I say paint, the photo version of the painted cabinets looks good and more opened up.

Yes, paint. Looks so much fresher and bright in the PS pic.

Melissa,
I have a few questions. What are you trying to accomplish by painting the cabinets? That will help me determine if this is the right approach. Is there a cerain feeling or look you are trying to create. Also, are the walls going to remain the same??

Yes! And maybe look into some new handles for your doors (assuming you don't like the ones you have... I can only guess that they're the originals). New handles make a world of difference!

I think that the painted kitchen looks like an office kitchen. I personally like the wood. Also, if you are planning on keeping the cabinets, you might want to wait until you've chosen your new counter-top to paint them.

i'm on board with painting, although i think i would go with a darker charcoal gray, at least for the lower cabinets. i think the white upper cabinets might look funny with the beige countertop and floor, but if you don't mind that for just a year then it's a great color choice. i would also suggest a more substantial handle on the cabinet doors, although i'm guessing that was your plan anyway.

have you decided what countertop material to go with? i think butcher block would look amazing in there. i think ikea butcher block is less than $200 for an 8-foot piece.

nice work! it's going to look awesome!

In your big renovation when you replace the countertops and floor, are you going to replace the cabinets? I guess I'm all about laborsaving and not doing anything twice.

Personally, I might go for some good undercabinet lighting and a new ceiling fixture that could be used in the renovation, too.

If you are going to do a reno in the near future, I would not bother repainting the cabinets. The grey and white color scheme emphasizes the old floor and altogether looks too busy. I like the pale green you choose and in my opinion you should just paint all the walls that color, change the pulls, and consider getting a small round white table instead of the rectangular one. And if a stainless fridge is in the plans for the reno, replace the black one.

I think that the color you chose for the lower cabinets is great. The upper cabinet color, not so much. I would use the same taupe on both the upper and lower cabinets. I'd also remove the doors on most (or all) of the upper cabinets and go with open shelving. It will be such an improvement. Good luck!

I actually like the existing color better. The color you chose I think somewhat cheapens the look of the kitchen. But not sure what look you're going for. How about getting some glass cabinet doors to really classy up the room? They always take kitchen cabinets (and kitchens) up a notch!

Save your money and energy for the "big reno" -- especially if it's only a year away. I think the cabinets look fine as is, but perhaps up close it's another story. I think you have bigger issues to deal with first: the floor, the big black fridge, and the counters look blah. I would finish the soffit in the nice willow green you are using, and maybe get some new cabinet hardware just to freshen it up a bit, but we went through this debate and decided to wait until our big reno, and we are glad we did. See: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/kitchen-tours/kitchen-tour-franks-114250

I like the existing cabinets. I think it provides warmth to the cool green color you have added. Perhaps a change in the countertops and hardware would provide the change you are looking for? Have you heard of giani granite counter top paint? I just pictures on facebook of someone who did this treatment on a laminate to look like granite. It was pretty convincing!

If you do decide to paint, I think the gray/green/white is a little pastel in the pictures. Perhaps adjust the hues.

I actually like the cabinets; perhaps new hardware? What I see as making the room dated and drab is not the cabinets but the countertop and floors...why not paint the floors instead with marine-grade paint, and opt for a high-end looking laminate countertop? You'd get a very chic effect.

Thanks for the comments, AT (this is Melissa). I've lived with these cabinets for almost 9 years now (!) and although they really are great quality (I'd never be able to afford to replace them with equivalent quality cabinets) I'm sooo sick of them. My kitchen gets no natural light other than what filters in from adjacent rooms, so I desperately want to lighten and brighten. Style wise my aesthetic skews modern, although not super-sleek and cold.

A full reno is at least a year away, more likely two, so it's not exactly around the corner. And at that point I will probably keep the existing cabinets, reface them and get new doors, and add a few more on the "clock wall" for more storage. Plus of course I'll replace the floors and countertops.

I did look into the Ikea butcher block counters for a quick, cheap fix, but unfortunately their sizes (particularly the depth, if I recall) don't work for my kitchen.

I have also contemplated doing open shelving on the upper cabinets (on the window side, at least) but I'm not sure that look is for me - I think it can too easily devolve into clutter.

