The door to the left of the tall pantry leads to the garage. Door to the right leads to the dining room/living room.

Is the entry by the large window? is there a view you want to see? I bet you have a separate dining room...?

A few have placed a couple small-ish chairs near the eat-in area - might that ever be? possibly where a tall unit is. .. it could almost be a concealed desk for kids and adults, near kitchen, near entry.

Yes, the front door entry is by the large window side of the kitchen. So the kitchen flooring extends into the entryway.

I'm still looking :) and imo the cabinet above stove is too close and crowded in.... wonder what you're thinking as to location of stove, and whether it could be where the peninsula is, and whatever style hood suits...

many would have that whole window area in complementing tile - sort of a rectangle... floor is fine, imo. New lighting a yes, but not urgent.

Not typical - I'll ask cause of window and fairly large area - ? - new wall at end of working area's counter, and this look by the window?

or another spot...

Old Town Remodel · More Info

If removing 1 upper/ peninsula - are you craving an island? even 2 large lights might work in addition to a complementing one in the center of room.

I like that look and style. Where would the wall go again? 
The window has a nice view out onto the front porch though, so I'm not sure how private it is.

I would change the wall and ceiling color to a green that matches a light green tile in the floor. It’s a lovely large kitchen.

I’ll add my vote to new paint and new lights. The current walls and ceiling look blue/gray which is a poor choice for those beautiful cabinets. And gray is yesterday.

The lights look original to the house. Replace.

Meant wall perpendicular to the window.

Pleasant Valley · More Info

Future? idk, but possibly stove / hood could go where the oven is now. Oven who knows, less used? maybe where the 'empty' desk area is, or next to refrigerator.

Nice and open stove -

Seaside Condo Kitchen · More Info

If you invested with a designer to improve stove area, moving it now - doesn't mean you couldn't make changes to peninsula, adding an island, later.

For $550 and not what I've seen, but a product on houzz, in Alder, Cherry, Hickory, Maple, Red Oak

W 30" | D 7-1/4" / Height 24, 30, or 36"

Suburban Sophistication · More Info

24x30/ Aluminum construction with durable finish. Reversible - bisque finish on one side and black finish on the other.

Castlewood Chimney Style Range Hood Front - H 30" | W 30" | D 7-1/4", Red Oak, N · More Info

Broan 30" Reversible Backsplash Sp300223 · More Info

24-gauge stainless steel installs easily with only four screws. Can be installed with or without a range hood.

convertible vent, so you can have ducted or ductless----

ZLINE 30" Wall Mount Range Hood, Stainless Steel, KL2-30 · More Info

similar: corner cabinet, hood/stove...

Awbrey Butte Mediterranean · More Info

Awbrey Butte Mediterranean · More Info

Awbrey Butte Mediterranean · More Info

I would paint the walls a creamy offwhite and get some jute rugs to break up the tile. i would prob also tackle the range and OTR microwave - its a great space!

$5,000. If you moved garage door to the corner, stove cook could have elbow room - could have narrow cabinet of some kind.

[I'd rather have stove by a door, than in an island where people sit nearby.]

Function & Style: Modern Kitchen Redesign · More Info

Mukilteo Gem · More Info

that's a lot of cabs.

could you remove the bank in the dining area w/the desk? or at least those uppers?

You could then do a nice little dining spot.

get a larger rug to cover most of the tile in that spot

nice table, chairs light fixture.

This light dome is horrible. is it a one story? can you do a skylight here?

If not, I'd cover it, make it flush, do some canned lights. remove the boob light over the sink do a pendant.

or mabye you could throw some beams across it like this. (but make the recessed portion level)

Again, a nice rug in that spot (try a neutral jute or sisal) would go a long way to hiding the tile. yes you can have it cleaned and even try lightening the grout (Grout Renew)

Jute rugs should conceal a lot though.

Is your plan to keep the cabinets ? down the road you could have them all refaced and painted. I did it w/mine. I ask, because if you like your layout, get some new granite w/squared edges. that current bullnose trim just further dates everything.

