your floor looks grey and beige Benjamin Moore color super white Perhaps add a limestone tile back splash in the same tones as the floor. soft brushed chrome pulls would be a nice accent I would suggest extending the counter overhang on your island

ideas:

You're not limited to white or dark. Why not try a shade of grey with light white or light grey quartz counters?

Couple of options.

1/

Reface existing cabinets.

which is a thin layer of real wood glued over face and exposed areas of cabinets.

With new matching doors and drawers.

Can are non slamming type with hidden European hinges.

And new drawers soft close type on ball bearing runners that fully open drawer.

You can also chose to install interior drawers to base cabinets.

Instal of this kind runs around half what new cabinet instal would be

2/

You can paint cabinets with in high gloss with new handles.

3/

As they are wood you could also re stain in original finish or go completely different color ie

Cherry

Oak

Walnut.

Ed

Bourke construction inc

You will be surprised at what a new granite counter and backsplash will do. If you make your counter the focal point, ( I went with a black titanium with Quartz, mica, copper and garnet in it) if it is in your budget maybe a waterfall over the side on the island on this side. Maybe some brushed pulls.

Thanks for all the input! Again, the floor will be replaced so I plan to go darker. I just want a more modern (as modern as the raised panel will go anyway) look less traditional and more gray tones vs the brown. We will prob flip it so I need to get the newest look for the best cost.

Move your island over yo make a peninsula with bar overhang. We did that and loved it!!! Yes on the whitish cabinets.

I have always liked when the base cabinets are painted or stained a darker color and the top cabinets are painted a lighter color or white with white walls.

Paint it off white as that is currently the #1 selling point for kitchens.

I'd consider adding hardware and a dark counter! A new tiled backsplash too. Then you don't have to worry about a paint chipping or touching up cabinets.

I am all for painting cabinets to really get the color you want, but it's hard to justify painting cabinets that are true solid (heavy) oak. That's like something you do when your cabinets aren't real wood. In your case, it almost looks like the island is veneer and the cabinet doors are real wood. So I guess I would paint them, in your house. Would be easier and cheaper to match any moldings, too.

Leave the oak as a natural light and add very dark floors and counters for high contrast. That way they don't have to be touched. add burnished chrome or silver handles. Our architects recommended this for our Reno. The oak would the be a natural, light focal point contrasting with modern, sleek dark floors and counters. High contrast is modern. Tone on tone is casual.

I have been reading that everyone is suggesting to paint them, I have painted cupboards and I do not think it is easy. I used a really good hard paint and I could still see brush marks, spraying would be the ideal way with many light coats to look professional. You mentioned this was a flip. Keep it bright and simple, also if it is not too hard moving the island is a great idea.

I think you should try the rustoleum cabinet restoration kit. I changed my cabinets in my previous house from oak to chocolate brown. They have many colors. If done well, it would look as if it was the natural color. It's work, but it was a weekend project for us.

rip it off I had the same exact kitchen and hated it now look at the pics after reno not quite done but I love it I still have to get a bigger stove I got shaker style cabs and drawers I love it its minimal functional and clean I prefer over tons of ugly cabs

Another way of saying it is might be: contrast between lights and darks creates visual excitement, and thus a bit of drama?

Less country / more rocknroll. :)

Leave the oak / add other new.

go gray..light or dark..it is so beautiful !!

Refacing is an excellent idea..We did it to our cabinets in the first house and got new doors, 25 of them..It is the base on the cabinets that is so expensive, not the doors. It was a very easy project and only took the weekend. But be careful once it is stuck it will stay there forever.

Add cabinets to the ceiling with glass inserts and lighting inside the cabinets. I would consider a roll away island, as the existing one is so narrow....or remove it and replace with a stainless steel workbench style island. See how it looks.

Wee in the middle of painting ours# a

If that floor is tile, don't change it. It's beautiful and can be the source of your new pallet. (If it's vinyl, kill it.) Ok, so then consider glazing the cabinets rather than painting them. It will perk up the color and bring out the grain. Except the island -- check your local Habitat Restore -- find some more cabinets to expand it. Pull it away from the range and add a 30 inch pot drawer -- parallel -- down on that end, maybe a pull out trash behind it. Then, paint the entire island either white or a dark color to give that pop of drama they talk about above. Then, put at LEAST a 34 inch slab on top to give you a decent size work counter and overhang for some stools where the 30 inch pot drawer extends beyond that 24 inch set of bases. The other thing is to delete or relocate that over-the-range microwave (over a counter) and put in a REAL hood. (Costco has hoods that move 600 cfm for under $300 -- sometimes under $200.) IF your range is gas, vent it outside by running the stove pipe into the ceiling or wall or even on top of the cabinets painted to match the wall (it'll blend in) to the outside wall. If the range is electric, you don't need to vent it - just use it on recirculate (although I prefer it vented.) Next, a slide in style range will look like a built-in cooktop. (If you don't pull out the floor tile you'll have a about $5,000 to spend on new appliances.) Also, fit in a counter-depth fridge. And, consider chosing appliances that combine stainless with a color -- either white or black such as the Whirlpool ice line b/c simply changing the handle to stainless will update the old appliances such as the dishwasher. Or, if you go with new stainless appliances, there is a "sticker" you can buy that covers your dishwasher in "stainless steel" to make it blend. (Neighbor did it -- you really can't tell.) Finally, replace the light fixtures -- nice pendants or triple light pot rack over the counter and nice pendant or double light pot rack over the sink. Also, consider adding 4 - 6 canister lights. Lighting makes the kitchen work well. Our before / after below. Walls & Pantries are from Habitat Restore; bases are American Woodmark. Granite is White Spring; tile is discontinued at Lowes, porcelain "india slate" in "harvest."

