I would sand re oil the cabinets and then change the tiles. A burgundy or a dark green would be beautiful, but the grey sucks all the color out of the wood.

Leave the cabinets and retouch as needed with new hardware. Remove upper cabinets above window, relocate light to ceiling and change to a decorative pendant over the window. New backsplash. New counter if you have the funds but 5K isn’t likely not going to get you a quartz or stone. You could vinyl wrap the counter with a Dinoc or similar product until you are ready to replace it.

Countertops

Counter top, Lighting, backsplash, cabinet handles, remove microwave and put a hood.

Exactly what I did; this is what $3,000 & knowing how to do it yourself (& having the right tool collection) can do to change a space👏🏼👏🏼 Butcherblock countertops $750, cabinet enamel primer, paint & poly $200, hardware $65, backsplash tile, mortar/tile mat, & grout $300, quartz remnant for island & wet tap behind sink $880, new stainless steel apron sink $400, 24” additional cabinet (on the end) + track system for 2 trash cans $450. Last thing we have left is build the open corner shelf

change the tops first, then a nice orange retro tile backsplash to pair with the wood, change the hardware

MCM gold! 1.countertops 2.hardware 3.lights 4.backsplash 5.fresh paint 6.Outlet covers 7. Degrease/deep clean cabinets

Keep saving. Being cheap is gonna cost you more.

I would change the backsplash to something brighter and shiny to reflect some light. Maybe some to the bottom of the peninsula. Change the faucet. Add a nice light fixture. Other than that it has a great feel. I actually even like the counter tops in this space. And definitely add more plants.

New backsplash, new sink and fixtures, new outlets and new lamp. Also remove the paper towel thing and buy a new modern one at Target