I would definitely leave the wood cabinets and the countertops for now (they actually look nice and in good condition) and just redo the backsplash in something fairly inexpensive that blends with the counters.. Also maybe change out the cabinet hardware.

I would wait to do any expensive cosmetic changes because I would not keep the layout as is. I would save up the money to do a total remodel in order to fix that bad layout.

I know you didn’t ask for layout help, but in case you were wondering why I say that, here is a quick explanation.

The island in that location makes no sense for so many reasons. That stretch of wall behind the island is where the stove should be imo.

The main reason for the stove move is because you never ever want a major walkway flowing throught the cooking zone. When traffic flows right behind the stove, it is dangerous for both the chef and the passerby.

Just one example. Imagine a child or pet running through the kitchen from that back entry just as you decide to turn around to dump the scalding hot pasta water across that isle in the sink. Ouch!

That is what I would do anyways. But if down the road you ever want help to redo the layout, you know where to come for help. I see great potential for you to have an awesome kitchen.

Congrats on your new home!

It really depends on how long you will need to live with the kitchen until you can do the remodel of your dreams …

If it’s in the near future (next 1-3 years…) I’d leave everything as is. Maybe change the lighting fixtures.

If it’s in say, 5-10 years, I’d redo flooring
Backsplash and countertop and new hardware

And leave the cabinets

A good starting point would be to decide what look you want to achieve. If you'd like a modern, light and bright kitchen with white cabinets and countertops, replacing the tops and cabinets may be the best option. However, if you don't want to replace the cabinets, consider refinishing or refacing them. This would give you a more updated look without having to replace them. It looks like your cabinets could benefit from some bold stacked crown molding. Depending on the condition of your cabinetry, you could use a white paint to freshen them up, or apply white stain. When it comes to flooring, consider a more neutral color such as gray or beige, to complement the white and grey elements you have in mind. Good luck with your project!

I don't think white cabinets will look good at all with those countertops. The wood complements the counters, so I would wait on any big changes until you can replace it all. Or paint the cabinets if you don't care for the wood and then replace the counters to something that will look better with white.

In some of your photos the wood colour seems almost blond, have you thought about taking the counters and splash back to a white? With an update to the hardware, you could achieve a whole new look which leans towards the all white look but retains some warmth.
Check out the outer counters against the wood in this example

https://www.houzz.com/photos/wayzata-modern-contemporary-kitchen-minneapolis-phvw-vp~34918359

I would do not one thing, and not even the floors. Show a floor plan of the entire house. The island doesn't belong there..... you could have a better lay out.

You haven't even moved in. It's the beginning, not the end.

Painting cabs/ new counter, new splash, hardware? There goes 20 K on a kitchen that isn't the dream kitchen. In any way. Gone........

Unless you love that layout. The island? That's a NO.

Thanks for the comments! The island is not actually fixed to the floor. We will be removing it. Fixing the layout would be ideal but this is not our forever home and the market is so crazy right now I don’t want to be upside by spending a fortune removing walls and moving the fridge etc. we are thinking to keep it simple - we 100% want to change our floors. But just would be limited in options planning around the busy countertops and that orangey wood. Any floor ideas if we decide to keep cabinets and countertops?

Leave the wood unless or until you decide to really change things up. .I really am not seeing the orange. Your wood is pretty light almost bleached really. The raised panel doors are not the on trend style. Painting them white won't change that and will eat up a lot of any future budget you have for changing things. What's with that island? That looks tight and silly. Why change the floor? It's waterproof and it's light and bright. If you are DIY people I suppose you could bang out the back splash but again anything you replace it with will be outdated by the time you sell so why????? Or since it's what you like find a white counter/back splash that's to your liking, paint all the wood gray and have fun selling that in a few years.

I can see the point of making the flooring less choppy on the main level. I'd either extend the wood flooring shown into the kitchen, or if that needs replacing or refinishing due to its condition, then look at samples of mid-tone classic brown wood and see how it blends/contrasts with your cabinets. I wouldn't paint partial overlay/raised panel cabinets-too much money/effort to still end up with that type of door style. I'd remove that backsplash too since you're not keeping the current kitchen floor.

I vote for painting your cabinets and replacing some of the light fixtures. Would also suggest replacing your backsplash. Pick a middle tone in your countertops and match the backsplash to it. That will lessen the impact of the countertop.

take advantage of standard sized doors and replace some on the long wall on left. Get glass prepped honey maple frames and source some glass for a nice change . You could perhaps edit by taking one or two cabinets off.......do this and change backsplash if a full remodel is a ways off. I wouldnt take on much else. Its a large-ish kitchen so a remodel will be a large expense / you want sufficient planning for that and its a useable space in the meantime.

The real estate photos are photo shopped. It's pretty orange.: ) Look at the close up shot.