I'm definitely updating the hardware (probably going with handles instead of knobs) and was thinking of switching out the table as well to something white.

Thanks, all - keep it coming!

I like your use of PS to figure this stuff out... I do it ALL the time. I have to say, I"m a big fan of the white cabinets. I think they would look best all white b/c then things won't be so broken up.
I do have a few suggestions for the breakfast bar area that I think would be affordable and make a huge difference: If you do swap out the coutertop for a new one (I like the butcher block as well - expecially with white) I think it would be a great idea if it overhung the breakfast bar about 6" or so, this way you can add stool seating underneath and it could be a much more useful space. Also add 2-3 (whichever fits best) pendant lights to the ceiling directly above over each stool eating area.

If not, I'd wait until you save enough money to do exactly what you want to do.

This is kinda what I mean about the breakfast bar area:
http://www.charlesandhudson.com/kitchens/photos/kitchen-butcher-block-countertop.jpg

"I think it would be a great idea if it overhung the breakfast bar about 6" or so, this way you can add stool seating underneath"

You need more like 18-24" to comfortably sit at a breakfast bar. There is not sufficient space for this.

The charcoal idea on the bottom is nice because it will help blend the black appliances, which seem to stick out a bit in the PS version. I also vote to keep the doors on the top cabinets.

If it's light you're looking for I'd go all white

in your photoshop pic the counter top looks great.
i'd do that and paint the floor a glossy blue or gray.
http://blog.ounodesign.com/2009/02/03/diy-paint-your-linoleum-floor-white/
then maybe, very BIG maybe, stain the cabinets a light gray or blue. both in the same color.

I think it's best to wait for the renovation. It looks like you've got a lot of cabinets. Taking down the uppers over the stove and sink side of the kitchen could really open and lighten the space. This is one of the most remarkable budget kitchen redos I've ever seen: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/11/before-after-laurens-kitchen-kevins-room-j-c-s-bath-and-exterior.html
Maybe it will give you ideas.

If you're going to be doing a more major renovation within a year or so, painting all of those cabinets is going to be a LOT of work for the relatively short time you're going to reap the supposed benefits. Besides, the photoshopped paint job just makes the kitchen look cheap. Having everything a lighter tone (cabinets, countertop, walls, AND floor) results in zero contrast, providing nothing of interest in the room. Oh, with the exception of that big black refrigerator. With lighter everything else in the room, it will REALLY stand out, as if it doesn't stand out too much as it is now.

Which brings me to the point that some others have made, that you have other issues in more urgent need of being addressed, most specifically that big black refrigerator. It is sucking up what little light you say you're able to get into the room. And those cheap white plastic laminate countertops would be much more bothersome to me than dark cabinets, as well as the vinyl flooring.

I suggest saving up your money and putting it towards your major renovation that you're planning in a year or so anyway and just make it that much better.

I like the PS version a lot, and if you have the time and energy, I'd say to go for it! For us, that "in a few years" reno turned into "in 12 years" and I was happy I'd painted the cabinets in the interim.

I think the room needs some color, though - that gray green (we have the same color in our kitchen) tends to read as a neutral. I would put a colorful shade over the window (we used a Marimekko-style print to cover an IKEA Enje shade) or do something else to catch and focus the eye.

Our kitchen was painted almost the same color green. It always looked drab and dingy to me. We wound up repainting the walls a very light warm gray and it completely brightened the whole room. Probably not the advice you wanted to hear since you just painted!

Yes

I might be confused, but it seems like people are responding as though you will be getting rid of the cabinets when you renovate, but I was under the impression you were planning on keeping them?

My thoughts are that painting cabinets is a LOT of work. I did it once, and I will never, ever do it again. I think if you are planning on keeping the cabinets, painting now is a great idea to brighten up the kitchen a bit while you save for the rest of it. If you are getting new cabinets when you redo the rest, then I'd skip the painting.

One more thing, I would recommend looking at flooring and counters and whatever else you plan to replace before you paint. I'd pick them now, even though you are a year or two away from doing the rest. You do not want to paint the cabinets and end up trying to match everything else to the paint.

Paint. If you're renovating later, it will only help you make a better decision later on. Also, you might want to replace the cabinets to the right of the window with open shelving. I think it would feel more open to the window, and be less heavy looking, and you could have a nice nook thing going on with the breakfast bar.

