The wood is not oak.

I don't know about paint colors, but please be aware that painting cabinets involves much more than a "coat" of paint.

It is a nice kitchen and you are right that it needs something to pull it together.

Thank you. I don't know what color it is. I just know it hasn't been liked. A lot of boys live there with our dad and would just like a more modern color to the place.

Does your family have a budget range in mind? Are you just moving in or looking for a change after a few years?

Well a divorce just took place so I imagine my Dad doesn't want to spend too much. I have been living in my own place for the past 5 years and will not be moving in ever again, but still visit and use this as the gathering place for all 5 of us siblings and other family. The last project before I moved out was changing all the carpet to wood floors..but he didn't want to change the tile floors because he said it was custom work.

The house is about 17 years old.

Thanks for info. An easy color change can be made with lighting. Does the central ceiling fixture, probably a ceiling fan, have spiral CFL bulbs or newer warm white LED bulbs?

Another color change may have occurred over time with the custom tile flooring. If there's a pantry where the floors are not exposed to traffic, try taking a photo of the tile there with a piece of white paper. Then take a photo with the same white paper and the backsplash to compare colors. When the tiles were originally installed, they were probably all closely coordinated. The flooring may have yellowed. It could be professionally cleaned which may remove any yellowed wax. The grout lines can be cleaned and painted to match the tile.

Here's a dramatic example of before and after tile cleaning from a google image search on "professional tile cleaning" : http://www.tile-cleaning-pros.com/

Those cabinets are not oak and they are a beautiful color. The problem is everything around them-the floor is dated and dingy, the backsplash is screaming for attention, and the wall color is doing nothing for anything. Perhaps some upgrades in the lighting. The most expensive and iffy proposition would be to paint the cabinets. Your dad will get much better value from changing out the backsplash, doing something about the floor, and picking a better paint color. Perhaps the floor just needs to get the grout cleaned, or even re-grouted.

One more suggestion: I notice their is no hardware on the cabinets and drawers. Adding some is another relatively inexpensive upgrade that can make a big difference.

Nice cabinets. Keep them. It is the floor and wall color which you should consider changing.

Don't change the cabinets. Change the floor.

Your cabinets are maple and I still think they work fine, along with the counter. You have to change the tile backsplash as well as the floor. I would do a few things that are not too expensive that can really give your kitchen a fresh look.

1) Change tile backsplash to something more current - subway tile would be nice.

2) Change your floor to either wide repurpsed pine, or a tile floor to co-ordinate with your new backsplash.

3) Add some new knobs in oil rubed bronz (will pick up color in your counter) or stainless for a more contemporary look that wil pick up on your appliances.

4) Paint the bead board under your counter, perhaps a cream color that will pick up on the new subway tile. White would be too stark. Think of the back of your island as a furniture pice or accent to your kitchen.

5) If it's in the budget, either remove the wall cabinet (double glass and single door) and make that an accent shelves in a paint color. Another thought on this is to make both cabinets glass doors but use leaded glass which will haze out what you keep in your cabinet. Add some moulding to break your wall up into your ceiling would be great too. Add some accents above the cabinet but don't go overboard.

Hope these recommendations help!

Have you thought about open shelving or cabinets with window panes? You might also consider filling the space above the cabinets with cabinets so it doesn't create a horizontal break which makes the room feel shorter and more crowded. Overall from your pics it looks a little claustrophobic and the color in that relatively small space is a little overwhelming.