Pale gray stain. Or paint them white and put a gray wash over them.

Pale gray stain

I agree the gray would look really nice with the countertops, which look like granite tiles. I would use a dark hardware, not silver.

I would Keep the Exsisting Wood. . . I would Replace some of the Cabinet doors with Glass Cabinet Doors, for a new Visual effect. I would Not Paint White, or Cream. . . . Not in the Kitchen.
VOICE OF EXPERIENCE SPEAKING. . . It will be forever Dirty, and Greasy from Cooking if YOU cook like I do.
I did an all wood Kitchen Cabinets in White Painted Cabinets, with GOLD trim Hardware . . it Was beautiful at first. I loved it. . . Sadly, It was not long and I was Cleaning every Grove in the Cabinets as they Collected Dirt, Dust and Cooking Grease. . . . It Was Horrible to Keep Up.
Thinking of PAINT, . . Just Don't Do it. KEEP THE WOOD.
I would Brighten it up Those Cabinets with Some Glass doors, Maybe even Put in lighting in them, Do a Light Color Countertops and Back splash, then Change my appliances to a Light Color, or Stainless.
Also, Change My hardware, to Accent the Cabinets, Now that would Brighten that Kitchen Up 100%.
If You have Additional Cash . . I would Do Under Counter accent Lightening and Lighting in the GLASS Door Cabinets.
Visual appeal is what Your Looking for, you will then have it to enjoy.,

White cabinets with black appliances will not compliment each other well. I suggest staining the cabinets darker, adding new hardware, and re-painting the walls a rich cream or butter color?

your motivations are important here. does the future of the kitchen involve replacement of any of the appliances? (like the range and wall oven?) If not go to one of the virtual painters and try your current color scheme then play with color accents within the kitchen. curtains, rug, painted wall space and lighting that could be changed to pull the area together. seems silly....get some disposable table runners and put over the cabinet doors and see what the color change does.
start with cabinet pulls and accents. there is a lot of the 'walnut' in the kitchen not just the cabinets but the trim around the counters.

Grey will look better with your appliances than white. Brushed nickel hardware and faucet. new window treatment and light fixtures. Consider replacing some of the upper solid doors with glass and backing those cabinets with a colorful checked paper or fabric to match the new window treatment. You will feel like you are in a new kitchen! Hope this helps! :)

I like the grey idea with brushed nickel hardware. Look in magazines and go to kitchen stores. Grey is really in right now. You might find a color you like and could copy it. You could even go with a richer darker grey for the lower cabinets, and a slightly lighter color for the uppers. go to Houzz home page, click on kitchens, and then type in search: grey kitchens.

Catherine Eva-lill Arlebjer-Uribe Budget? thats the first ?- If very little. I would keep the wood as is, (not paint) for the moment. just make sure they are in ok gonditions (wood/colour will come back)-Change: 1) all hardware such makesa huge diff. (gorgeours LUCITE handels/knobs (see in Italian design magazines) 2)-yes add light under counters, light makes a huge diff. 3) Take away all small clutter & curtains!! floor mats, ceramics AND yes the floor needs to go floors affects a whole room/place . 4) paint the walls in a lighter colour eater a light grey (to match the nice countertops) or white. 5) Sorry, the drapes in the dining rooms should be changed too!! 6) several small light over the sink!!!yes to IKEAs. 6) If the budget allow I woudl put glass in one of the doors and then light inside (paint the wall inside the cabinet in diff. colour)... then put the nicest l most colourful glasses I have in there.... it will look LUX.!! good luck. www.arlebjerDOMUS.com

There are 12,229 kitchens on this site alone that have white cabinets and black appliances! It is done, it looks great and there is not one good reason to not paint them white if that is what you want. High contrast has been in for years now, the white does not have to be stark snow white. In order to get really good design a person needs to be able to take some risks and think outside the box.

Yes, paint white or a very light grey. Be SURE to use oil based paint--it has a better finish and is so much more durable. Almost all the bloggers I read recommend Benjamin Moore paint. See www.theinspiredhouse.com for best advice on painting!

I would keep the cabinets and look to make some of the other changes previously suggested above - save for the countertop, change hardware. I think your cabinets look nice.

I don't think you should paint them because they are a pretty color and style. I think they should've added another vote button because there are many ugly wood cabinets that need painted, but yours look great!

I agree with Reico Kitchen & Bath and many others. Start with the easily correctable changes - wall paint, hardware, lighting and see if you're happy. Painting the cabinets is a major commitment. If you are sorry you did it, stripping them would be a huge job. I happen to love the color of the wood and your crown molding. It's a timeless look. Kitchens aren't something that you renovate that often, but trends come and go by the minute.

