You'r cabins color is nice , just chang the backsplash tile to natural stone with light color ( Light cream ) or whit or chang it to wallcover and wallpaper like the pictur .use back light from under your cabins like the pictur ( look at the pictur ) the surrounding walls and ceiling color need the warmer tone like light brown or light green . If you have option for floor chang it to somthing uniform in shape of the same color walls
Good luck

I agree with the majority here - don't paint your cabinets. Both white and painted cabinets are a passing fad, and the cabinets you have pictured look high quality and classic. I do agree that the pulls are dated, and it would be a good idea to replace those with something simpler and less ornate. You are getting lots of good advice on the backsplash. I don't know what your budget is, but if you want to modernize the kitchen you could get rid of the granite counters and instead put in something "cleaner" looking with no/a much less busy pattern. (I'm trying to embed a photo, not sure if it will work! :) )
[houzz=]
Traditional Kitchen by Austin Interior Designers & Decorators Laura Burton Interiors

Those cabinets are GORGEOUS!!! I agree with NOT painting them. But, the backsplash is busy and takes away from the richness of the wood! I'd go with something simpler and clean like a 3x6 tile and something to complement the warm, rich tones of the wood. Your hardware is pretty. Start with changing the backsplash, since that will be an expense!! I would love your cabinets in my kitchen!!!!

That back splash is horrible. Leave the cabinets. Make the back splash very simple, too many textures going on at one time. You may want to think about changing the counter tops as well if the budget allows.

The cabinets are beautiful. I'm begging you, don't paint them. I'll join the chorus and tell you the problem is the back splash. Go for a neutral color with some depth like a glass tile. The warmer colors will look heavy, a light cream or white with stainless will look updated.

I was working with a small budget when I remodeled my kitchen. I researched how to properly paint the cabinets (different surfaces require certain steps), bought new hardware on sale, bought the glass and stone tiles on special at the hardware store and researched how to tile the backsplash. The costly part was new oven and dishwasher--but I bought at the right time, getting several hundred dollars knocked off.

Your backsplash tiles are just like mine. Here's what makes them look great in my kitchen--I didn't over-do it, there are too many of the tiles in your kitchen. I'd tone it down by limiting the tile by the oven. Or, if you can, take it all out and paint or texture the wall, then paint. You'll have to be careful when removing tiles, I'd get lots of advice from experts first. You can always wallpaper too. But, remember to not make it busy, it's already busy enough.

I really think the tiles are the only negative right now. Everything else looks nice.

Beautiful kitchen! Good luck whatever you do.

We are updating/renovating a Spanish Revival home soon that includes kitchens and baths. I love the eclectic pattern here to go with the Spanish revival them: https://www.fireclaytile.com/blog/full/4-kitchen-backsplash-trends-to-inspire
I love your cabinets. They look in great shape and the hardware is beautiful.

The cabinets would look fantastic in White. As the cabinets are dark it makes the kitchen look very dated.

I also have to say your cabinets are beautiful! Instead of replacing all the hardware, why not paint it black or dark bronze to update from the brass color? Another idea: add corbels under end cabinets and turned legs under lower cabinets to define the space & give a "furniture" style detail.

I would remove all of the single upper cabinets. You could replace them with open shelves on which decorative pieces or artwork could be displayed. This would give you the option of adding different styles and color that can easily be changed over time. It will instantly modernize the space and you wouldn't believe how much larger the space will seem. Perhaps the cabinets could be reused elsewhere such as a home office. I would also replace the cabinet doors over the refrigerator with glass and lights to create a focal point at the end of the galley. I would replace the flooring with a cream or gray material laid on the square, definitely not the harlequin/diamond pattern that screams traditional. To replace the backsplash a cream stacked stone, subway tile in one color, or paint.....and, since the under cabinet lighting would be gone, some really cool sconces.

Is the rest of the house done in contemporary scheme or is it more period? I am not a fan of kitchens and baths that "updated" to the point that they have no relationship to the rest of the house.

Wow, the cabinets are actually really interesting. If you changed the backsplash to a more calming/ less cluttered theme, and in a colour contrasting the brown floors and cupboards, it would feel like a whole
New kitchen, IMO.

i would not paint those beautiful cabinets! unless you have them sprayed professionally (which is costly), they will chip. I agree the backsplash is the issue. But personally, I am so not a fan of subway tile...unless you're in a subway. There are thousands of tiles out there, stone, ceramic, metallic, glass (I'd be spare with that)....

I would NOT have open shelves in my kitchen. Grease grease grease! You can attain the same open feeling with glass inserts in a select few upper cabinet doors, which are very easy to DIY, especially with a router.

Good luck!

