Hey all, I need some help visualizing what to do with this kitchen. This will be a budget-friendly DIY project. The base cabinets and appliances need to stay, and I really do like the sink, countertop, and stove. The weird backsplash, yellow paint, and upper cabinet arrangement are the main focus.

Here's what I'm currently thinking:

Priority 1: Take out the terrible, multi-elevation tile, replace with a basic white subway tile that goes to bottom of cabinets, shelves and vent hood (and make shelves and cabinets same height)

2. PAINT--any color suggestions? We want to keep it bright, as the kitchen faces north and doesn't get a ton of natural light

3. Replace non-functional vent hood and decorative box with a functional, vented hood--stainless to match stove or white to match everything else? (Fridge is also white. Yep, the stove doesn't match. It's annoying but won't change any time soon). Not sure whether we should do an under-cabinet or stand-alone range hood.

4. Replace too-high and too-wide wall cabinet with a taller, narrower cabinet that comes down to an appropriate height (I'm 5'6 and can barely reach the second shelf on this one). Maybe go with white?

5. Replace ornate shelf brackets with more modern, unobtrusive brackets--try to make them as invisible as possible.

6. Maybe paint base cabinets? I'd love to go with a deep blue, but I'm not sure the effort is worth it right now

7. Flooring. It's a weird brown and cream checkerboard right now. Spouse wants to keep it. I want it gone. That might have to be in next year's budget.

I will probably keep the open shelves, but not 100% sure. They are overstuffed right now due to the inefficiency of the other cabinet. Would love any and all budget-friendly suggestions!