Bang for the buck and brighter kitchen:

--Paint the walls throughout a brighter white that harmonizes with cabinets and dark floors.

--Light countertops and backsplash

Youle St. Kitchen & Bathrooms · More Info

--Stainless appliances

--New single bowl sink and swan faucet

--Undercabinet lighting

Dollar Road · More Info

@housegal200 took the words right out of my mouth. What she said. When you say budget friendly, what is the actual dollar amount you are talking about?

Try LED bulbs 4000K to see if that helps . Stainless appliances next tinme you can afford them . Maybe a lighter counter even in laminate would help. It is hard to say without understanding exactly what your budget is I hestitate to spen big money on dated spaces it is to me a huge waste. New Ikea cabinets might be affordable for you we have no idea. The walls look to be beige so IMO that is an easy fix for little money. White is great but not for everyone a pale hint of color might work better depending on what your furniture is . If this is a new to you space wall paint and light bulbs are both affordable and can havea huge impact on the looks of a space .Change all the bulbs to the same 4000K Led

For biggest bang per buck: Change the light bulbs in the recessed fixtures to brighter ones. If you have more money, choose a semi-flush light fixture to go in the center of the kitchen and have an electrician install it.

Find the lumens of your lights. At the counter should be 450 minimum. 3200-3500k led color is generally specified for residences. Put the lights on dimmers. You can add lights under the upper cabs. The current location of the cans could cause you to cast a shadow on your work.

Bright and airy, and updated are different things.

You want light cabinets? You can paint them, professionally is best. Stainless appliances , a light counter top...

more lighting, and under cabinet lights.

Your exposure to nature matters n, s, e, w, as does your proximity to a neighboring home or even a tree line.

If you decide to go with lighter countertops, can we ask the Houzz experts for some ideas to update this two level structure? The top portion barely looks big enough for someone to set a beverage. Could this be made all one level with a greater overhang to allow some counter stools?

At some point, it's a kitchen you don't love. There's no reason or need for the pony wall, there's no reason for the wall left of the fridge , unless it is carrying hvac or plumbing.

There is no reason for the hi/lo upper cabinets, nor the lack of drawer storage in the lower cabinets.

Update to what style within "Light and airy"?

If the condo was just purchased, and you haven't moved in? You might be best off to live with it a while and save money, rather than waste money or effort pecking at a thing when you really want to have a much larger change.

The very dark floor in the condo isn't helping, the black appliances are not, nor the mini blinds everywhere, reducing daylight by 40%.

Just bought it? Slow down, move in, make a plan. In the meantime? You will cook and eat - it is perfectly functional for that.

Move in, paint the walls, lose all the cheap mini blinds at the windows. Lay down large and light rugs everywhere, use light tones in soft furnishings. Install under cabinet lighting. Dream, and plan:) as you collect inspo of a kitchen you love.

Would I peck at this kitchen? Not unless my plan was a very short term stay in the condo. Or , I bought it to flip: )

This is your new home and you want to make nice without a fortune. Not matter how long or short you stay. I. recommend as others already have: 1. Paint lighter neutral color that is happy, not gray.. 2. New stainless appliance’s will go a long way to reflect light and brighten. 3. Fix the island to all one level with new countertop, It does not have to be the same material/color as the rest of the countertops if not in the budget. Large enough for minimalist stools that slide under on other side. 4. New updated hardware. 5. Colorful runner in front of sink. 6. New kitchen faucet. Could stop here for now. If a bigger budget and or need to wait for later then the following options. 7. Replace countertops in combination with a new sink and reused new faucet. 8. Add pendent lighting over new island. Then attention to rest of area which has already been painted. New simple linen look alike drapery panels hung as high as possible and just skimming the floor. New dining area fixture. Then ready for your furniture in whatever style you like.. Choose new/thrifted/gifted/inherited/already have furniture with scale in mind. No overstuffed large with huge arms sofas or chairs.
Caution re a sectional as hard to change floor arrangements as well as never know if a move in the future. Then enjoy.

In order to update things in this kitchen, you'll most likely want to replace the countertops/backsplash. Then look at replacing the microwave, fridge, dishwasher, and oven with stainless steel items. Then add some silver pendant lights over the small island, look at getting light stools for the island, and add a light rug near the sink.

Contemporary Kitchen & Bath · More Info

Nico10designs, what have you decided to do to “update” the kitchen and home. A work in progress but some things done?