It sounds like what you want is more color. If you're going to replace everything in two years, I'd just stick with what you have and add color and fun through towels, window fixtures, etc. And yes, get a kitchen island. As for the breakfast nook, I would hold off on doing anything that looks permanent. A table and chairs can double as prep space. Just make sure you're buying for the look you want, not the look that is there now. In 2 years, it'll fit right in, even if it doesn't right now.

It's not a bad starting point, lovely and bight, and a great size. I think it would look great painted white, but you'll definitely need some splashes of bold colour, so it's not overwhelmingly white.

If it was my kitchen I'd swap the mirror for a big bold piece of artwork, it looks like it would be light enough without it. I would change the light fitting above the table for something striking, maybe mid century design classic type fitting. You could consider painting the white part of the table (and possibly island) to a bold colour, I'd find the artwork first and use that as a starting point as to what colours to go with. And lastly I'd take down the cupboards either side of the window and replace with open shelving.

Just my humble ideas! Hope they help.

This is in many ways a dream kitchen, bright and modern without being overdone. You could add a nice island and some atmospheric pendant lights above one day, or invest in better appliances if cooking is your passion, but otherwise I would just enjoy :)

I wouldn't paint the walls white; you need more color. Switch the door swing on the fridge (if that's the one that stays) and put something on the side of the fridge to hide it from the LR view.

I agree about spending as little money as you can now, save that for the big renovation! But it's also not fun to think about living with a kitchen you can't stand for the next two years.

A fresh coat of paint is always a good idea (why do so many people on apartment therapy forget about this?). I think your choice of white will brighten the space up. I think the thing to consider is what do you want most (more prep space, lighting, updated, etc). Do you have plans for what you want your major reno to look like? Start incorporating elements of it now. This will keep you excited and motivated about your new kitchen. I agree with PI about buying a table/island that you like and will fit in with what you want rather than what you have. Good hardware can cost more than you would think, so is it possible to get the hardware you want for your new cabinets or to consider putting in neutral ones and selling the cabinets when you have the reno? It won;t be as satisfying as knocking them out with a hammer but it will be better for the environment and earn you a little money for your reno. Other than that I would keep new purchases down to some fresh accessories, and a nice piece of art or mirror where there is one in the picture.

Honestly, I would do as little as possible until you have lived in the place for at least a couple of months. There is something about using it every single day that will give you ideas instead of trying to figure it out before hand. You'll get a much better feeling for how the light works the room, how the flow is in the house, which areas are going to get a lot of heavy use, and most importantly which areas will be in your face when you walk into the room.

Congratulations! How exciting! You've got a darned good template already.

Tough to answer specifically without knowing your personal style. Are you a cook? Do you entertain in the kitchen, or do you prepare food and bring it to another area of the house to entertain? I think it's important to consider how you will *use* any room before you spend $$ revamping it- especially if you plan to redo it anytime soon.

Let's assume you're a chef and you like to chat with guests or family as you cook. The focus should be on making a space that is flexible for cooking and gathering together. Think Julia Child's Cambridge kitchen- not in terms of style, necessarily, but in terms of flexibility.

I would replace the island with a long (counter length), work-height (~36") farmhouse table, under which you could place stools and some attractive storage . Can't tell from pics what kind of task-lighting you have, but if you have a long table, you'll want to spread that light out, maybe with three pendants or an oblong drum shade.

In place of the nook, consider furniture meant for other areas of the house, like a loveseat and armchair (IKEA Ektorp? Cheap, versatile), so that guests can relax and still chat with you. It'll be far enough from the food prep that it won't get ruined, and you can make decorating choices that either visually separate it from or include it in the kitchen. Good spot for pre-dinner homework, also.

Anyway, that's what I'd do. Looks like a fun challenge, actually.

When I saw your pictures, I got the urge to rip the whole thing out and start from scratch. It's not so much the cabinets and the counters which are kind of blah (at least they seem clean) but the layout - that fridge in the corner doesn't make any sense to me. So - I wouldn't do much for now, maybe paint, and save all that money for a full renovation.
Here is what I would do for that: get rid of the kitchen table (assuming you have a dining room), close up that window and put the fridge and pantry over there. If you move the door with the window over, you might have enough room for a small table where the fridge used to be. Make the opening to the living room larger and put a bar facing the living room. You would lose the double ovens but that would be worth it to me. You would gain a ton of storage that way, so you could think about opening up or getting rid of some of the upper cabinets. The sink and the stove would stay where they are, which should save you a lot of money. Also, since the kitchen is open to the living room, I would invest in a really nice hood for the stove. The ones integrated in microwave don't really remove the smells, they just blow the air around. Good luck and have fun :)

@HHRI - Good suggestions, overall, but you can't always just put the fridge somewhere else. Many fridges need water hookups for ice makers.

