Cabinets look like the ones in my other house! If the kitchen is only 8 years old, and you built it, what do you not like about it now? Are the appliances working well? Why not wait until you need to replace appliances, then do a little cosmetic update?

I do like the cabinets. I don't like the lights and I guess it just feels cold to me. I thought about adding back splash (air stone). Appliances have had some trouble. We've talked about changing those to stainless steel. But I don't know if that would look ok with the countertops we have

Paint can really go a long way if you are okay with loosing the wood look. It's a little time consuming, but the effort is worth the payoff and it's really cheap. You could also have a few of the front of the upper cabinets replaced with glass. It might make the kitchen feel a little more open and give it an airy, updated touch (just keep in mind that you would be displaying your plates and whatever else you keep behind them).

Also, that little nook you have next to the microwave. What if you moved your microwave into the nook, removed the bread storage to the right of the stove and did a nice updated tile backsplash behind that entire wall and continue it around to the window above the sink. You could do a fun pattern behind the stove to give it a little wow factor and focal point.

HI -- best place to start is -- get rid of the light box and put in some new lighting . L.E.D pots or track lighting -- better clairity of light . You could also change the counter tops for white Quartz ones and also do that for the backsplash or nice white glossy subway tiles . How about some new chrome cabinet hardware ....cup pulls for the drawers and handles for the doors . Is that two microwaves I see ? -( the black one looks like a toaster oven) ,- then if so, then replace the over range one for a new range vent . If you go with new appliances like maybe stainless steal then you could put a stainless steal and glass full height vent in . You would have to remove the upper cabinet and then continue you backsplash tile up to the ceiling . That would open up the look of the kitchen a lot. Right now the stove area looks so dark and confined. A lot of people are also removeing those corner tambour appliance garages and putting the small appliances else where to get more counter space . Some times it also comes down to editing what you have or need and finding other storage areas for the stuff to get it off the counters .

omg; this looks almost exactly like my kitchen that I am not quite ready to tackle yet. Hope you don't mind that I will be following this project:)

Try Rustoleum cabinet paint kit! So many similar kitchen have been done with it. I'm currently trying it to change our dark 80s cabinets to winter white. Big change for $150 ish

I would start by fixing the lighting. Replace your ceiling lights with something more modern and add under the cabinet lighting to brighten up your space. I would add an eye catching backdrop and a new countertop to match. Dupont Corian counters are a cheap and beautiful upgrade.

I agree new pulls would be a start. Another suggestion would be to select several of the upper cabinets, I would take the ones in the corner and have panels of rain glass inserted. The glass will immediately lighten up all the wood. Go ahead with the new backsplash, again something like a glass tile to reflect light and add character. None of these suggestions would break a budget but will change your kitchen with these small changes.

The builder talked me into this lighting and I really wish I would have gone with my gut. I haven't liked it since we moved in. I do think that would be a great place to start. Our microwave is too big for the area to the left, but that was the intent originally. But I like the idea of opening that area. I love the suggestions!

Lots of great comments here. The lighting suggestions are right on topic. I also agree with considering removal of the appliance garage which would give you the opportunity to replace the countertops and add a full height backsplash. I would consider looking at the new Formica line FX180 and a tile splash. The look would really update the space and Formica is a fraction of the cost of stone. Under cabinet lighting will warm up the room.

Your cabinets are like mine with the exception that just had them stain and change my refrigerator, I still need to change the counter and need new flooring, here are some pictures of my process.. My doors were already down when I took the pictures

Now and still working on it... I only had a small budget to work with.. The pictures were taking late at night...good luck