Re: Hardware....I have handles in my kitchen and wish I had knobs. Knobs give you more options for changing out hardware.

And if you keep your color scheme (gray, white-ish) I suggest really fun anthropologie hardware to make a statement. Although this could be pricey

I agree with others that some glass in the top cabinets would look nice, and that the floors and counters are really you problem. Another suggestion that I think might make it brighter is if you were to some how be able to put doors on the outside of the part of the cabinet that faces the eating area. Especially if they had glass doors as well. Also, what is the color of your old green? It would be perfect for my kitchen.

I painted my kitchen cabinets several years ago and the transformation was incredible.

These were cheapest "oak" home depot landlord cabinets and I hated the way they looked. I did white glossy paint on the top and bottom, even painted the insides of all cabinets.

I also got new pulls (and I spray painted my hinges silver, which worked like a charm)...my walls were a similar color to yours, but a little more grassy colored. It looked phenomenal.

These were 15 year old cabinets (did I mention cheap ones?) and people would come over and ooh and ahh over the my "new" cabinets. We too had a hideous floor, which was still hideous, but I think one ugly feature in a room is better than two.

One word of advice: make sure you properly sand and prime the wood. It will take some time to do the painting (I think mine took a week) since you will need 2-3 coats. Keep extra paint, you'll probably need to touch up annually.

I'd say with painted cabinets you could then just redo the floors and countertops when you have more money. That would probably only be a few thousand.

People spend so much money on their kitchen renovations and I have no idea why. I don't think cabinets need anything more than paint and new hardware to look fabulous.

I agree a few open shelves might help lighten up the room even more.

don't forget lighting: you can get some nice fixtures at home depot, IKEA or even craigslist, and it makes a world of difference.

That should be your problem, not you problem.

Swear this is the last one- if you were to get some simple silver u shaped pulls it would go a long way to modernization.

Study up on it and invest in lighting first. That's what is really missing most here. New hardware for the cabinets also would make a nice change. I'd consider taking the doors off some upper cabinets if the insides look okay and you have decent dinnerware and glasses to display. And treat it as a "display" when you place the dishes in. I did this at my old place and everyone loved it. Lighting under the cabinets all around would be optimal but would cost a couple hundred dollars I guess. Lighting is an amazing decorating tool and this space doesn't have nearly enough. A new light fixture for the center of the room would also make a big difference.

Also, can you re-stain the cabinets or reglaze them to just freshen them up without changing them entirely?

Definitely change the upper cabinets to a lighter color, it seems so much more open that way! I think the dark wood actually looks nice with that green, but the issue is with the upper cabinets being so dark, it brings down the room and makes it seem smaller. So even if you want to leave the lower ones alone, I would do something with those top ones.

Before you embark on anything, go through kitchen magazines (and google images and design blogs) and find a kitchen you love (with the caveat that it has to work in your existing space. ie, not a cathedral ceiling redwood-and-river-stone lodge kitchen).
You'll find a lot of kitchens you love, for sure, but some you will keep coming back to. Figure out what elements they share: a black and white floor? white cabinets? stainless appliances?
Once you've identified what you want, begin making design decisions -- don't lift a can of paint yet. Figure out where you want to go before you start trying to get there. Select your counter and flooring, decide what color or colors your cabinets should be (or if they should be replaced), figure out what new appliances you want and in what finishes.
Now start: if you are going to keep the cabinets, remove the hardware and doors and sand everything down -- you want to do this right and make it last. Paint, reinstall everything. Add the new hardware you've selected. Paint the walls whatever color you want. When you are ready to undertake the next phase, it will fit with what you've already done -- no wasted time, money or effort. Keep the picture or pictures of your dream kitchen around -- remain committed to them.
If you are going to keep your black fridge, consider painting the cabinets a glossy black, with bright silver pulls. That will diminsh the fridge's presence. The eye goes to contrast -- so painting black around it will make it disappear a bit. I love black kitchen cabinets, especially with a white floor -- check it:
http://kitchencabinetdesign.blogspot.com/2008/12/black-kitchen-cabinets.html

and the third pic down in this one

http://arhzine.com/decorate/kitchen-designs/black-kitchen-cabinets/

that said, you can't go wrong with an all white kitchen either -- you never get sick of it, and you can use accessories -- fruit, flowers, bowls, an Hermes orange Kitchenaid -- to bring in color.

