eliminate as much clutter as you can and keep it clean.

If that's what you have to work with, it has to work. I'd move it closer to the window...

A rug would be nice - what color are the walls? It is hard to tell on my screen-

The house is new to you. You have a perfectly functional kitchen. Live with it a while, until you save enough for a complete renovation.

Too many things are dating the kitchen…the cathedral arched doors, the double backsplash, the full sized fridge sticking way out, the floors, the lack of lighting, the drop in double sink.

As for the table…you’re not showing enough of it, or the room, to offer an opinion. Take a couple of pics from further back.

On my screen, the lighting gives off an unattractive yellow light. Take a photo in daylight without the lights on and change the bulbs to something more natural.

Also, you're not showing enough of the entire space. With your back to the stove, take a photo of the other side of the space so people can make suggestions that will work with what you have in the way of furniture that adjoins the space.

darbuka's suggestion is live with the space is a good one. U-shaped kitchens like yours are very efficient. If the cabinets are in great shape, then think about a budget friendly lighter patterned countertop and backsplash in the palest beige from your floor, which is perfectly nice. The floor in this photo is same shade as yours. That's likely a very expensive countertop, but there are other affordable countertops with this palette. The important thing is that the countertop harmonizes with the floor and provides a light working surface that brightens the kitchen. Your's could be a version of this.

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Better lighting for sure and if you cannot afford potslights then a track light from that center spot with at least 5 heads all LED 4000K bulbs. If you come here with a new to you dilemma the best advice is to wait for any major change which is what you are doing. I think right now you have a functional space the new lighting will have a huge effect on that. IMO pretty obvious there is not enough storage or counter space so probably in a few months you will need to think about how to address that. To come here with a list of things you do not want to do ties our hands so come back in a few months and see what you think needs doing.

Thanks for the lighting idea- I want to change the fixtures but thinking of the colour of the light is helpful. I only listed things I cannot do because of budget. It’s what I am (and will be working with). I thought to enjoy the space there might be things I could do like hardware, counter tops, etc. to change the space.

This is the other view of the space.

I like your variated neutral floors. I still think patterned light countertops and backsplash in the lightest background color pulled from countertop might be all you ever need. Your place looks nice now!

1) Give the cabinets a good cleaning

2) I wouldn't go with 4000 k lights bulbs, I prefer a bit softer like 3000-3500 - still much whiter light than you currently have- the lighting on top of the cabinets doesn't add much to the looks in their current configuration, they draw attention to an area that doesn't do anything for you lighting wise

3) If the wall paint is a yellowish or tannish shade, look for something that is fresher (a different soft warm white, or a pale warm pastel) that works well with the floor and counter- and is not a shade of gray.

4) It is actually not really difficult to change from a central fixture to LED wafer lights (centered over the edges of the counters) - you can actually add the LEDs and keep an attractive central light if you wanted. The current lights are too bulky for the space, IMO. I would look at some pretty semi-flush fixtures.

5) I would at least try to bring the table more to one side, maybe turn it so it is across the window? I can't tell if that will work size-wise though. A more compact perhaps, oval or round table I think would work better, but we don't know how many you need to seat.

6) think about, maybe do the above first, then rest on it a while before you decide to change the counter. I think the lighter counter would be nice though.

Thanks so much everyone for your thoughtful comments. I love getting input in an area I struggle with. Much appreciated!

For me, I would change out the 2 light fixtures. They do not compliment the space at all. Otherwise, try to keep control of the clutter and find a nice rug. Then start keeping a list of everything that does/doesn't work for you and save for the remodel.

I like the arched cabinets - and if they are nice wood, clean them and keep them. They give character and warmth. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the floors, and I’d probably change them. But as others have stated, live with it a while and see if the layout works for you. Then you can decide what really needs changing.

Congrats on your new home. What a nice size kitchen and eating area.

Try turning your table 90 degrees.

Don't use lights on top of cabinets.

Change under counter lights to 3000k. Good bye yellow.

Get new flush mount and new table chandelier. They are both awkward. The light in the kitchen area should be a total flush mount not a semi-flush and the chandelier above the table would look better with something circular or spherical. Luckily lights come in a variety of prices so it shouldn't cost too much.

I don't mind your floors and it is too hard for me to tell what the counters look like in the yellow light.

Further thoughts:

--Can you do a closeup of the backsplash with the lights off? If they harmonize with floors, then if you have budget for the lightly patterned countertop I posted, then that would do a lot.

--Also straight nickel hardware like these would echo appliances.

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--Do a bit of decluttering. Remove spice thing in corner of cabinet

--Remove stuff hanging off front of fridge. Amazon carries magnet pocket file holders you can put on othr side of fridge to corral your paper.

--Install paper towel holder inside a cabinet door under the sink.

