If you want an easy inexpensive fix… look for a sticky tile to cover over the floor. Changing the flooring may change the way you feel about the cabinets and then you may just want to add hardware to update your cabinets. If you change the floor and still aren't happy with the cabinets, I'd suggest that you paint the cabinets and add hardware for an updated look.

ok this what we think light olive green distressed cabinets rubbed bronze hardware and for the floor a gray wood style tile

Hi---if the counters are staying, keep the floor light in color. For the cabs---I favor painting them. Check BM's Smokey Taupe and Alphano Beige. Good Luck!
[houzz=]

When I first moved into my house, we did not have much money and so much needed to be done. One mistake I made was doing cheap cover-ups that looked bad in a couple of years and wasted my money. Now, I have learned to do a lot myself, know when to call in a pro and save up a little each month for work on the house. One way to keep cost down in a kitchen is not to move the sink or the stove. Local cabinet makers often have good prices on cabinetry and while many might disagree, big box store cabinets often work very well.

If you want to try painting your cabinets, there are many good online tutorials. HGTV and advertisers have done a lot to make people feel their cabinets are outdated even if they still are in good shape and function well - be careful not to be overly influenced by trends or TV. You should research cabinets and their cost in your area and see what you can afford.Some inexpensive things you could do would be to add hardware - knobs and pulls, and remove some of the panels in upper doors and replace with glass - but again, don't invest in them if you think you are going to replace.

Granite and other stone countertops are lovely and all over home and design magazines - but truth is most people can't afford them and nice laminate countertops are just fine. I have hardwood in my kitchen and I love it - but it has taken a beating. The good thing is it can be refinished - doesn't need to be replaced. I've seen some really nice wood laminate floors and they hold up a bit better in a kitchen. Tile is also a good option. It is a little cold on the feet in my part of the country and can date where hardwood is timeless.

If you want to post a picture which shows more of your kitchen, we might have more ideas.

There is also Luxury Vinyl Tile at Lowes that you can grout for a more realistic look. This example come in 16x16" squares. My daughter just put a similar one in their kitchen, and really updated it. They had flooring very similar to yours too!

Wood does not wear well in a kitchen- you should't put water on it and it scratches easily. Go with tile or vinyl planks/tiles. Research each product- they have their pros and cons, and take into consideration your needs, budget, and style when making the best choice for you.

I have wood flooring in my kitchen and I love it! It wears extremely well and looks beautiful. Laminates warp when wet, we installed laminate in our former kitchen, the refrigerator leaked and we had a big heave where the water sat. Thank goodness the refrigerator covered it up! Spend a little extra and get the floor you want, it will save in the long run!

You are right the oak grain is dated. But, depending on your budget, and the floor looks ugly to you, I'd spend the cash on new floor, backsplash and hardware. Here is a kitchen update with oak cabinet. But, I'd suggest a brushed nickel hardware in a transitional style. For the floor, 18" or 12 x 24" tile in a nice pattern instead of wood would be my choice. The good news is your cabinets are not this Yellow..

A large scale porcelain tile laid offset like this would look nice with your cabinets. If you decide to paint the cabinets, get them professionally sprayed or learn how to do it right. DIY painted cabinets can often chip and need repainting after a couple of years and who wants to do that?!

Since you are keeping the cabinets, I'd decide what I want to do with them first. There are pros/cons to wood, laminate, tile., etc... so do your own research before deciding on the floor. I do agree with putting money into the floor, it's amazing how miserable a person can be with a floor they don't like or isn't holding up well. (Ask me how I know.)

I am a big fan of stained cement floors for budget minded folks, although I don't know if you are on a slab. Tile would be my next choice, especially if this isn't your "forever" home.
Painted wood cabinets are always in style, and I definitely would add some hardware to dress them up. Make sure you coordinate your tile selection with your cupboard paint. You didn't mention if you wanted to upgrade your countertops, but there are many non-granite options out there that are more price friendly.

Adivra, did you have problems with your floor too?

Second glance design, we are thinking about new counters. I think we are doing floors, counters and cabinets.

I would put a floating laminate floor down, then paint the cabinets...

Avoid laminates where there's water; use vinyl products instead.

What I would do is paint the cabinets white (either have them sprayed professionally or learn how to do it right so you don't have to do again in a couple of years). New hardware and porcelain tile floor. (What is the nearby flooring??). Photo with white cabinets and large square porcelain tile. Or, you could do 12 x 24" offset floor tile...

BTW...if you take a couple of upper doors to a glass shop, they can install glass inserts not too pricey.

Great advice libradesigneye!

How kind Darzy - Your advice is equally sound. You may be on point for what they want - White cabinets are certainly classic . . my favorite kitchens with traditional lines that are painted are now either brave (like a pale kitchen green or butter yellow) or neutral but not WHITE. Love the custom look of painted traditional cabinets in drabware or off white tones with some antiquing done - Toby Fairley has a beautiful one in sw wool skein that i keep coming back to . . love that slight contrast to the white fixtures - here the farmhouse sink and they added little feet . . . [houzz=]

but these cabinets are clearly expensive (corner susan!) and the wood is quite beautiful, so why not work it?

It would be helpful to know more about their style or rest of the house

I realize you said wood or tile but don't eliminate some of the vinyl options if expense is a consideration. We updated a kitchen to sell a few years ago and used a Armstrong sheet vinyl in a point set tile pattern. I was amazed at how many people had to touch it before they would believe it wasn't real tile and was much more durable and forgiving than my current tile floors are!

Thank you everyone for your awesome advice! I like the idea of putting a poly shades in mission oak. I think a light quartz counter if we can afford it would look nice. We can def splurge on a nice backsplash. The floor we could either do wood or tile. The adjoining dining room is tan carpet. If I had the money, I might consider running hardwood throughout kitchen, living room and dining room. We have wood in our foyer so I think wood floors might look nice on the whole main level.

When we bought the house, there was wood in the powder room. There is wood in the foyer. They connect. Is it safe to out wood in the powder room?

I need opinions. Slate appliances or black? I know it depends on kitchen design. Do you think black appliances are outdated?

I think you should have a look at 3D Kitchen Constructor. It will be very helpful to solve your dilemmas. It is a
great tool for kitchen planning, design and decoration. It is human-friendly
and is powered by latest 3D technologies providing you with an image via
browser.

Its demo version is free, so you can try to design your kitchen or
choose colours or materials for your cabinets, countertops and floor.

Kitchen Constructor demo: http://prodboard.eu/kitchen/

E-mail: support@prodboard.eu

I have similar cabinets and decided to keep them. I love the wood grain. I know it's not in but I hate to see people painting good wood just to chase the flavor of the month. I installed granite countertops.

Here is a pic Sorry it's sideways.

I installed 12x12 luxury vinyl and love it. Armstrong Brand and in the winter the floor is warm on the feet! Not a great pic. I also had no grout installation I didn't want the hassle if regrouping latter! Plus everyone runs in the house wet from the pool to use bathroom, no slip!

Wood is definitely back. I do suggest working on the floors and add hardware to upgrade the kitchen. Maybe also splurge on a stone countertop will definitely upgrade the kitchen!