Even if you plan on doing the work yourself, sitting down with a professional kitchen designer can shed light on new ideas for the space, especially since you have a decent amount of space to work with.

http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/01/how-to-paint-your-cabinets-aka-hallelujah/

I hope it can inspire you!

This is a great space with lots of storage, so you could remove some of the cabinets and install great shelving for bright kitchen dishes that you use every day. I had cabinets like these, and I painted them white a decade ago and am still happy. I have similar countertops, so I bought glass panels (like large rectangular cutting boards and put them under the coffee maker and next to the stove where people are messiest. I used white and bright accent colors, and if you have a kitchen eating area, you can add more color there. I feel that the " nerve center" of any kitchen should be clean, super organized and functional.

1. start with your budget - that will determine a lot. Realize that you will probably spend half as much again as you budget, so be preared for that.

2. Are you changing the layout? That will add money, especially if you move plumbing.

3. Are you keeping the cabinets but refacing or painting them? Cabinets are often the biggest expense. My opinion: remove the upper cabinets from at least one of the walls and install open shelves. It feels REALLY crowded in there with uppers on both sides.

4. Decide your priorities: is it the granite or marble counters? Figure about 5k for those. Replacing the appliances -- at least another 5k, more if you want a counter depth fridge (and in that kitchen I would, or I would move the fringe to the end wall and build out cabinets around it)

5. consider getting rid of all cabinets at the end of the room, installing fridge there, and building a pantry around it. Lots more storage and easier on the eyes, and you'll get more counter space out of it. But I think there's a door down there so that might not work.

6> educate your eye -- magazines, this website, Houzz. Figure out what you really like, and use that as a template. it's easy to find inexpesnive options once you know what you are going for.

7. read this: http://howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-design-tiny-kitchen-or-rather.html

Hit me in comments over there if you want more particular advice . give me the layout and measurements and I will come up with some ideas. its my hobby/obsession, designing kitchens...

8. plan plan plan. Don;t do a thing till you;ve lived with the ktichen a while and figured out what works and what doesnt. try out lots of floor plans. you can set up 3D kitchens on Ikeas's software that will help you visualize. Use blue painters tape to mark the walls in real life where you want things to go. The more time you spend up front, the less time and money you'll spend at the back end.

9. make ALL your design decisions in advance, and then just sit with them for awhile. You;ll find tradeoffs you are ok with making. You;'ll have time to source cool, cheap stuff. Don't be in a hurry.

10. Yay: white kitchens really are the best (even though i don't have one.) Classic, easy to live with and easy to sell.

11. If I were going in with just a few thousand dollars I would build a pantry on the short end. I'd remove the upper cabs from the sink wall and install one or two open shelves on either side of the window. I'd paint all the remaining cabients white. And I would get one or two runs of carrara marble for the counter (I dont mind stains). If just one, I'd do a zinc counter on the sink side, and replace the sink and hardware. The lights are bad and need changing but that's easy. Change the hardware -- brushed nickel bin pulls are classic and would look good, and least on the lower cabinets. I like the floors -- but might just for fun paint em in big black and white diamonds and let them get scuffed up.

pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

I assume you're painting the cabinets. If so change the hardware to something lighter in color and more streamlined. What you have now will look garish against white.

Some open shelves instead of cabinets on either side of the window would help lighten the room. And of course painting the rest of the cabinets a light color would be nice as well.

yeah, younghouselove

If you're planning to replace the cabinets on the cheap, then I highly recommend Ikea. I've just replaced my 1968 cabinets with Applad white cabinets and so far I love them (mine's a galley kitchen in a small condo). That way you can rearrange your cabinets and/or add some large pantries. This alone would help make the space brighter and more efficiant.

If you're keeping the cabinets, then painting them a nice white would be a good option and then just change the hardware.

For either option, new or painted, to make the kitchen brighter, I would suggest having open shelving on either side of the sink window (or atleast on one side. I think that would help to bring in more light and make it seem more "airy".

