I think it looks great as is. If you don't have undercabinet lighting then add that. Otherwise I wouldn't touch it.

Use the kitchen as it is, and while using the kitchen over time, keep a list of things you would change or improve. As you compile the list the priorities will become obvious. Some items will be able to done in the near future, some will be able to be done in the more distant future, and some will be done in the next house.

Edit: Some people would kill for a kitchen like that.

It looks great to me. I cannot imagine why you'd want to change the cabinetry finish, that is the best part of your kitchen. The only thing in your kitchen that isn't strictly up-to-date is that people don't do 2-tiered islands as much any more (though they still do them). But to change your island to one-tier would not be "minimal" that you said you want. It would be quite a slippery slope of work for little-to-no benefit.

First time homeowner tip: Do NOTHING to anything, until 6 months have passed. That kitchen needs nothing at all. If the rest of the house is that good looking, you've snagged a winner.

I also think it's perfect the way it is. Change the pendants and you're done. There will probably be other opportunities elsewhere to spend money. :-) I moved into a "new" (built in 1995) house four years ago that has a kitchen that is OK, but it's not what I would have chosen. We prioritized everything else over the kitchen and still haven't gotten around to the kitchen. It's far from urgent. In the meantime I have been thinking about what I want and have changed my mind numerous times about various things. So enjoy spending your money on other things for now and come back to the kitchen later if necessary.

What a gorgeous kitchen! I love those cabinets! Easy to clean and beautiful wood! Although dark, the countertop is pretty. I like the backsplash least, but I could easily live with it.

I am sure there must something else in the house that you could focus your energy on, rather than this beautiful kitchen.

I want to add to my previous post that you as a first time homeowner may not be aware that when you move into a new home, there will always be a surprise repair or repairs. That is as sure as the sun rises in the east. Each time I've moved into a new home I've had surprise expenses. Just MHO, but your kitchen being so nice should not be where you dive into spending money right direct when you move in. Things that I've needed to do right after I moved in but was not aware of beforehand: the furnace breaks a month later, or the garage opener needs to be replaced, or the front door leaks water and needs to be replaced, a tree needs to be cut down, or sliding glass doors need to be replaced. Oh, and window treatments - do not underestimate how expensive those are.

It makes sense if the house is mid century modern. Lean into that if that's the look you're going for. While I love wood floors, there may be an opportunity there. Second under cabinet lighting. Maybe a simple cove crown?

Regarding your backsplash, I think the green is great. I might prefer a different shape tile, or maybe a different green shade, but it goes really well together. I like the pendant, too - I think it goes with the MCM style of the kitchen. If you want to replace it, OK - but don't pick glass.

Recent mid-century modern kitchen reno featured in Houzz.

I'd only be tempted to install a proper exhaust fan.

Maybe a new LeCreuset that matches the backsplash better. That’s blows the budget right there lol.

The two-tier island is useful in this condo, as it helps define the kitchen from the entry hall and diverts to the LR, and gives a place to set things that doesn’t have crumbs and drips on it.

The light fixture looks plenty modern, as does the rest. Maybe the knobs could be replaced (and the pulls aren’t my favorite style as I’m always catching my clothes, pockets, on them, but that’s just me.)

Perhaps we need to understand how you perceive ”modern” and ”updated”, and how this kitchen doesn’t meet your perception?

Your kitchen is lovely.Work flow is optimized because of ice water stone fire layout.

Even the two tiered island space looks useful and practical.

Not crazy about OTR micro,but if ventilation is good, leave it for now.

Mark is correct...I too would at least maim for that space.

Thank you all for all of the guidance! SO helpful! Here I was thinking I'd have so much advice to parse through on what to fix, haha. Very reassuring to hear that this is perceived as a beautiful kitchen that needs little to no work. Some added context: this is an apartment in Manhattan. To answer the question on what I perceive as modern and updated, the truth is, I am way over my head here and don't know the first thing about interior design.

I'm still very set on changing the lighting and as a few folks chimed in - the one thing that continues to catch my eye (not in a good way) is the green backsplash.

I’m sure I’m in the minority here, but if you removed the backsplash (I don’t love it, either), and repaired the wall behind it, you could — gasp — just paint it. Or a peel-and-stick wallpaper. Even as a placeholder while you consider what you would really like to see there. Paint and wallpaper are easy to change.

Congrats on your new home! I hope you grow to love the kitchen, because it’s great! My only wish would be to swap the OTR microwave for a real hood, but your HOA might not allow that anyway.