good luck and send us some after pictures!
pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

I'm usually not a fan of two toned cabinets, but Layla at the Lettered Cottage repainted hers and they look fab.

http://theletteredcottage.net/kitchen-re-do-2

I say paint the edging around the counter top white for sure, so much better. The upper cabinets look nice in white, but for the bottom ones, why not paint them a shade that is 2-3 steps darker than your walls? The flooring should definitely be the same as the dark wood in the hallway I see at the top of your photo. Not only will that make the house flow but will tie in the refrigerator as well.

This is kind of off-topic, but do you like the layout of your kitchen? It's what I've been thinking would work in our kitchen.

There was an SF house tour a while back with grey kitchen cabinets that I really liked. I can't find it, but here's a nice before and after of painted cabinets (not grey):
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/kitchen/before-amp-after-laurens-first-kitchen-096974

I think your grey looks a little darker than I'd go for.

My advice is to use a shellac based primer-sealer for the first few coats, so you get even color.

Consider the tones in your floor and counters before picking cabinet colors; but yes, paint those suckers. I also agree that changing the hardware might do you some serious good. I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of green kitchens (because they tend to cast green light onto food), but make sure all the tones are cohesive or you wasted your time altogether, and no one wants that.

I just did this in my house. Exact same colours, too:

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/xkwizzit/House%202010/?action=view&current=kitchenBEFOREandAFTER.jpg

So I say YES! But it's a lot of work.

If you don't hate painting like some of these people do, I say go for it! The kitchen really will be much brighter. The floor reads as neutral, and better to be annoyed by it than the entire room.

If you think you won't keep shelves tidy, then glass doors some people have suggested won't be better, they'll be worse. Plus, that would be a fix for your major renno, not for now. My understanding is that at this juncture, you won't be replacing the countertop either, just painting the edges.

I think the impression I am getting from your photoshop job my be a little off. Both the upper and lower cabinets seem to be a cooler color than I would expect when you say cream or taupe. I think a cream that relates to the counter color well would be a good choice. I like the two tone look because it adds interest, but all cream would be good as well. I don't like the exact shade on the bottom cabinets so much, though. I do think a charcoal is a good idea, or a warmer color. Try painting the upper cabinets first and see how that impacts your feelings about the color of the lower cabinets.

I also agree with the people who said that a more vibrant green would brighten the space up as well. If you like this kitchen from the color entries, you could take some inspiration from it, color wise. It has the mix of light and dark cabinets you're talking about.

deanna511,

"You need more like 18-24" to comfortably sit at a breakfast bar. There is not sufficient space for this"

I realize that 6" is a very small amount of room, but I also noticed that they have a glass door right around the corner and you're right, 18-24" won't happen. I think adding as much of an overhang as possible will allow sitting there to be more comfortable rather than right up against the bar, as it is now. 18-24" would be fabulous, but I still say 6" is better than nothing, as it could at least be used more than it is now.

I'm a fan of the two toned cabinet since I recently had my kitchen gutted and redone. Lowers are darker to make the space feel grounded and hide dirt and uppers are white. It's a 180 from the semi-dingy white cabinets I had for 12 years.

If you are going to paint your cabinets, I've heard and read a number of things you should consider doing:

prep your doors (sand and prime well)
paint both sides of the door (to avoid warping)
use either semi-enamel or industrial boat paint (for durability).
create a numbering system to remember where all the doors go

Have fun and good luck! A kitchen to your own tastes has been so much more inspiring to cook in.

I second painting the rim around the counter-top white. And then my suggestion would be getting under cabinet lighting and new hardware first. I am a big fan of white kitchens but having painted a similar layout of cabinets myself before, strongly suggest baby steps. If the edge paint, hardware and lighting don't do it for you, then consider the paint. Sand and paint your upper cabinets first; maybe the wood ones on the bottom can stay? And as much as I do like gray, the gray is looking funny...That version linked to by Tequila Red pushes me to say why not try it if the lighting and hardware aren't enough.