Changing out your light fixtures as well would help make the room brighter.

I'm still waiting for my countertop to be installed but I went with silestone in "Grey Expo". It was in the cheapest category at HD, but honestly it was the nicest colour! In some images I found on the internet it ends up looking a bit light polished concrete. Silestone comes in lots of colours and in my opinion is nicer than granite or marble (I'm not a fan of the overly busy look of these materials). For approx 11.5ft of counter top I paid $1800ish. HD also had a couple nice grey laminates if silestone or marble is too expensive. The other option is that silestone comes in a tile version (I read online but never looked at where to purchase) so if you could find the 12x12 tiles, you could retile your existing counter with a cheaper version of the soild countertop. (not my fav option though).

For the walls, maybe a light soft grey so that everything isn't stark white but it's still bright. Then I'd make one of the walls (maybe the one we can't see behind your kitchen table) a feature in a dark grey or a dark colour (or maybe a chalkboard wall?). I think the contrast on one wall would help to make the rest of the kitchen pop.

Backsplash - Maybe white subway tiles? either in brick pattern or stacked?

Here's a couple of really nice kitchens to get ideas from.

http://www.designsponge.com/2012/01/before-after-modern-bungalow-renovation.html

http://www.designsponge.com/2011/12/before-after-modern-galley-style-kitchen.html

http://www.designsponge.com/2011/11/before-after-antique-kitchen-update.html

Hope that helps!

More photos would be useful. If you're on a budget, I would embrace the rustic look rather than go for the ubiquitous white cabinets + grey counters. Personally, I would go for an Italian farmhouse look (not very AT, I know), and splurge on a range cooker, beautiful Iznik tiles, and an Oriental rug to break up all that wood.

Hi,
You have a great space.
We recently renovated a much smaller kitchen, removing older wooden cabinets in favor of an all white look.
Photos:
http://untitled89821.tumblr.com/

We were pleased with the pricing, relative quality, and size options that Ikea cabinets offer. We hired someone to install them for us. The Corian countertop was pricier, but we didn't need a very large piece.

Allow yourself plenty of time to plan the project and make sure you have solid measurements. It will turn out great!

4e - you went with the same door handles I did! I love them, so modern and un obtrusive. Your kitchen turned out great!

The most economical way to go is to paint your existing cabinets. You have plenty, and I wouldn't give up even one.

I would suggest a lower profile refrigerator. I'd look for one the same depth as your cabinets. It would make a huge difference. You could put just a refrigerator in the space if you have to, and put the freezer elsewhere.

You have a great sink-fridge-stove triangle, plenty of storage, and nice floors. I'd keep those, spend on new lighting and new, darker countertops; save by removing the upper cabinets, painting the bottom ones white, installing new hardware and painting the walls a color you love. For most homeowners it's best to limit open shelves to one or two for frequently used dishes. They're popular, but open shelves can = grease-spattered visual clutter for most of us without an in-house stylist/cleaning staff.

If you decide to paint the cabinets white as Village suggests (which would look great) be sure to sand the current cabinets very well before you paint them. I made the mistake of not sanding before I painted cabinets once and the paint came off quite with even minor scrapes. Also, changing the cabinet pulls and hinges can make a big impact.

Here'a bad photo of my kitchen currently being renovated (I took the photo at night without all the lights on - not too smart heh)Sorry no countertop/tile or doors/drawers in yet.

Top photos are "Before" bottom "In Progress"

http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/15369254070/1/tumblr_lxcoa5Gujj1r9ftoq

You don't have to paint a room floor to ceiling white to get white and bright. The key is Lighting. Watch a few home improvement shows, like Candice Olson. Good lighting goes a long way to brighten a space. In a kitchen you need ambient and task lighting.