White kitchens are not a 'trend', they are the most traditional of all kitchens.

Paint them but NOT white. I would paint them a dark grey.

Depends....would white cabinets go with the rest of your house? Or would they stand out like a sore thumb? What you don't want to do is change something to match something that isn't good, just so it matches. White cabs with gray/white shiny granite can look really cold. Personally, I'd save my money for new countertops, as those are beautiful cabinets. And I don't think the counters even go with the floor anyway, which looks like an off white tile. It doesn't look like that much countertop space, you might be able to find some affordable slab remnants at a local stone store (way more affordable that big slabs), or do less expensive stone tile in a darker but warmer, less shiny stone. Good luck.

If I were to make one major change in this kitchen it would be the flooring. It doesn't go with counter tops and really dates the kitchen. Wood floor or new larger tile. Then it would be light fixture, paint and hardware. After doing these, see how you feel. Only then would I go to all the work of painting cabinets!

If I were to make one major change in this kitchen it would be the flooring. It doesn't go with counter tops and really dates the kitchen. Wood floor or new larger tile. Then it would be light fixture, paint and hardware. After doing these, see how you feel. Only then would I go to all the work of painting cabinets!

this is actually someone else's kitchen on here, but a picture is worth a 1000 words. i'll try and post 2 examples of what i was talking about originally.
[houzz=]

another example in that same realm

Have your cabinets sprayed – it looks amazing and is a great, low-cost alternative way to update your kitchen. I just did this for a client and they are thrilled. I haven't uploaded final photos to Houzz yet, but here are a couple of before & after photos – after photos are still in progress but you can see the transformation already! Cabinets are painted in BMoore CC-80 gray Mist. Good Luck!

Well, I think you don't have topaint them. Just try to put framed glass doors in th eupper cabinets it will give more light and also put some checked curstains inside.

...one more thing – if it's in your budget, consider new stainless steel appliances and updated hardware – will look much better if you go with light painted cabinets!

I suggest glossy black vs white.

Restore the finish you have. Use a Re-Amalgamizer. Your cabinets will look brand new. Your cabinets are very nice and the amount of wear and tear you have can easily be touched up with the amalgamizer. There are a few on the market, here's one:
http://www.howardproducts.com/prod-restor-a-finish.php

If you paint, please go lighter like you desired - not darker as some as some have suggested. I love the look, but unless you have a ton of light in the room and great task lighting, it can be very cave-like. I inherited a lovely kitchen with dark cherry wood cabinets and stunning dark green granite. Everyone compliments me on the room, but I'd love to have lighter cabinets. I have one window over the sink and just can lighting. Being surrounded by dark on 3 walls is oppressive.

Crisp white paint and new stainless steel hardware would definitely freshen and brighten up the kitchen. A skilled handyman or creative friend can probably figure out how to treat the wooden counter edge to make it look more modern. Perhaps an epoxy paint...?

Hi, I think you should keep the wood. Change the handles to chrome or inox ones that res
pect the classical theme and change the appliance to stainless steel ones. Also paint your walls light warm gray. Your kitchen is going to look great.

I wouldn't paint the cabinets but if you choose to do so, have them sprayed by a professional. Ask around for a painter with experience spraying cabinets and/or woodwork. There's a big difference between spraying cabinets and spraying garages or new drywall. I like Breakthrough from Pittsburg, but BM Impervo is also good. I suggest finding a good local paint store -- whatever brand they carry -- and ask them for help in finding the right product and a good painter.

If you do as much of the prep work as you can, you can keep the costs down. Make a spray booth in your basement or garage with plastic and/or tarps. You will also need lots of extra room to hang the doors after spraying. Remove all the hardware, clean and sand all the doors and drawers and mask everything you don't want painted. Ask your painter how far you need to cover past the frames and then double whatever he tells you (spraying paint makes a major mess in a hurry)

I would get a professional paint job. Sprayed finishes can be flat through glossy. If it were my kitchen, I'd go a light shade of grey in a satin finish.

Spend the money on new counter tops instead. Your cabinets look like they are a nice grade of wood that is attractive. I think it is just the combination of everything else that is making the kitchen look unpolished.- Get new countertops to pull everything together- Granite or quartz that has some of the cabinet and appliance colors in it.

