Here are a few of my inspiration pics. I like that they are bright but still feel warm. If that makes sense. the last one is nice since it has white appliances but more cool tones.

I really like your cabinets. I think a new countertop (in whatever material you can afford) in white would work best with your appliances. I probably wouldn’t paint the cabinets; with the new island and the dining area all in white, I don’t think you need more of that. To compliment your cherished canister set, I’d suggest using orange as a fresh accent color. Here are a couple of ideas for a Roman shade over your window, and I’d pull some of that fabric over to the slider, too. There are always different ways to spend lots of money to renovate, but maybe you just need to add new countertops and a pop of color—a good compromise.

Thanks for your advice! I do keep going back & forth on if painting is the right thing to do but I think it would really brighten it up. Here’s an up close of the canisters. I think it would look good with warm tones. Ignore the banana pudding lol

But I could also do some open shelving on the opposite wall & display them. I have a huge open space that I dont know how to decorate. We are also in the process of replacing the drywall on the ceiling so ignore that mess.

I like Nancy's suggestions, especially a countertop that works better with the appliances. One thing to keep in mind is mixing white appliances with white cabinets can be iffy. Appliance white is pretty stark and can often look "off" if the cabinets aren't the same white.

Is it working for you to have you fridge so far from your sink and stove? I don’t think that would work for me, and thus if it were my kitchen I’d likely wait until I could afford a more major overhaul before I put much more money into the kitchen.

Thank you chloe. I had not thought about that But makes sense. Would a 2 tone cabinet look good? The door & island are in light gray French gray by SW.

Kellie, I probably wouldn't choose two tone in your case. What two colors were you thinking of?

Regarding white cabinets and white appliances, it's really personal preference since lots of people do it. However, they tend to choose a softer white for the cabinets which isn't always a good blend with appliance white. It's one reason stainless steel appliances are easier to work with. They're neutral and look good with wood or white cabinets, but that's just my own experience. I know opinions are all over the place when it comes appliance colors. There's no right or wrong. What matters is what YOU like.

I would not paint your cabinets. Once you do that it can throw everything off. As was mentioned I would get white countertops, a pretty rug, and replace the narrow door ( with the wreath) with a raised panel door to go with your closet doors. Your kitchen looks very nice! I vote against any gray...!

Muriel, I don’t necessarily like the fridge so far. The pantry is next to it so that’s pretty far, as well. I’m just not sure where I would put it!

Chloe that makes sense, thank you! I have been on the fence about painting the cabinets so wasn’t really sure what direction to go. I just wanted to brighten it up! maybe the countertop & black splash could do that with out painting

I would leave the cabinets and change the counter and backsplash. I don’t think it would brighten though any more than what you have now, but rather update. Also a polished tile will reflect light.

I would invest in lighting. Where is the lighting?

Are you able to post a to-scale floor plan of your kitchen and eating area? It’s difficult for me to get a sense of where the fridge and pantry are in relation to your counters and appliances. I’d really like to see if there’s a way to bring your fridge closer, like @Muriel Thompson pointed out.

If you choose to paint your cabinets, I would not paint them gray, especially considering your flooring. I would choose white for a few reasons: 1. Your island is white and doesn’t really tie in with your perimeter cabinets. 2. Your appliances are white. Painting your cabinets white will help them “disappear”.

I would get rid of the popcorn ceiling and install overhead recessed lights in your kitchen. And I’d install new counters and new hardware on your cabinets.

Thank you! yes we just scrapped the popcorn ceiling & ive been telling my husband we need to do the recessed lighting. I think it’s important to add in now while the ceiling is under repair.

The island is actually painted light french gray by SW, but I’m open to changing it. I do like the idea of “hiding“ the appliances lol

here is an old pic of the kitchen when we moved in. It is a more to scale view.

We might recommend keeping the cabinets as is and trying to replace the countertops and backsplash. Perhaps also look into updating the lighting, installing under cabinet lighting, and replacing the hardware on the cabinets.

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How much space is between the exterior door and the dishwasher? It looks like that is where the fridge needs to be. The fridge alcove could be used as an appliance station, perhaps, or combined with your pantry.

If you leave the cabinets as is, you still have brown brown brown brown EVERYWHERE. So it will still be DARK. PAINT THE CABINETS. That is the first thing you need to do. After that is done then you'll have a better idea of what you want to do next.

It looks like your design inspiration is an all white kitchen. IMO you have all that brown with the wood floor. So I‘d go for those white cabinets that you desire. Replace counter and backsplash as you can.

Start by changing lights. Do you still have boobies? The size and brightness is just not enough for your kitchen size. If you can add more and go recessed, otherwise start by replacing lamps with larger ones with more lumens & cooler temp.

Maybe start with painting uppers to match the island. Paint inside glass cabinets and see if you can swap a door from another glass cabinet and left to stove. Alternately take off all the upper doors for open shelving look (I am not a fun but it can work for you)

would it it be possible to replace mw vent with an under cabinet?

For the price of repainting your cabinets, you can have them refaced. All your inspiration photos are totally white, so go for it. Then think about how you would change the countertop and backsplash, but give yourself all new white doors - and drawers underneath! You will be glad you changed the lowers to drawers.

I wonder if you would like to do open shelving instead of some of the upper cabinets? Then you could take a cool backsplash tile up to ceiling (behind the open shelves) to create height and add brightness.

Your cabinets are quite nice....painting them properly is a big job and can be quite expensive. The biggest impact for the lowest cost would be a backsplash with some sparkle to it.

It might be more cost effective to get a stainless appliance package which would really update the kitchen.

I agree, if you like your cupboards and they are in good shape, put in new counters in a white tone, maybe a white subway tile for interest, and to tie into the island, appliances, and then artwork/ or romans to tie into your canisters. You are on the right track. Updating doesn’t mean breaking the bank and hubby will be happy! Good luck, post the aftershock please!