Good luck!!

we painted our kitchen cabinets in our old house and it was an amazing transformation!
i was pregnant at the time so the guy at the Benjamin Moore store recommended Muralo Ultra www.muralo.net. Its a water based paint so it doesn't have the awful oil based fumes & they paint tile with it so its super strong. We sold our condo 2 years after renovating the kitchen & the cabinets looked brand new. You should check it out we highly recommend & have used the paint since on molding & furniture. I agree with "recycleg". You need to take cabinet doors off wash with TSP, sand, prime and paint. Don't try to cut corners or do it in a day like the HGTV shows try to portray :)

Where did you get the large clock on the wall above the table? I want one!

The gray looks a little severe and dark to me - I would go with a beige and white color scheme, similar to this house (season 2 kitchen): http://www.hgtv.ca/sarahshouse/theshow.aspx?sectionid=210&categoryid=8580045705396391440&postid=47843

Or, I know it sounds strange, but maybe even painting the back of the cabinets gray and the doors white would add some extra pop (again, similar to the link).

I like the PS colors, but I think I'd like it even more with open shelving on top. You could always just take off the doors of those cabinets and try it out for a while. If you end up showing clutter then you could put them back on.

I'd also try to find a cheery throw rug for the kitchen. You could probably get an affordable one to fit your budget, and a splash of yellow or some other color could do a lot for the space.

I would have to say that painting the cabinets for a lighter fresher look, is a GREAT IDEA! There is nothing more inexpensive to do to a kitchen then to give it a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware. I would strongly recomemed that you probably paint the top and lower cabinets the same colour. Or go bolder and do a contrasting colour combo. The same range makes it appear like you ran out of the paint and it will probably be bothersome. Good luck, and make sure that you go ask advice to your local hardware or paint store for the correct paint and process!Better yet take a door off the hinge and bring it in for a free consultation

I think you should re-consider the greay & green combo, unless your going to pick a cool color for your counter tops. The warm counter and cool grey cabinets contrast sharply. I would pick something more within the color family (warm vs cool) You can also paint the cabinets a color like http://www.flickr.com/photos/8230585@N06/3452309732/ the bottom cabinets are a darker green, butcher block counter top, white upper cabinets

"I have also contemplated doing open shelving on the upper cabinets (on the window side, at least) but I'm not sure that look is for me - I think it can too easily devolve into clutter."

I was going to suggest replacing the upper cabinets with open shelving and painting the lower cabinets grey - either the color you chose or charcoal. I have open shelves in my kitchen (made from Ikea butcher block cut to size and stained ebony) and I love them.

We had a similar looking kitchen and debated about waiting and getting new cabinets or painting the ones we have, and we ended up painting them white, removing some of the uppers and putting up stainless steel shelves, but what we did do is have all the doors re-made, they look SO much better and more modern; and they used hidden hinges (because I hated the exposed ones - that I notice you have too) and I also turned an area with two large cabinet doors under my cooktop into big pull outs...We also used butcher block countertops from lumber liquidators - they were more than the ones from Ikea but they were still cheaper then any other option. I am so happy with they way it looks! We really did not want to go through a long, expensive kitchen remodel and this was the perfect compromise.

God, YES to paint! I don't particularly like the white cabinets on top, though. I would either paint all of them that gray color OR do a bright color on the bottom cabinets, white on top. Once you do your big renovation, I think black countertops would look really sleek, especially if you go for a more vibrant kitchen.

Here's a link to one of my favorite kitchens featured on AT — You may not want to go this bold, but it looks amazing!

http://bit.ly/2w9frp

I have the same slab doors with the same hardware. I've seen them painted in other condo units and I think the results look cheap. I decided to try staining mine first. If I don't like the look then I would go with new doors and new veneer. Hope that helps!

I think paint but not the white and pale gray you show here. Because you have a beigey white floor and countertops, the look just seems to greigey blah to me. What if you painted a richer darker gray, or even the greenish blue of your backsplash color now? I think you need some contrast, and while I don't love the before cabinets, the darker color compliments the floor and countertops better.