.

Hannah- do you have a off white paint color that is nice with Oak trim? I am looking at BM whites that are softer and warm but they are still white not off white.

There is a burn from an appliance in the cabinet so not painting the cabinets will be more work if I need to replace one and match the current stain.

I am actually looking at doing the bathroom vanities a light or dark gray but that is also a project. But I may keep those natural also and swap out mirror, add hardware etc.

Oh I would leave them like this! Maybe scour (is that the word) a little. I would add a white wooden floor to the area :) and it's perfect!

I don't know why people would paint beautiful real wood cabinets! It's the light counter and the non-descript floor that are pulling down the beauty of your cabinets. Change the counter to a dark granite, nice slate or similar for the floor, paint the walls a neutral colour and preferably a nice tiled backsplash would look fantastic. Personally, I would replace a couple of upper doors for glass fronts, just to break up the wall of cabinets and add interest.

An idea here with an online painting tool :

Do yourself a favor......"Rip these cabinets out".....

You will never enjoy your kitchen where you will be "All the Time"....

You will never get a return on any improvements.......like new counters and etc.....your wasting your hard earned money...

You will never get as much of a return on your capital home investment.

The kitchen is the center of your home...

You have a nice size kitchen...put new cabinets and counters in and enjoy...

Find a pro that is affordable for you

I had my oak cabinets painted 3 years ago and have always love them. My remodel included new flooring, crown molding with rope trim, changing out the chevron cabinet anf adding bead board under the peninsula. Before and after pics for you.

Sometimes you just have to (for budget purposes) go with what's there. One of my clients wanted her kitchen redone but there was absolutely no budget for new cabinets - and she had those 90's pickled cabinets...so we changed everything around the cabinets to update it and coordinate with the pickled "wood" to make it look like a design decision rather than a design oops.

Nice Update on "Personal Style Interiors!" The foor and granite really changed the whole feel. Agreed, cabinets are expensive. My one discovery that really saved thousands of dollars for me renovating our entire first floor was to frequent the three Habitat Restore stores in our area. For example, recently, a winery redid its tasting room and donated solid cherry hand-made cabinets -- including the components of a huge tasting bar and four 36" wide pantries. Asking price for a total of 32 cabinets -- in pristine condition? $1,300. Really. You just never know what you will find if you look. I got our wall and pantries there -- new in the box but unassembled for $35 to $120 (for 36" x 96 pantry). I had them professionally assembled and installed for about $100 per. Even at that I was at 50% what a dealer wanted for the same cabinets. Also, we found light fixtures: real brass and cut glass crystal 5 light chandelier for $25 (same fixture $1,100 new); bath room vanity light $10 (new $40); and two dozen fluorescent bulbs that fit incandescent fixtures for $10. One day I stumbled over an AGA Cooker stove for $850! Never used! Retail is $10,500 on that stove! (Designers haunt these Restores, too.)

Never heard of that Habitat Restore, I will have to check that out.

great pics everyone thanks for the feedback! helps a ton. I will have to post the after pick when I get it done.

Habitat stores are a good resource for house flippers as many contractors myself included donate items we remove from homes that we remodel cabinets,tubs,light fixtures etc as we recive a tax write off on goods donated.

So it's a win win for everyone

Great recommendation for the habitat for humanity store. During our remodel of our current house we've had some great finds at very low prices there. All kinds of people donate there. I was able to buy a 110x25" granite countertop in great condition there with the sink cut out for $150. That's a steal compared to the prices I was being quoted by granite sellers. I buy items off craigslist as well. Plus when you buy from the habitat store its your contribution to a house that will be built for a more needy family. Definitely check them out.

Great deal on the granite -- I'm looking now for a double vanity and granite slab. I watch the inventory on the Restore facebook page, too. (Most stores have them.) And, I had to laugh when "Bourke" mentioned house flippers shop Habitat Restore! I ended up with a two tone kitchen b/c a "flipper" snuck up and snagged my TAGGED base cabinets right out from under me by buying six whole pallets for one "lot" price. Happily, in the end he got something other than he intended. Only 2 of the pallets were the same plywood box and finished door style as mine -- the rest were unfinished oak on particle-board boxes. He ended up donating all those back! BTW, in late December the builders swap out their ""model home" appliances and donate those lightly-used high-end appliances to restore. The same counter-depth fridge I have showed up at restore for 1/4 of the retail price that December.

