This kitchen has great potential! Remember, though, a GREAT kitchen has more than expensive hoods and appliances, it has great COLOR! Before you tackle any floor or expensive renovation project, get the color palette you want down. That can be the hardest thing to do! After you decide on complimentary, contrasting, or coordinating colors, then you can decide what gets painted, replaced, ripped out, etc.

Good luck!

Caution: Amateur speaking. I've never redone a kitchen.

I'd start with cabinets. If you are on a budget, I'd add panels to the cabinet doors you already have and then paint them. OR, you could remove the cabinet doors and add new ones, leaving a few shelves open. There is a home tour on this site, Layla's Lettered Cottage, which shows the best kitchen cabinet makeover I've ever seen. (She has a blog that describes the process; google Lettered Cottage). Because it looks like you need more space for storage, I'd make a plan for more shelves around the stove and fridge.

i agree with rando. figure out the color palette and then you're good to go. the cheapest and easiest change you can make is with painting. i'd want to brighten up the place with glossy white cabinets and something light and warm for the walls. painting will buy you some time until you figure out how you use your kitchen and what layout you'd like to have.

by the way, if it were my kitchen I would put some kind of floor to ceiling built in that spans the wall that the stove is on, and place all of the appliances on the window side of the room. i would then remove the upper cabinets and replace with some shelves or leave it bare.

Have you decided what style(s) you like? Country? Modern? Earthy? None of the above? You definitely need counter space on the stove-side of the kitchen, but deciding your favorite style will help you decide if you want a free-standing farmhouse unit or built-ins or something out of stainless steel....Your cabinets look great. I'm all for using what we've got, as opposed to tearing out just for the sake of "new." If you don't care for them but they're sound, consider keeping them and borrowing ideas from Apartment Therapy to re-do them.

I would put in new countertops and new cabinet hardware.

I would add lower and upper cabinets to either side of the stove.

Take down the cabinet over the vacuum. Can you take out that soffit there too? If so, add more cabinets facing across to the other cabinets. If not, I would build that out into a pantry (with the door facing out) It will be really thin, but you can get roll out shelves for it or use it as a broom closet.

Can't see the fridge very well, but you want to make that look "built in" too, not free floating.

Hi Kristen!
I'm assuming your cupboards are in good condition and worth a redo. If you keep what you have and move it around:

Take down the cupboards on either side of your window above the sink. If you are able to remove them without damaging the units, re-purpose them to create a shallow pantry on the wall where you now have the open shelving.

Install open shelving on either side of the window, which still allows for handy storage space, but will help to brighten up that entire wall.

Remove the cupboard unit hanging above the vacuum.

I'm assuming you plan on installing the fridge on the same wall as where you currently have your stove. Place an open shelving unit (complete with countertop) in between the two appliances, allowing for pot and pan storage. Ikea sells them in varying widths. How about the UTBY kitchen island in stainless steel?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79843465

Hang a nice piece of artwork (or something you consider artistic) above this unit to help fill in the upper empty wall space between the hood and fridge. I wouldn't put up more shelving here, as it will make the room feel narrower.

Since you are keeping your wood floors, it might help to lighten up things a bit by painting out your cupboards. (something that will work with the wood tones of your re-finished floors and the stainless steel elements you will be introducing)

The cupboard doors appear to be flat design - it's hard to see in the pictures. You can update them quite easily with new hardware that resembles stainless steel, something that will tie in with your new range hood.

Check out magazines or online photo galleries - get a feel for the kind of kitchen you would like before you tackle this job and draw up a rough floor plan. Knowing what you want is half the battle.

You don't show much of the style of the rest of your house, and you don't say how much work you are prepared to do on the kitchen, so it's a bit hard to answer this.

But I would advise you download the ikea kitchen planner (US version here http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/rooms_ideas/splashplanners.html#lnk-3-2), even if you're not planning on putting in an Ikea kitchen.

You can use it to play around with layout, it will let you see your design in 3D and you can experiment with different cabinet fronts, countertops and hardware too. And if you do decide to use Ikea it will tell you exactly how much it will all cost.

