If the naysayers include a live-in significant other, you should definitely talk it over. But if you're the decision maker, then go for it. Do you really want to worry about pleasing people who won't be living there? Good luck!

Omg those cabinets are beautiful. Please don't paint them.

Second that - take the challenge on another part of kitchen instead.

I could live with brick red and earthy colors... but not mine. So what do you think of paint color options?

I would kill for those cabinets... the red and the back splash, not so much... Try paint and new tile.

Thanks for the suggestions. My husband doesn't care either way. He just wants me to love our new kitchen. It was my parents who thought painting was a bad idea. I'm sure painting walls and changing backsplash first is the logical way to go, but we aren't in a rush to move in and with 3 small kids it was going to be so nice to have all this work done before we move in. Just afraid if I wait I'll never do it bc of the hassle once we're living there. I don't know what color to paint the walls. Open to more suggestions.

I think replacing the back splash and hardware can make a huge difference! I wouldn't paint over them either. They are beautiful!

Love the maple cabinets... I'd paint the walls and do the subway tile...I would also Change the cabinet knobs....this will all lighten up the kitchen....then if you want to paint those amazing maple cabinets.....good luck

lighten the color of the kitchen....

These are cabinets we did for a client... she LOVED going white. It is totally a personal thing... and for sure get rid of your back splash. There are some great lino tiles that can go over anything and can even be grouted... saves a lot on the mess and prep and I have seen them in show homes and they look amazing.

The colour on the walls now don't improve the look of the cabinets. They all just sort of blend towards mwah. If you keep the maple I would do a heavy cream to make them look richer and if you change to white then the sky's the limit.

Find pictures of what you think you want. See if you can possibly even find a virtual program where you can see what it would all look like in the colors you want. If you paint them, be sure you get someone who knows what they are doing and be 100% sure of the finish you want - slightly matte, or antiqued or what? If you know what you want, roll with it. If you are scared, start with all the other things you mentioned first, and leave the cabinets for last. Surround yourself with what YOU like, just be sure hubby or sig. other is ok with it as well. I remember when my hubby did not want me to paint the fireplace white. Older home -- I did it anyway. I usually listen to

him, but i knew this wasn't a deal breaker and he loved it! Best to you!

oh btw, if you are interested...pickled cabinet finish kind of gets you the best of both (your old and the white combined - keeping the original beauty somewhat). Pic attached!

Oh and another thing....you may want to do something of interest with your ceiling. Paint it another color or put something with texture on it.

The cabinets are beautiful and I like some warmth in a kitchen. Try painting the walls a lighter color, I think it would look great. The cabinets look to be a light/medium color...nnot too dark. You can still achieve a light kitchen look leaving them as is, I think. Beautiful!

I just finished painting my maple cabinets a creamy white (and light taupe on the island). I too had concerns that I would regret painting over the wood but now that it's done I'm very happy. Everyone seems to notice how much brighter the kitchen looks. I admit that it has lost some of the warmth I was used to but I think that can be achieved with wall color and backsplash. I mainly painted my cabinets bc I thought they clashed with my darker hardwood floors. The process was a bit intrusive to home life so I can see why you would want to do it before moving in. Good luck, if you have dreamed of having a white kitchen I say go for it.

Make sure you go and see other cabinets your painter has painted and check references. Ask what brand and type of paint he will be using,then research it.
Things you need to consider:
Will he be painting inside the cabinets and drawers ?
Will you be getting new hardware ?
Is the painter painting the cabinet doors and drawers on site using a brush or roller or taking them where he can spray the paint?

I had my cabinets painted and they turned out great.
I had a friend that did not check out her painter's work and they had visible brush marks and the paint is already chipping in some areas .
Ask questions and research.

I'm going through the same dilemma. Every one in my family has a comment, and the reality is that I will be the one spending time in the kitchen, so it is my decision to make. Just consider the countertop color and how the cabinets will match. My cabinets are pretty close to yours so I feel your pain.

Paint! They'll still be maple underneath! Nice backsplash in grey/taupe color would look amazing! Try something different and more modern... You are young so make your kitchen look your age!

How about painting the walls creamy white and changing the backsplash?

Paint them! Just because it's wood doesn't mean it has to stay unpainted. It cracks me up when people say "please don't paint them" as if they would be personally hurt if you did what you wanted to do in your own home. Off white paint with a subway tile backsplash, perhaps a different color island, updated pendants and a brighter wall color would be gorgeous.

The cabinets are very nice. Still, if white cabinets are your dream then go for it. You have the time to get it done now. I think it will look very nice.