Wow... what a decision to make? I see why you want to lighten up this long dark kitchen corridor ... I like the cabinet detail and the quality-especially the glass fronts it adds reflection and a sense of airiness to the space, but as you stated I'm not crazy about the orange brown cabinet hue too many of them.
The window is not throwing enough light in this space to compensate for so many dark cabinets.

You have to cook, clean, live and laugh in this space do what makes you happy... I would lighten it up by all means..using all resources available, since at the end of the day only you have to love this space and enjoy what it brings to your serenity no one else's .
I enjoy cooking in a totally white kitchens including the extra fingerprints or smudges associated with kids, I like to see my dirt
(Can't fix what you don't see).. Besides I only have one small window in the kitchen and the white cabinets with glass fronts brightened the space tremendously and improved the over all visual balance of light in that space.
Good luck to you...those cabinets mean nothing if you can't stand looking at them in this color?

Agree, keep cabinets as they are. Get rid of the current tiled backsplash. BUT don't use subway tiles! They look like old, public bathrooms, or, SUBWAYS... People who want them must not live by a big city! Use a material with as little grout as possible, it is always hard to maintain. What style and colors are you using in the rest of the house?

Here is a difference that a back splash can make. These are before and after pictures inmy kitchen. I have dark cabinets, too. I went with black glass elongated subway tile with matching grout. ( Yep! I don't live in a city!) Easy to clean with just a spray of window cleaner. You can really see the difference. Before, all I could see was the back splash. Now I see my cabinets. My countertops have a touch of black in them, so I pulled that color out. I am blessed with lots of light, so a dark color is not a problem.

I know you have been given so much advice about color, but I am going to share advice about the process. As you make your final decision, try to get as many tiles of the same color as you can so that you can see the impact. Sometimes, it is just hard to imagine the change from just one piece of tile. Look at your choice over several days at different times of the days. My husband sees color better than I do, so if you have a decorating friend, let them see this in person for their comments. I go to a good tile store and they give me honest opinions. I even ask other customers sometimes! Of course, you can post your tile finalists on Houzz. Then put everything away and look at it with fresh eyes after a week or so. Sometimes I really like something and find myself just wanting it to work when actually it is off just a little. Take your time. Hopefully you will live with the right decision for a long time!

I know there is some debate about subway tile here and I have to weigh in. Some say it's dated, but I think it's having quite a revival. Clients are asking for it more and more in bathrooms and kitchens. Glass subway tile is also getting a lot of attention. It doesn't need to be plain white, you can play a lot with color. Accent bands add a bit of drama as well. I'm not saying it's the only choice for you, but I think it would look spectacular in your kitchen, whether you decide to paint your cabinets or not. Here is a white on white kitchen we did using 4x8 tiles with minimal grout.

Don't paint the cabinets. They are fine and the white would not look good inn them. In order to keep the tops and have it all coordinate, try stainless or stainless look tiles for backsplash and new stainless pulls in a more contemporary style. You could also try off white tiles to bring up the colors in the tops. :)

And I thought my kitchen was long and thin! I would replace the splashback with some large scale neutral coloured tiling. I would swap the fridge/freezer position with the hob/hood to create a sink, prep, cook zone. I would also remove the 'notched' moulding but would keep the top cornice moulding. I WOULD paint the cabinets a seriously good quality washed-out grey/taupe (have this done professionally is your budget allows) and this could be a solid or 'shabby chic' finish depending on your taste. Floor is ok. I would then add colour in accessories - pot holders, artwork, storage, etc. Whatever floats your boat - I love a cherry red accent, but the world's your lobster! Good luck and please post the results! x

I think you only need to change the backsplash to something subdued, and add simpler cabinet hardware. The cabinets are nice. As long as the new backsplash isn't competing w countertop & floors it will look nice.

IMHO:
Keep the cabinets the way they are.
Change out that backsplash for something more rich. I see it has all of the kitchen colors in it, but I don't think it's necessary. Put a wood casing around that window instead of the tile and end any backsplash just under the window and use a border tile in the backsplash.

Of all the backsplash ideas I've seen...I'm liking the one from Tamara Heather. Even tho it appears to be the same size tile I originally disliked, that warm honey-copper toned tile is really pretty and actually works very well in this instance!!

That's my personal favorite. Not a big fan of those "tiled pictures". A few decorative ones...sure. But when I see the sailing clipper ships....I think I'd tire quickly!

A thought for the cabinet hardware ....which I do like....we Used a Rustoleum metallic spray paint on our cabinets old brass hardware to change them up......got a totally updated look for the cost of paint! What have you got to loose... Plus they offer lots of color options!

I think the suggested copper-look tike is beautiful, but not for this kitchen. It is too similar to the color of the cabinets and will make the long, narrow galley look narrower and dark.