Lighting is very personal and I’m not a designer so I won’t try to recommend an exact fixture. However I will say that I’m very happy with the quality of my Visual Comfort fixtures and they have some beautiful lights. More affordable and still with several options is West Elm. Take your time and have fun looking!

I'd replace the light fixture and perhaps paint the walls in a color other than white.

I agree with everyone--it's a really nice kitchen!

I legit thought the first photo was an inspiration photo. Maybe it's lighting or not coming across in the photos, but your cabinets are sleek and modern and coordinate well with the backsplash. I would explore making the island all one level, switching out the microwave with a simple vent/hood and removing the strange wine shelf cabinet above the window. Just some editing - no major moves.

Now if you respond to say you want a traditional shaker kitchen and hate this whole asthetic (this isn't your vibe), that's a whole different story.

That is a gorgeous kitchen - lovely and functional!

I think the green tile is beautiful, and it suits the cabinets and counters.

the one thing that continues to catch my eye (not in a good way) is the green backsplash.

I agree that a change would be nice. The 2x2(I think) squares are not cutting it. Stick with the green but with a different shaped tile.

I love it, especially those beautiful cabinets! i would love to have them in my MCM home, much nicer than what I have.

If the house is in the north west corner of the Michigan's lower peninsula, sell the house to the first offer (no matter how low) and buy a different house. Where should I send the offer??

Leave it alone......please?

The very fact that you asked " would you paint, replace the cabinetry?" Tells me your definition of "modern" needs explanation and inspo"s added to your post.

Also tells me you need a skilled interior designer at move in, to REIN you in: )

Agree with everyone who says leave everything alone.

It looks beautiful and high end to me! except for the microwave over the stove as others have mentioned, but still a beautiful kitchen!!

Gorgeous kitchen and I love the cabinets. They are beautiful nothing wrong with that lovely backsplash.

If it were my kitchen I might put in a hood which of course would tumble into having to change the backsplash. But I love those cabinets, they are beautiful. I might also change the hardware because that hardware would tangle in my clothes. I agree a new light fixture could be thrilling.

It's a small Manhattan kitchen. If you need a microwave, over the range is the best place for it. Sometimes you just need to do nothing.

I agree it is perfect, but if you HAVE to change something I would get rid of the bar height shelf on the island and find a beautiful counter top that makes everything else sing. It is beautiful.

It looks great! As recommended live with it for at least six months before changing anything major.

Did they forget to add the handles on a few of the upper cabinets?

The child’s face reflecting perfectly in the microwave glass was a nice touch. 😉

Congrats on your new home!

As you noted, that light fixture needs to go, big time. I'd also replace the backsplash. Too bad they did not do that backsplash strip on the island in the countertop material

I completely understand buying a house or apartment and not liking things, but I was expecting something completely different before I saw the photo. That IS a modern kitchen, or at least mid-century modern, which is all the rage. The cabinets are modern slab style with very current bar pulls, and of gorgeous wood. The backsplash looks like glass tile.,..some shade of green is a very common choice to go with wood stained cabinets and black countertops, whether it's a traditional, arts and crafts, or very contemporary kitchen, because it just works. It doesn't help if you just don't like it, but to so many people, your kitchen would *be* their inspiration photo! I'm super picky about old-fashioned or traditional wood-stained cabinetry styles, but I wouldn't touch a thing in this kitchen except change the light fixture (yeah, that's not so great.) I think the kitchen is very current and beautiful.

@Miranda33 - “Varicose veins” - 😂

Varicose vein countertops are going to become the dated ”90s golden oak cabinets” in a few years.

C C - your photos of the kitchen show its true beauty much better than the last couple real estate listing photos!

I think the cabinets are beautiful - I like the color of the backsplash, but not really fond of the shape. That being said, it still looks nice - and you have a very pretty kitchen.

The OTR microwave is the only other ”issue” I notice - but that may be needed due to life in a NY condo.

Congrats!

Here's a led undercabinet light source with a new product line which does not require wiring.

Richelieu Unika – Editors’ Pick
These undercabinet LED fixtures feature integrated USB chargers and are easily installed at a 15-degree angle for optimal countertop illumination. The fixtures are available in painted-steel and black finishes and produce neutral white light. No drilling/housing or wire management are necessary for installation. richelieu.com/us/en/

The only thing I would change is get rid of the blue artwork to the left of the kitchen! It's what's making the green look 'off'. Both are nice colors, but the green is much more current. You should be leaning into those colors in the rest of your adjacent living space. Otherwise, the green is going to bug you. But yes, this is a beautiful kitchen.

