how about a creamy white upper with a dark gray to blue bottom?

Havingfun - That is an intriguing idea. I often think of creamy whites as having a yellow undertone and I want to avoid yellow. Do you have any suggestions for finding a non-yellow creamy white?

Ted - We plan to do those things as well, but the paint color is the only thing I am struggling with. Are you saying you don't think the light or dark grays work in the space?

Pick a white from the stones in the fireplace if you must paint the cabinets but the lighting, appliances and new counter would be all I would do if you are selling in 2 yrs. Some new stools would be great you could take those to the new house if you really want the hassle of painting white Dove is avery nice white . IMO unless you plan on having the cabinets painted by a pro there is nothing sticks out worse than an amateur paint job .

I would leave the cabinets as suggested and go higher end on the counters. Ask a local realtor, but that may be better for resale. Where we live everyone wants no laminate. You also may be surprised that once your other updates are done you won't hate the cabinets. If you still don't like them they can always be painted.

Hi there, I would put bevelled glass in a few of the cabinets....and change the hardware to chrome and update the counter top and backsplash. That would make a huge difference.

try Behr Cottage White, which i believe is the one in the photo, hold on:

It is a homework station, prep and meal area, and great for
entertaining," says Tammy. The door on the right leads to the backyard.
Wall paint: Raindance, Benjamin Moore; cabinet paint: Cottage White,
Behr, island paint: Gray Wisp, Benjamin Moore; bar stools: Attica.

pic is straight from houzz, bar under should show you. Cottage white is great for going over anything and it tends to tame pinks and reds. I have never had it look bad. don't go by the card it just looks white. it is definitely one you must sample to see.

I think If you are planning to resale, the cabinets should be left as is. However, if you are planning to move but you must have a different color, white is the way to go. The dark gray seems a bit dreary to me, and I think white would open up the space. Also there are tons of shades of white that have bluish or green undertones. Hope all goes well!

Your kitchen isn't bad. If you're planning on selling in a few years then let the next owner make the changes they would like. The rehab you're describing wouldn't be much of a real change. For instance, a new laminate counter in gray wouldn't look that different than what you have now. So spend your money on some easier fixes like adding several more panels to the drapes so they're fuller and don't just lay flat.

Thanks for all the comments. I was avoiding white because it typically doesn't have a lakehouse feel and I'm nervous about creamy whites because they usually have a yellow undertone I don't like and I have a hard time identifying that from a chip. I think I will try some dark lower cabs and creamy white uppers, and research the creamy whites that were suggested here. I know I like SW Iron Ore, it is in the kitchen of our primary home, so I will find whatever creamy white goes with that.

im confused if this your second home, why would you sell it in two years?

either way, I think white cabinets would be great. consider adding a back splash, and def. change the door hardware out. Also the ceiling fan. Some of the other things in this room are making it feel dated, not so much the cabinets.

I would either not paint the cabinets at all as suggested....or paint them white. Gray can be very dreary and very hard to find other colors to work with it. I have yet to figure out the different colors for uppers and lowers!

I'm trying out whites on the uppers and lowers this w-end. Wish me luck!

To answer some questions:
1, Yes, I plan to replace all the knobs, sink and ceiling fan (no more gold fixtures).
2, We don't want to move, but DH's work is in talks about relocating his division when their lease is up in 2 yrs. A lot can happen in 2 yrs which is why we figure we'll update and hopefully enjoy it, and if not it should help it sell faster if it doesn't look worn.
3, The cabs and countertops haven't been touched in 18 yrs so there is wear and sun fading, it just may not be showing up in the pics.
4, I'm in TX and the kitchens in this area tend to go for a rustic cabin feel. It's just not my thing. I attached a couple of pics of homes in the area that are for sale as examples of the trend for our area.
5, With droughts and rain there are some shifting/settling concerns and I don't want to add any weight to the house, so no quartz or granite.

flair lighting - I would LOVE to do a backspash, but I have a slight OCD thing about patterns. There are too many plugs and lightswitches under the cabs and they are all slightly off. Some are 'dead' and I was told I could not remove the switch and leave the wires behind the drywall, is this true? I haven't worked with laminate before, could I do a backspash out of the laminate? Since it is a marble look I don't think my OCD pattern issue would kick in.

I would update the cabinet hardware (oil rubbed bronze), update the ceiling fan, and paint an accent wall behind the stove. I don't think your cabinets or countertops are that bad.