I like oak.

I too like the oak but I guess the latter is winning. I didn't realize so many didn't like oak. White to me is a kitchen of the 90's is it. just an idea...but what about cabinet refacing, It's supposedly not too expensive & can give the room a whole new look? Best of luck

Voting for espresso :-)

Still voting for keeping the oak cabinets, they look clean and in good condition. Add some hardware for a more finished look.

Keep oak cabinets-change backsplash and counter tops. Sorry I do not care for that backsplash and when selling you need somehting more updated.

I too have oak cabinets. I have wanted white for a very long time. But it seems that white is everywhere for such a long time. I believe white might be on it's way out and who cares, it's YOUR kitchen, so make it what you want. I have decided to embrass my oak and add new counters, backsplash and knobs. Search under maple cabinets on houzz, (so similar to oak) get some ideas from there.

I would say keep the oak if you are not planning on staying in the house and do not want to spend a lot of $$ or work on this kitchen. The new home owners may want to come in and rip out the cabinets all together anyway. Change the counter top, sink and back splash. Add some pretty light colored valances/roman shades to windows. Lastly add some really cool hardware for the cabinet doors. You could also add some kind of pendant light/lights over the island.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I like the oak. I had it in my last kitchen. It's warm and easy to care for. I also chose to forgo hardware. I think it's a much cleaner look than a sea of knobs and pulls. I agree with smythtracy, the buyer may decide to rip the whole thing out anyway, especially if the 'new' painted cabinets aren't perfectly done. With a new backsplash and counter I think you'll find your kitchen refreshed as it's already got a lot going for it. Best of luck!

I too have oak cabinets and have been going back and forth on what to do. We did add new pulls and knobs that have helped update it. I am thinking of maybe painting the island cabinets. Keeping the rest oak for now. Good luck on your project!

Styles in 3-4 years will be different than today's. Don't paint the oak. Change the countertop and backsplash. If you don't have a downdraft vent in the island, consider installing one or a vent hood.

I'll take wood over paint any day. Paint shows many imperfections where wood can be stained. It is also timeless. Paint colors are dated. Change the hardware. Go for a newer backsplash and countertops. You'll be surprised how much easier on the budget just those few changes can be.

The oak cabinets with oak floors is too much oak for me. I'd paint the cabinets white, change the countertops and backsplash and add hardware to the cabinets.

...just my opinion but i suggest update countertops , backsplash, paint the island and add hardware. Wait and see if that does the trick before changing/painting cabinets.

You may want to first do the backsplash, countertops and paint the walls and then it will be an easier decision about the cabinets. I imagine it will be difficult to choose colors/finishes which will work with either oak or white though. Perhaps just select the colors and finishes you like and bring home large samples and then see how you feel. I like the fact you have lots of storage in your kitchen.

Use the money you save on paint to buy yourself some cabinet hardware.

I'd suggest living with the oak. Take a door in when you go to choose counters, backsplash and hardware. Consider painting a camel color and keeping your choices monochromatic to work with the oak so it blends into a warm golden look. Black, charcoal or chocolate brown counters would also look rich and work with the oak, still basically neutral and monochromatic. Think beach rocks and sand.

I like and have wood cabinets but the tone of yours is so yellow that I might paint them.

Speak to a realtor before spending any money. There is no way to know what the next owner wants but a realtor can help you decide how many dollars to spend.

The white appliances are too stark against the gold oak. Paint is an easy fix ... and a white kitchen is always fresh looking. I don't believe you will ever see white go out of style. It does require more upkeep than the stained cabinets, tho.

Keep the cabinets - change the backsplash and counter tops - you could consider adding pulls to the cabinets to update/change appearance. Oak is a beautiful wood - keep it!

something similar to this

You could refinish the floor. Here are some colors over Oak that you might consider.

I always look at oak cabinets and think to myself, b.l.a.n.d. and no personality. It's hard to change the feel of the kitchen without changing that oak. It needs a punch.

I love the your kitchen and lets face it it has stood up to the test of time and still looks good. The sink is in the perfect spot as well as all your white goods. I would paint cabnets white, New white goods and I would do a clear glass splash back if you have real brick behind the units as you have tiles to take off. Yes its a bit of work but it can be done belive me it looks great. For bench top I would go for dark wood or Deep gray concrete maybe try and blend it in with the floor. As I do not know if you would be changing that as if you are like me I have a floor that goes on and on its alot to change but doit if you have the money. Fill in down lights and go for over hang lights old industrial style looks fab. Well I better go I hope I have made your mind up happy kitchen Jackie Clan Interior design Perth WA Australia

I would change the countertops and backsplash and keep the oak cabinets. I'm not a fan of painted cabinets. The oak goes with the trim on your windows, and I'm guessing that trim is throughout your house. Rather than painting the cabinets, I would replace the white appliances with black or stainless, to coordinate with the new countertops and backsplash.

Why update your home for strangers whose taste you have no clue about? If you are going to all the trouble and expense of a remodel, do it for yourself...do what YOU like. True, the house may sell for a bit less, but there is no guarantee it will sell for more either...better to keep your money in the bank than spend it upgrading for strangers who may not like it anyway. Just my opinion.

I also would see if you could have inside hinges put in. We did that and it helped to updat them.

I would not paint the oak for a couple of reasons.
1.) It is difficult to paint oak because the wood grain tends to show through.
2.) Many "painted" cabinets are made with medium density fiberboard, and seem "cheap."

The suggestion to consult a realtor might give you some perspective a out what is selling in your area.

If this was my kitchen, I would replace the backsplash and countertops only.

I would change the counter top, add back splash, add modern hardware, some bar stools and window treatments. Now you could also replace the doors with glass ones or frosted. And add some crown moulding to the top and new kitchen.

I, too, would only change the backsplash and countertops. We sold a house (in SoCal) last year thinking we needed to change/update so many things. However, the realtor advised us not to. I'm so glad we listened...we had a bidding war going, and the house sold FAST for well over the asking price.

Also, the house we bought (another bidding war!) has your same oak cabinets. I'm not thrilled with them, but they sure didn't keep us from wanting the house...too many other positives!

johannyj
Thank you everyone for the great input and advice. It's been almost a year and we have already made some changes. I loved the oak, but my husband did not like too much yellow, so we compromised. First, we darkened a bit the stain of the floor into a 50% nutmeg. Then, we left the majority of the cabinets in the original oak with granite countertop. The inside of all cabinets was painted in Navajo White, so now they look really new. Also, we stained the island in espresso and added a white quartz countertop. The backsplash is NOT DONE YET. We plan on putting simple subway tile the same kaffee color you see in the picture. The appliances stayed in white as white is in my color pallet. We changed all hardware to dark bronze and also changed the doors. Note that we added a glass door. We have not put any accessories yet, so INPUT IS VERY WELCOME.

I love what you've done! Staining is a great idea to revive wood. I am going to replace my countertops with quartz. It is a natural stone which does not have the negatives that granite has. You really defined your space.

I say keep them and put new counter tops on it and then add some nice hardware. They are in good condition and changing the colour is costly and so time consuming.

You'd be surprised of what new knobs, counter tops, and appliances would do! My wife and I had oak cabinets at our old house but we threw new black knobs and black counter tops with new appliances and it made a dramatic difference.

White cabinets, new back splash and some engineered stone counters and this kitchen would be amazing.

This project BEFORE & AFTER pictures for all of you out there. WE ARE DONE!!! And I really like my place!