Hire a kitchen designer. Now. Create a master plan, and a master budget, so you don’t backtrack, and waste money on redos of things that you already did.

Even if we end up living with things as they are for five or ten years?

I ask because we have a LOT to replace and master bathroom renovation will be necessary before the kitchen. Also, we have a one year old and will be paying for private school for atleast three years, then turning around and having to save. What about small things like lighting fixtures and furniture, rich I can refinish for relatively little cost.

keep the table..sell the chairs on craigs list..they are not good long term for the spot..... the chairs shown below are better ..alittle smaller scaled...nice looking...durable. seating is always a long term good investment . rug under the table. if money is tight hold off on doing piecemeal things. does the table bother you for some reason..a round pedestal table is always good. pull it forward . change lighting fixtures if you have time to look and can spend on coordinated pieces. those are okay for now. you have can lights in the ceiling. I'd likely keep the hutch but place larger display ceramics/ a basket or two on the top or potted plant on the top......do you have some pottery..nice bowls......put them out.....

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What is ”little cost”to you? Spending money on a design master plan is the best use of limited funds, because it gives you a plan to work towards. You won’t waste money on purchasing things that don’t fit the plan. It saves you money in the long term because it prevents expensive regrets.

@herbflavor so the table just seems big maybe? I'm not sure. Maybe the chairs are what's making it seem to big. But I do love those inspo photos! Ty! We do want to replace the lighting.

1. I would spray paint the two light fixtures a matt stainless steel color to match the refrigerator. Spray paint is a cheap. I have even used it on faucets and ceiling fans, and yes, it actually holds up. 2. I like your idea of painting the backsplash, although I'm not sure if white is the right choice. Sponge paint it? Sponge paint would hide all the spaghetti sauce splashes and helps you figure out what colors work the best, as you can just keep sponging until you like it. I would probably buy a sheet of stainless steel at Home Depot or those stick-on stainless steel tiles and do that instead for the backsplash/under the cabinets. 3. The hutch being another color than the kitchen cabinets jumps out at me. Can you move it into another room? If you move it, you can store the baby seat there instead of by the island. 4. If you are thinking of painting the island white, then I would paint all the cabinets, including the hutch so that it matches. 5. Your fabric is beautiful, although it doesn't exactly tie into the color/style of the current cabinets and countertop. Your plan to paint the backsplash and island white will help a lot with that. Love the idea of a window seat. A rectangular table would work better, but if you are trying to keep what you have until the big remodel, I would keep the table but swap out the chairs for open back chairs. Paint the chairs white (or one of the colors in your fabric) and recover the chair seats in your fabric. An opinion of a non-expert. Yours to take or reject.

Your chairs would work in a larger dining room. Do you have a formal dining room? Otherwise, something like the turquoise ones would work well, and be easier to clean!

Verbo's point is well taken. For example, a taller, counter-depth fridge would give you more floor space, without the wasted space above. Since appliances should, hopefully, last a long time, it's wise to have a plan when you buy.

Could you extend your cabinetry over the refrigerator so that it doesn't look like it's just sitting by itself and is more integrated into the run of cabinetry? Also, your hutch, although very handsome, clashes with the color of the cabinetry. Would you consider removing it? If not, I might suggest painting it another color - perhaps white. Good luck!

I agree with starting at the window, it is the best part of the room! Getting an informal rectangular table there, different chairs, and creating a window seat would be lovely. Some nice bamboo shades would bring some texture there and highlight the nice view -

I would probably lean into the warm neutral tones of the space overall and perhaps use your inspro fabric for pillows on the window seat?

A few other ideas -

I'd remove the hutch from the room and ruthlessly declutter (top off the fridge, counters etc..) - a few nice jute rugs (or other neutral/textural choice) would help cover the floor, without bringing in any noise

I'd paint the backsplash tile something to connect the counters & cabs (warm/creamy) - perhaps the wall color if my monitor is right?

