I think you will want to be more specific. What do you not like about the current kitchen? What do you want in a kitchen? How do you use your kitchen? Any inspo pics? Budget?

As it stands, I see a picture of a nice kitchen, one that most people would be very happy to call theirs, and no idea how or why you want to change it.

Not a thing needs to be changed. That's a very nice space, and it all works together already. It even appears to have good lighting! And that's absent on so many kitchens.

I do think that something is "off" between the yellowish-wheatish wall color and the green-grayish counter and backsplash. But this is an online photo so who knows!

I would change the cabinet handles and repaint walls, for a refresh.

Unless there is something we can't see like the cabinets are shot?

I agree that this looks like a nice kitchen (and I'm glad you want to keep the floors.) It looks like a listing photo, so if this house is new to you I'd recommend living in it for awhile to see how it functions for you before making major changes. (But I do like the idea to change the cabinet hardware if you feel like you want a change.)

Are you thinking new cabinets or painting the ones you have? If painting - I'd hold off as pro painting is expensive and the stained wood looks nice. If you're thinking of a complete remodel, then I'd consider getting a real hood vent and all drawers for the lowers, and maybe getting the refrigerator into a new location so the island isn't between it and the sink. BUT I'd say only do that if you've lived there long enough to know how you want it to function and have saved for a major redo.

Thanks so much for replying and appreciating the kitchen. We think our kitchen looks dated. Too much wood, orangey color and very dark counter top. We are thinking of white cabinets on the top and charcoal at the bottom. We will get a white quartz with light grey veins. These ideas were suggested by a Home depot person who visited us for refacing the kitchen cabinets. We are going to remove the microwave and put a hood above the range. It will be an expensive project so I want to get it right. What do you think of these changes?

No two tone. No grey. Probably no white fake marble (some are pretty but it’s overused). The thing that dates the kitchen to me is that angled corner cabinet taller than the rest. Hello 2005! I would rearrange the existing uppers so they go straight across and pull them away from the hood, get a chimney style hood, put in a heavier crown with a riser on the cabinets, then paint the cabinets all one color. Taupe? Putty? Then a great counter. Taj Mahal?

You nailed it. it is a 2004 home. Thanks.

Very rough sketch but just to show how I would lighten the hood wall by reducing the amount of cabinetry. As I look at the photo more I think I would extend them all to the ceiling.with soffits.

Okay. Thanks for the ideas. Will taupe or putty color work with the white trim around the window and the white door of the pantry next to the refrigerator. I am wondering why not two tone? What about an all white kitchen? Is that trend over or is it a classic? Really appreciate the input of an expert like you. I just saw your company's website. Awesome.

Home Depot is not where you go for design advice.

Two toned cabinets had a short heyday. That would date your kitchen more than what you have. Adding the ubiquitous fake marble quartz counter will further stamp the kitchen.

What dates your kitchen now? As stated by @HALLETT & Co., the higher angled corner cab and the higher cab above the oven stack. Also, the lack of lower drawers (I see just one stack), and the double backsplash (the 4” strip of counter is a backsplash. Then you have a tiled backsplash on top). Replacing the over the range mw for a vent hood, is a good first step.

Often, refacing existing cabinets costs more than replacing; getting new. Don’t rush into this. Research first.

Thanks. I’m a youngest child so flattery is my lifeblood. Two tone is tired and only works sometimes. If I wanted two tone I would go darker on the island. All white is classic but we’ve had a decade of all white kitchens being the dominant trend. Nothing wrong with white kitchens! I would start by going to a stone yard and looking at real stone. It’s one of the largest elements in your kitchen, you should love it. See if something ‘speaks to you’ White faux marble might be the absolute perfect thing for you or it may feel like the obvious choice only because it’s because that you are seeing it everywhere.

HALLETT & Co. When you say real stone do you mean putting granite or marble instead of quartz?

Wow - that is a beautiful kitchen. As others have suggested - leave the cabinets as they are. Your plans for changing them are chasing popular ideas that have come and gone and will leave you with something more dated than what you have now.

The biggest limiter that will determine what can be changed is budget. If you are already talking about spending 15K on new counters, and another 15K to get the cabinets professionally coated, then you don't have a lot of budget left for other things, like a backsplash, or changing hardware. So, you probably want to spend about 6 months living with it, and really researching what current trends are (a whole lot of what you have) vs what you actually like for yourself, vs just see everywhere so you think it's popular.

You have to divorce your taste from the pop cycle that surrounds you. What's your favorite color? What's your favorite wood? What is the room or house that you remember as your earliest time that you noticed what it looked like? Have you had art education in college? Approach design from the standpoint of both art as form, and layout as function. Kitchen design is a combination of the two.

The hardest part about design is not automatically choosing ubiquitous items just because they surround you and are available.

The second hardest part is editing. Know when something works, and doesn't need anything added to it. Know when to stop adding, and start just taking away, until the design stands alone. That's the mistake that the two tone kitchens make. It's not design, it's fear of boring to keep adding on stuff that clashes. Add some more! More "wall art" more boring paint colors, multiple boring paint colors. "Safe" white countertops. All at the same time. And you end up with worse than boring and safe. You end up with a boring and safe and clashing chaos mess, all at the same time.

I would live with this kitchen for several years while I saved up for a more substantial remodel.

I did that in my previous house. Started up thinking it would just be an update, but after using the kitchen for a couple of years we realized the cabinets and drawer hardware weren't of great quality and the fridge was in a terrible location. Waited a couple more years so I could justify (to myself) replacing large/expensive appliances too.

The hardest part about design is not automatically choosing ubiquitous items just because they surround you and are available.

This is a great statement!

How long have you lived in the house and what is your budget?