Yep... too much going on in that kitchen. Not sure my mom wants to put more money into it right now, unfortunately. So, I think I am going to have to deal with what is already in there. Thanks houssaon... I will let her know your suggestion. That would look so much nicer!

If it is a rental, I wouldn't change one single thing!

Why would you invest a single penny to improve a property for the owner?

That is totally crazy!

Furthermore, the owner mightn't even allow the changes you are thinking about.

Save your $$ and your mother's $$ and have your mother use the $$ to enjoy herself and spend it on things that make herself happy and her life easier, like a cleaning service, buying take-out food, and getting manicures and pedicures, (yes, COVID restrictions are lifting) and buying herself fresh flowers every week, and going out to lunch and coffee with the new friends she meets, and as soon as COVID restrictions ease up some more, she can host gatherings in her apartment and buy food and cakes, and no one will give a darn about the backsplash and the light fixtures.

The main thing is that the place is clean and the food is good!

I would do black on barstools.

https://www.wayfair.com/Orren-Ellis--Palafox-Bar-and-Counter-Stool-DI26367-L59-K~ORNE7209.html?refid=GX490215440831-ORNE7209_24691099_45046347&device=m&ptid=904813092141&network=g&targetid=aud-354999624631:pla-904813092141&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=100668381&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=45046347&PiID%5B%5D=24691099&gclid=Cj0KCQjwktKFBhCkARIsAJeDT0h_f_M8o-NgEHSBfezMz0A_fvQCpKg1dMpbuvnCTA4JCImRcU6MRp8aAt2DEALw_wcB

And maybe a mix on the dining table and chairs.

https://www.allmodern.com/--Caroyln-Dining-Table-X114663110-L147-K~A000939247.html?refid=GX471796864939-A000939247_98896353_114711546&device=m&ptid=293946777986&targetid=aud-1211165960560:pla-293946777986&network=g&ireid=87985893&mktdc=GXPLA&mktcm=11297672765&mktst=107630652421&mktcr=471796864939&mkts=%7Bsk%3A%7D&PiID%5B%5D=114711546&PiID%5B%5D=98896353&gclid=Cj0KCQjwktKFBhCkARIsAJeDT0iyUN4sTbhh7_45MOfpTXhV93-4Va5uIdvojMOWHKZTzBW1VYTl87oaAi3SEALw_wcB#kgkw5zh4cyl-1

The backsplash is fine. But if you wanted a different look, you could use some removable wallpaper or maybe Smart Tiles, over current splash.

https://www.thesmarttiles.com/en_us/tiles/

Is your mother renting it to live in or did she buy it as an investment as a short term rental, aka AirBnb type situation? It's unclear why she would make improvements to a place she's renting, but if she's the new owner planning on renting it to others, she may want to improve it to make it more desirable to others as a rental.

The worst offender is the backsplash, which she could easily paint. Freedom's example above looks so much better. I don't think I'd add black to all the gold tones and gray isn't good with what is there either. Just getting rid of the current barstools and dining chairs will reduce the amount of goldish wood in the space, a huge improvement, I'd imagine.

I might look for some cream color barstools. These are $288 for a pair at target; 5% off if you have their charge card and free delivery.

And I actually think I might keep that light over the table and instead switch out the fan to something more streamlined.

It would be helpful to have a better understanding of the situation, I.e. is your Mom going to be living here or renting it out to others, etc. But in any case, my recommendations would not change much. Only difference would be if your Mom is going to be living there and doesn’t personally like the chandelier/fixture over the table, then of course make the change. But it looks like an interesting fixture and could work with a more modern arrangement (more modern table, chairs, etc.). My main issue would be updating the ceiling fan.

I would agree-it is fine for temporary renters. Not sure why you think your mom NEEDS your help changing what is perfectly serviceable. The back splash is too dark and yes most who move in for good would change it--but the rest is perfectly within what's the norm out there in the world. You obviously dislike the place and if it were yours you would throw copious amounts of money at it to display your taste--but this isn't-- so let it be. Assure your mom any renter will be happy to have such a clean modern space to lay their head.

No gray. You have mostly warm colors here and sticking gray in here will give you neutral overload. How about self stick for the backsplash? That way Mom can take it off when she leaves. If this were my place I'd either leave it as is or paint the walls an off-white. Keep in mind that there are a lot of off-whites. Work with your paint store to get one that works for your Mom. Bring these pictures.

As for me, kitchen looks good but back splash. It is eye sore.

If your mom purchased this as a rental property, then would she consider painting the cabinets a creamy white and getting modern brass pulls/knobs?

Also I would ditch the fan since I’m assuming she has AC? I would replace the light over the table too with something more updated.

Decor really does matter if it’s an Airbnb situation. We remodeled our rental property and it’s so much nicer than neighboring properties. We can charge more per night, plus we’ve been booking every single weekend and mid-week, even during Covid.