I would also replace the light over the island (something uber simple and ceramic from BTC) and paint the island, prob a warm black pulled from the counters-

A cohesive collection of matte black pottery would look amazing in your glass cabinet -

I have "made do" in a pretty awful kitchen (for 7 years) prior to a major reno where we moved it to another part of the house - but fresh paint, thoughtful lighting, and no clutter go a really long way in making the space pleasant while you patiently wait

Verbo is right. Hiring a designer for consultation and plan drawings will not cost you that much and will allow you to follow through as time and $$ will allow. At least you’ll have a game plan and won’t spend money on mistakes along the way. I get the feeling that you think that hiring a professional means a complete redo right away. If that’s true, you’re mistaken.

Are these current photos with the new hardware?

Smaller dining chairs for sure.

hire a designer with a one year old child and you have basics to do yet on a new fixer upper.???? I think personally I'd do some thinking and strategizing myself . searches at local resale can be amazing and fun......craigs list..see how the space works,...fix the flaws... Designers will get you way ahead. You can take your time. big beautiful windows....take the young child out and embellish the view w some garden activity. get magazines from the library and let those be your designer proxy for a bit....here are dinette spaces .....focus point w your big beautiful windows....

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......display things and you have the hutch...valance/panels at the windows??? some wall items... retro glam vs shabby chic vs clean urban...you have a lot of time to figure things out...dont forget rug...nice drop schoolhouse fixtures for replaceing your ceiling piece if you care to at some point.....

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I love the help ty! So do I paint the backsplash and island the same color? But not white? 

Yes the hardware is the new hardware. We are in the process of making all the hardware in the house black. We have to eventually replace everything. We've already had to replace all the light switches, we have to replace all the door knobs, we had to fix closet doors, we've replaced most of the flooring, just had the entire place painted with Behr Smokey White. And ultra white trim. I like black hardware, bright white trim, and lots of woods. It's annoying I know. 

BTC and School House brands are sort of expensive for us. I would like to stay under $200 a fixture as we need a ton of them.

I think the table is too big. The chairs have to go. And I'm indifferent on the hutch. But I know I want some color. I've always done neutrals and I'm going at least a little bold haha.

Spray paint the hardware black rather than buying new. Will save you some money.

Painting the backsplash could require you to leave the house with the baby while the paint dries. Check with your pediatrician.

Since there is nothing wrong with the backsplash and it coordinates well with the countertop, I suggest leaving it alone. No painted-over backsplash is going to go as well with the countertop as the tile backsplash you already have. If you decide to paint, check if the paint is supposed to be exposed to the high heat behind the stovetop - it may peel right off or emit fumes. Using a portable stainless backsplash piece ($50 or so) could be a good alternative to paint behind the stovetop.

Checking local advertising on craigslist or facebook marketplace for chairs and table is something you can do every week or so. Wait until you find a set that you really like. What you have is fine for now.

The fabric looks perfect for outdoor pillows or seat cushions.

It seems perfectly reasonable to post here for ideas to get you through until you are ready for your full redo - no need to hire a designer for that if you aren't going to be making expensive, lifetime type purchases.

I, too, think smaller chairs might make the table usable in your space, but it sounds like you want a different one. Since you have the built in bench, it would make sense to get a rectangular table, smaller chairs and use the bench for seating when needed.

I'm a little surprised that people are suggesting a rug under a kitchen table in a home with a 1 year old. Sure, there are easy to clean rugs available but with a toddler and renovating a house, how often are you going to want to do that? If you do, a ruggable or other machine washable rug might work for you.

While the backsplash isn't what you'd choose today, it's pretty innocuous and works with the counters. I'd save my $ and time and live with it until the big redo.

