STOP right now there is IMO no way that those cabinets should be covered with new counter since the cabinets are dated. All those base cabinets should be drawers and IMO you do not do a major renovation until you have lived in the space for at least 3-6 months . Start by changing all the bulbs in all the lighting to LEDs 4000k that should eliminate a lot of the yellow cast you see.I sure hope you got a counter depth fridge IMO this looks like a long trip from the fridge to the sink which IMO is poor design. Please just wait to do anything until you have a chance to live there. BTW a lot depends on your style when choosing flooring so maybe post some pics of your space now if the furniture is moving with you.

Dated? -- what a ridiculous concept. Your kitchen looks fine to me. Drawers are nice but hardly essential. I've lived happily without them for years.

Ouch!

Dated? Really? I see them as classic, just nice wood cabinets.They seem to be good quality and are in great shape, the home is only 10 years old. I do plan on adding hardware, although that will be the last touch. And I do have 2 full banks of drawers on the sink wall, but don;'t have a picture of that wall.

Not everyone can have a nice new designer white cabinet/marble counters kitchen! And while I really like those white kitchens, I think THEY will be dated in just a few short years. AND--as my husband frequently reminds me: "We are not the Rockefellers, you know!"

Anyway--be back in a few minutes with some pictures of my "style".

I think your cabinets are fine, they are not dated. What they are missing, though, is hardware -- get hardware on there ASAP.

IDK about the floor, it's hard to tell on my monitor. I'm wondering if the stark white of the door and baseboards/window trim is making things look yellower/dingier than they really area. Where the table is, the wall color and tile seem to coordinate nicely. White-white often makes things looks worse, not better. Try to get the name of the wall paint from the previous owner and buy a sample can to paint out the door and see if that helps (or maybe they left some leftover paint in the basement somewhere?)

OTOH, if you really don't like the floor, now is the time to change it. I know you're going to get responses to run wood in there, but I like tile in the kitchen myself and wouldn't hesitate to choose another tile. If you do end up replace, suggesting larger format 24" x 24" for a more modern look.

Before you paint I would enclose the two arched niches with sheet rock and plaster.

Marilyn: Yes--that is in my plans. I sure don't know what I'd put in those spots--so out they go!

Also, I like your counters with the cabinets, but the backsplash does need to go. I'd think of an overall plan/color direction before tackling that choice. You can always have the tile taken out, drywall repaired, and live with a painted surface there before you decide what to do. And replace that blinding white outlet on the side of the island with something that blends in with the cabinetry -- brown receptacle and cover would look so much better.

"I sure hope you got a counter depth fridge"

If the layout is not changing, the OP needs to get the same-depth fridge as is there now. If she gets a shallower fridge, then the fridge's left door that is against the wall will not open fully.

Yes--of course we have ordered a counter depth fridge.

I'm not sure how you change the flooring without removing the cabinets since flooring usually goes under the cabinets. Can a Pro explain this to all of us? This comes up with some frequency in these posts and I am curious as to how this is done.

I think the previous owners of our house covered up existing flooring with another layer and as a consequence, the counters now seem low. It's a little disconcerting and since my husband and I aren't short, it's not desirable. I suppose I will do a whole kitchen remodel at some point, but I'm not looking forward to it.

I don't mind those floors. I also prefer my counters to be on the shorter side for working. Just make sure you take the floor colour into consideration when choosing your counters and splash. You don't want to have a warm element with a cool.

Someone here showed before and after pics of a similar floor when they used grout colourant to lighten the lines. It made it look more modern. It's hard to tell from the pics how dark the lines are.

Yes, kandrewspa--I had thought of that, but I was told that the tile can be removed right up to the existing cabinets, and new tile laid up to the cabinet toe kick. I did notice there is a 1/4 round piece of trim along the base of the island, so I'm guessing that's what they will do?

Hoping a Tile PRO will chime in on this issue!

Regarding the grout lines--IF we keep the existing tile, we will definitely have the grout cleaned, as it is quite dirty. It is supposed to be a light color, as we can see this in some "cleaner" areas.

I wouldn't do anything right away, except for the new appliances, if they can be installed without modifications. As Patricia Coldwell has suggested, if you live with this kitchen for a year or so, you may decide you want to remodel the kitchen more extensively. Or you may decide you like it as is, in which case paint the walls in a color that works with the flooring.

Congrats! I think replacing the floor, backsplash and hardware would make a huge difference. Maybe keep the counters? Or if you do change, I'd stay away from speckled granite. There are nice almost solid black granites.

Ebony Negresco granite in a leathered finish

These counters are similar to yours. Dark gray tile floor, light backsplash, and for you I'd do black hardware.

Dark gray floors, white counter and backsplash, black hardware.

Gray floors, black counter, light backsplash, brass hardware.