When I first read this and saw your pics I wanted to scream. Not because this is an ugly kitchen, but because you actually want to change it! DO NOT paint the cabinets or change anything else for that matter.

ok that was a tad aggressive.....you dont agree that the back splash is to loud? @meora

You need to get rid of either the counter or the backsplash. I'd say the counter is older. Get a solid black. Get new hardware. Don't touch those cabinets.

Your kitchen isn't dated but the backsplash is overpowering and busy. This is a perfect example of the backsplash technically matching the counter but not working at all. Get rid of the backsplash.

Don't paint the cabinets!!! Your cabinets will be fine when the backsplash is gone.

I agree with changing the backsplash. Find something that actually complements the countertop go 18 inches up and drywall the rest. The countertop can get real pricey so working with what you have is my recommendation. I love the cabinets. Don't touch them. Not even the hardware. But if you do decide to change the hardware, don't throw them away. I'll let you know where to mail them.

Those cabinets are stunning. Please don't mutilate them and cheapen their look.

I am a huge fan of white cabinets but these are quality, beautiful cabinets and I cannot imagine painting them!! I would change the backsplash to something much more simple and elegant but I would never paint these cabinets. The " notched" molding you are referring to is dental detail and it's lovely and keeps with the style of cabinet. These cabinets are lovely in any style of home. Change hardware to suit your style and the backsplash and I think you will see how beautiful it can be.

I think this is a perfect case for "transitional" styling. This is where you take a classic kitchen like yours and add modern touches. Most people in your shoes are saddled with an old ugly kitchen. You've got an old one, but a really well styled one for the time. Changing out pulls, updating tiles and appliances tastefully can give a solid nod to what you have, while bringing it into the future.

You mentioned painting the cabinets... Have you thought about painting just the crown?

Also adding some modern hardware, and maybe some LED lights would go a long way...

Don't forget the ceiling! It looks like a harsh blue based white and since you have warm cabinets, warm up the white ceiling and door.

I agree. Paint the ceiling a different color maybe a tan color. Or if you want to try something very daring maybe mirror the ceiling.

I saw this and thought of you...



the tile in these pictures is similar to your except it doesn't invade the windows and a stainless steel backing over the stove breaks up the busy.

New backsplash In blue family. Bottom cabinets black, upper white

Hi Liz!

Your kitchen is awesome! White cabinets would look fantastic (stylish and timeless) and I love johncuck's backsplash idea! What do you think about this mosaic? It compliments white cabinets really well and it would definitely modernize your kitchen.

Christiana

The cabinets are beautiful, and I would not change a thing about them. I would suggest you install white or cream subway tile as the back splash so that it will blend with the lighter tones in the counter tops. Some small live plants on the open shelves will bring color, life, and air into the space.

If your home is truly a "Spanish Revival" then the color of the cabinetry works with the architecture of the home, so I would leave the cabinetry stain color alone. I would update the hardware, the tile backsplash to a tumbled mosaic stone. I would get rid of the dental light rail molding on the bottom of the upper cabinets. You can find a more updated light rail molding and have a cabinet finisher stain to match.

It's a good base !!!
Needs good painting and new backsplash
This kitchen can look great ;)

The cabinets are really gorgeous. It seems a shame to paint them! The first thing we'd do is try some modern handles - that will give an instant update and won't cost very much. A new backsplash would also be a big help!

Kitchen and Bath Classics

I would like to keep my backsplash and appliances. I need ideas on colours for my countertop and cabinets are painted but needs to be re-painted. Floor is laminate

@ Bettyann Etwell-Bramble -- I suggest starting your own question rather than posting all this as a comment to a thread that's two years old. It will get more eyes that way, and you'll get emailed notices when somebody comments...

Anything current? 2022

as an option for updating this is the replacement of kitchen facades, The guys from Brooklyn helped me with this custom fronts for kitchen

I agree with the others on a new backsplash, this photo was a whole new kitchen remodel for my client and we did use the shaker cabinet but we put a stone backsplash with a fun pattern behind the cooktop to add interest, also the new light fixture really helps. I think the linear glass look dates the kitchen the countertop wouldn’t be so bad To update either if you have a budget otherwise I think just the backsplash would drastically help

L/L Design: This is a 7 year old post and the tops of those cabinets look rather odd to me.

Every kitchen we do is different and we did not have a budget to adjust the clients ceiling in this older house. A 42 inch wall cabinet would not give her proper space between the countertop and upper cabinet so we used a 36 inch, and did a r tall filler piece rather than trying to put crown molding up (which she did not want) nor did we want to have a 6 inch space on top of the cabinets to collect dust and dirt etc. this suited her budget, and the kitchen design that the client wanted.

As far as this post popping up I didn’t realize it was seven years old, for whatever reason it came in to my email and I replied not knowing it was seven years old so somebody else must’ve commented on it, I wasn’t searching for some thing to do when the post came to me.

Would love to see if you decided on an update!! Hope you changed the backsplash to something more simple!!