Having just repainted all of our kitchen cabinets (circa ~ 1950s) - I can say that if you have a power drill, it's really not THAT big of a project. We had more than 30 cabinet doors (with their handles and hinges) to paint, and it really just took two days - one for each side. We put new handles on all of them and it made a world of difference for a very small price. The rehanging can be tedious, but I wouldn't shy away from it.

Since I'm a big fan of white cabinetry, I can't believe I'm going to say that I like your current look best. The color combo of your ps photo isn't working (dark gray, bright white, pale green).

I agree that your best bet, since you are going to do a reno anyway, is to swap out that hulking black fridge for one that goes with your awesome ss ovens and consider new countertops.

Phew! So many comments! This is great.

I should say again that yes, I do plan to keep the cabinets when we get around to a substantial reno (probably closer to 2 years than 1).

Also, re brighter colors -- prior to the new paler green/gray color the walls and backsplash were a bold teal blue, and the soffit was a green apple color (I had green/blue plates from C&B that I hung on the soffit). I've done bold color and I really want to tone things down a bit. I will admit though, that after I got the green on the walls I wasn't 100% sure it was the right choice - and I'm still not. But I would agree that some pops of color are needed, just not big sweeping bold color.

I like the idea of starting by painting the countertop trim and switching out the hardware, then working on lighting before committing to painting the cabinets. I'd love to replace the single knobs with more substantial modern pulls, but it will require drilling new holes and filling in the existing ones - any ideas on how I can fill in the holes without it being obvious? Do I just use wood putty and try to match the stain?

Re: the breakfast bar discussion - when we do our big reno I think it WILL become a breakfast bar. There's a door right next to that counter right now which leads to our playroom and I want to close off the doorway (there's a second door to the playroom off the dining room). This will allow for a breakfast bar. In order to get some more light in the kitchen I want to take down the upper cabinets to the right of the sink and make that entire space windows out to the playroom (it's a converted porch, a "3-season room", technically).

Black fridge will possibly be replaced, you guessed it, during the Big Kitchen Reno (BKR). I get what you're saying about it sucking up all the light. Of course my dishwasher is also black...

I'm planning on doing a Flor tile rug, just haven't gotten around to it. I'm hoping it will bring a little color cohesion.

K. Malone: Large clock is from Target on supersale a while back. They have a similar one now, I think.

Luna: I actually do sort of like the layout. It's a small kitchen only about 10x11, excluding the area over by the table and chairs. I like a fairly close triangle, I wouldn't do well with a giganto kitchen like you see in magazines. But I would like more counter space and I would love if my kitchen was open to my dining room (which is actually where we eat because it's brighter in there). When we do BKR we might knock out the wall above the cooktop to open it up a bit. Not sure.

Gaidig: I LOVE painting. I am also going to paint my merlot-colored dining room and just finished painting my front door, sidelights and foyer. I have two kids under 6 and painting my house keeps me sane, as weird as that sounds. :)

sdblondie: How long did you wait before re-hanging the doors and putting on the hardware? I've read that you need to wait several days for the paint to "cure". Did you find this to be the case?

Look at all the comments so far! If it were my kitchen I would paint the top cabinets white, remove the three doors on the cabinets to the right of the sink (possibly paint the inside a fun color, for a "pop" but not overwhelming) and turn your little breakfast table horizontal along the wall (to open up the space a little.) I repainted my kitchen cabinets and it was a loooong process. (stripping, sanding, double coat of paint. Plus rehanging.) I'm not sure how someone could get 30 done in two days! If you're planning on keeping them through your BKR, do yourself a favor, and plan on doing it right. Good luck! Can't wait to see the after pics!

o! P.S. Those chairs you have in your little breakfast area have some pretty sleek lines...I would repaint them or the little table to showcase their modern lines and break up all that wood you have.

I have almost the same kitchen layout, except our refrigerator is where your stovetop is, and our stovetop is on the counter that could become a breakfast bar.
For me, the counter adj to the ovens is too far away, and so not used effectively.
Also, we have an eight to ten inch overhang, but it just doesn't really work as a breakfast bar. It feels too shallow.

My cabinets are old and CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. Fiberboard, so sometimes doors fall and cannot easily be screwed back in. I'm hoping to "eventually" put in new cabinets, but "soon" will probably not be for another 4 years. Sigh. Painting though would be too much for me (still trying to reno the fireplace and replace windows, and get flooring other than plywood).

