Not sure what "fix" you want, but once you add furniture it will feel warmer and less sterile. It could use some color, so I'd add a rug in the kitchen and maybe one in the dining area under whatever table you put there. (Or, use a table with nice fabric chairs.) Change the drapes for something with more color, and they should touch the floor. I'd change the light over the table area to something that coordinates with the linear light over your peninsula, and swap out the track lighting for recessed cans if you can. Make sure all your lights are on dimmers.

It will help others help you if you define what you want to fix.

What do you think needs "fixing"? Why des the kitchen need "Fixing"? Help us help you.

Sorry it wasn't letting me type more then what i had for some reason. Wejust bought this home and are looking to change the light fixtures and pulls and back splash! Make it feel more warm and add shelves over bar area. looking for design ideas 🤍

What is the budget? New lighting, backsplash, and a counter depth fridge would transform it. White cabinets with black counters is pretty neutral.

Budget under $1500

If you can do recessed led can lighting position 1000 lumen plus fixtures 3-6 inches in from the edge of the counter. That will avoid shadowing while you're working.

AGREED! this is in FL! we plan to change the floors for sure

whats wrong w the floors? the element you are missing is color and secondly texture. I'd leave the floors...they look good. color for at least some wall area...pick from what you like. texture for pendants. backsplash requires bringing in samples of course.

black and white is an invitation to incorporate color/

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@herbflavor, the photos you showed are nowhere close to the look the OP has with the bright WHITE marble-look porcelain. I think if she had the floors in your photos she wouldn't be changing them!

of course bright bulbs sending rays of light directly onto a surface will shine things up even more...like those make up mirrors w the bulbs . ever thought of diffusing the light a little bit...it might be quite simple and cheaper than ripping out the flooring. but hey..rip it out if you want.

The OP already said they’re replacing the floor “for sure.” Why belabor the point? Those glossy marble-look white floors are stark, uninviting, and limiting. Real wood flooring would really warm up the space. Please, no LVP. So fake looking when they try to imitate wood.

Paint key walls in bold color, furnish with striking pieces, hang big art.

Don’t poke at the kitchen with a $1,500 budget. That will get you some peel and stick backsplash and some Home Depot shelves, i.e. nothing but disimprovement.

I'm totally down with using some warm accents in this space to get you through till you do your floors. I love that you are not gutting this perfectly fine new kitchen. (Well, fine minus that backsplash - what were they thinking? :))

Are you a DIY'er and installing your own tile backsplash? If not, $1500 is not going to cut it for this update. On a shoestring I'd paint the backsplash a tan/almond color, spray paint your hardware brass, add natural colored lighting, stools, and a rug between your bar and island.

I really liked @herbflavor 's lighting suggestion. I don't know your style at all so not sure if any of these fit your taste.

When you add shelves above the bar, be sure to put a nice plant on them to help soften the look of all the hard spaces.

Down the line, wood drawer pulls could be nice.

Thank you for all the amazing recomendations!!! So far we are leaning towards - a light like this over peninsula

Lights like this in dining area

loving this rug!

Back splash similar to this??

And we already have these shelves for over the bar which we got pretty big so hoping they fit over bar!

also love the recessed lighting idea! Send any more thoughs and ideas. Appreciate all the comments on our project!

Before thinking too hard about what tile and recessed lighting - have you investigated costs and how realistic they are in your $1,500 budget? Have you gotten an estimate for replacing the tile splash?

Can you post a closer up image of the countertops? Hard to tell what they actually are made of and what tile would work there - if you can afford tile for now.

Is the dining area where the ceiling fan is? If so, you need to consider whether there is value to having a fan there, if not, I'd get a large light fixture to go there.

The gold lights you posted for the island don't convey much of a warm feeling to me. The color might but there is something hard and cold feeling about the construction.

We have family who is able to install the backsplash and do the lighting so those costs are minimal. $1500 is a ballpark number of what were looking to spend specifically in kitchen! Thank you for the thoughts on the pendant light. I was thinking that too - i think we plan to have two pendant lights installed there when they do the recessed lighting instead of having to find a split light so we have more option!

Counters are a leathered black granite

Throw some orange paint in there, a couple of plants, a rug, and some artwork. That is what is going to make it less sterile, until you can make expensive changes.