I used this for my kitchen (I did get an Ikea kitchen, which I'm delighted with) and for planning purposes it was fantastic.

everyone has already offered great suggestions! in addition to maybe updating the cabinets (paint?) and countertops i think you need to add bigger crown molding on the top of the cabinets. i keep seeing this in similar older homes... the trim there is tiny and it creates a weird balance.
i am knee deep in kitchen renovations right now... check out my blog to follow along and you might find some good ideas or products too! good luck!

I'd install lower cabinets, counter, and upper cabinets next to the stove. I'd put a microwave/vent hood over the stove held in place by small overhead cabinets. (This also frees up some of your other counter space when you get rid of the counter microwave.)

I gather there are three doors into this space? Or is it four? If any of them can be closed off and converted to wall, that would be great for the layout and flow of the space, but if not, I'd at least add overhead cabinets over the refrigerator and a matching panel alongside to the floor to create the appearance of a built-in.

I'd convert the cabinet over the vacuum cleaner into a broom closet as someone above suggested, and keep the vac in there. Get the trash can off the floor space -- a pullout under-cabinet can can be installed in any lower cabinet -- I did it myself. (Home Depot sells the parts.)

Once you have sufficient storage and less clutter, what you have will look much nicer. Then you can paint, change out countertops, add a backsplash, put up a shade or curtains, or make whatever decor changes make you happy. But first go for the functionality, without undermining your longer term design choices.

I am just finishing up a kitchen reno. They are always more expensive than you think. ;)

Simple things:
1.Paint existing cabinets if you want a lighter/ airier kitchen. I hired a painter who "sprayed" everything and it only cost $800. (This included priming, sanding, and two coats of paint!) Use high quality paint for lasting results.
2.Change/ upgrade hardware. IKEA has great prices if you want a touch of modern. I spent about $200 and I have 20 plus cabinets.
3. Think about appliance upgrades first before you commit to anything. I am not sure why you would add a stainless range hood when you have a black dishwasher and fridge and cream and black stove. It will not look good! I would consider a hood an accessory and something you add at the end, once you have everything in place, including any color.
4. Add additional cabinets around the stove and fridge as a former commenter suggested. This will ground your appliances and give the kitchen a "custom" feel.
5. Countertop/ backsplash/ sink/ faucet can wait until the bones are in place!

Lighting is a huge factor... but if you are on a strict budget you may have to skip that part. Also, I think it may be easier to live in the space for a while and collect ideas and then do it all at once. It is very draining to live with a kitchen that is being worked on over a long period of time.

If you are planning a complete gut job, now is the perfect time to consider layout.

Do you really want to cook in a corner with your left arm restricted? Move the stove...the fridge would be better there.

You have to make these decisions NOW. Re-directing plumbing, electrical and gas lines should be done now.

I would start with a cabinet plan. Decide on your work triangle, then start figuring cabinet configuration. Do you want pull out shelves for pots and pans? (YES YOU DO). Do you want lazy susans in all of the corner cabinets? (YES YOU DO).

After the cabinets. Lighting. The cabinets will dictate where you put your overhead lighting. Spots 18" from the face of the cabinet and 60" between is a good start. A center fixture (maybe a chandelier if you have the ceiling height...but definitely dimmable) is nice for accent lighting. Then consider under counter lighting to light the work surface. Next, decide on countertops. Then decide on finishes. Drawer pulls should match the finish of the faucet (chome and chrome, brushed and brushed, etc).

If you are planning a less invasive update. Paint the cabinets, replace the hardware (including the faucet). If you can swing it: a new sink. Put in a disposal and a new tile backsplash that goes from the countertop to the cabinet. And instead of the two Portico flush mounts you have, replace them with a pair of multi spots. (If you are planning to leave your ceiling white, maybe something like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-Fans-Track-Lighting/Hampton-Bay/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xihZaqvtZp4/R-100207532/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

they will disappear into the ceiling.) Then put a decorative light centered between the two.

Finally, under-cabinet lighting.

