Tell me what to do with this kitchen

Looking for kitchen recommendations, or photos of yours for inspiration. My house was built in 1985. Love the place, and plan on staying for a good while. Everything in the house has been updated (basically top to bottom) except the kitchen cabinets and countertops. They are very much 1985 lol, and I'd like to give them a refresh. A few things to consider:

• I have no experience or expertise in this area, so I would have to pay someone to do this.
• I have plenty of equity in my house to fund it, but the cost of materials is so high right now, I would likely end up paying more to have it done than what the added value would end up being, so I may have to wait to do it (no rush).
• I like the appliances, and they are all only around 5 years old. I also already replaced the sink recently, so whatever countertops I decide on will have to go with the look of the black sink.
• I'd rather not replace the floors. They are under 5 years old and look nice. The color looks off-white in the photo, but they are actually a very bright white (which would clash with white cabinets, right?)

Here's the full kitchen:



And here's the new sink I added a few months ago to replace the awful original stainless steel one:



So, if this were your kitchen, what would you do? Any design suggestions? Show me your kitchen!

 

The way prices are these days I would leave it alone for two years then remodel. Best of luck to ya!

 

Do you need all those upper cabinets? If not open it all up and extend your countertop. Remove the soffit's. All drawers down low no doors, use full extension blum slides.

 

If possible replace fridge with counter depth and have it built in.

 

Do you have a pic of your fridge wall?

 

I think if you got rid of the wavy trim and shelves above the sink it would help! Sometimes even just new cabinet hardwear like handles and pulls can make a big difference too

 

Open concept

 

I would retile the floor as it’s dated. Look up ceruse for cabinets. https://youtu.be/JnBnfXEZUB4 Different color upper and lower cabinets is very in. Subway tile backsplash and new countertops. Not sure what space you have to relocate the fridge but look up chef’s triangle https://www.thoughtco.com/kitchen-work-triangle-1206604

 

Perfect!!

 

Dude! That looks great!

 

Order new unfinished cabinet doors, drawer fronts and soft close hardware. Sand and paint existing cabinets and new doors. Install new cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

Update lighting

Enjoy refreshed kitchen.

 

a simple, inexpensive upgrade would be white paint on the cabinets for now.


O.S.T.

 

Back from when I was building our new house

 

When the wife and I bought our house in 2014 we hated the kitchen. It had to go. Didn’t get to it until last year but the wait was worth it. Like your we had very little room between the peninsula and the fridge. We were able to move the wall the fridge is on 18” into our living room without make it feel small. Also shorted the length of it by 5 feet. From a cramped tiny kitchen to one with a usable island and better layout. It’s since got the backing on the island and tile backsplash but this is the only pic I could find.


lots of potential with yours. Getting rid of the lockout across from the fridge would be a good place to start. Not sure why you have for rooms on either side there to possibly push out a wall. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.