I guess my main question is color of cabinets. Wha would look best- gray, white, all darker matching wood, or some light uppers and dark lowers?

With that dark floor I'd paint them white and go with a white countertop so it isn't too dark.

Replacing the doors, and painting the the cabinet boxes would look the best.
The island I would use a contrasting color from the main cabinetry.
Replace the counters with quartz or granite and a nice tile backsplash.

With your dark floors, I would definitely go with either white or gray cabinets. Since you said this is not your forever home, white is probably safer, since you have to think of resale at some point.

Granite, quartz, or quartzite are all great products. I would probably start there. Choose a countertop material that you really like and that is in your price range.

You can always paint cabinets around perimeter in white and paint the island a contrasting color if you don't want to do all white.

Last, look at kitchen pictures on Houzz and find a picture to use for your inspiration. Good luck!

Shepard Avenue · More Info

The Great Spaces! Kitchen · More Info

Due to your budget, my suggestion would be to have your cabinetry painted professionally -white. (the same color as your moulding). For your island, you could paint it a darker color of your walls I would think about using soapstone, milestone or even marble for your countertops. New hardware would help as well as lighting. A timeless, yet cheap backsplash would be white subway tile with grey grout. Since your wall cabinets are short, I would create visual height by having the tiles continue up over your wall cabinets to the ceiling. I hope this helps. I have been doing kitchens for a long time and have been nationally recognized. My kitchen suggestions will appeal to a wide variety of buyers so keep that in mind, as you mentioned that you are not planning on living here long.

Best,

Kim

www.KimNielsenInteriors.com (if you want to contact me directly or see my kitchens)