Much more info is needed to answer. Budget, style and color preference, etc. This would just be a guessing game.

I'm for full replacement & taking them up to the ceiling with a crown molding at the top. Go with off-white cabs & soft grey quartz with a subway tile backsplash in a marble finish.

You will be sorry if you go with a dark counter in that room. Be sure to add under cabinet LED lighting. Have fun with the new kitchen design.

That is what I was afraid of. I like traditional with a bit contemporary. Most of my house is Browns and tans. I have a $15 to $20,000 budget. Thanks, all help is appreciated.

What's the motivation behind the remodel? Bored with current kitchen, need more storage, additional family members moved in?

White laminate countertops and worn cabinets.

OK these two photos I am showing will pretty much sum up what I would do with your kitchen.

-white cabinets, either new, refaced, or repainted

_black and white checked floor

_all matching appliances, either white or stainless

_apple green paint for walls

_ keep current backsplash

- new window roman shade in a fabric with pattern

Even with lighter cabinets, I think this room comes off very dark. Although there are lots of factors I am not seeing, I wouldn't even think about black granite from this picture. Not only does black granite seem to be on the outs as for trends that'll age your kitchen when it's new, but it may cause the space to seem smaller and darker than what I would like personally.

Painting your cabinets will buy you time, but is not a long term fix. The cabinets are oak and oak is not a paint grade wood. You can paint it, but the texture of the grain will show through and look like oak cabinets that are painted white. This is not a problem for some, but if you are thinking about new counters and backsplash - you won't want to put that investment in a kitchen with worn cabinets. Look into the cost of refacing. If you have a good size pantry, you could also remove some of the upper cabinets - save the cost of replacing or refacing them. You can replace appliances anytime - so if new ones are not in the budget you can do that last - although be sure to leave space for an adequate fridge - and since the appliances are older, be aware they could break down anytime.

This style may not suit you, but replacing some uppers with shelves and lowers with baskets, you can save $ on the cost to reface. It also shows wood counters which are much less than granite or quartz and an inexpensive beadboard backsplash. You might even have enough left for the apron front sink:)

A bit of open shelving in a very pretty kitchen:

Another kitchen with less upper cabinets:

If the cabinets are in good condition, have the professionally painted in white. Then go with a neutral granite the sports grays and Browns

TODAY: Remove the curtains in their entirety and do not replace unless you hate your neighbor's or cook naked. Get all of everything off the counters. Coffee maker and butcher block get to stay, absolutely everything else must go.

Have you considered refacing the cabinets? You can change the style and color of the cabinets without having to replace them. Upgrade the countertops with solid surface material, and a beautiful tile for the back splash.

Stacy Koch

CarmelDecor

I agree with sandraclark about painting the cabinets white and using a light color for the counter tops. I would suggest that you remove the window treatments and go with just a light-weight valance, if anything. Your kitchen needs all the light it can get.

Well you have a lot of stuff in there. I think you'd be happier with a more streamlined look. It doesn't appear to be a very large kitchen so perhaps you could do a new look within your budget. I agree that new cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling would modernize the look. Also recessed "can" lights instead of the single overhead will brighten things up considerably. I love the example Margo showed with the white cabinets with glass fronts and that green wall color gives a fresh new look. What are your thoughts. Give us some feedback so we know if you're liking our suggestions or whether we're way off base.

I will get rid of the curtains. Should I have a valance or nothing at all? I like the idea of refacing the cabinets. What type of light Quartz should I go with?

Try nothing and post a pic.

What parts of the cabinets are worn? Drawer slides? Finish around pulls? Hinge holes for screws? Remove curtains, turn on all the lights, and show photos of each wall.

At the bottoms on a few cabinets.

I like a little bit of window treatment as a way to add color and a little bit of softness to an area that has a lot of hard surfaces.

However, your first choice will be your cabinets, although if you see a beautiful quartz countertop, you can work your colors - cabinets, backsplash and wall color from there too. First, get an idea of the cost and possibilities with refacing. Then you will know how much you have left for counters and any other work you want to do. Changing out your counter is a good time to decide if you want or need a new sink. Flooring can come last because it can easily be done later.

There are some very pretty laminate counters too should your budget not stretch to quartz.

If the inside bottom shelves are falling apart, the cabinets could be in poor shape overall. I suggest you empty the cabinets, get some bright portable lights and take a close look.

Our Kitchen Visualizer tool is just the right tool for this type of dilemma. Visualize your space and play around with backsplash, cabinet color, floor color etc. Please click here

Cabinets are good shape but on the face of the cabinet where you open it there are a few that are worn, otherwise in great shape.

I would do white cabinets around the wall & white and grey marbled quartz not granite & never use black on top. Quartz is the new granite - very low, no maintenance. I have black corian now & hate it- the black top shows every crumb. The island I would do a darker wood and keep the same quartz marble top. White subway tile as backsplash. I had a new house built and did this & I have gotten a lot of wow's and compliments.

I agree with jhmarie in regard's to your appliances. Do those last! And buy them during a holiday weekend (i.e. Presidents Day weekend, Memorial Weekend, etc!) because places like HH Greg, Lowes, Home Depot always have sales! See if you can buy a gift card online from ebay (my husband does this a lot! he will go on ebay and buy a Lowes gift card for less than the gift card value, sounds weird, right? well its true! he can buy these $50 gift cards for like $40). I agree with everyone else in these comments. Give the kitchen some fresh paint (a lighter color) and paint your cabinets a light color. Also try replacing the light fixtures if you have the budget for it.

PostScript: if you change your cabinets, mark sure you take them up to ceiling & take out the soffits!