I was at IKEA recently and was very impressed with their kitchen copies of Italian design. Sleek with glide drawers, some glass touches---check them out as your dollar can go far there.

whatever you do, resist the temptation to go with an all-white floor, even if it is low-maintenance porcelain tile. I did a reno a year ago and it turned out beautifully but the floor is a regret. Cork would be beautiful and natural and stain-hiding. I would also suggest eliminating at least one side of wall cabinets and replacing them with open shelves.....the difference it makes is absolutely astounding. Best of luck to you!

I would do what someone suggested above: paint the existing cabinets, and I'd make the cabinets in the far wall, with that odd piece of counter (at the end of this picture) a full pantry. That might give you an option to remove the cabinets on the sink wall, or make them open shelving.

I agree with some commenters that it's a wood overload!

Backsplash with subway tile, new counter. I would check Urban Ore or Ohmega Salvage for slabs of marble – your counters are so small, you might be able to find great deals on a salvage yard! Or maybe the ReStore place in Oakland, haven't been, but heard it's great.

The floors will look better once the cabinets are taken care of.

If you're going to update the appliances, I'd look into getting a smaller fridge. Or maybe moving it to the new pantry wall. And in the space left by the fridge there, a DIY trash / recycling center? I see your trash can is in the middle of the floor...

It's hard to judge from this photo, but seems like there isn't enough counter space. Maybe you could get some of the small appliances away from the existing counters in that new pantry or recycling cabinet?

Or maybe build a peninsula from the front here, where there seems to be a table now? You don't have a lot of prep space, for baking for example, so a deep & not very wide peninsula could help. Looks like it could be possible, and not be in the way too much.

I think your existing cabinets and floors seem to be in good enough shape, and they are tall, which is great! So you have a great start!

Paint the cabinets white, change the handles, keep the floor as is. Paint the wall a color that isn't white. I'd keep it simple.

If you moved the refrigerator to the back left wall and then expand the counter to a full L-shape, you would have a lot more counter space.

Removing all upper cabinets along the sink wall and add some open shelving will open the space. Paint the rest of the cabinets, add new hardware will update and lighten it. If you have the finances, add a back splash.

Keep the floors but change out the lights to infuse your personality.

Real marble is a bear to maintain. There are some great laminate look-a-likes, though: http://retrorenovation.com/2011/10/28/carrara-marble-laminates-3-choices-an-authentic-retro-choice/

Regarding the wood cabinets -- Live with them a while. They are likely quite well made. I agree with one of the other commenters -- improve the lighting first, then see where you are (haha, literally and figuratively). If it's a 50s house -- go with it, baby!

looks just like my little 50's galley kitchen before we renovated! :) Notice how you have several light fixtures down the length of the ceiling and one additionally above the sink. This is key- whatever you do, you have to have lighting down the whole length to avoid having dark corners. One overhead light with under-cabinet lighting is not enough in my opinion. We did recessed lights in all four of those spots, but you could use a couple of sets of track lighting. Or keep some of your 50's charm with the original lights if it works with your new plan. Have fun!

Good prep and GOOD paint are a must. If possible flip-flop the stove and fridg. for ease of cooking and clean up. The flooring is great. I wouldn't go too light on tops. You'll want something to ground all the white. And marble is a lot of work to keep up. It's not water or food friendly. Congrats on the new place! Good luck!

I have white cabinets with a black countertop and I love it - it's clean and crisp without being cold and it's a great backdrop for any other colours you want to use.

If I had the money I would get a black granite countertop, with grooves cut into it for a draining board by the sink. But I don't have the money, so the whole thing is Ikea (and I skipped the draining board altogether and just have a foldaway dishrack). But even if I had more money I would still go to Ikea for the cabinets, which are perfect.

I do think you could change your layout quite a lot, if you're up to it. You could put a solid wall of cabinets, with your fridge and oven(s), along the back wall, then put a large square island unit in the middle, or a large square peninsula anchored under the window, with your sink and stovetop in it and seating on one or two sides. Your dishwasher should also fit under that island/peninsula.

