What is on the floor now?

Tricia- By chance....is the decision not to paint the honey oak made by your husband?

Laminate

The decision to paint the cabinets is more of me being afraid that once I paint them, I can't go back if they don't turn out well. We are hoping that the other changes will help.

I would go with a porcelain tile;)

Well, there are many wood purists on HOuzz but, not me. I would paint these cabinets a white or a cream in a heartbeat.

I would also remove the island to give more dancing room;)

Sail the faux greenery and find a place for a hidden trash can;)

I would like to paint them too, but am so nervous about it. What about floor and counter tops?

The floor leads into our foyer as well.

Still wondering why you are changing the floor? If you decide to paint have them sprayed by a pro so that when finished they look like new , it costs some money but IMO well with it .

The floor has some water damage spots in our foyer where it is bubbled. Since the same floor is in our kitchen, foyer, and laundry room we are planning on changing it all.

Sorry for pestering you but I see so much potential with your kitchen;) photo for your thoughts;)

Love that, Margo! We just had numerous builders tell us not to paint them and that we won't be happy with them. Any suggestions for countertops?

Why not save the money and just replace an area in the foyer with porcelaine tile to make it water proof there .

We have carpet in our living room and bedrooms. I just didn't want to many different floors in the house. Thought it may not look right.

Maybe the builders just want to sell you new cabinets?

Run the porcelain tiles in the foyer too.

went to a design center this monring. I am overwhelmed. She also suggested painting my cabinets. I just don't know if I have it in me to paint them. She suggested taking the doors to a paint shop, but that still leaves a lot for me to sand and paint. I have flooring and granite samples if I go either way. This is a huge decision. My husband doesn't really have an opinions as he thinks the kitchen is fine the way it is.

Start by not painting the cabinets -- it can always be done as a later step, and clearly the prospect frightens you. Life is too short to undertake an upgrade with dread! :)

Change all the little round knobs to modern nickel arched pulls. Get new counters in a light shade of gray that goes with your backsplash (be sure to consult with installers about whether it can be kept!) -- that will help unify the room, keep it relatively light, and give you the option to paint your cabinets white later if you want more change.

Then change the flooring to something that is a couple shades either darker or lighter than your current cabinets -- which way you go is pure preference. Another option would be to get a flooring in a slightly grayish tone, which would then give a little color contrast. But I think you have so much warm wood in cabinets and furniture that a more natural tone seems best. Let me see if I can find any photos with oak cabinets that will help you get your head around things...

Photos would be great acm. Thank you. I am not opposed to painting my cabinets, I am just not sure I want to be the one doing it. Also, I keep wondering if I would be happy with them a few years down the road. I do love the looks of a white kitchen!

I agree with you…don't paint. I agree to get rid of the island; maybe find a cart with wheels that you could move around more easily. choose a tile floor and from that choose your counters and backsplash. keep it simple. if then you want to change your cabinets do it but I think they are fine too. you could also add glass the uppers flanking the window which would bounce light around too. you don't necessarily have to paint them either. all cabinet companies offer that oak in several finishes. you could consider getting new doors and having the boxes finished to match. lots of other options besides painting them white or cream which end up not looking that great IMHO.

If we get rid of the island we would lose a ton of counter and cabinet space. We do all of our cooking there and serve most meals from the island.

Ok, these aren't perfect comparisons, but at least vary in flooring color.

If you have had water damage problems with laminate before, why are you using laminate again. Why not a luxury vinyl plank or tile or even real tiles?

two examples I think work keeping the cabinets as is.

If the island is working than keep it for sure. good luck with your project!

Now go back up and look at all the pictures using the existing wood, imagine them white, so much better. I think keeping the honey oak the kitchen will always look dated. Have someone paint them for you.;) A white kitchen will be timeless!

You don't even have to imagine them white -- lots of people post pictures after painting!

tricia- I just think you have to sit down and think about what is really on your wish list. My comments are made to get you to think not push you. Just because I have a white kitchen') ...