I had very similar. this was 2005 I believe. had all the rope/fluted trim removed, everything was refaced, painted. new floor, some drawers in the island, countertops, etc

even your ornate pantry doors can be redone to something a bit sleeker. makes all the diff

So, live w/yours for awhile and see how it works. If you like it, save money for the refacing (do not use home depot or lowes, way too much money) painting and new floors. I had a kitchen cabinet remodel specialist come in for mine (I found them on Yelp and he had all 5 stars. you can start w/that tactic). to get everything refaced w/all new solid maple doors w/DF center panels, was only another 2K. my old faces had slab top drawers, shaker lower drawers. I wanted them all to match and the trim molding around the panel could be replicated. It was just easier to get all new fronts. (get the bevel shaker if you go this route)

For right now, put that 5K in growth fund! lol. Do the minor stuff like the lighting and cleaning yourselves. maybe look for a countertop.

you can remove that tile splash yourselves and redo it if you get a new counter.

Beth is here! for 5000 would you want room to cook without microwave there? if nothing else, I'd want that. Function of everyday life... by removing cabs, and installing stove at the right.

Later time, choose new counters for entire room.

Whats your budget?

do you have any skills to DIY?

it looks like nice quality cabinets. what condition are they in? and the doors/hinges?

paint the walls,

either paint the cabinets and door fronts or replace the door fronts and oaibt cabinets to match, new hinges, (with push open feature), new handles/knobs,

install pot lights, remove all the outdated lighting , new chandalier over dining table. undercabinet lighting, modern backsplash, modern light switches, pivoting rectangle ones, and screwless plates around stitches and outlets.install a panel over the cabinets to the ceiling and put crown moulding. (get it painted).this way the cabinets will look built in.

Remove microwave over stove. have a panel there, modern range cover.

eventually floor tiles.

remove that bread box in the corner(it looks squished in tight area),

If you dint need, remove all the cabinets starting from the desk.

new appliances.

Thank you all so much for your advice!!

I can live with the layout for a year. I like the cabinet refacing option. I'm not sure where to relocate the microwave, but it would help and I do prefer a built-in under cabinet model.

I'm open to removing some cabinets. I'm concerned whether the flooring was continued underneath or not and how finishing any exposed box ends would be done... I guess that's where the hiring a professional comes in or else sticking to removing just uppers.

The cabinets are still in pretty good shape. I can add/change hinges to soft close, since there are none. I'd kind of like to keep the wall oven, mainly because I've never had one and it seems like a luxury to me, but I agree that corner area seems crowded.

My budget is 5k, but I'd like to come in under budget.

.
I (or hubby rather) can DIY new light fixtures, under cabinet, recessed light additions, purchase new stove, change hardware and paint.

I would love to change the floors, but I'd prefer to do so later so I can spend a little more on them, so I'll stick to professionally cleaning them now and getting a nice big jute rug!

If getting used to microwave on a counter doesn't work, could be in some way around desk's spot? Microwave seems so crammed at the cook's head. I didn't mean stove across the room, but moved a few feet down... highlighted with tile around it.

DL, please if you would, do you picture the stove location I mentioned?

I love the cabinetry, but the paint color needs changed!!!!! I cannot tell what is going on with the squared area in the ceiling!!!!! Least my eyeballs can't. It almost looks like there's a barrel ceiling there!!!!!!

Hi, Very important to check your contractor is la licensee and have workers comp.

Good Luck!

@DL - When are you moving in?

The blue walls and ceiling seem the wrong color with the floor tiles, which I love. A very light green to match a color in the flooring would look better. I would add a backsplash of floor tile from counter to upper cabinet above those two large areas of counter along the right-side wall, and above the desktop.

Hi everdebz, 

Yes, I can picture the stove moved down and the wall oven cabinet gone... I attached a picture with a similar layout. I definitely like that layout.

Paint

Sink, then dishwasher, corner, then stove [in red] and hood / narrow pullout? 3"W x 23"D x 30"H

Refrig / freezer and microwave to their right, on counter, a microwave unit or cart [with shelves above]?

Ahh, ok now I understand, everdebz.

Paint walls a soft sage green, change hardware and lighting. Put the rest of the money into saving for bigger remodel/reno in a year or longer. Congrats on the new home.

I'm merely talking, and glad I could draw it in. Here's before a re-design, frig at right:

Transitional White Kitchen with Bar · More Info

Transition Kitchen with dry bar · More Info

Transition Kitchen with dry bar · More Info

Yes, I like that layout, sans the island. Thank you, everdebz!

Idea instead of desk, wine center:

Whimsical Cottage Complete Renovation · More Info

Paint the walls, change the door pulls and I would consider painting the desk/shelf area to break up some of that brown:)

njmomma and everdebz covered my thoughts. Since you can DIY lighting, that would be the best starting place. Upgrade to 3500 - 4000K LEDs and clean the floor before picking paint colors so you are working in true light conditions when making selections.