What color scheme do you want for your kitchen and house? The red walls are a bit much, made even more intense by the black counters. New counters, fresh paint, maybe even new cabinet hardware are easy fixes. Painting cabinets is a lot of work and you want to get it right. Thankfully maple has very low wood grain so painting it is easier than oak. If it was oak I would recommend you consider refacing. Let us know your color likes/dislikes and we will try to provide helpful suggestions. :)

When doing your new backsplash see if you and stop the tile to align with the upper cabinet and not the raised breakfast bar. That detail of the tile jutting out looks awkward.

I'd definitely paint them. It's really a personal decision. My friends decided not to paint their kitchen cabinets when they bought their house, the cabinets were also maple and only 5 years old at the time, many many people told her not to do it, not to ruin the beautiful wood. You know what, the wife complains to me all the time about not painting them. After 1 year of not loving her kitchen, she finally decided they're gonna paint them this summer. In the end, you want to love your home, listen to your heart.

They are beautiful, indeed, but if you know you want white, then go with white. Regardless the color, your cabinets are still maple underneath any color you choose. Antique white is a beautiful choice. And, you should definitely change the backsplash.

Do it! I painted our dull ash cabinets cream and I tiled subway tile right over the old travertine-look porcelain tiles.

I had the paint store match Kraftmaid canvas color, which is a creamy off-white:

http://renov8or.blogspot.com/2015/01/our-white-kitchen-makeover-for-under.html

You won't be sorry.

Before:

After:

There's a paint additive called Floetrol that I wish I had known about. It keeps the paint thin, so you get fewer brush lines and drips.

I think the concern is more about quality rather than if white is better than maple. I would rather have maple cabinets than a cheap paint or diy job that will never look or wear as well as new. I would caution any professional painter can paint walls but most painters should never touch cabinets. I am not trying to talk you out of your white kitchen dream but if it were me I would want it done right. I would save for a reface or the new kitchen of my dreams...Donate maple?

Your cabinets are fine, but nothing special, and they appear to have a dark glaze that makes the lines darker and the look a bit more country. Plus, in your second photo, the cabinets and floors appear to have slightly mismatched undertones. The world will recover quickly from the tragedy of your painting, and you will love the transformation of your space for many years.

Don't even hesitate. Paint the cabinets (using somebody experienced, of course), and update the hardware to nickel to continue the lightness and updated feel. Sure, new wall paint and backsplash will make a big difference here, but you know what you're dreaming of...

Usually I'd say paint the cabinets but in this case try replacing the backsplash and re-configuring it so it won't go beyond the cabinets at the bar area. Looks bad jutting out there.

The kitchen is a terrible color. Painting the walls will make a huge difference in the way the cabinets look.

When re-doing the tile you might want to take advantage of hidden electrical outlets & a charging drawer like these two examples. Then your new tile could have more unbroken lines.

The kitchen is nice but lacking some umph. It suffers from, what I call, the "Brown Blahs". Too much brown...not enough of anything else. No pop. No fizz. Just blah.

As a white cabinet type of gal myself (or fire engine red in high gloss lacquer) I can understand your want to go white. I get it. I'm there for you. If you can get it done for a price you are happy with and can be done before moving in...then go for it.

The counters and the floors are well matched which is half the battle. A white cab (or off-white...it's your show) kitchen with a mid-tone brown counter + mid-tone brown floor = VERY NICE! The back splash will help keep things light...and the maroon walls will be gone. Which will raise the brightness levels several steps.

I say go for it! It is someone else's dream kitchen...which happens to be sitting in your new home. There is no need to keep it just because it is "wood". If you don't like it, don't keep it. These types of cabinets paint out REALLY nicely. They look very, very handsome when painted (and new hardware is chosen to go with the new look).

Have fun. Do what you like. Your plan (by the sounds of it) is solid. The counters and floors are a nice match which means they stay (saving costs). The walls, cabs and backsplash can change. Go for it. You will be so happy you did.

I think you are either a wood cabinet person or you are not. I would paint the cabinets and walls, new hardware, more substantial lights and change the corbels under the bar top to something simpler. I think the current cabinets look slightly dated, white will be beautiful!

Just change the pulls to stainless bars for more modern feel and paint and tile

I have a white kitchen which is open to the family room. I have white trim throughout. I have painted black and walnut wood furniture pieces. I debate with myself if the kitchen is a good fit with the rest of the design. My contribution to this string is to remind you to look at your whole house and make sure you are pushing all the rooms in the same direction. Good luck with the painting and I hope you can avoid the appearance of brush strokes...