Quick fix: take off all the cabinet doors, remove handles, tape off the back side, cart them to a nearby auto body shop, get them painted a high gloss (white, celadon?) re-install cabinet doors & go from there! The dark wood is oppressive. . .but layout & fixtures look swell!

Are you saying to only paint the doors and not the rest of the cabinets? Thought I would likely paint all of it.

I think the wood color could provide a nice graphic/linear grid pattern integrating new w old BUT you could also paint the surrounding wood it will not match the high gloss of the auto body shop though (not necessarily a bad thing)! This fix should cost around $500 depending on where you live & once you have lightness in the room you'll have a bit of $$ to address other stuff.

I agree--you should paint the cabinets, doors and all, but doing the doors (and drawer fronts) first, is a good start. and doing them with auto paint means it will never wear off. I would also go with something light--such as celadon, or a butter yellow, etc. But do you need to decide on your over color scheme first?

What kind of surface is that green color on the walls--is it paint or paper? Are you keeping this green color? If so, I would go with the Celedon color suggestion for the cabinet doors. Then maybe paint the frames with a high gloss white.

You should be aware that whatever painting you do your self--you will need to do some sanding down of the surfaces first. It won't need to be heavy-duty, but you will need to do all of the surfaces. From what I can tell they are all shiny smooth composite type material. You might want to take a door of and bring it in to the store with you to get advice on how to do pre-painting prep.

(It is so nice for you to have such a huge kitchen!! Those of us who like to cook, dream about kitchens this big.) Good luck.

You have very nice wood cabinetry with nice door faces! Lucky you! This can be a stunning kitchen with a lot of patience and some hard work. I am actually in the process of painting a smaller kitchen for someone at the moment and the transformation is remarkable if you follow the steps and don't rush. I always use an oil base stain blocking primer. Make sure you sand lightly and you have a clean surface( no grease etc.). Paint with the grain. After this dries well sand ! I use Ace brand alcatex cabinet and trim paint. They will match anyone's colors! This is an oil base water clean up paint with a semi gloss finish that gives a beautiful spayed on look when properly applied. 3 coats! Thin coats with a very good quality brush. Always paint with the grain.take your time and think about adding a crown to the top of your cabinets. Would change the whole look. Paint all the stiles and don't skimp, do the insides of the doors too!

Yes I agree, I have to decide on a color scheme. But do not know what. The green walls are painted and have been that color for likely 10 years now. Thinking it is time to change. Maybe some shades of the tan or greys. I'm pretty sure that painting the walls and cabinets are next.

Yikes, I just assumed that was green board like the half done kitchen I am working on!!! Guess it is time for a change :)

What color are you using on the cabinets in your pic?

I would be tempted to make this a very individual kitchen - partly by deconstructing it:)

I do not like to see good wood cabinets painted, but I am thinking from the pictures that this is very basic cabinetry, so paint is OK, but keep in mind that it will look like painted oak cabinets, fine for some, a disappointment for others who are expecting new white kitchen look. It is a lot of work and requires patience. Many good tutorials online - basically, Remove doors and hardware, lightly sand or apply de-glosser, 2 coats of primer (Zinsser 123) 2 coats cabinet type paint from reputable paint store. Be careful with doors for the 1st week because primer needs time to cure.

I would consider removing some of the cabinets. I don't know if they can be rearranged at all, but I might remove the desk area and several upper cabinets. I would want to stand in the kitchen and look around before deciding just what to remove. I don't like open shelving, but a little is OK. I am refinishing my cabinets right now and have had the doors off several for 3 weeks and I am surprised that there is not a dust issue and how easy it is to empty the dishwasher. I am still putting the doors back on though:)

Some cabinets can be converted to a display cabinet, others can have the panel removed and glass or a metal panel put in. You could also replace a wall of cabinets with a Welsh dresser or hutch, or replace uppers only with shelving, and you can add a small island. Make the island from a repurposed piece of furniture and add character and save money. A lot of European cottage kitchens, and some American ones too use curtains instead of doors on lower cabinetry. Baskets can also be used in cabinets with doors removed. Replace cabinetry in some places with other furniture remade to work in the kitchen. Try to work with what you have, but rework it for a new look. If it is in the budget and you do paint the cabinets, go for a wood floor to bring the warmth of wood back into the kitchen that will be lost with painting the cabinets.

CEdwards, I will have to get back to you with that tomorrow as I left the paint chip at the work site. As to the last post, the paint I suggested is thin and levels out a bit. When dry the natural grain of the wood comes through so you still have the look of real wood cabinets.refreshing old wood cabinets to suite your look and taste is certainly worthwhile!

jhmarie, your last paragraph hits on several of the things I was considering. I use an old table now for an island. Thought about getting rid of the middle counter and looking for some furniture that would fit. I've got to figure out more about how to update the cabinetry. They are so full of stuff that I have been afraid of opening some up.

If you could raise the counter of the desk area level with the rest of your countertop and have open shelves to display some decorative kitchen items underneath that might be nice. Not sure what your countertop material is...

Kinda like this , only four

Let me suggest some colors for cabinets and walls after I study .. a minor mod when you redo the counter to raise up - you could use a rolling cart under, you might find several options that would be very practical. ..

That is a blue green undertone to your gray . . cabinets in this http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/gibraltarcliffs

would make the room sing . .especially with another table that was in dark wood tones . .

a pale off white / soft white wall . . or use this for the central accent piece and use a pale neutral off white on all the cabinets . .

What kind of style/look are you going for and do you want to paint the cabints? Also, do you use and need all those cabinets? Do you have a separate pantry, or is everything stored here? Have you considered a tile back splash, changing the counter and floor? Do you like the counter and floor? I think you should also post a photo of the counter.

I find the desk area awkward and odd. I'd want to get rid of it and put in a cabinet. Can one be moved from elsewhere and raise that bit of counter?

I'd take off the strip of counter on the wall and put in a tile backsplash from counter to cabinet, then paint the rest of the walls a light color (light tan, light gray, or creamy color) picking up from counter or floor. If you paint the cabinets, I'd think about going for two tone where the upper cabinets are light and the bottom are dark, and I'd start with keeping the bottom the wood. ...I'd be budgeting and researching a new countertop...

Sorry this isn't the color help you asked for!

cedwards you asked me the name of the pain color I was using in my pic yesterday. It is a Ben Moore color Indian river# 985 more taupe than grey,