Looks like you stepped into the mid to late 80s!! Congrats on your new home - you have quite a bit of natural light + the space appears to be a good size!

If you would like some help, you will need to provide more details.

Are you ready for a complete gut of this kitchen? If yes, we need a scaled drawing of the space (including dimensions in inches for all walls/windows/doorways/etc.) + a general layout of the adjoining spaces.

We need to know if you are willing to remove any walls, if needed.

We need to know who will be using the space (is it just a couple or a family of six?)

There is a post that provides guidance on what info to provide for kitchen renovations - maybe someone has the the link to the post handy and will put it in a comment for you.

If you only want to do a "cosmetic update" of the space, we need to know what that means to you + what your budget is.

You will receive comments about waiting for at least six months since you just moved into the space. However, if you want to do a complete renovation, I would personally prefer to have that done prior to moving into the home.

So much information needed about budget, rest of space. For strictly cosmetic, remove the wallpaper border, paint, replace curtains with white solar shades, and move in! A year from now decide what you like and dislike and meet with a kitchen planner.

You're missing a wall. What is the space opposite the window bench? Stand with your back to the window bench and take a photo of the space. Is that the living room? If so then that is part of the space that has to be taken into account regarding flooring, trim, finishes.

Is that vinyl flooring? Hope so, because if it's tile, then you're talking a huge upgrade because it will need to be demo'd and replaced.

What are the countertops made of? If formica then you'll want all new hard surface countertops with complementary backsplash.

Is there a separate dining room, or is the space with the window seat the only dining area?

Are the cabinets in great condition? If so, then you still have plenty you can do if you keep them: paint all trim, put in striated wood floors (see below a mix of light and dark woods) tile backsplash, and new counters, paint the island, add beautiful modern chairs with wood legs. Change out overhead lighting and dining area lighting.

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New lighting:

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Agree much to know first. Love the natural light, why no window covering except the door? I think a big issue will be the obligatory island that was put in. Why is it there, does it serve you? The cupboards look small and no paint will hide their design. I thought desk areas went out in the 80s the step down to the counter tops I would want fixed. The window seat is charming but in the end extended cabinetry or a peninsula might serve you better for storage and counter seating. What is your idea of a modern kitchen?

If you decide not to take on a full kitchen renovation until you've lived in the house for a while, then remove the wallpaper border and paint the walls. Here's a YouTube video of best white wall paints with dark cabinets. The current white is blinding! You need a softer white paint--not cream though--with a faint greige tint. Do a Google search for "white paint dark cherry cabinets."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9T_fwqfZhs

As for the trim, we need to see that space opposite the window bench (perfect place for beautiful plants if you keep it.) to decide what to do about the dark trim.

I would have that wallpaper down before i unpack the coffee pot! 🤣

After that, we can talk. Like everyone asks, are we talking new counters? Or a full remodel?

I found th e FP post first but I see now those arched windows are here too. I agree to wait for a bit before any major work . The kitchen screams 90s but you need to know how much you want to spend on this space and that will be decided when you figure out what works and what does not work for how you live. Slow down and if free advice is what you would like we need certain things to help you. We need a to scale floor plan , usually best on graph paper . That plan shows every window and doorway and where those lead. Every meaurement clerly marked usually if the plumbing is not easily moved show that and then tell us a rough idea of buget . You post the drawing here in a comment in jpeg format . You will get ton of help we will along the way ask questions in comments you answer those in comments all here in this post . I do agree take the wallpaper down to start anyway but the rest just slow down.

I am sure she knows the wall paper boarder, light fixture, semi circular window are issues!! The flooring would be on my list of most annoying. As stated I hope it's not real tile. Tile is such a PITB choice!! It's near impossible to change, it's horrid on joints, it's unforgiving so not appropriate for a place where ceramics and glass are used!! I am not seeing the disdain for the counters. The white works, we aren't seeing disrepair. As the HGTV show Bang for your Buck proved laminate counters are great for many reasons cost being the biggest!! In the end they look and function no differently than the solid surfaces that have favor right now.

Since this is a new house to you... what do you feel needs making over? There is probably someone that is going to hate something about pretty much everything about your kitchen. Except the drawer lowers, those are currently acceptable by many people. And you might get love for a lot of things too.

Personally, I would address the wallpaper border and do some refreshing paint, and replace the light fixtures. Then wait and live there for a while to see how much other you might want to remodel. New floors and/or counters would be nice- but think twice about it if you think you might want to change out cabinetry sooner rather than later.

i'd get my table/chairs in...get some updated stools and a new dishwasher [ that one is old] then i'd use the space. Its a pretty generous sized space so doing things means costs . there's a lot of ways to take this but that presents challenges and I wouldnt feel certain for a bit of time w this. you should define makeover for yourself primarily and the observers too.