A nice bright kitchen. Keep the cabinets white and do a neutral on the walls (a toned down mint green?) with bold splashed of red/orange with the curtains and back door. Take the big mirror down and put up a huge painting with the same color scheme.

I agree with the person who said don't do anything until you've lived there a while. I think it looks great as is (and I think white paint might make it look bland; if you want to paint right away, how about a color? Yellow? Pale green?). I don't think the hardware even needs updating. I think the owners are doing you a favor by taking the island; you can find something that looks more intentional when you get around to it. If the refrigerator turns out to be in an awkward location, you can think about remodeling, but it could work out just fine for you and save you some money. Nothing about this kitchen makes me want to tear it out and start over again! Great kitchen!

And don't remove any windows. We like daylight.

This is a pretty nice kitchen. It looks very Pottery Barn, so if that is a style you like, then you don't need to change too much. I actually like the warm grayish wall color, I think it is tying the counter, backsplash and floor together pretty nicely and adds a little depth to the room.

I like the idea of open upper shelves, at least to the right of the sink. Some orderly bowls, plates and glasses would look good there.

I also agree that an island is needed, although I think you should look at more of a work table (open underneath) style. To me it seems like maybe 24d x 54w x 36h would be better - something a bit long and narrow. The one that is there now is a little too small, and also too busy/too many cubbyholes and details. The legs of the worktable could be painted a bright color. Just make sure it coordinates with whatever table you put in the corner. The table that is there now looks about the right size (only pushed too far towards the window). I also like the idea of a large, graphic piece of art over that table. Something that modernizes the space and brings in some personality. A huge, blown up photo would work, or a big graphic floral. You could also try a gallery wall if you like those. Really make it a focal point.

I also agree with the idea of framing out the fridge (put a white wood 'box' around it) so that it doesn't look so much like an afterthought, and so you don't see that black side from the other rooms.

The fridge looks so far away from the rest of the kitchen but it doesn't look like you have any options to move it closer to the stove or sink. If/when you do do a reno, take out the window near the nook & put the fridge there. You could then put a pantry in the fridge's old spot.

If you feel you have enough counter space, have a table where the island is; or make the island both a prep and eating area. The mirror should go.

There is plenty of room for the refrigerator with your future kitchen without removing the window. I'd place it to the right of the current kitchen sink and dishwasher (currently the space of the base cabinet and upper cabinet) if you decide to go with an island as a worksurface. Keep the window, it will be one thing you regret removing once it is gone.

I'm definitely in the camp of doing as little as possible before the big renovation. Don't spend a ton of time and money on something that's not going to be permanent, because even small renos can cost more money that people intend to spend. There is nothing objectionable about the kitchen now, other than it looks a little too much like everything was bought at Home Depot. It needs to be personalized. I think cabinet hardware and especially lighting will make a big difference here. Maybe splurge on getting lighting that you know will keep in the renovation. Same could be true with cabinet hardware. From the lighting, you can pick out a paint color. Pretty much any color could work with those cabinets and floor.
If you cook a lot, an island of some type would be good, and if you have kids, I'd keep the breakfast nook. Don't get rid of windows. Natural light is a good thing.
Also, I'm seconding the notion of living in the space a bit before doing anything. You don't quite know what you like or what bothers you about a space until you have to actually function in it.

paint is good, but if you paint it white, it will look sterile without some heavy accessorizing, which means cluttering up your countertops just because of your wall and cabinet colours. don't change the countertops if you're going to do a full reno in 2 years. lighting, accessories, a new island (maybe some stainless steal cart from ikea?), and a table and chairs for the nook.

