Live in the house as is. Looks like a reno of the whole thing, don't waste your money on a quick fix now, see what works and doesn't and plan for update.

I always prefer a kitchen sink at a window. The bow window is dated,

You may want to do a bathroom(s) overhaul too. Think it through.

Previous thread with images of kitchen.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6494592/what-to-do-with-these-kitchen-cabinets

flow means different things...traffic flow and visual flow. this kitchen has problems with both.

traffic flow involves more expense to correct. You can correct the visual flow somewhat. remove the doors to the wall cabinet on far right of sink......get framed cinamon maple doors ready for glass and get some sort of glass inserted in those doors. you can get the glass locally and there is a lot of glass to pick from. this will be a different door but will make sense as a feature cabinet rather than the totally mismatched cabinet that you have now. I would see what I could afford at Ikea in the 1. cart or 2. work table or 3. freestanding vertical pantry cabinet category .....for alongside the fridge. A fridge flanked by something.......really anything , will be better than the fridge alone on the wall.

cinnamon maple..obtain a frame ready for glass and source glass for the end cabinet door

La Jolla Kitchen · More Info

things to add alongside the fridge

Lennon Kitchen Cart With Wheels, Natural/Black · More Info

Salinas Kitchen Pantry Cabinet With Doors, Black · More Info

Sendero Kitchen Pantry Cabinet (Black) · More Info

It's often very difficult to update an older house to modern standards. Room sizes and placement were different. Kitchens were utility spaces and bathrooms were basic.

For your house, even starting by removing all the interior walls, I cannot find a plan that works. The stair location is a problem and not easy or inexpensive to change.

As is, the entire plan is poor.

I wonder about additions. The kitchen eating area is probably one, and probably the den and primary bedroom.

As for the kitchen, I agree with Lyn. live with it and the house for a while.

You really can't fix the "flow" of a kitchen without a remodel. The microwave may vent outside - did you look in the cabinet above? There's a soffit and it goes to a lower ceiling - there may be ducting in there. There is absolutely no room for an island in the kitchen, just a nice table by the window as shown in your other thread.

This is a new space for you. I would do nothing in here until you have had a chance to live here an know what you really need otherwise you are just wasting money. Make sure the rest of the house is good and save up for the kitchen.

Congrats on the new house - Good luck!

Buy the cart and table, save money for the eventual reno, and good luck with your move!

Here's are two quick sketches, without any information on budget or structural considerations.

This layout features an enlarged kitchen from current, and preserves a bit of a foyer feel but the kitchen is accessed through the dining room, which seems a little more awkward flow-wise.

A bigger kitchen can also be achieved by opening up the wall from kitchen to living room and closing up the hallway access from the kitchen, moving it instead to go through the dining room. The problem with this layout is a lack of a foyer space since you walk straight into your kitchen. You could put a console table right next to the door, or a tiny table next to the stairs.

My personal preference is to remove the walls from the living to the dining and the FR, but that's just me. It would make the whole house feel much bigger.

Incidentally, does that stairway really go up a whole floor in what appears to be about 8' of run? Looks quite steep

You do not do this before move in so take your time save some money and do it right when you know exactly what is needed

Flow is not achieved by small fixes before move in. You are talking renovation. So make simple aesthetic chamges to the space while you save up for a renovation.

Honestly?

I'd back out of the contract. I see nothing but issues, and a gigantic amount of money to fix any and all. Very sorry, but. It isn't just the kitchen. Move in, leave everything alone, for at least six months. .....if there are enough reasons to like the surrounding area/location.

Agree with living in your new home for awhile before making changes.

If you have the budget for a renovation, consider eliminating the eat-in kitchen area. Incorporate that area as your main kitchen area. Create/remodel a pass thru area from kitchen to dining room (where the range currently is located) for pantry/glassware/coffee-beverages/snacks area (whatever works for you).

Remove the wall between the dining room and living room so you can expand the dining room by ~ 3 feet into the current living room (ending where door enters into living room).

The bow window is only making any real change impossible you have a good size space remove the bow and do a window in thta space as far off the floor as possible so cabinets can go there but not now . You have no idea of the flow until you use the space .

You can build a counter/cabinet aound the fridge which gives you more work space/storage and makes the fridge less awkward. A table or island is perfect for the window area.

Your kitchen would be well served by a counter depth fridge & then shallow tall cabinets to act as your pantry and storage for the opposite wall. See plan.

Then if you still require more countertop space add a moveable kitchen cart/island.

The size of the kitchen would be best served by saving up the money to replace the kitchen