Since you want to add color, if the hutch isn't precious, perhaps think of painting it, as others have suggested. It would add some fun to your space and eliminate a big dark hunk in the corner.

fun backing with white

partial white paint redo

I would like the paint more refined than it looks here, but thought these colors went well with your fabric choice. (Which looks great).

i hardly noticed the backsplash. you seem to want to paint it. i think its neutral and with nice countertop accessories....canisters...prop up some cutting boards...you wont notice the backsplash. must be something about it you dislike. put a straw basket on top of fridge for the canned beverages....basket w handles so you can reach and take out the few you need to pop in the fridge...here are baskets with handles...World Market/ Marshalls / Pier One.... I've

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bought many over the years and moved them all over the place ...closets/ bookcases/ endtables/ pop two on top of fridge maybe smaller ones for little toys on the hutch. re rugs: the polypropylene blends are indestructable and wont stain if you get to a spill right away. softer and nicer underfoot than cold tile. all kinds of durable blends at big box stores and start looking they reduce them you can hit it lucky. if you dont want an area rug by all means dont get one.

You might take a look at Magnolia Home Fashions Tradewinds Ocean on Fabric.com or Amazon. It might be a good blend since it adds some of the brown and black tones you have in your kitchen along with the blues you have in your fabric. I tried to add the link directly but I could not figure out how to do it.

Your kitchen is very easy on the eyes compared to what a lot of fixer uppers look like in my area right now. A few cosmetic changes to your taste will help and then relax and enjoy your child, In the blink of an he/she will be a teenager and a magazine-worthy kitchen won't have mattered at all. I think if you are going to do a bench cushion you should look at sunbrella fabrics for easy care. A rectangular table would be better for bench seating.

If your remodel is still years off (and I get it, we did the same thing, are finally doing the kitchen after almost 6 years here), I think it’s fine to make some minor changes (smaller chairs, remove the hutch, replace light fixtures) now, even if you might end up replacing them again during your big remodel later. You can get schoolhouse lights in various sizes at Rejuvenation, and they’re not very costly, btw. Here’s my first recommendation, however: start by decluttering, straightening and CLEANING the microwave!🤢

So many of us have been in your shoes - lots of renovating and fixing to do on a new house. Great suggestions above. Mostly, sit tight around the kitchen. You said it’s functional other than the oven, so clean it up and focus on the repairs that are more critical.

If the window has a seat, then you might want to find a rectangular table that allow you to use that “free” seating and only buy chairs for the other side. Paint the hutch and keep it for your child’s toys that will inevitably end up in your kitchen. Agree with forgoing a rug for now. Spray paint the hardware - buying alll new black when you may need other sizes later is a waste of money.

Paint is your friend. It’s the easiest way to change something, so start with the hutch. I love the idea of funky/happy wallpaper in the back! @Olychick gave you great ideas.

Wayfair and Overstock have terrific lighting that is economical. A friend just moved into a new house and hates every fixture in there. She’s on a tear looking for lighting for every room. Lowe’s also,has some cute ones.

Facebook Marketplace is another great place.

Mostly, are a deep breath. You have a long road ahead and your taste will change/evolve throughout this process. Make your house clean (uncluttered as much as possible) and functional for now. Save photos everywhere! Your style will be obvious to you once you’re ready to tackle the kitchen.

Omg y'all. I feel like this space is clean hahaha. The microwave is very clean. It has rust inside the door that I can't access and it's just how it looks. ὠ6 Haha. I hadn't to cook a lot so I have all my appliances out so I get that ppl hate clutter but I hated lugging that crap up and down. I use the mixer, small and big oven, food processor, instant pot, rice cooker, and kitchen aid every single well. Usually multiple times. But I do get the declutter point. I have to set up a lot of Montessori stations now that my son is almost two so I think excellent idea for the hutch. I'll update when I get some time to make progress. thhutch without the doors will be very good for that.

But I do get the point.

Keep the backsplash. It looks great with your current cabinets and new hardware. If you feel you have to paint the island, pull a dark/gray color from the countertop. Do a seat cushion, but stay away from the bright colors in your fabric sample as they will clash with the rest of the kitchen. Go with something softer and warmer. I think painting the hutch, or even just painting the back of it or lining it with a patterned paper, would be fun.