I would probably just paint and add under counter lighting so you can do food prep until you have a clearer idea of what you want and if you can afford it. Your cabinets are few so it would be very easy to do the prep work - the hardest part of the job - yourself. If you cannot take the doors outside to sand use a liquid sanding product to avoid dust. (My cabinets were "faced" and the quality of the doors has not held up over time.) Oil paint gives a more durable finish and a lovely sheen. Add some plants, cheerful accesories and art work and this should hold you until you have more confidence in your final choices and this way you won't be rushed. Visiting an Ikea store is always a great resource for ideas and lighting.

This is a gut job.

Take your dimensions - including locations and sizes of doorways, windows, electrical and plumbing - to the local kitchen store and get the designer on staff help you design a new kitchen that will fit your budget.

You definitely need more counter space. I'm thinking a large moveable island - on wheels - that could park near the stove and move elsewhere when needed. Would make a nice buffet table or bar for a party.

Budget???

small budget--
If the ceiling is as dark as it looks in the pics, paint it. It looks tan to me which darkens the room.

Paint the cabinets. The room is really dark, so I'd lighten the space up by painting them white. If you're more daring, you could paint a light yellow or blue or something. If you're handy, you could strip them and refinish them a lighter shade- I've seen it done on diy shows, not super easy, but can be done. Then get new hardware for them.

Next, change out the light fixtures. I would go with a semi flush light since you seem to have tall ceilings (just make sure hubby won't be bumping into them). Here is an example, but it really depends on the style of the kitchen--
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50378900
Lights under the cabinets would help too, Ikea has lots of simple options- http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/lighting/16280/

Paint walls and door frames. Looks like the walls need touching up, so repaint white or choose a light barely there color. Or you could do white walls and paint the door frames a bolder color.

Add storage and workspace by the stove. You seem to have two oddly empty places by the stove. You need some prep space-somewhere to put meals together, set utensils while cooking etc. Get an island/cart- it can be mobile or stationary. Something like this would allow you to put stools under it while working, then sit down and eat afterwards-- http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10109981
Get drawers or shelves for the other side to store items you cook with- pots & pans, oils, spices, etc.

big budget--
what's on the other side of that wall the stove is on? If it's a living area, you might consider knocking it out or at least half of it. That would need to be done first and I'd hire a professional. Then gut the place and do a galley kitchen or put in an island minus the wall the stove is on.

This needs more than cosmetic work. The layout is inefficient, paint and a range hood are the least of your worries. As others have noted, it is a gut job. That being the case, take your time and SAVE SAVE SAVE to get it right.

Don't do anything for a year. Yes, you know the kitchen is a wreck. But your patience will be rewarded. Live in your house... get to know what works and doesn't work. How the light is at different times of the day... where do you gravitate... and so on. Who knows... in the end you might end up making your dining room into a kitchen.

Thanks all for the input. Not sure if I will get anymore comments but let me further elaborate:

1. We just purchased the home this fall and have been basically doing minor renovations to every room in the house.
2. Budget = small. Don't have too much money, enough to refinish the floor, paint the walls and maybe something else really minor
3.The style of the house is currently being formed, but it's a cross between craftsman/natural/mid-century modern
4. The stove will be replaced by a modern range
5. All other kitchen appliances are new black
6. The cabinets are in great condition and actually beautiful wood (some say mahogany)
7. Gutting the kitchen is not an option
8. We will be laying dark red/maroon marmoleum in the next couple months

Again, I appreciate all of your help and will hopefully send it renovated pics later this year

I believe gutting your kitchen would be a huge mistake. Some tender loving care with those cabinets would do wonder. Give them a little sand job and they'll perk right up. Possibly re-stain them a mahogany? That'll tie them in with the wine barrel marmoleum and black appliances. I agree that a stainless steel vest hood would be tres ugli! Get some paint on them walls and things will feel a lot better in there. Yellow, oranges and reds are my faves for kitchens. As for a stove, pick up a commercial gas kitchen range off of craig's list, take the burners down to an engine shop and have them sandblast the suckers. Find a vent hood to match those cabinets, hopefully one with light-up polka dots. And, finally, lose the dork looking soulful in the doorway.