If you want to keep your cabinets, I think you can create a whole new (more modern) look with three changes: (1) add cabinet pulls in a nice modern shape; (2) paint on the walls around the cabinets (I love sage green with oak); and (3) it would be great to break up the wall of cabinets if you could replace two door fronts -- on either side of the microwave) with glass doors.

A fun backsplash would amazing, if that's in the budget.

Our before and after...

Why not use panel ! of white to brighten it up in your kitchen . (Then you can paint the walls what you like ! Your favourite colour) . Also you can put panel right to the actual cupboard to give it a drastic change , pick out the design you like first . Buy new nobs for your kitchen Cubboard doors . You'll have to measure all doors if equal in side , then get the panel cut out to side of doors , get children or hubby and you or sister , nephews to help paint them prime paint first , then paint the colour you choose , white is best in kitchen for coubard 's or a light colour . You'll need- . Paste to apply panel to doors . You'll need small nails to secure the panel in place on doors , you can paint them afterwards .

This will give you a drastic difference in your kitchen , many will love them !
You can also , take out the centres of your coubboard , doors and apply fancy or decorative glass in some or a few of the doors to give it a punch to give conversation to friends how they love what you did to change the looks of your coubard doors . A light pale yellow is nice too with another colour to complement the walls in kitchen to match . I've seen this done to a neighbour 's kitchen . Yes ! It's a lot of work , but you can do it fast or slow ,at your own pace.
If all that is way to much to do ! Style it with a paint rustic colour white , you still can put in a few decorative glass windows in
your door 's too! It gives a
Greater look !

Yes ! White is great , but try a creamy ivory white . There's different paints too satin , velvet to feel - that my be expensive . Why not try a paint , that can wash off easily without washing off the paint . Pick a colour in the for tile , that you have the less in colour . Paint the walls , either with 1 or 2 colour paints . Because you have a huge kitchen . Pick colours from the floor tiles in kitchen . You'll love but choose the colour the lest in the floor for paint in the walls . With pictures of colours of flowers on a canvas that will match the colours in wall , floor , and doors a bit to pop out the kitchen walls too! Along with the coubboard doors

You don't have enough natural light in that kitchen to go with dark cabinets, plus I think dark stained cabinets will date it far faster than lighter colors. Either leave them as is, or paint them a white or light gray. Change the counters to match.

Redoing your kitchen is #1 after increasing square footage to increase resale value/value of your home

So don't skimp! Definitely paint or refinish honey colored oak..they are dated and will remain so. But only paint yourself if you have tons of time and are a perfectionist. It will take sanding, carefully priming...and meticulous brush strokes...better to spray. Hiring an expert painter is worth it. Also, if painted have them top coated with clear coat so they last. Having them professionally glazed/finished is an option that can be worth it if the cabinet style is still current/timeless. Consider removing some cabinet doors to give open shelving feel..or better yet, take select cabinet doors and have them cut out and install glass inserts.... That along with new crown, light rail trim and perhaps some ship lap or headboard detail will go along way toward transforming fro. Builder grade to custom kitchen . we have done 6 kitchens...all had oak to start. We went gray white with all. Dark wood cabinets (expresso or cherry) are out. He only exception to paint would be if you can strip them and give them a wire brushed gray stain look. Hard to do...but worth it.

White is classic and if you are keeping the white appliances, I would say white is a great option. It never goes out of style! If you go dark or grey or something other than the white, the counter, floor colour and backplash will have to all coordinate well with that. It can be all dark for a very dramatic looks, or you can do high contrast.

So many variables but it all has to do with what you love! I hope you find what that is. Good luck!

Oak is tricky because when you paint them you will still see the grain, and a lot of people don't like a painted grain look. Sanding them a restraining them to a more modern color might be the better approach!

That is true but if done well ( I suggest a pro) with a laquer based paint the grain almost disappears.

That's why glazing is so great on oak. We were able to make the salvaged oak frame leaded-glass "shutters" over our sink match our birch "honey maple" (looks like medium cherry) wall cabinets by glazing the oak. It's amazing how close it matches. Same glaze worked on the salvaged 6 panel doors to bring all the colors into line.

p.s. Heather Holl what a marvelous transformation! Very clever to put molding on the soffit and the new counters -- are beautiful! (Soapstone?) Also, the bead board on the end caps is a nice touch.

Thought I would post an update of the kitchen. I finally finished it. Sorry had to paint that wood! It was builder grade oak and looks much better.

By the way, thanks for all the input!! It really helped:-)

That looks fantastic! Congratulations!

Still wondering? If you can afford it and don't want to add all new cabinets, change the cabinet doors to Skaker style. That is so versatile and classic. You can refinish the base cabinets and have the doors painted to match. Add new hardware something with clean lines. Color depends on your flooring and other element in the room. Thanks for your inquiry. Hope this helps.