For a first time homeowner... do nothing. It's a lovely kitchen and looks fully functional. I realize the backsplash bothers you, but live with it through a season or two of light shifting. While doing that, pull samples of colors you do like and let them also sit in the shifting light. You have a lot of light to play with there.

Other than that, I would change out the light. I'm just generally not fond of the style. A light can be a fairly inexpensive and easy fix.

I am with the others that I would not do anything to your kitchen. I also like that the kitchen is going for the MCM look and actually succeeding beautifully, unlike other wannabe-MCM attempts. And as others have said, you may have other updates or repairs elsewhere in the home that should take precedence over any small changes to this nice kitchen.

The 2x2(I think) squares are not cutting it. Stick with the green but with a different shaped tile.

The 2x2 tile is in keeping with the MCM decor. I understand it might not be to your taste and you may want to change it later. Or you may find after a while that you really like it. But 2x2 tile is consistent with MCM kitchens. Regardless, I agree that the color is pretty perfect. So if you decide to change the backsplash, find something in that color.

Congrats on your new place. I live in Manhattan too. This is a great kitchen, but I get that the counters and backsplash could make it feel outdated to you. I love the cabinets and they would cost a fortune to replace. No small change at all, neither are counters.

I'd paint the tile backsplash and live with it until it starts to chip. Or, hang a temporary adhesive tile backsplash. (Google peel and stick backsplash.) This will give you time to settle in to the rest of the apartment and see if the counters grow on you. You could buy a year or two of time. ( A friend painted 2x2 stone backsplash as a temporary fix and it looked fantastic she's kept it for 5 years and counting.)

So much depends on how you style it. Get a runner you like or no runner at all, a great new light fixture, and put the things you love on your counters. If yo uare not a big wine drinker, maybe you can take out the X in the upper cabinet and store cookbooks or a nice object that you love.

And while it is true that there is always something new to fix when you buy a place, it is somewhat different when you live in a condo. Hopefully your building has hefty reserves. If not, make sure you budget for special assessments that pop up and take that budget into consideration when looking at how much cash you have on hand for any kind of interior renovation.

Most people have advocated for removing the two-tier. I’m going to ask those who live in condos about that. It seems to me that, because the island is one side of the entryway leading from front door to living room, the raised tier is functional:

it defines the kitchen, kind of keeps the visitor from focusing on the kitchen.

It keeps people from setting things on the counter where food will be or where something might have spilled.

It’s a place to set drinks or apps where they won’t interfere with (or be interfered with by) any prep going on on the counter.

It adds an extra few inches of height to their storage! and extra storage is always a good thing. (I’m glad to see that this raised tier is actually tall, shallow cabinets, not just a pony-wall!)

In a typical suburban kitchen, I see the one-level island being preferable. But in a condo, things are different, it seems to me. What is the condo-dweller’s take on it?

And besides, how would removing it be done here? Those are cabinets, it’s not like they can be sawed off, and removing them would mean losing valuable storage and a new flooring issue, and then there’s what to do about the countertop? Can the tier top be moved down and added to the existing countertop?

My son had a two tier island with a sink in it. He loved the mess did not show in the seating areas--dining first and living room beyond that. I would not remove it until you live with the sight lines. It doesn't appear to be for sitting. There's not a huge corridor there...that would lead my decision. Would you like counter seating there? Is there room? If modern is your goal you would NEVER consider painting your cabinets. Wood is in and yours look to be in great shape. I put green tile in my kitchen, but you don't care for it--so find a tile you do like. Your countertops are very dark. I would want lighter but doubt I would pay for new just for that reason. You are just beginning your life here. Now is the time to make it what you like because nothing you will do will add value. Enjoy the money it will cost by doing it as soon as you can afford it.

I can't imagine any way you can improve that kitchen. It is lovely, and the bar is set really high to make any improvements and not royally mess it up. Enjoy it, and spend time/$$$ elsewhere.

Our house has a pony wall behind the kitchen island, and if/when we remodel the kitchen, the pony wall stays. We don't use it as an island - it is right in the walkway (even though the previous owners had stools there, it's only 18" wide - not suitable for seating).

Like arcy's son, I like that the half wall provides a bit of separation between the kitchen and living room (which is all one big room). The bar gives us a nice place to put a candy dish, a vase of flowers.

This is our house (listing photo). The hallway to the right of the kitchen goes to the garage entrance, so that's a main thoroughfare.

Very disappointed it is not a single family residence located in northern Michigan.

I am currently looking for a small house in the north west corner of the lower peninsula, and there is A LOT of crap out there. (minor venting)