I woudn't spend the money on new counters at this point if you're doing a major overhaul in a couple of years. You don't have a lot of counters, so you could go with a better countertop material in a few years if you saved that money rather than spending it now.

I'd stick with paint (walls or cabinets or both) and new hardware for the cabinets. Easy and cheap. Maybe buy two different chairs that work better with the table? Ikea has some reasonably priced chairs.

On principal I agree, but wtf color goes with "wet manila folder" beige and black floors?

I agree, if you're going to do a bigger reno in the near future, I wouldn't waste time or money. Maybe paint that back wall?? Add a nice rug in a coordinating color that brings the beige/black together - a nice light blue?? If I were gonna spend $$ it'd be on a new SS counter-depth fridge... it'll cost more then 1K & probably won't arrive for months thanks to shipping delays, but I think it would look a lot better & be usable in your updated kitchen.

You could paint the countertops. Plenty of DIY tutorials and then there is this https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/transformations/countertop-transformations

agreed. Leave as is and just SAVE UP!!
i wouldn’t put a bandaid on this right now.

I don't think there are many colors that go with wet manila folder beige and black floors, lol.

I have grey-ish laminate countertops (complete with metal strip at the wall joint!) and creamy white painted plywood cabinets. I feel your pain.

I often thought about just changing out the countertops, but I could never spend the money required for the size of the kitchen, only to tear out later when I rip every.last.little.bit of kitchen out in late December.

I'd paint the cabinets a lighter color, paint the walls a more interesting color and put new handles/knobs/whatever strikes your fancy on the cabinets. Oh, and I'd change out the hinges too for newer ones. That might all approach 500 bucks.

If the white fridge bugs you, paint it black. It'd match your range, microwave, coffee maker etc.

Sell the frig and get a counterdepth one. Look for a reduced price one. For less money install undercab led lighting. Good 450 lumen task lighting with no shadows from your body are super useful. Doing 4" led remodel cans might be too challenging without electrician's assistance for the wiring.

It looks like your cabinets have been painted in the past, so I don’t think you can go wrong with painting them again. As long as you are willing to do the prep work correctly, the paint should not cost that much. In the photos, it appears as if you like color as I see some navy walls, a yellow door and orange behind the trashcan. I wouldn’t go too dark as your kitchen is very small, how about painting the cabinets a sage green? That should go with your current countertops as well as the dark floor. Bring home a few samples to see how it looks in your kitchen with your lighting. Strip the current paint off the hinges (or get new ones). Sounds like you have the time and the desire - this could be a fun project!

First, get rid of the blue wall and yellow door. They’re a distraction from that good looking table and the art on the wall. Then save, save and save. Paint that orange end cabinet the same color as your choice for the walls.

I just looked up “sage green kitchen cabinets “ on Houzz and picked two that I thought may work

The cabinets look really rough, so I wouldn't tray to paint. And, while the backsplash and countertop are not what you'd like, I'd wouldn't throw $$ at them right now. Instead, I'd paint all of the walls a creamy white. Paint the door the color of your trim. Then - give the eyes something to focus on instead of the cabinets/backsplash.

Get a more vibrant rug that incorporates the colors in your art, cabinets, countertops, and a touch of black. Get some fun chairs...I think the Ikea Nilsove/Norna would look great. Then, think about how things "sit" on the countertop. Lasso your coffee stuff in a basket. Add a nice-looking arrangement that incorporates a green plant on the left counter as you enter the kitchen.

Can you lower your dining light? If so, do that. Add pillows to the bench. Then, add some greenery as a centerpiece on your table - a grouping of succulents in pretty pots would be nice. Declutter as much as possible (ex: take stuff off the refrigerator).

I agree that a counter-depth refrigerator would be perfect for your kitchen if you can swing it!

Spend the $500 on an initial consult with a Kitchen Designer to start planning the future reno. Starting on that road with a real commitment is the best gift that you can give yourself.

@anjiz Well, I do like color but you're mostly pointing out remnanats from the previous owner, who seemed to have a "whatever's in the whoops section at home depot is what we'll paint this room" design philosophy. If you want a laugh, here's the original listing: https://www.redfin.com/TX/Austin/9708-Cottle-Dr-78753/home/31498840

A couple cosmetic changes while you save for a full renovation down the road:

--I love your dining table. To enhance it, get some thick, comfortable seat cushions made all the way across your bench color coordinated with your art work. Check Etsy vendors for people who could make cushions to order.

--Start checking local Craigslist or Habitat for Humanity shops for a smaller fridge in black, preferably a counter depth fridge that someone has outgrown but is still in good condition. They do run smaller than the behemoth you have so take note of that in case you need a humongous fridge.

--Paint your existing chairs bright yellow, the color of your table legs.

--Remat your art work in white with a white frame--cleaner, more modern looking.

--Paint the door white so the art work, new bench cushions stand out more.

--You don't have that many cabinets. Go ahead, paint them glossy white and get new, black hardware.

@User Honestly, this might be the best suggestion out of the bunch.