I like your paint ideas, but I might replace the bottom paint with a darker gray that has a strong blue tint. Not sure.
And I'm with you, I love painting, too.

Hmmm... A lot of good suggestions here. I would paint the cabinets the same color cream as the countertops (upper and lower cabinets) and then upgrade the hardware. Then, when the times for the full renovation, I would pick the countertop, flooring and appliances of your choice and repaint the cabinets then in a more modern color. Good luck! I am in the same boat right now... can only afford a small "sprucing up" and not the full kitchen remodel. Our entire kitchen is butter/yellow and, while nice and bright, is light years away from the 1920s traditional kitchen that would be more appropriate for our house. (SF Edwardian). --Tara :)

When I saw the before/after I immediately thought the following:

White upper cabinets = yes. The color you used in the second photo shop.

The green is perfect.

Modernize the drawer pulls - another poster recommended curved pulls. I think that or the straight bar pulls often found in modern kitchens would look great.

The counter tops - you're working on a tight budget and what you photoshopped looked nice. I'd just do that. When budget grows you can update the counter top. Counter tops are like cell phones to me. If you can't afford the iPhone 4 then don't waste money on anything other than the free phone. When you save up for something really schnazzy you'll be SO much happier. And the kitchen will look amazing.

The lower cabinets though I think should be much, much darker and richer. I immediately thought of the flooring color used in this photo of a house tour: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/ralphs-house-of-cool-house-tour--129597
It's not black but a deep chocolate/molasses color. You don't want to have everything so light it feels institutional. With a dark lower cabinet and the right dimmers for your lighting the room would have a much warmer feel. You can probably pull this off with a stain rather than a paint. don't keep the stain you have though - go way darker.

oh - and throw a pair of these on the outside of the counter: http://www.daniafurniture.com/home_dining_barstools/item/1624

Oh my gosh, I tried reading through everyone's posts but there are so many. You probably have more input that you need at this point. I have the same dark wood cabinets in my home and we have sort of a love hate relationship, those cabinets and I. One thing to consider is just to sand and see if you like the lighter wood with a clear matte varnish to seal it. I've always felt that painted cabinets don't look very good when the cabinets don't have any detail to them. You might consider tacking (and gluing) trim on each one for a shaker style cabinet. You can do it just on the cabinets and not the drawers.

Sunset has a really great book:

http://www.amazon.com/Kitchens-Sunset-Design-Inspiration-Expert/dp/0376013443

A friend gave it me as a gift after I helped her redo her kitchen.

My immediate reaction is to the mix of warm and cool colors you have going on. I think you need to follow the warm tone of the floor and countertop. There are lots of lovely warm gray colors and you may want to revisit the green on your walls if it's too cool of a color. I would go a little darker with both of the grays.

Just a side note about the butcher block counters from IKEA. My friend who gave me the book—she put in butcher block. It's easy to cut using a table saw, and easy to sand using a hand held sander. I must be glued to a high grade plywood (doesn't have to come all the way out the the edge, the plywood backing can sit inside the cabinet) otherwise it will warp. My husband and my friend's husband learned that lesson the hard way.

If you are going to replace the hardware the way I would deal with the old holes, depending on their size is I would put a plug in.

Here's a groovy carpenter guy with a video on how to do it.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4426452_insert-plug-repair-holes-furniture.html

The key is to re-drill all the holes using a counter sink drill bit.

I have boys who are 5 and 7 so I totally get that painting keeps you sane. For me it washing dishes, oh and red wine ;)

This is closer to the color scheme that I'm thinking about:
http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2009/10/15/hdivd1506_kitchen-after_s4x3_lg.jpg

I know it's tough to live with something you really hate until you have the funds to do something about, and if you're lucky enough to make the space a bit more livable for yourself in the mean time, by all means, do it! I know every single reader of AT thinks their design recommendations is the word of the design gods, so seriously, if your gut says paint them, then paint them. Don't listen to the long winded answers some of these people are giving you, and listen to the ones that actually answer the question you asked!