I agree, Margo. I would love a white kitchen and am afraid that if I keep the wood, I will always be unhappy with it. With that being said, I don't know what the right way to go about painting the cabinets. I have been told to take the doors to an autobody shop such as Maaco and they will spray them. That still leaves me with the rest of them. Just not sure I can do it so they look nice. I am worried that we are going to have to redo our backsplash due to the part of the countertop coming up the wall.

any suggestions on paint brand and color if we decide to paint the cabinets?

See if this article I found helps?? I did not read it all.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/from-the-pros-how-to-paint-kitchen-cabinets-stsetivw-vs~4415504

Here are some possibilities for floor, carpet, and countertop

The wood flooring is a design asset to your kitchen and matches the rest of the house that is visible. Why do away with style? I suggest that you do indeed paint those cabinets with a semi gloss high quality paint and add the granite or marble countertops, the stainless steel appliance suite, and of course new handles and perhaps a fabulous stylish pendant light.

I have painted so many a cabinets for both clients and friends and the outcome is breathtaking and professional. Here's how:

1) Remove all doors and handles

2) Clean all cabinet surfaces

3) Begin your roller painting (this with a highest grade/professional mini dense foam roller) and you will see the results are quite beautiful, long-lasting and professional-looking, not to mention very affordable!

4) Lastly paint those door fronts

5) Allow to dry well

6) Re-install doors and handles

7) BE IN AWE ! and don't forget to thank me………………….. :)

Finiiiiiito………………………..

Now you have your granite/marble counter top installed!

Be happy! It's the most efficient and cost effective way to remodel a kitchen, and with those wood floors……………….IT"S A GO!

TIPS: (Home Depot has Cabinet Rescue make of paint for cabinets that can be tinted in any shade or just go with any Sherwin Williams satin or high gloss paint).

WHite is always right, DOve grey is understated and elegant, and BLack is oooh sooooo sophisticated. All of these look stunning with white carrara marble or with any other natural stone surface that you choose.

Keep that morale up! This will turn out beautiful. The mini- roller does it all!

HOuse MOuse

Miriam Mainieri

Miami

Psssssss……………………you may not even need to change out those appliances just yet………………….if you choose to paint those cabinets white!

HOuse MOuse

Miriam Mainieri

Miami

tile has crossed my mind.

How about porcelain tile that looks like wood?

I love the look of wood flooring but it's just foolish to put it into a wet area like a kitchen. Dishwashers overflow or the water to the refrigerator ruptures or a thousand other things can happen. That's why I used tile that looks like wood all over my house. I LOVE it. As far as painting the cabinets I think it depend on what kind of wood it is. Oak doesn't look so good painted as the grain shows through. I'm not big into stainless steel appliances because they are a pain to keep clean looking. As far as the cabinets go I'd have a professional take one door and paint it so you can see what it will look like and if you like it. If not just have a cabinet maker turn out a new one. Perhaps you have some of the same cabinets in a back bathroom or laundry room you could use for this experiment. Good luck. If you don't paint the cabinets you might want to think about a white quartz counter instead of a dark granite. Oh, I see your granite is a light one.

You can do a search of "wood floor wood cabinets" to get some ideas of colors that would look good with your cabinets. I have wood cabinets and natural oak solid hardwood floors which I am very happy with. The two longest lasting floors are tile and solid hardwood. You are correct in not wanting too many different flooring types on your main level. I often see a mix of tile and hardwood - tile entry, laundry, bath, and hardwood everywhere else and possibly with tile in the kitchen too. Some substitute carpet instead of hardwood.

Solid hardwood can be refinished many times and tile can be repaired if one cracks. (Always keep some extra tiles.) Tile is colder and harder. Wood is more comfortable, but is prone to wear. A traditional hardwood can be installed over time. We did part of our main level one year and part a few years later. As it is traditional natural oak finished on site, it was easy to match and there is no distinction between the two areas. Laminate can be an option. Some are much better than others. It does not have the value that hardwood or tile has, but sometimes that is all there is in the budget - though a traditional hardwood may not cost that much more. Laminates and vinyls are shorter lasting floors and may need to be replaced sooner than you imagined.

