I agree with painting. I think sticking to a ready mix color in a quality paint like Benjamin Moore or Dunn Edwards is helpful- washability is key here, and more often than you'd think it's possible to wash away the issue. Also, it's important that the wood is poplar or better, and the interior of the cabinets is prefinished plywood. Painting the interior of cabinets is time consuming and expensive. The prefinished ply will eliminate that issue. Perhaps birch. Not melamine or similar because if it chips or bubbles tenants hate it and there's no great way to correct the problem. I also highly recommend spending decent $ on door hardware throughout. Baldwin or better. And faucets- Danze or better. The moving parts in these products are less prone to breakage. The initial cost is more but will pay you back in less maintenance as the property ages. Good luck with your project!

Tsilanko, I would always recommend professional installation where needed. But what I am doing here is suggesting that WHEN you are planning to build or renovate, to consider how your plans will affect you in 20 or 30 years time. Split levels are very hep when you are young. A kitchen 3 steps down at 30 is rarely a problem, but might be a hazard at 60, or, as Marjie1059 suggested, if you break a leg. ... All my parents' homes were terrible for old people. They were forced to move to a bungalow in extreme old sge because the location and design of their home was more suitable for an active young couple with a large family than for an elderly couple with stroke disabilities. I would not want to move again, so my present home has features built in that make ageing in place simpler. Mostly small changes, like grab rails, and lever handles on doors and faucets. A major disability suddenly suffered requires major changes if permanent. I did look at this because it came up in the discussion, but if you look at the heading, Planning for Disability, it means just that. Plan ahead so you don't have to make expensive changes later on. But thank you for your advice, yes, major changes are not in the DIY domain.

I also like the idea of organic finishes- wood, jute, sisal etc. this room looks long enough for 2 different seating areas but I'm not sure from your description of the space what its purpose is in your house. Just a living room for sitting and talking? A family room that needs a media space? I would definitely make those huge windows a star in this space with simpler dressings and a seating area oriented towards them. Right now your furniture is very randomly arranged without a focal point or conversation friendly grouping. I think that's what you feel is missing.

Thanks for both of your responses CUBSpaces team and Shweta from Shades studio. It really gives a clarity about possible consequences. I am now doubt free about changing whole things in Bathroom as it will be interconnected. However will appreciate your opinion on few things: 1. Kitchen wall tiles: I have those from countertop height to roof(almost area of 6X15 feet) which are good and not hollow. I changed countertop 5 years back without any damage to these tiles. It might cost me another 10-15 K, but I feel the whole process and quantity of wasting old good tiles makes me little sad. 2. kitchen countertop: Made new around 5 years back. I don't expect to get it all intact. But large pieces can be cut and can be used as top for other freestanding structures like dishwasher, front load washer, heighten base cabinets, etc. 3. Plywood: I don't mind giving enough labour charges for old sheets recycle. I am planning to use doors, loose sheets(like kept on bed frame of settee frame.) or parts of big frames like settee. I am keen on reducing waste than to save money. You can see various DIY ideas by western people, who remove or sand laminates and re-paint furniture, or carefully remove hollow tiles and re-attach them. Some are also re-painting ceramic tiles. I am just asking myself: Are we creating more and more waste by use and throw approach every 10-15 years, just because we can afford it?