Modern Acrylic Bar stool Cresco Collection Black Base with White/Green seat · More Info

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no problem prettying up your space/ love the window ledge..plants...!!!

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Can you define a makeover:

Full gut, changing configuration, etc? If gutting, your best bet is to hire a pro or at least get some quotes to help you narrow down options.

For a lesser investment…what is being considered - flooring, backsplash/counter, appliances, etc. Painting the cabinets?

If only cosmetic, what are your priorities? The least expensive/will make a difference: removing border, updating lighting, counter and backsplash, and your sitting area decisions.

If you haven’t already, look on line for inspiration and start saving the kitchen ideas that resonate. Suggest setting up an excel sheet with a prioritized wish list, to help with your decisions.

Is the flooring sheet vinyl?

Really can’t make suggestions without knowing what the budget $ is.

use caution w the impulse to rip out or paint over the cabs. 1990s is old but not THAT old...they look like higher quality and if so, another stretch of time might be had w them in place....Due to the cost of everything if you find them in good shape Id look for other things to tweak.... relevant to "makeover" .

dark cabinets ? cherry? are not your foe....

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Remove the wallpaper, and get all new light fixtures, particularly that box fixture. You may have to also paint the ceiling, once fixtures are removed. Paint the walls, a very light color and get some curtains up and some colored accessories (your choice of colors, since I have no idea what colors you like or dont like). It will make a huge difference. I would not paint the cabinets, they are nice just the way they are. Also get those two old school chairs out of there and replace with something much more modern looking.

QUESTION???? Are you a flipper???

You have at least 4 posts indicating "Just bought this house" since 2020.

Flipping and remodeling for yourself have different needs and priorities.

@jck910. If that's the case, then OP should tell us that up front since someone actually moving in might want a full reno whereas a flipper would lean into cosmetic changes.

Her posts go further than 2020. They go all the way to 2016 when it was a basement post.

WOW then we really are in the weeds so OP if you are there answer

Aw, dang. There are a lot of "first time" posts by the OP. I guess for a flip then... Gut it. Ikea style and quartz/ite. Generic whites will work. Wood flooring, pale, not too busy in the pattern/grain. Greige or agreeable pale walls, all painted. Whites for trim. Stainless appliances and fixtures. If you got the extra, you could remove the bow window, run cabinetry along the whole wall... and a really big island. If you can remove the wall behind where the built in desk is now, that could be good. Make sure everything is in really good repair, everything is fixed correctly and up to code.

I am in jest here.. but sigh if the post history does mean the OP is a flipper and not being upfront about it.

@housegal200 I agree

A house needs updating. A new owner can be caught without a way of financing the work. They may have a new mortgage with a chunk of cash used to qualify. And the house isn't going to appraise for more than it sold for. Or at least enough to fund a substantial renovation. A flipper pays for all the upgrades, and the renovated house qualifies for a mortgage at a higher price. The new owners don't need to come up with the big chunk of cash to do all that work. They have a monthly payment on a 30 year mortgage for that. A Houzz approved list of upgrades a flipper performs can be the best option.

One positive is the space works as is. Another is no time pressure. I'd use it with paint and wallpaper. Make a long-term optimal design goal. Achieve it in increments.

Something isn't right. Why claim to be a DIY first timer on your other thread about this property when you have DIY'd a couple other houses? In this thread? https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6498292/new-home-diy-first-timer

It is a nice thread because it shows where the missing wall goes from the kitchen in this thread. In another thread years ago about a cottage, that was a complete gutting and replacement, you have done it before and this kitchen should be fairly easy to gut. If that's the direction you want to go in. Looking at the previous threads, you have done a pretty good variety of DIY things. If this is your house, just take the time to live there for a while a really decide how you want your home. If you want to remove that desk and put in different cabinetry, do it. And do it in a way that pleases you.

One of the kitchen trends is bottom and top different so this could be a reason to give it a try. I think I would make the pantry the same as your uppers. Three different finishes seems like a lot. The issue with saving your bottoms is the drawer. Drawers are in favor and not having them is an issue for some.

It could that OP had the support of spouse, other family members, and/or friends for her other make-overs. Perhaps this is the first completely on her own...thus the reference to "first time DIYer?

Thanks melinda! Yes this is my first time doing the work, previously my ex husband did the labor so now i

am going to be attempting it on my

own!

Good for you, Shelby! Good luck!

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Please read the rules here. Then go buy this.

Sorry Shelby. If you need help see the “New to Kitchens” thread on page one.