Fresh paint can truly make a room feel new and it's the best value every time. I always like a bit of contrast between cabinets/trim and the walls, and I worry your cabinets will have less punch with white paint. If you're worried about a lack of natural light, think of a bright linen color to fit in with your backsplash but still give you contrast with your woodwork- look to tones with brighter yellow undertones. As to other elements, your functional needs will dictate the direction you take: do you need display space for cookbooks and dish ware? a computer or home office? is the kitchen your only dining space? I would love to see a repurposed long narrow sideboard with character and maybe a dark stain for an island, maybe with a butcher block top that allows for counter seating: you get informal dining, project space and a work surface rolled into one and you're adding a unique piece that could remain in your final reno.

My number one suggestion, get on Pinterest and start hunting for kitchen-related boards that you find inspiring. Here's one example that seems to fit what you're looking for: http://pinterest.com/colleenn/kitchen-ideas.

Otherwise, I agree with everyone else. Replace the mirror with a painting, get a different light fixture, and add some window treatments.

Oh, and one last thing, when you choose your new kitchen table, I would suggest getting chairs with some color.

This kitchen is already pretty nice, I'm sure once its reno'ed it will be gorgeous!

In the meantime a way to ramp up the sophistication is to layer many different shades of white. Keeping warmth and interest is totally doable only using white, just vary the tones slightly from the trim to the walls to the cabinets and it will be slick!

IKEA free standing islands have a modern feel, so one would fit well into that scheme. Finally I would replace the countertop with a butcher block, or perhaps cover the existing with stainless steel, the butcher block would add more warmth while the stainless steel would add a modern flare. It's the only element there that's pretty unworkable with a modern, sleek scheme.

White kitchens: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/fresh-start-bri-137391

I'm third-ing the "don't do anything drastic 'til you've lived there a while" refrain. We had been in our house a few months when we went to a kitchen design place to go over some renovation options. The lady talked to us for a full intense hour before sending us home to reorganize our cabinets because we "weren't ready and didn't really understand how you used your kitchen." Sure enough, we really hadn't figured the place out and it's still a work in progress and we change things incrementally. We cook seriously and often and still find ourselves shuffling things around regularly.

Get yourself a nice long island, paint the walls, then don't be afraid to shift everything around. In two years you'll be ready to go. Oh and watch this: http://www.nopatternrequired.com/2011/05/the-step-saving-kitchen-a-vintage-video/ which will really make you look at how you use your kitchen differently.

I'm doing a full kitchen reno as we speak. And it has taken me years of using my current kitchen and observing my own habits and needs and letting creative ideas percolate, to come up with my current plan. Years.

I can't tell you how fun it is to suddenly one day go WOW! I could put THIS over THERE, and totally open up the flow of traffic! Or Oh my gosh, I don't want to be taking 12 extra steps every time I take the dinnerware out of the dishwasher - let's put it on the side where the upper cabinets are, not the island side! (This actually happened to a friend of mine, who spent many months planning his kitchen - otherwise, it's a great plan, but that part was a #fail, LOL!)

I agree with the commenters who say do as LITTLE as possible at this point; just get it so it's cheery and not IN-convenient; and then spend any extra time planning for the REAL reno!

@PI, great point and that is why I recommend moving the refrigerator just to the right of the dishwasher - you have water and electrical right there.

Maybe not white, paint the walls a light, bright blue, to bring out the white in the cabinets. I would change the mirror and hang a proper piece of artwork, the colour of that wood does not match all the other browns. And the style of the thick frame looks dated, so is the pendant lamp over the breakfast table.

I'm glad to see someone not jumping to totally redo their kitchen from the get go. Most of us do not have the budget to do that right away if at all. You're lucky to have good cabinets and counter tops and the appliances, while maybe not the fashionable stainless, look good. Paint on the walls obviously, maybe not white but if that is what you like then go for it. Good thing about paint is if you dont pick the right color you can always change it. Get a new island, maybe something you would want to use in the future. Perhaps in a contrasting color. The space will seem too long without it. New hardware would go a long way to changing the cabinet's look, bonus points if you get something you might want to use in your remodel in a few years. Also some new lighting fixtures would go a long way to changing the style, maybe something dramatic over the sitting area.

@Pi - I don't think a water hookup for the fridge would be a big deal on the other wall because it is the same wall as the sink. I don't recall exactly how my fridge is hooked up but it was super easy to do and didn't require any serious plumbing to be done (since there is no drain to worry about).
I closed in a window and replaced another one with a much smaller one in my kitchen renovation years ago and I don't miss them at all. I think this kitchen would get enough light from the big window above the sink, especially if you stuck with white cabinets in your redo. To me, the flow of the kitchen would be more important than the window, but that is a personal preference.
If you want to preserve the window, you could put the fridge where that upper cabinet is but it is always nice to have an upper cabinet right next to the dishwasher for your dishes.

