well so far, i see a lot of painting, and then replacing the light fixtures in your future.

look at your photo, not at your kitchen. its a lot easier to get clarity.

take down the plants, buy matching stools, and have the fluorescent light removed and you are a large way there.

change the counters and backsplash if you dont want white any more, and you are pretty much finished.

change the door hardware, remove all those stools... can that many people really fit there lol. call an electrician and have him put in can lights, they usually have a deal for 6 ... but what is the budget?

First thing I would change is the lighting. Next remove everything from above the cabinets. Then replace the barstools. Are you planning to paint over the green walls?

Yes, the light fixtures are driving me crazy!!! But I won't replace until I update! :)

Yes, I'm going to paint up a storm. I also am moving walls to make a bigger pantry and put in larger fridge. It will also give me room to make the island bigger which is my biggest goal. I have 7 butts going through this kitchen and its killing me! All new appliances are going in including removing the microwave and putting in a hood. All new flooring, quartz counters and cool back splash will happen. The question is, should I paint these cabinets or start over???

Your cabinets appear to be in solid condition. If you are looking for an update on a budget I would recommend what I like to refer to as a kitchen face lift. Update the backsplash, counter top, and hardware. By upgrading the decorative aspects you can truly transform your space. Based on the kitchens you like it seems you have a contemporary style. Instead of merely replacing the light fixture I would add a tray ceiling. It really brings a modern feel to the space.

You could paint the cabinets but what color depends on the new floor. I used to have a kitchen like this so I was inspired to play around with the photo.

Try a waterfall edge on the Quartz at the end of the peninsula for a modern look. Could paint cabinets a dark grey. Are the cabinets loaded with the features you want? (Soft close, roll out shelves, built-ins for spices etc..). If not, it may be worth starting over and getting all he latest technology.

Great ideas all! Thanks so much!

Question, when you all paint cabinets, do you paint the interior of the cabinet as well?

Depends if you have glass doors. At a minimum the frames and door interiors. It's not uncommon to have natural maple boxes with different exterior panels frames and doors.

Some Houzz examples of natural maple interiors with painted or stained exteriors.

The cabinets look great and have a fresh modern look. It's the stuff around them that's not working. For instance, remove the molding along the top of the cabinets. Paint the walls white and replace the backsplash with an aqua glass tile. Then smooth the ceilings and paint them white and change the lights to recessed. And, of course, get rid of all those barstools. Just get two modern ones in green to pop against the aqua tile.

Please don't paint your lovely maple cabinets. They are a warm, natural woodtone that seems to match the trim around your window, and presumably other trim in your house. Updating the countertop, adding an undermount sink, updating the backsplash, adding new lighting, and changing the paint color will transform your kitchen. A recent story on Houzz suggested that stained wood cabinets are coming back in vogue.

I am changing all my trim in the house to white (half is done). The cabinets seem to be yellowing to me. I have been thinking about staining them if not paint. If you have some good modern maple stains to consider please share!

What about a nice black countertop...

Here is a Grey stain on my maple cabinets, but they were done at cabinet maker. My understanding is maple is hard to stain. Understand the yellow issue. I had maple at my old house but trim was natural wood. Good luck!

Hi Amanda, we're in the process of updating our dated honey oak kitchen, too! Here's what we've done/are doing: tore out the countertops and blacksplash, added new white quartz/grey glass backsplash. On teh cabinets, we're keepign the boxes, as they are custom oak and solid, but have hired someone to put new doors/hardware on them, flat panel NOT shaker. The boxes will get sanded, and all will be painted in high gloss. You could do white, we are doing dark charcoal or maybe dark blue, haven't landed on paint. We're hiring someone to do the painting/new doors, but you could do it yourself if you've got time and patience. Take off the crown molding and consider just adding in straight edge molding. New light fixtures: yes! Finally, paint the walls white, adn add some inexpensive but modern stainless pulls. Voila! Your kitchen is mod. Have fun!