Oh my goodness no don't paint them , people pay thousands of dollars to get that look!!! However I would update the hardware...and spend the money on the new countertops and do get a new backsplash...that will make the cabinets look really good! I would also suggest the counter and backsplash have a little black in them to match your appliances and that floor should be replaced to match the new counters. So hardware,counters,backsplash and floor is where I would spend money to tie everything together...the cabinets would look great then!

Seems like a fairly divided group here. While I am not opposed to painting cabinets, and I am considering doing so to mine, I wouldn't in your case. From the look of the picture, those are high quality and the wood is dark enough that it doesn't look dated. While the overall look is heavy right now, I think that could be fixed with the suggestions others have made. I would start by changing the paint--something that would provide some contrast. Changing the hardware would be another affordable update. I agree with other comments as well, updating the countertops and backdrop would make a HUGE difference, and bring a more luxurious feel to your space. Changing your ceiling light will have a drastic effect as well! Florescent lighting makes everything look sad in my book. My vote: change the paint/hardware ASAP, and budget/save for the counter/backsplash update. Don't paint those cabinets!!!

Yes, I would paint them light GREY (or a grey tone that would complement your countertop). For example Bedford Grey (Martha Stewart has a nice selection of grey tones with matching contrasting colors) Then I would remove doors from upper cabinets to open them up and use as open shelving. As others suggested new brushed chrome hardware and I would get rid of that black irony thing on your backsplash - looks outdated to me.If you can afford new appliances in stainless stell you would get a more modern look too.

Grey cabinets ... brilliant idea! Consider Annie Sloan paint - http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/French_Linen_profile.html.

The stained cabinets look better than painted cabinets would look with your existing floor tile. I've had that exact tile - I don't any more. I would sand the rough spots on the cabinets and touch up the stain, then go over all with a slightly darker glaze. I would also replace the granite tiles with something more creamy (using tile on the backsplash would save money) and replace the the hardware with something in bronze or black. The black appliances would still be great.

Don't paint them white. I bought a house with a white kitchen. It's nice, but it looks like every other kitchen. 75% of kitchens in magazines have white cabinets and an island with pendant lamps over it. You've got something with personality. Don't exchange it for a generic look.

Tell honestly now, Molly Banas - are you more confused or are you better able to make up your mind? Just sayin ...

LOL @ Faireden I'm with you! I'm confused!

Thanks everyone for the input! I decided to not paint for the following reason: too much work! Those that commented about the up keep of white cabinets really impacted my decision. Also, I had not considered the contrast with my black appliances.

I am going to update the hardware, and save for new counters and backsplash! Also, I am going to get new lighting as well. Then way down the line I can update with stainless appliances.

For those that commented on the decor, rest assured that the drapes are no more! This was a stock photo for my home from the realtors website.

I never imagined I would get so many responses! I read every last one of them! Thanks for taking the time to help me!!

~Molly

I am glad you decieded not to paint those beautiful cabinets! I know you need new counters and backsplash however have you considered changing the floor to match the black appliances, counter and backsplash?
Between new hardware,lighting and a new floor I think your kitchen could be gorgous!
Not to be rude but...the floor doesn't match the rest of the kitchen, it distracks from the rest of the kitchen...so a new flooring would make a big differance!!! That's where you should consider putting your money first I think, you said you wanted to upgrade to stainless steel so perhaps a slate looking flooring? That way if you do get new appliances it would still look fabulous! I think you might even like the look of the kitchen if you change the flooring along with the lighting and hardware.
Just wondering...and a pop of color would brighten the space up to, just a few pops as in a valance, scatter rug and towels?

what about a brazilian cherry stain? it seems all the rage these days, and it would go really well with the tile.

Molly, FYI. You do not sand before you use a re-amalgamizer. It basically takes the finish on your cabinets and spreads it around a little bit. It is as easy as washing your cabinets and and it covers up the tiny dings and scratches from wear and tear. I've used it before myself and it works great. I have no affiliation with any company.

Good Luck.

Unless you choose another (darker) floor covering, I would not paint the cabinets white. White cabinets are beautiful with a dark wood floor or darker tile. Another great contrast is to use a dark colored counter top. If your heart is set on white cabinets, paint the walls a rich color with high contrast to the white.

I think that white cabinets would look good with your counters but not your floors. I think the wood is really a pretty color and I would not paint.

I'm not a fan of painting natural wood cabinets. If they are made out of something else, then it's OK to paint them.

Paint the walls a pale gray and do nickel hardware. It will brighten the space change the look of your kitchen.

Absolutely paint them!!! Light and bright will be beautiful!

The original post was 2012