Removing a tall unit [and side panel installed] could create less 'cabinet overload'. By home entry, a chair or two seems reasonable, leaving enough space by the window for eating too...

If you don't like the desk, take it out, let there be space.

Traditional Kitchen with Wood Island · More Info

Kitchen with Built-in Refrigerators · More Info

Don't cook at the stove with microwave going! Try one to the right of refrigerator, maybe after removing upper? or at desk spot? bring freezer item out for a snack. Place beverages there too.

Recessed ceiling beams run lengthwise, so strengthen 'visual length', which the room doesn't 'need'.

I noticed your inspiration photos that included them - what are your thoughts about the beams?

Do you think the oven's entire cabinet is same height as the refrigerator's? It's brainstorming... could it go to right of the

Like others have said, do the minimum now and put your money in a kitty for the bigger investment later. I suspect your current floor goes underneath the cabinets, so removing the ones where an eating area can exist is a good start. (They can be useful in your garage.)
If you decide, after a year, that your layout is basically good and your cabinets are high quality, you can definitely reface for less than replacing. Cabinets can be moved around, as @everdebz has suggested, and all lower cabinets can convert to drawers. Like @Beth H, I refaced a dark oak kitchen and only replaced the cooktop in the island. We built a couple of new cabinets at the sink area so I could have a farmhouse sink and huge 36” silverware drawer.
Do all the projects you and your husband can do yourselves. Start pricing out new flooring. Definitely repaint to a soft green or creamy white.
Here is the conversion of my oak kitchen to creamy white.

Less than $5,000 and I think ideas below would have a big enough impact to really help. When budget allows and you have a sense of space/needs, then decide on a comprehensive plan.

Paint! Suggest a warm white to tie into the flooring’s warmth and your cabinetry.

I’d change the backslash to match walls for an nice, uninterrupted flow.

Add black lighting fixtures, faucet and hardware. I’d remove the hanging fixture in skylight (it‘s odd there) and install potlights where appropriate, which provide much better lighting (add a dimmer). Suggest coordinated roman blinds on windows.

Look for the perfect table, as it will have a big influence. Skip a large rug as, it will be a pain and when kitchen is redecorated floor may become an asset.

Easy ways to break up the cabinetry: Create a handy work station, remove 2-3 floating shelves and based on taste and needs, accessorize the wall (art, chalkboard, reninders, etc).

Then remove the shorter, glassed in cabinet further down and add the 2-3 shelves to create a coffee station.

I can't see in person, but doesn't seem painting, new handles are necessary... but I might've found a practical entry or kitchen rug in green or straw-yellow... ?!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K9F5BJR/ref=syn_sd_onsite_desktop_261

The first thing I noticed is the cold cool white on the walls and ceiling. Each monitor is different but on mine the wall color reads almost a gray white. Painting the walls a warmer off white would make a huge difference.

The next thing I noticed is the massive cabinet bank that sits between your two doors. It is a bit overwhelming.

You have a gorgeous kitchen and I do not think it would take too much to make you like it more.

Changing the lighting is also a good way to make it your own.

Finding a good table and chairs will be a huge change. Maybe you can add some jute rugs to the space to break up the somewhat busy tile.

I would also remove your blinds and add a roman shade and curtains.

Just some random ideas. You could just use curtains or just a shade. I think doing something like this will really soften the room.

@RedRyder,

Your kitchen makeover is beautiful! What is involved in having lower cabinets made into all drawers?

Let me ask ya something - we have steel appliances - does this look much different?

Your ceiling could 'hold' in a 'busy' fixture, and not necessarily this busy.

Madison 7 Light Chandelier · More Info

Westinghouse 6368800 Zaro 6 Light 22"W Chandelier - Iron · More Info

OSP Home Furnishings Main Street Guest Chair in Green Fabric · More Info

This adds tradition-al, not a bad thing....

rug good reviews and less at Target.

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Nuloom Jute 6' X 9' Rectangle Area Rugs In Natural Finish 200TAJT03-609 · More Info

Nuloom Machine Woven Blair Rug, Beige 6'x9' · More Info

Entire recessed ceiling painted a light-medium neutral might provide a tray-ceiling effect. It's likely large enough to make a bit of statement, especially with a wider light.

Just a suggestion- get a sample of SW Creamy to test on your walls. It is a super warm white but it MAY look too yellow in some cases. But changing your fixtures and bulbs (as suggested by many) may let this color do it’s magic. Also SW Antique is a great white. I have both in my house.