I actuall love those cabinets. I'd try to maybe sand the beat up cabinets if they are solid. Maybe a light colored sheer stain - or something colorful might give you what you need. I remember staining some wood furniture with a water based light green stain (a bit darker than your wall color), which was actually very pretty and allowed the wood grain to show through. If you clear varnished over that, it could give you the pop of color you are looking for. I am not crazy about the wall color, but if you were to say, add in cool tile work (which is an easy DIY) where the back splash is, it would dramatically change the look, and make it look updated. I agree with new drawer pulls as well.

Flor tiles are a good idea. You can add extra color accents and interest that way. Also, a window treatment or curtains would not hurt.

I'm kind of loving the idea of dark lower cabinets and cream uppers. I did a mockup in Photoshop and it looks nice, I like the contrast. That said, I think I'm going to address the lighting and hardware first.

Danica thanks for the link to that video. That answers my question for sure. And yeah, LOVE the wine!

is it possible to paint the upper and lower cabinets the same color and maybe use some molding to add visual interest? If you need a change i'd paint them since you're probably going to reno the kitchen in the near future...

YES! Definitely!!!

No! Definately not!!!

As much as I am a fan of white cabinets, I love the warmth of these as they are.

Do paint the walls a nice contrasting light blue/green (same as the current backsplash, or the PS walls), and find other ways to bring light into the room.

If anyone is still checking this thread...I took the doors off the three upper cabinets to the right of the sink...and emptied and cleaned the cabinets...OMG. Filthy. It's entirely possible that just thoroughly CLEANING the cabinets will be enough of a facelift to get us through 'til the BKR! (Plus the hardware and lighting, of course.)

After I cleaned them I put all our glassware and white dishes back in those three cabinets and I think I LOVE the open shelving idea. It looks so...clean and neat. Does anyone think it would look weird to only have those three without their doors? It feels a bit unbalanced to me.

Thanks again for all the comments. :)

holy comments batman.

For what it's worth. I would keep the bottoms the way they are. replace the counters and paint the uppers cream.

@missuwayne - Not weird at all. But it you're unsure, take another photo and post a link. We'll be glad to give you 150 more comments! :)

By the way, what you really need are some black accessories to balance out the black fridge. I don't think I noticed that the first time around. Actually, you might just leave your cabinets as is (with the three open uppers), paint your walls a really warm gray, and add a few black accents to the room. It would be a lot cheaper than painting your cabinets if you're trying to save money for a bigger reno in the future.

I think you're focusing on the wrong thing...I would change the floor & the countertops, then take off the top doors & replace them with some that have glass in them. I did this, & although my kitchen is more traditional, it really looks airy & nice. You could even get some cabinet lighting in the windowed top cabinets plus I'd change the hardware. Go to Anthropologie & get some great options, try them on & if you like buy more. I agree with some other posters, that painting a cabinet door that has no molding makes it look cheap. I have flat doors in my upstairs & as they were a wishy washy pine I painted them white & they look brighter but cheap somehow. I'm going to add molding or wallpaper in a rectangle then frame with molding (another idea for your cabinets). You could even try wrapping the top cabinets in thin sheets of zinc, copper, or even a rectangle of the cut out sheets used to cover radiator covers, then add molding....just don't paint those flat doors a color. You need texture or some really unique application to take away from the flatness. I don't think they'll look good painted white, sorry. They don't look so bad now, they just need new hardware & a new floor & countertops. Plus there's a way you can cover your appliance to make it look stainless steel, google it & you'll get some ideas. Some companies sell stainless panels that will cover your black fridge. If an appliance is still working it seems wrong somehow just to get a new one because the color is wrong. Give Stainless another 5 years & it will look like the golden harvest appliances from the 70's, it's just a fashion, that will no doubt pass.

Painting tip: we spray painted our cabinets with oil paint. I highly recommend doing this so you will get a nice even hardwearing finish. The fumes are terrible, so you will have to do it outside and with a mask, but any other paint will nick. We happened to have a compressor, but you should be able to rent one.

I'm wasnt a fan of the photoshoped image you presented but then one of the links showed a kitchen just like the colors you chose however the walls were also the same as the upper cabinets. SO here is my suggestion, paint the upper cabinets the same green as the walls and the lower cabinets a green grey.