I also feel like the combination of medium brown cabinets with a table and chairs just a shade darker makes for a blur of wood. You might consider using a rotation of tablecloths, or a striking runner just to break up the expanse of wood, and backburner the possibility of changing out the chairs at some later date.

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It's a very nice kitchen. The cupboards are beautiful. Small is small. Nothing will fix that w/o major remodel to the entire home.

I'd add recessed lights to the kitchen and also put a light over the sink.

New Hardware for sure. If you are not going to change the cabinets I would put in new countertops and under mount sink. If you will change the cabinets later, I would hold off and put in new countertops and backsplash at that time. I would switch to a round table. Different lighting and lights as indicated by other respondents. A nice rug under the new round table. Some nice art in the dinning area instead of all those messy papers.

I’m thinking a white counter top and white back splash. What colour hardware?

What colour sink and faucet?

@preston: plain white is too stark against the cabinets but especially against the floor. Pick out a lightly flecked countertop that has some taupe and golden brown in it so you can link it to cabinets and floor. What's the backsplash now?

White counter and backsplash is NOT a good choice with your floors and cabinets. First address your lighting as that will have a major impact on how choices look with existing elements in your kitchen. If you absolutely must change the countertop, wait until after lighting updated and then bring home samples of warm colors (look to taupe and golden colors). Backsplash is the very last thing to go in. Also, remember if you want tile backsplash, do not do 4" counter backsplash as you have....you do one or the other, not both.

it's a nice kitchen that needs some polishing up, change the lighting as suggested and I would get a rug or a stylish vinyl floor mat (like Hudson & Vine) -

I personally would not get new counters but if you are determined, really make sure you are diligent in finding the right one - you have warm wood counters and grey floors, not just anything will look good. Bring home lots of samples - and make sure the samples come in after the lighting has been changed per @susan49417 -

overall I would try get to a holistic design for the space, it is easy to piecemeal the decisions and then often it doesn't come together - would you be open to hiring a local designer?

If you don't have the budget to paint or replace the cabinets I suggest you start by simply replacing the hardware with black and styling your kitchen countertops. You can also paint your chairs in black to contrast with your table and also style your table.

Go light on counters and blacksplash

If you’re thinking of changing the hardware, look for bulk packages to keep it economical. The black pulls that lisedv posted look good with your countertop and give nice contrast. Painting your chairs black makes the whole area look more cohesive. Look for a rug for your eating area. Make sure to place painters tape on the floor to decide the right size. Chairs need to be pulled out but still,be on the rug.

If you really want a new countertop- price out a Formica. Don’t go with white - lean towards creamier colors since your kitchen is warm colors.

Change the bulbs before doing anything. They are showing a yellow cast, which makes it harder to make design decisions.

To clean the wood, get furniture lemon oil and 0000 steel wool. Clean the cabinets by pouring a small amount of the oil onto the steel wool pad and go with the grain to clean it. Wipe with a clean cloth right after - you will see the dirt in the cloth. Your cabinets will shine after this cleaning.

Housegal200 and RedRyder had some great ideas. i also agree first priority is to clean the cabinets, declutter, and adjust the lighting. Bulbs are the most obvious first move. .

I don't agree with those who said no white paint or tile. It depends on the white - some whites have gray undertones, some have blue, some have pink or violet (none of which I recommend here)! Stark pure white would be too much contrast, I think, but a warm soft white will really let your freshly cleaned wood shine.

People tend to think that yellows, tans, beiges are the best choice to go with wood, but I think those shades tend to dull down the whole room, including the cabinets.

Your floors look like they are a warm shade of gray, maybe with some streaks of brown (on my screen at least) which will make it easier to pull it all together. A cool gray on the floor would be a real challenge.

I think if you tile around the kitchen, it'd add some personality and elevate it. I don't have a recommendation because I can't tell from the pictures your style, but something that coordinates with the tone of the floor. Is then chose a white/ light tinted color from the tile for paint color to lighten the room. From the pictures, the table looks pretty big for the space, can you take a picture standing by the oven?

I should've looked through the comments first, sorry. Rotating the table will give you an easier walkway if the chair doesn't go into your living room, and more room for walking by when someone is sitting in them. I like how the black countertops being a touch of modern to the wood/natural elements, similar to your shelving in the living room. I would choose a light tile with similar colors to your flooring but with some sheen and/or rectangular shape. I see you painted the walls, love the color!

I should've looked through the comments first, sorry. Rotating the table will give you an easier walkway if the chair doesn't go into your living room, and more room for walking by when someone is sitting in them. I like how the black countertops being a touch of modern to the wood/natural elements, similar to your shelving in the living room. I would choose a light tile with similar colors to your flooring but with some sheen and/or rectangular shape. I see you painted the walls, love the color!