How much are you willing to do, structurally? Is that the dishwasher facing us?

Change:

Absolutely, light fixture, backsplash, OTR fan, & remove bridge above sink.

Probably, countertop & wall color.

Maybe, flooring.

Countertop, backsplash, flooring and lighting will do wonders.

Yes it’s the dishwasher. I know it’s weird.

I would do the bare minimum until you can do a full redo. It's a terrible layout, especially with the dishwasher being so far from the sink. For a bare minimum redo I would remove the bridge over the window. replace the backsplash, change the lighting fixture and hardware on the cabinets, I would also replace the hood that does not match.

Other than the dishwasher how would you redo the layout?

If it’s possible I would remove the peninsula and use the cabinets from it to extend the cabinetry along the wall.This would let you put the dishwasher in a better location and open the space up. Downside is is would definitely mean replacing the counters and likely the floor.

If changing layout, and removing peninsula, would put fridge in open wall space area. Then would expand size of pantry, to takeover space currently used by fridge.

Good Idea but I don’t need a bigger pantry. If I remove the peninsula I will need more counter space

what in the world?? that DW on the outer side? that's just ridiculous. why didn't they put it on the other side? they didn't want to move the plumbing, did they? I'm guessing trenching the floor for drain pipe and water wasn't an option?

Decide what you want to do about the layout.

(if you remove peninsula, do you have room to continue to the right? Would you want to do that?

could you move the cabs on the peninsula against that wall?

What about the flooring? are the cabs on top of the tile? If not, can you match that tile or have extras?

Any plans on redoing the flooring if you do remove peninsula?

Or, if you just pay for plumbing, keep peninsula and move DW to the proper side, then what?

tell us how much you spend.

I've move the DW next to the sink.

I'd get new countertops and tile splash.

And for sure I'd do recessed lighting.

Everything else would be accenting and color.

No idea the previous owner was 80 years old. I still bought the house because the rest of the home is great.

Have countertop in pantry, be able to hide some of the stuff often left on counters.

I added to my comment above.

can you answer the other questions?

Mainly, "what's the budget you're willing to spend" ?

Do you want a diff layout?

you can keep those cabs, but you may need to have more made if you want to add more cabinetry/or change layout.

for sure change counter/tile

If you're willing to paint those cabs, you could have boxes made to add on top and would give you more storage.

they did it w/this one

similar to yours. added boxes. DW next to sink

if you remove peninsula and stretch it out to the right, could look like this one
Ignore the island in this pic.

similar to yours. You could move fridge and put pantry in it's space. get some better looking doors, paint them. leave the cabinets as it or paint those. butcher block countertop. move DW.

oh, remove the soffitt thing over the sink.

The budget is not an issue, I just don’t want to throw the cabinets and buy new ones since they’re in very good shape.

Donate the "X'd" out cabinets to Habitat. Move the peninsula to the opposite side where the fridge is now. Turn the DW to face where the peninsula is now and put the fridge on the wall where the can of paint is. Upgrade lighting, including under cabinet LEDs. Put in a new range hood.

I like the kitchen, as is. I might change the track light to something else for that spot; or more likely, I would bring in a small chandlier - swag a chandelier - so as to have a light that is more centered in the space, one that is dimmable.

And I’d add some under cabinet lighting, if it’s not already there. And I’d use a simple shade on the window; maybe a beautiful Tiffany blue.

But you could use any color you like. I think something with red might also be nice.