Wow! I think just getting rid of the wallpaper will make a huge difference! You have lots of space to work with...Light paint on walls ( try Swiss Coffee CIL- we used it in our kitchen - very nice) and I would put in a white subway tile backsplash for brightness since you don't want to change up the doors. I think the hanging pot holder could come down as well - its dating things a bit, too. Are pot lights an option? Add some bold coloured window treatments and an area rug under the table (bright green...?)

The pot holder is definitely coming down! I was thinking white black splash as well, but then, should I make the walls white? Or would that emphasize the brown and create too much of a contrast? Bright rug and window valance are totally doable.. what about the rest? Thanks

You could consider using some under cabinet strip lighting, it's not expensive change the ceiling fixture & the table light to something brighter & I would look at painting the walls beige with a soft green undertone. Check out the beiges listed by Houzz in to-days new listings.

Just updated answer with paint colour...see above:)

Hmmm -- you certainly would benefit from painting out the dated brown cabinets; I wonder whether you could use a single-coat black to keep you from the arduous task of taking them to white when you might be planning a replacement not too far down the road.

With black, perhaps a silvery grey would be an update, and Lowes has a nifty fan light on display right now with clear blades, if a fan is what you want. Or this fan hidden in a drum shade looks interesting:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_198677-88854-LP8075LBN_4294935502__?productId=3576600&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

Paint them the color of your countertops and take that color over to your press back chairs and do this https://www.houzz.com/photos/architecture-and-interior-design-rustic-dining-room-san-francisco-phvw-vp~128500

You certainly have alot of cabinets and alot of room to work with. You would benefit with a light color such as the swiss coffee and use a bold color as an accent with accessories - maybe the green family, reds, or cream and orange/rust family. You will feel great when the wallpaper comes off. Good Luck

Thanks everybody for your comments!

1. Where do you think the accent colors should go? On accessories or on the basic structures?

2. I am still wondering whether I should paint the window frame white in the process or leave it brown. If I paint it, should I also paint the kitchen and pantry doors? does that call for painting all the doors and frames of the house?

3. I was thinking about painting the kitchen cabinets too, but this project scares me a little; even if I change the color, would that make any difference, considering the "dated" style of the kitchen? Or do you still think that a different color would make them look better. what color would that be?

Thanks!

The lighter you can go the better with backsplash and walls. Then you'll have a nice contrast with the dark cabinets. You can, of course, paint the cabinets (white, ivory, putty, gray--some light neutral), but why not try lightening up the walls and backsplash first and seeing if you like the effect. Dark cabinets and woodwork can be very striking against whites and creams. And I'd keep the window trim dark as well, if you keep the cabinets dark. If you decide to paint the cabinets, then you might want to paint the trim too. But if the rest of your house has wood trim, keep it consistent in the kitchen.
I wish you had a close up photo of the cabinets. It is a bit hard to see their details from the photos you've provided, so I can't comment on how dated or not the general style of them is. From a distance, at least, they don't look bad.

here is close-up picture of the cabinets

Thanks everyone for taking the time to post comments & suggestions

Sherwin Williams has a great green. Not lime but a little Limey. Lol. It would look great with the darker cabinets. I have used it in my kitchen before and loved it. It's called heart of palms sw6415. Good luck

a sage green or tan color would be nice.

I would do a a subtle grey like Benjamin Moores Horizon OC-53

I love the look of your cabinets and would not paint them.

I like the idea of light sage green... But wouldn't green darken the room more?

sage green would be nice on the walls....just do the backsplash in a light color with under the cabinet lighting. think you will love it. maybe put some pendant lights over the counter hanging down between the dining area and kitchen and remove ceiling fan fixture. I think the type of fan you have may be dating the kitchen as well. Just replace it with a ceiling fixture of some kind. And as someone else mentioned above, maybe the pots should live in the cabinet instead of a rack.

oleseast - I use my kitchen - yes, I like it to look good but I add fun and function together - I like a utensil holder that is a bit different - always have paper towel holder - (they have some great ones) plates/platters on upright stands for color pops - unique baskets with odd plants, stacked bowls, vases with real flowers - word signs, coffee area with fun coffee decor, cool wooden cutting boards - towels that stand out and add color or design but do not get used to clean up kitchen messes - there are so many things that can complete the look of a kitchen - You do not need to use all the things I've listed - but you have had a busy wallpaper for awhile and could not make much work! The sage green suggested can be nice as it has many colors that work well with it - the oranges/golds/dark greens/browns - it could bring your kitchen alive! First - get that wall paper down and see the Light! Don't worry about painting window frame - all will look different with the paper down - then comes the paint - then start adding the character . . . Here in the Pacific Northwest we have Homegoods & TJMax and they have great prices for budget shoppers - cant wait to see the results!