I’d start with new light fixtures and new cabinet hardware. Maybe a colorful runner. What does the baltic brown refer to? Not the counters right? If so that is not baltic brown granite. It is some sort of solid surface.

@vinmarks thanks for those suggestionsone. I was under the inpression that the stone counter was baltic brown granite… perhaps im wring with that. The counter is the close up photo of the stone i showed

the diagonal set up w 3 things..2 microwaves and and oven ought to get changed...... i think I'd make a 90 degree corner and pick what you want for cooking and then assemble the skinny tall cabinets together and insert what you want for appliance . maybe get new oven? is the fridge older too? Big space.... you can paint the uppers a light shade. / change backsplash to coordinate with light uppers. wood isnt a problem..its just the large dose of it and in your face diagonal set up in that corner with appliances in there too. Might be best to wait a bit and figure budget and see how the efficicency of the storage works or doesnt.......obviously the coordination of surfaces ......floor/ counters/ backsplash/ / w the wood could be improved. problem is one change wont do that much ..have to figure out a palette and what you can fork out as a budget for this

I'm not sure it's really that dark; it's just (much) darker than what you're used to. Can you add under-cabinet lighting and some more recessed lights? It doesn't look to have any overhead lighting in the middle of the room. And replace the existing lights for something more appealing?

You don’t say if you can eventually do an entire remodel or if that is completely out of the picture? If you plan a full remodel then wait and do it all at once. If you plan to only do the minimal amount we would need to know what that means to you….spending 1k or less? Spending 10k or less?

I agree that this kitchen is a 180* from what you are used to. The flooring, backsplash and countertops are what I would want to change. That being said, the cabinets aren't my taste either. So I agree to wait and see how it functions for you, and then save up for a full remodel at some point in the future.

Start with much better lighting and IMO all LED 4000K bulbs and more up to date fixtures . Then see what you can do about the backsplash and then decide how much further to thow money at this . Those changes are the least expensive and honestly I cannot imagine you are ever going to love this if what you had is what you love.

Ok, thanks, this give me some good direction and perhaps just wait until the budget can afford a large overhaul of the space.

@emr2102 .Nope not Baltic Brown granite. I don’t even think that is real stone.

The kitchen is not horrible but it is a big departure from what you had. If everything functions then just make small tweaks and save your money for a total gut in the future.

Another vote to wait. Consider the layout and if you want a full remodel, a refacing job, a repainting or nothing. Get better lighting no matter what.

After living in a house for a year, you will know more about how it functions and how much you like or dislike every detail. This house is so different from your previous one that it’s similar to someone with long hair getting a super short cut. At first, it’s startling and so unfamiliar you can’t like it. But eventually you get used to it and can be more appreciative of some things and then know what you really want to change.

Congratulations on the new house.

Definitely not Baltic Brown granite.

When I look at your new kitchen, for me, the worst element is the floor.

The floors are what struck me also, as not only adding more brown, , but not even in a good tone-doesn’t seem to even go with the other browns. And all the lines for varying squares. Is it vinyl tile?

Plus, looks like wall paint is some kind of dull dark beige also. Maybe a creamy wall paint, along with nicer lights, tidy countertops, some light creamy textiles/ accessories ( minimal decor though).

If course flooring replacement would be $$ down the drain if you end up moving things around and remodeling pretty soon, or if it’s real tile. But if you have other projects which will take a lot of time before could even think about kitchen Reno , plus want to live there for awhile before, I might price replacing the flooring with a solid vinyl or light low-variation LVP- but would have to be a lower-tier choice probably for the $.. I’m not saying it’s a good budget or environmental decision, but just that it might make the biggest difference ( floor + paint) for the actual cost.

Haha! funny to read the comments in the floor becuase even though i dont love that either, i could barely see past the cabintes and counter to get to the ugly foors! haha! The brown kitchen currently has ceramic tile.

its somewhat of a reluncant sale of our current home, as we fully gutted and renovated to out taste, but with 4 kids space is proving tight, so its literally a move to gain square footage 1800sqft to 4000sqft plus 1500 unfinished basement.

Changing the backsplash, light fixtures and wall paint will go a long ways to brighten up the space. Modest expense if you DIY. The ceiling looks a bit dull but I don't know if that is just the picture or if it needs paint, too.

Ceramic tile sounds like not conducive to a refresh. Then the other smaller things would be best. I also thought the ceiling looked, not- white but maybe it is. Ki

The kitchen is THE MOST EXPENSIVE ROOM TO REMODEL IN A HOME. Make sure you are spending your money wisely in purchasing this house. It's not a bad kitchen, but a good kitchen can make your heart sing.

Beverly, that’s so spot- on. I keep forgetting the OP may not yet have bought.

There are house we used to call “ space buys”. But for that to work, the price has to be low enough to allow for the cost of interior updates. I actually think updates used to be cheaper/ simpler ( not related to inflation) because people were not as demanding— maybe that’s the internet influence.

NOT saying OP you are demanding! But it’s just the whole thing about, so many choices, so much knowing what COUKD be done, pressure that somehow everything has to keep being “ modernized “.

But is is a good question that is more about, is this the right house ( great location, the “ space” is laid out in a good way for how your family lives ) and then, since kitchen isn’t what you’re hoping for, is it the worst part & the other rooms are great ( not counting paint colors of course) or do all the spaces fell like you have to overhaul, and so then do you have the budget AND the bandwidth for it. And what else is available? Sometimes this size “ family home” isn’t widely available with lots of inventory on the market. I had a taste of that when I was” pretend looking “ on Zillow for a family member who’s in a very comfortable 2-story/ basement home but is about need 5 actul bedrooms plus office plus ideally 3 1/2 baths & probably not able to expand existing home. So that list of criteria in homes for sale would took me to a whole nuther set of considerations, neighborhoods, plus of course seeing that much of style/ finishes as-is would not be to their taste.

But yourvwqueries about what can be done to this kitchen are good if the feedback gives you more ideas about what you’d be facing, & how that impacts your decision, if your window for offer/ contract allows it.