OK, I'm assuming your issues with the room are mainly the traditional feel, as well as the slight "big box store" feeling the counter/backsplash/flooring combo gives. So, to address that here is what I would do:

Change out the light fixture OR for a very budge-friendly option replace the glass shades with something a bit sleeker.

Buy an island from Ikea. The Varde stainless steel shelving unit makes a nice island, costs little, and is indestructible if your kids will sometimes use the kitchen for projects.

Lose the mirror and put the table and chairs of your choice at the banquet.

That's it. I would not even paint unless you are trying to have the whole place done before you move in. I think the green is okay and would prefer to live with it while I find out what sort of light the place gets throughout the day. If you really hate green, how about grey?

Looks like a nice light-filled space! Here's an economical way to add an island: buy a lower cabinet at Habitat Restore or other thrift store, tile the top, and add turned legs or pieces of turned legs for "architectual interest" onto the corners (e.g. my upgraded kitchen island).

What a great opportunity to try out things you might like when you do the real thing. I've been looking at office furniture on Craigslist and been amazed at all of the executive tables for cheap. They are narrow and long. Cut the legs off put metal ones on with casters, that lock, if you need more height and spray paint any color. If u go dark mimic that color on hardware. Dark hardware looks great on white cabs. Get tile remnants for backsplash. Try something you might not otherwise choose if it was permanent. Pull a color out of that and paint the door by the table. Choosing stools for the bar can be overwhelming, use this chance to try out different styles. By one of each kind you think you might like later. EBay, craislist always have cool singles that are cheap. The kids will think its fun to choose their own to use at the island, and you will have a better idea what to buy later. Let your imagination run wild. It's only temporary and when you do the reno you will be more confident in the money you invest next time around.

I agree w/not painting it white. It will look so sterile and then you'll have to work harder at injecting that color back in to counteract the blandness of what's there. I think a nice cool pale grey would be better. After that, I would get an island because the space needs it (and maybe bigger than what's there - feels just a hair too small for the space), but besides that I just don't think I would really do much other than accessorize and decorate.

Obviously many people already mentioned the very good advice of needing to live in a space for a while before you make changes. And also...2 years really isn't that long to wait for a whole rehaul. 3-5 out, I would say look for those mid-size projects you can do to help, but for 2 years I don't think it's necessary. I would focus primarily on stuff like art, curtains, kitchen accessories, and the island and then if you still really feel like it needs more of a visual change, look into pricier things like new hardware maybe see if a carpenter could cut out the center panels of the upper cabs to make them glass (or take them down and make them open shelving like someone above mentioned)...that could change the look for not much money/effort. Otherwise, I'd leave most of it until the bigger project!

Live in it entirely as is for at least a year.

Great room! White walls and white cabs would be too monotone for me. I agree on the bold piece of art: Get it first, and then use it as inspiration for other small touches throughout the room. Pick one color out of it to be your "featured color" (for bench cushions, etc.), and paint the wall behind the art a bold contrasting color. Get new bench cushions in the featured color. Ditch the blinds (they always look sad to me) and get a window treatment to coordinate with the featured color. If you like the "open" shelving look in kitchens, take the doors off the cab to the right of the sink and paint the inside the featured color, then display your prettiest glassware and dishes. I wouldn't enjoy the view into the garage, but curtains can be too froo-froo; you could frost the window with window etching cream, or use acrylic paint to create a fun graphic "stained glass" look (and acrylic paint comes off easily with a razor blade, so can you undo it later). Personally, I wouldn't get new appliances yet -- the white is fine, you may want a completely different layout in your reno, and it's a pain to move the built-in ovens and cooktop. I agree on new lighting: Check out Rejuvenation's lighting -- made in the USA, and if you get a fixture that suits your style, you can always switch out the shades if your taste changes (you can't change shades in a lot of the cheaper made-in-China fixtures). Have fun!

This is a great space! Before you start making changes, I'd give yourself at least two weeks to live/work in the kitchen before you make any decisions. You might find some things work better than you thought and vice versa. It has great bones so i think itll suit youquite nicely in the interim. That breakfast nook is cool and I'd give it a try, too.

