Photo cuts off the top of the uppers, which is often where the style shows up. They look closer to the period of the house itself, but nothing special. Are the cabinets in good shape? You would definitely get a very different feel from painting and adding hardware, but doing a good job in painting oak cabinets means a lot of prep, and it might end up costing almost as much as new cabinets from an inexpensive source. Plus the layout looks a little funky (island barely in the kitchen itself, etc.), so you might be better off living there a year, saving your pennies, and then deciding how well the layout works for you before making decisions on level of renovation.

Here's another photo, and a photo of the dining room next to it. It's basically a big open L shape, with living room on the leg by the island/ peninsula,and the dining on the other side . The cabinets are in good shape. We can redo every now I guess, but the floors go throughout the house I don't think there's a point in redoing them all. And the caninets are in good shape just ugly.

The cabinets aren’t that bad. Saw off the curlicue above the sink, get them painted and add hardware. I’d remove and replace the fluorescent lights on the ceiling and replace the countertops if your budget allows.

Definitely paint the walls, including between the countertop backsplash and the overhead cabinets, a lighter color. On a budget, paneling in good condition can be painted.

Would consider adding a faux window above the sink -- or a real one if that is an outside wall.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571957221427255183/

Would not paint the cabinets except, possibly, the island base cabinet. Even then, you might consider adding wainscoting or vertical paneling to the island base cabinet and then paint it white.

You might also consider changing the island countertop to make it work best for how you specifically intend to use it -- just for the kitchen (perhaps with a space for you to use as a "desk' at one end -- or as a bar with a couple of comfortable seats on the opposite side.

To me, most bar seats are not particularly comfortable, especially not for sitting for more than a few minutes but, if I were choosing seats, I'd consider saddle seats.

The pink wall/backsplash is actually hideous pink floor tiles. It's coming out if I have to chip it all out with my fingernails! And yes likely new countertops. I thought of making the island bigger as its sort of an awkward size right not. And have one side access to the living room with a couple chairs or barstools, other side by the dinig area as some serving space. .

How do you think green cabinets would look with that floor? The floor looks similar to what we had in our house--the Home Depot beige special.

Keep wood base cabinets because they link to some of the wood features in the living room. Paint uppers white since you have white appliances and are painting adjoining spaces white (correct?). Add nickel hardware.

Scandinavian Lake Cottage · More Info

Doheny Penthouse Renovation · More Info

If/when you choose white wall paint (and possible cabinet paint) as well as countertops and backsplash make sure the white harmonizes with the wide expanse of the brick fireplace as well as with the floor tiles.

In one photo the floor tile looks pinky-beige, in another it appears more gold. Maybe you can try different light bulbs to discourage the pink. Definitely remove all fluorescent lighting, the paneling and the current backsplash. The brick/tile on the hearth doesn’t seem to match the fireplace wall, but that may be a photo illusion. It’s better not to do a cheap update….just wait and save up for a higher quality update. If you have the cabinets painted, they need proper sanding and preparation first to look decent. If you go that route, hire a professional team.

Painting the cabinets is a huge job, but if you’re good at sanding and painting and sealing, you can do it. There is no doubt a newly painted kitchen will look better. Your floor is very hard to figure out, as @felizlady said. HOWEVER, I still think you should live with your new house for a year. You may discover other projects take priority. For example, taking out the whole floor is a headache and expensive, but if you find it doesn’t clean well and that makes you crazy, you’ll want to put your funds towards that first. As a new homeowner, it’s hard to guess what needs to be done first vs what you want to be done first. Congratulations on your new house!

I would do just enough to make it livable for you. Once you have moved in and have a better feel for the flow of the space, you can then consider a more serious change. In the mean time, save your pennies!

Pull out the backsplash, but don't do anything to expensive ( you can't always salvage it ) . Paint the cabinets , if you want to do it yourself ( going with a pro painter or doing a refacing will be thousands of dollars and you need that money for your someday new kitchen.

Frankly the layout of the kitchen is not great and it could be amazing! Which is why I would scrub it down and live with it, then jump in and make it wonderful.

Congrats on your new home!

Add pulls and knobs to the drawers and cabinet doors.

Far from the worst looking kitchen we have seen here! It has a very functional work triangle as well. I would only paint cabs if you’re willing to put in the time and energy to do it yourself. Doing it right is hard, but it’s only worth doing if you do it right. I’d put on hardware, change lighting, paint, cut off the wavy piece over the sink, and do something to break up the monotonous cabinet run (a few glass cabs, or replace OCR microwave with hood, or take out the cab over sink) and call it a day until it’s time for a full reno.

Have you considered painting the paneling? Everyone is dropping big bucks to add paneling to their walls for texture and interest. Painting it will save you money on drywall work as well.