Agree with holding off on replacing anything - you will pay top dollar and it may be a long time before an order comes in if it’s not stock. I would paint the cabs using a color from your nice rug and fins a coordinating runner for the kitchen. And coordinating curtain panels and/or lots more pillows for the window bench. Do a nice centerpiece and call it a day. How do you feel about the yellow table legs?

Black seems to be the unifying accent color. Since you’re doing a major overhaul in a couple of years and $500-1,000 is the surprise budget, here are my humble suggestions... 1. Paint the weird random orange wall behind the trash can black. 2. Replace the cabinet hinges with black ones. 3. Replace the pulls with black ones and maybe install a base plate under the pulls to hide the scuffs. And lastly, for no cost, switch the coffee maker with the paper towel holder, remove the sunglasses and use those hooks for coffee cups. With coffee closer to that awesome dining table and new dining chairs from Ikea, you’re ready for a Kitchen Design consult.

@victoria1945 I agree that IS where the coffee maker should go, but some architect, in their infinite wisdom, decided that the kitchen really only needed to have one outlet on that wall in the back corner.

Ugh that IS frustrating. However, you do have two light switches near the towel holder. Maybe a handyman electriction could splice in an outlet?

I agree with waiting and saving up to do a really satisfying remodel. What kind of light fixture is on the kitchen ceiling? It seems bright, but harsh. Maybe a new fixture and add undercabinet lights as suggested above, although for now I would get battery operated since you don't appear to have a surplus of outlets in the backsplash. Here's one:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-GE-LED-Battery-Operated-Light-Bar-9in-Wireless-RF-50-Lumens-3pk/1003002666

As far as the backsplash, there are some really great options of peel and stick tile or wallpaper available

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Wallpaper/12274/subcat.html?featuredproduct=32677757&featuredoption=60635380&ci_sku=37221832-000-000&cnc=US&cid=277924&type=pla&targetid=aud-439566767742:pla-312877652561&track=pspla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpqyykqKM9AIVS3xvBB0urgkVEAQYByABEgKokvD_BwE

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QGB21XN/ref=sbl_dpx_home-improvement-wall-wallpaper_B07VTSQNDD_0

https://www.homedepot.com/p/smart-tiles-Subway-Sora-10-95-in-W-x-9-70-in-H-Beige-Peel-and-Stick-Self-Adhesive-Decorative-Mosaic-Wall-Tile-Backsplash-SM1160G-04-QG/308665299

PAINT the cabinets and the yellow door. Keep the countertop. You can always do a peel-and-stick on the backplash if you really hate it, but I think paint the cabinets and then see how you feel about it. Right now, the cabinets clash badly with the countertop. Greens are in right now, and the sage greens someone posted here are nice, but deep rusty orange-y browns are trending and might work too.

Painting the upper cabinets white is another option.

I agree about trying to get a black (or stainless) counter-depth fridge. And maybe add a shelf to the end of the over-fridge cabinet so that it extends to the end of the soffit. Add a back to the shelf and paint it the same color as the cabinets.

Three years can stretch into more. Took me 24 years living with fake butcher block , in meantime you are living there. Paint all cabinets with good quality kitchen labeled paint. Prepping very carefully the doors and the cabinets all in white to brighten area. White is a changer in a small area. New hardware and hinges ideally with protective backplate for the paint, measure the holes. Pretend counters and backsplash are ok after a deep clean and polishing, they will be with rest of refresh:) A pretty, not gloomy gray or beige, light wall color you like. Live with fridge till dies or kitchen redone but keep clutter free. Not many cabinets, paint doors horizontally in the garage, you can do this. Your eating area is best feature. Ramp it up. A whole cushion for the bench. Paint that wood too, Pretty multicolored pillows along the windows, Home Goods. New chairs, again try Home Goods. That eating area a happy place distract from rest of kitchen. Good luck, 30 days to go. Post result.

If you do decide to paint as a holdover, your timeframe won’t be enough, unless you do not work. It’s about 60-120 man hours for an experienced professional to paint cabinets, so double that for a homeowner. This is the best and most realistic group on FB to give you the instructions on how to do it correctly, and have the results be durable enough to stand up to kitchen wear and tear. Avoid the idiot ”no sanding or no prep” people pushing junk products. https://www.facebook.com/groups/PaintingKitchenCabinetsforProfit/

For an inexpensive refresh for a 3 year transition period, I would paint the cabinets and replace all harware. Butcher block counters aren't very expensive at Ikea so go for it! You can also replace your sink and buy a more modern faucet, Ikea also has nice ones at good prices.

​Having gone through the same, I say go fo it. With a big redo a couple years away, it can raise your spirits to make it better somewhat now. I painted my own cabinets. Far from professional finish, but I am still happy I did it. We painted the insides as well for a refresh. My laminate also went up the wall. When you pull it off it will leave big wads of glue. I'd do everything else first and see if the cheapo fixes like painting countertops are something you can live with before you pull them. You will also be looking at disconnecting and reinstalling

y

our sink if you pull it, which can ad

d $$ if there are issues. Good luck! Excited to see what you do on a budget.