Painting is a lot easier to do before you move in, but I'd only do it unless you absolutely loathe the color. Painting it white like you said is a good idea.

If your current revamp is only for two years, take the opportunity to go mad with colour – you may even find you like it. And start living in it as-is and learn along the way what your family needs/doesn't need in the long term. It's the wearer not the cobbler who knows where the shoe pinches, so save your money until the need for something new makes itself evident.

Personally, I'd pick a bright color like apple green that I loved and paint it, hang some bright artwork on the walls and get a great island. I think the white walls and white cabinets would be a bit much.

Why are you planning to remodel?

I agree with those who suggested living with it for a bit. From the pictures, it looks clean and bright and doesn't have an "ick" factor at all.

When I bought my current home, the kitchen was far up on the ick scale, so before I even moved in, I bought a sledge hammer and gutted it, even though some were saying that I should live with it for a while. But there was no tolerating the state the kitchen was in—a thin layer of grease covered all the cabinets, shelves, and floor, and as I later found out, there was an undetected slow leak under the kitchen sink that required floor boards to be replaced.

Are you feeling better about your kitchen yet?

Get an island of some kind. Any island at all will help with the counter space - it looks like you don't have that much. Plus, it will help you figure out how you use it and what to change when the time comes. There are lots of good ideas in the comments about how to do that inexpensively. Also, keep the banquette and use it with a table for a while.

Maybe it's just the lighting in the photo, but to me, the wall color makes the floor look pinker than it probably is, and which also makes it not go as well as it might with the gold tones of the granite counter. Whatever color you use for the walls -even if it's white - choose thoughtfully so that the pink undertones of the floor are minimized.

I've just looked again at the pictures. I don't think it's that you need color as much as contrast. White and beige schemes always seem to need a little bite. What if you just painted the window and door frames black, just to add some punch/definition/contrast?

Just an idea.

What you need to do is just move in and get the feel of it. If you feel you don't get enough work surface then get a new island or cart is decent size. If you need a blender, get a blender. If you need a kitchen towel get a few. If you need a small rug get them as well. Trust yourself. I think you just afraid being judge of choices you made. Be brave.

What is it about the kitchen that you don't like? Is it the traditional builder style cabinets? The granite counter tops? The layout? The floor tiles? The appliances? I'm asking b/c in the average home across North America, this is an updated kitchen in many ways. Is it just the feeling that it looks like a 'typical' builder upgrade kitchen and you're looking for something more contemporary? Any other insight may help people to help you.

the main page says, 42 comments, and here it says 0?

Sometimes it is hard to tell from pictures what's not to love, but maybe these cabinets are melamine and very cheaply made? I think there's a lot you can do with paint and trim, or even new doors. It's hard to tell what your style is. This kitchen is three times the size of mine, is not from 1950, and has a stainless fridge. I also am fond of that zen-green color, and not crazy about all of these trendy white-on-white kitchens. Of course, it's your kitchen, and you have to live there. For now, I'd just stick to painting the walls a color you love. I wouldn't change the lighting unless you are certain that you'll be keeping a similar layout for the new kitchen. I'd add a rug that you love for by the sink, accessories, and art that you know you'll keep even after the reno.

As far as long term, the current fridge is quite the trek away from everything else and there's no place to lay things out that you need. I would definitely put the fridge on the end of the wall that the sink is on like another poster suggested.

I think dulcibella is on the right track. Add contrast, play up the white. I'd go black and white, since your cabinets are white and look like they're in ok shape. Ignore the counter. Get a black island similar to the one in the photo and add two stools for the kiddies. Add some black and white checkered towels and maybe a couple of shelves on the far wall (black or white) to draw the eye, and call it a day. We're in the same boat; we want to punch up our current kitchen without spending a lot since we'll gut it in a few years. We cut out a wall, replaced upper cabinets with some shelves, painted and bought cute towels and rugs. The rest happens later.

why would you want to change anything? The kitchen looks great as-is. I would buy a similar counterspace for where the island is now (or DIY island) and a table that fits into the corner.. to me the kitchen looks post-reno already.

I agree with Excelgum. I really don't understand why you want to paint it white, with all that white already! You need some color in there. And yes, an island. Everything else looks fine to me. Maybe not that big stainless and black refrigerator.