitchen look better.

Yeah that would be outside of my budget. I was thinking something like painting the cabinet, paint the kitchen wall with an accent color, add/change the light fixture, etc

Lighting. Replace the dated florescent overhead light box and then add LEDs under the upper cabinets. As appliances fail, replace with stainless steel ones.

How is removing the backsplash outside of the budget, but painting is ok? A pro job costs thousands to paint. and if you've never painted these before, let me give you a link before you try it.

You can remove the splash yourself, carefully, and retile w/subway tile. cost would be about $200.

remove that dated box light. install some recessed lights.

they have 4 here, but 6 might be better

This might cost hundreds or more. But it's worth every penny, that florescent light is not only horrible to look it, it casts a greenish hue on the kitchen. get rid of it.

(and there are a lot of tutorials online about how to remove the box and just switching it over to a light bar track light. it's easy to do yourself)

Put on cabinet handles (not knobs)

bring in a round table for the eat in area and a nice chandelier over it.

if you like the wall color, fine.

Cabinet depth fridge. That one you have sticks out so far, it's horrible looking.

replace it with a black one if you like, or SS , just make sure it isn't more than 32" deep. (In fact, if you ever redo the kitchen, see about moving the wall oven to that spot and move the fridge to where the oven is)

You could also encase it in a oak panel to match the stain on your cabs.

At some point, remove that tile backsplash and redo it w/something less busy looking

If you must paint something, I'd suggest painting the ceiling and its slope with a creamy white, that grey-white sticks out too much against the beige of the walls.

@Beth H. :, thank you for a very detailed reply! Do you think I should paint the cabinet white?

@decoenthusiaste, what do you think i should replace the dated florescent overhead light box with?

@Beth H. : Thanks! I will remove the old fixture and replace it with 6 recess cans. I am also thinking about adding the following pendant light on top of the faucet. What do you think?

@ghostlyvision, it looks creamy white. Because it's kinda of dark there so it looks like it's grey white.

that's nice. (the electrician could run another line to that spot when he does the cans) make sure it's more over the bar area than the faucet. (you don't want to hit your head on them)

The placement of these are too close to the sink and too low.

height for those is 30-36" from the surface of the counter.

from the side you can see where they're placed. just in back of the faucet line

or maybe you want 3 separate lights

See Beth H's response re lighting replacement.

Lighting · More Info

Ranch House Renovation · More Info

Thank you @decoenthusiaste and thank you @Beth H. : for the thoughtful measurement!

You prob want the ceiling to be a bright white. they make paint just for ceilings. a flat, bright white paint. Don't know if the electrician does touch ups, (you'll have to ask if he has someone who will patch and paint the part that the box is covering), but if he does, hopefully they can match the rest of the ceiling. maybe see if any paint is left in the garage? ( looks like you just bought this house? did someone flip it? contact the owner you bought it from and ask if they have a list of the paint names)

@Beth H. : I just bought the house and no one has flipped it before. Should I paint the following area with an accent color?

oh heavens, not that one! Richard, you're not colorblind, are you?

between the countertop and the backsplash, there is a lot going on their. leave it for now.

wait until you get your furniture and maybe you can do a wall somewhere else.

I am just highlighting the area as an example. Of course I am not going to paint it Oliver green. :)

@Beth H. :, what do you think if I get rid of the fan (it's broken anyway) in the living room and just add more recess lights throughout the living room?

Would you use a fan? you can keep it and have recessed cans in the corners. that's how I did my room. (or you could hang a nice chandelier, or a semi-flush mount light in the center)

but yes, putting cans in the corner is fine. then you also bring in 1-2 table lamps on side tables next to the sofa.

you can see how I have the fan here, and canned lights in the corner (there are 6 I think, along the perimeter of the room. ) and you can just make out the 4" canned lights in my kitchen. the ones in the living area are the 6" from costco I mentioned.

for you little eat in area, try a table and chandelier like these

I like these round tables, a large jute/sisal rug, and a tall plant in the corner by the window. oh, and a nice dining table light or large pendant. (sell yours on craigslist)