The Ikea kitchen planner is great for playing around with ideas and layouts, and you can get a 3D impression of what it will look like too. Plus it will tell you how much it will all cost if you get it from them. It's really worth having a go with it as you can take your time and mess around with ideas over days or weeks or however long you want without committing yourself. But do try and live without a metal draining board, there is no way to make it look good and getting rid of it makes a huge visual difference.

I have nothing to add to the very sound advices given above, except this: talking from experience, check and recheck every inch inside the cabinets, to see if there is any mold growing. We bought a house with a fairly old kitchen, but I figured I'd just have to paint the cabinets. Wrong ! There was humidity and mold behind the cabinets, and they were beginning to rot. In that case, we had no choice but to tear down the kitchen and rebuild it form scratch.

If it were me, I'd keep the floor, paint the cabinets white, find a nice countertop and rethink the upper cabinets, as most commenters have suggested. It is far easier to remove cabinets than to install them, so take your time and have LOTS of fun with your kitchen ! (my favorite renovation so far, as we spend a lot of time in it).

I've been working on a super-duper-budget kitchen reno so I'll share a few things with you from my experience. I didn't install marble counters, because older cabinetry can't necessarily handle the heavy weight, so I opted for another material but keep a large marble board on hand for pastry & chocolate work.

Cabinets: I painted them white using Rustoleum's new cabinet paint. No sanding required, if your varnish is intact you only need clean any grime off them, my varnish was peeling a bit so I had to do a light sanding. It's been enough of a change that several people think I've replaced the cabinets entirely in part because the finish turned out so nicely. I found hardware I liked at a big box store, $4.50 each that matched my exposed hinge hardware, but I found the same thing on eBay in bulk from a highly reviewed seller who specializes in hardware for just $1.58 each.

Counters: I opted for IKEA's butcher block counters which I stained dark walnut. I'm experimenting with a spare piece of it now, seeing if I can make a decorative cut in it without it falling apart, hoping to duplicate the shape of an expensive marble backsplash I saw that had an urn shape above the sink.

Backsplash: I opted for paintable wallpaper, Roth & Allen has some interesting designs, they're both reproductions and modern designs of the old lincrusta & anaglypta embossed walls you see in old Victorian & Edwardian homes. Both lincrusta & anaglypta are still available but much more costly and I was going super-budget. If you use paint, on a wallpaper backsplash, make sure your paint is scrubbable too.

New lighting, giving the kitchen floor a good scrubbing and laying down a Persian rug from a family collection, the only appliance replacement was a fridge.

Check out Young House Love's blog. Check the kitchen in their old house and check out what they're doing with the current house. TONS of inspiration there!

Lots of great advice here!

I think the 2 most dramatic, relatively low-cost and low-commitment first steps should be repainting (as suggested, with care) and improved lighting.

After that, taking time to assess what you really want to be able to do with your kitchen... and this is quite a personal thing, seems the most cost-effective approach. (For example, I love the look of marble too, but am now really glad not to have shelled out for it...). In general, I think the slow evolution of our kitchen has been one of the most satisfying aspects of our whole-house re-do... and am really glad we didn't rush it!

Anyway, good luck! You have a good space & bones to work with.

We can help you. We're expert designers and have been in the business for more than 15 years. If you've considered any of the IKEA white kitchen styles (very affordable and nice looking), we can do the design for you. It's just $65 and 100% online http://www.ikeakitchendesignonline.com

If you're looking to save the most, I'd definitely paint the cabinets a soft white. I'd add decorative trim to the facing and then paint. Instead of handles, I'd go with knobs. This will save you a bundle, and then you can spend more on the countertop. Also, I'd rethink the lighting fixtures. And I'd add glass panels to the cabinet fronts where you store dishes, maybe flanking the sink. Other than that I can't really see the end of the kitchen properly, but if you have too many cabinets you can always remove some them. Also think about what you need from this kitchen.

Oh my gosh, if you're lucky enough to have a mid-50's house in the SF area, do NOT mess with that kitchen! Go Eichler-esque, clean up the wood, and add George Nelson clock and some classic retro accessories. IMHO.