White/painted cabinets are really not the panacea that they were. No need for your Mom to spend extra money and energy to essentially ruin the cabinets, when wood cabinetry is very much en vogue right now, plus it is classic. And those wood cabinets are nice, and look to be in pristine condition. There are thriving Airbnb properties all over this country (and others) that have wood cabinetry. If your Mom purchased this as a rental, she is smart to not put a lot of money into it, because it does not need it. The space is fine. I would change or cover the backsplash possibly (as mentioned above) and I would update the fan. It gets very hot in Arizona and even with AC a fan in the kitchen could be a nice feature. The ceiling is vaulted and the fan there is not intrusive. Get a more streamlined fan that has a remote control. And if folks look closely at the detail on this fixture over the table, they might see that it is really an interesting piece.

Lighting choices can be very influenced by personal taste. But this fixture is interesting, and also adds visual interest; it is not outdated and can be used in a more modern furniture setup, as well.

Please do not stress your Mom unnecessarily. The bones of this space look to be very nice. For any general short term rental or Airbnb, adding a couple of modern furniture pieces, a couple of minor revisions possibly (backsplash and fan) - would be more than sufficient. And really, these couple of simple changes to the space would be more than sufficient for any living situation. The rest is personal taste - such as if someone wanted to change the countertops to something more simple for example. But the existing countertops that are there are nice - and that is very good quality on that granite! So look beyond your own personal taste and understand that this is really a nice property, as is. IMO, that is the best thing that you can do for your Mom, for yourself - and for the property!

Airbnb in Chicago.

And this kitchen is literally in a tree house in Kentucky - and is on recent Airbnb release of ‘Most Wish-listed’ Airbnb spots in the Country.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/most-wish-listed-unique-airbnbs-in-us%3famp

I would do the walls in Creamy and Sage on the chairs and a light like this

Kira Home Montreal 29" French Country Chandelier, Adjustable Height, Smoked · More Info

Instead of changing out the fan, I would consider removing or changing its light fixture and leaving the fan in place. If you know the brand of fan, it might be an easy update.

I think that backsplash is the most noticeable mismatch in the space so it would get my dollars before other areas. There are primers and paints which could be used or use the temporary tiles. For paint color, take a color deck and spread it on the countertop and see if anything catches your eye. Then buy a couple samples and test them in the space.

Thank you all for your help! This is just a short term rental investment property. As I had stated in one of my comments... I don't think my mom wants to put much money into changing things. And, I agree with that since it will cost a lot to furnish the place. Just a fresh coat of paint for now. Some comments suggested that I was unhappy with the place and wanted my mom to spend a bunch of $ on changing things to my own liking. Not at all the case here.... The frustration came from not knowing what style and colors to furnish the place with given the colors all business of everything going on in that kitchen. Though... I do have to say I am really not a fan of that backsplash or light.. But, yes it is interesting and different and could work over the right table. :) My reason for the post is to help my mom pick out furniture and items to put into it... things that will "go with" what is already in there. Though... I do like some of the ideas that you all came up with that can be done inexpensively.... someday. But, for now... Just trying to furnish it since I will only be there for a week. That is a huge task to do in one week when so much furniture is on backorder right now... Or just too darn expensive. Those cream chairs are a great price! But, that cool table is over her budget unfortunately. I am utilizing marketplace and craigslist some though. I have spent days upon days trying to help my mom "save money" by being thrifty. I have saved her thousands of $ helping her furnish her short-term rental here in Boulder. Which is easier to do locally. If I can figure out how to do the stick on backsplash, and it won't look cheesy... I will do that if I end up having the time... I like the examples that were given for that. Thanks again! This has been a VERY overwhelming project for my mom as this whole short term rental thing is way more involved than she thought it would be. So, she has asked for my brother and I to help... and it has been stressful and a full time job. But, also fun! :) I am glad that there is a community like this where I can turn when I get overwhelmed and feel like I am in over my head! Thanks!

Thanks for clarifying that it's a rental for others to rent, not what she's renting. I would encourage you to paint the backsplash instead of stick on stuff. I think the stick on stuff works best on a bare wall, not over existing tile.

If you google "painting a tile backsplash" you'll find lots of directions.

Wow Olychick... That looks doable!

With this sofa, maybe you could do the dining table. Just one idea.

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/mercury-row-garren-756-square-arm-sofa-mrow8007.html?piid%5B0%5D=19768759

Simple coffee table:

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/hashtag-home-driskill-cocktail-table-w003424594.html

A couple pillows maybe:

https://coteriebrooklyn.com/products/amsterdam

and/or:

https://www.amazon.com/MIULEE-Velvet-Decorative-Cushion-Bedroom/dp/B077HBVF2S/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=throw%2Bpillows&qid=1622621067&sr=8-10&th=1&psc=1

and/or:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/960478042/southwest-pillow-covers-with-terracotta?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=siuthwest+pillows&ref=sr_gallery-1-10&organic_search_click=1

For art, maybe a couple of framed art posters.

and/or maybe Arizona related / travel posters/photos.

All art I posted is available on Etsy.com. Great selection + great prices. :)

Peel and stick back splash is fairly cheap and could make a huge impact

Although painting the backsplash and cabinets would look better, I wouldn’t do it in a rental because they might get beat up pretty quickly. For an easy and relatively inexpensive update, replace the counter stools with black ones, get new black cabinet hardware (cheap from Home Depot) and recover the chair seats with black pleather (better for a rental than fabric anyway). Keep your eyes open for a simpler kitchen set that is or can be painted black. New, simpler chandelier.