Paint your cabinets, change your hardware and live with your counters until you can afford to change them. You can also investigate a local resource for a new laminate countertop. They are inexpensive and have come along way in terms of looks.

Hi Scotti, I'm hesitant to recommend a certain backsplash to you if you want to someday change your counters, but I have some ideas that are fairly neutral. Backsplash tile is affordable, makes an impact, and can definitely change the look of the whole kitchen. Can you take out the extension of your counters that goes up the wall and place tile there? If so, I think you would like mirror, stainless steel, or iridescent glass tile. I'm not sure what style you are going for, which is why I include all three, because it really comes down to preference. You said you don't want to make your kitchen darker, so I chose these because they can be adapted to color schemes and they reflect light beautifully. We have mirror and iridescent tiles in other colors as well if you are feeling bolder. You will be able to make any work with your current cabinets and counters, and getting new hardware (modern, simple brushed nickel?) will tie everything together!

Thanks michigammemom, I was just saying the scalloped trim needed to go. The faux-tin might be a great alternative for the backsplash.

Are you on a limited budget? Need to work with everything in place as is and keeping the cabinets stained?

Yes, limited budget and work with everything as is, to a degree. Major appliances will not be changed. Perhaps a new sink or faucet. I think I'm going to look at the faux-tin as an alternative for the backsplash. Though I would be interested in changing the color of the countertops.

If the backsplash is the laminate you could wallpaper - there are so many fun prints out there and is easier to install than the faux tin. Check all of these out http://www.houzz.com/wallpaper-for-backsplash. I have never used the rustoleum but it could work out great for your current needs http://www.rustoleum.com/cbgproduct.asp?pid=208 I would do a tan countertop that will go well with your cherry cabinets, then get a fun print wallpaper and paint the rest of the walls the color of the countertop. This could be a very fun project! All will probably cost less than a few hundred bucks!

Polished nickel cabinet knobs will look fabulous on your nice wood cabinets. Would you consider painting the three doors in white?

Thanks Kelli, I think I was really looking for advice on the color of the countertop... currently they are a creamy-yellow (yuk!). And since the kitchen isn't really that large a fun print wallpaper might be great and considerably less expensive, especially if I change my mind down the road.

Hmmm, anitajoyce, painting the doors white wouldn't be a bad idea. And I think the nickle knobs would look nice too. Thanks!!

Rustoleum color to go with the cherry cabinets - Tans: haystack or cobblestone. Grays: light ash, gray mist.

Thanks Kelli!

Kelli, would the closet doors look good painted in a similar color to the countertops? I was thinking haystack or cobblestone, would a paint similar look good? I was thinking, I could replace those three doors with something like the attached picture and then paint, although the trim would need to be painted too. Didn't know if it would be too much of a contrast between the cabinets and doors?

Call a couple of granite installers. Depending on the size of your kitchen, they may have "left over" slabs from other jobs that they will install at a very reduced cost. I have done this for several projects. Painting the doors will brighten the entire area. The cabinets can get a "lightened" appearance by adding some pewter knobs in place of the dark ones. I have used Vicenza (www.VicenzaDesigns.com) knobs and pulls and found that the larger sizes, in Vintage Pewter finish, accent darker cabinets quite well.

A countertop with brown, tan and beige in it, in your choice of rustoleum or laminate would look nice. Subway tiles in beige would tie it all together. The doors painted white will blend in better with the space.

Go for the Rustoleum Countertop Transformation; good product and budget friendly. Paint the three louvered doors since they don't actually match the cherry anyway; these will need to be sprayed for a good finish. A lighter a brighter cabinet hardware would be good; you could just remove and spray paint the existing hardware brushed nickel if your budget is really tight. Installing wall paper in the splash area is a good budget idea; remember to seal it against the inevitable food and splatter. I would remove the wood valance at the sink and add a colorful window treatment. Finally, consider what options you have to improve the lighting.

Thanks for the ideas. Our hardware has already been spray painted (from gold to black) so I think we can afford new hardware. I think that wood valance is coming down. I was thinking of replacing the bi-fold doors altogether and possibly painting them a color similar to the countertop. Although they don't match perfectly they match somewhat and I'm concerned it would be too much of a contrast by painting the doors.

Scotti - hold off on the closet doors - do your countertops and backsplash first. Step back, take a look and then see what color you would like the doors to be and yes, I would get new ones. The picture you showed would be great - are there any that have a curve at the top to match your cabiinet doors?

You don’t have to paint the cabinets. My cabinets are 20 years old and original to our house. I love cream colored cabinets, but mine are are great shape and look nice. I spray painted the original brass hardware oil rubbed bronze. In the last year, we replaced the Formica green countertops with quartz and added an off white stacked stone backsplash. The kitchen looks so much nicer and lighter. I would recommend changing out the closet doors with white, frosted glass, or even barn style doors to modernize the kitchen. I also used to have a faux stone wallpaper as a backsplash for almost 10 years. Loved it! It held up great. I knew I would want to do something like we have now, but wasn’t in the place to do it. The wallpaper was the right price option.

Do not paint your beautiful cherry cabinets they are more beautiful than white, and wood cabinets and more classy and classic. Not every home needs white cabinets. It seems to be designer's go to because it's easier than actually coming up with a plan. You are spot on, change the hardware and if you have the $$ Change out the counters. If you don't want to pay for new counters, change or add more dramatic lighting.