You are correct to be concerned about painting your cabinets. Oak is not a paint grade wood because the texture of the grain shows through the paint. Wood moves with changes in temp and humidity causing small cracks of the paint at the joints - which will require upkeep - not a problem for some but others do not care for it. The cabinets will look like oak cabinets that have been painted white - again, not a problem for some, but a disappointment if one is expecting a white kitchen like in the glossy pictures. It also needs to be done by a professional or a savvy DIY who is patient and pays attention to detail. You would get a better look buying new doors and refacing the cabinets for the cost. I find that those who like their painted oak cabinets best like a farmhouse or cottage style and don't mind the texture and cracks and those whose cabinets are worn and they need to prolong the life till new cabinets can be afforded. If you do think you may switch to white cabinets some time, a wood floor will help retain some of the warmth of wood that will be lost with white cabinets.

Oak cabinets can be very attractive - and yours look good in the picture. The white kitchens often look lovely, but part of that is style features - more than just being white. These features can be part of an oak kitchen too. They include: glass doors, areas of open shelving, and decorative cabinets that have plate rails, wine racks or spice boxes. Some of the panels in your doors can be routed out and replaced with glass. A carpenter can help you retrofit decorative cabinetry or convert a cabinet into an open shelving area. You did not ask about the cabinets so I will leave it at that:)

Ugh, no more white cabinets!

Thank you everyone for your comments. One moment I am ready to paint the cabinets and the next minute I just want to leave them. I am just not happy with my kitchen. I don't know if the stainless steel appliances will make enough of a difference. I really would like new floor, but also am having a hard time finding something that looks nice with the oak cabinets. I also want to leave my options open if I decide to paint them in the future.

Tricia- I know making the decision is the hardest part. Good luck, remember, life is short, we only get this rodeo once;)

Tricia if you are not ready to paint your cabinets yourself .... Then don't. It is a big job and if you are not confident doing it yourself then leave them. Light oak cabinets will come back in style one day. Shag carpets, brass and wallpaper all came back. If you get a professional to paint them it will costs you $3000-$6000 (depending on the amount of cupboards you have). Your kitchen will look very nice once you make the changes.

@Tricia - I was at a kitchen design store last week and saw a charming display of oak cabinets. I am going to go back and get a picture sometime. I stopped at my friendly neighborhood cabinetmaker a month ago - and his delivery truck was being loaded with beautifully custom made oak cabinets - they even had arched panels. White is bright and clean looking - great for a kitchen. Wood is cozy and warm - also great for a kitchen.

I do a lot of DIY - some stuff seems easy, but then I realize it is my thing. If you have a creative touch then you can learn to save some money by DIY - but if not, it is best to put some $ aside each month and get a trusty carpenter/painter/contractor to help you with some changes - even I have trusty carpenter because I can't do everything - especially heavy stuff.

From the pictures, your kitchen looks really nice. The only downside I see to it is that it is probably similar to many other kitchens and you want it to reflect you and your style more. Here are a couple things I've done - but my style may be different than yours.

Glass in the corner cabinet:

Retrofitted microwave shelf (which was not over the stove) with spice boxes and plate rail:

I am in the process of replacing the stove hood with a wood one - it is sitting in my garage waiting for me to go stain it:) It might be more $ than you have right now, but putting your microwave elsewhere - retrofitting a cabinet with a shelf or on the counter, would give you the opportunity to get a wood or stainless T range hood:

You can also remove an upper cabinet and replace with open shelves - mostly for display or replace with a different type of cabinet.

Plate rail:

Open shelves:

I have more possibilities if you are incline to country / cottage or vintage style, but for now I'll leave it at this. People have given you some great pics and ideas. Go slow - no need to rush decisions. Keep the process fun and creative.

Thank you. I am comfortable with painting the cabinets myself, but do not have the time it requires. By all the comments and reading I have done, it seems like quite a process. I am wondering if I should just leave the floors as is and get new hardware and granite countertops. I really am not crazy about the floors, but trying to find something that looks right with the cabinets is proving to be hard. Maybe I am being too picky!

If you do a search on Houzz for oak cabinets, it looks like most ( very beautiful kitchens ) have wood flooring in the same stain, or they have a lighter beige/brown tile. I think the dark cabinet in the middle is throwing everything off. Since you said painting all the cabinets is not something you can commit to, time-wise, perhaps consider painting the island a cream color. I think that will make a huge difference, especially with new appliances and new countertop and backsplash.