I agree that removing the wallpaper is a good idea. If you have not done so already, I would suggest searching Craftsman kitchens and Craftsman color palettes to get a range of ideas that would be in keeping with the history of the home and see what appeals to you and works with your budget.

For a 90's renovation, those cabinets are pretty nice (as far as I can tell in a picture) and at least somewhat fitting to a craftsman style home. They aren't arched or oak. Get rid of the wallpaper and you should like it a lot more. Wood cabinets would be more appropriate than painted. I agree you should look into the style of craftsman kitchens and homes before you make changes that could be out of character with the home.'s style.

Removing the wallpaper and painting a lighter color, I'm sure will help change your view of the kitchen. Keep us posted when it's done.

Of course I agree with everyone about the wallpaper. Once you get rid of that and get some paint on the wall you are left with a great kitchen. You might not have to do much. Change out the hardware for sure, that's an easy low budget fix.

What is the counter top? Hard to tell from the picture what color is it? I'm thinking paint, hardware, and a new back splash.

I think the kitchen is a bit weirdly laid out so I think before spending too much money and effort I would see how it functions for you. The cabinets look to be in good shape , the lighting is horrible and of course the wallpaper has to go.

What they said! LOL! Agree that you should live with the kitchen (after removing wallpaper) for a few months, to see what works and what doesn't. Nothing like wasting money painting cabinets, replacing floors and countertops, only to rip it all out because it doesn't work anyway.

I agree with the others....paint it something other than gray.....please. It really is a very nice, spacious kitchen. I would not paint those cabinets. When you have the budget, replace the floor and countertops.

Just painting the cabinets and taking off the wallpaper would be a big change. I think your door would look nice painted black I could see your cabinets white or you could go with a darker colour on the bottom and white on wall cabinets.

I agree with Patricia, see how this kitchen functions for you. Strip the paper & paint and replace the lighting. Maybe new hardware. Wait two years or more and reassess. Get to know your house and where you need to direct your hard earned money.

Wow that wallpaper is crazy! Once that is gone that room won't be so bad, because the cabinets look decent. I'd hold off painting the cabinets, and first paint the walls to see if you still want to paint them. The backsplash is simple, bright, and light. So, keep that until you can redo the entire kitchen. I would research how to paint laminate counters and update the color.

I really like your cabinets and color; maybe new cabinet hardware that looks vintage would help you like them more.

Your plans to remove or replace the wallpaper, and to replace the backsplash, will definitely make an incredible difference. If this were my home, I think the kitchen floors would be next, because that's where I see no personality whatsoever.

Your home's age and craftsman style is opportunity to add the charm back. Congratulations on your purchase!

thanks everyone. I actually like the countertops, not sure the material, but it's neutral and it's not laminate. I don't like granite either so it works. the layout is really bad imo. I already have it redone in my head with a craftsman appropriate cabinet and a better layout. the floor definitely needs to go, and preferably go with the same wood from the rest of the main floor. (they used it in both bathrooms too) I feel like it's just really dark. I agree, living with some of it for now to get a feel for it is smart. we are focusing our money on a master suite addition for now, and removing more wallpaper. I want to try and give this home proper love. it's pretty neat!

The cabinets look good to me. After your wallpaper is gone I think it will look more up to date. I'd replace the cabinet handles with cup pulls that match the knobs. Up dating the lighting will be a big change. Like the other comments live with if for a while before making major changes. Cute!

idk how to edit my comment, lol, but to clarify, they used that boring tile in the bthrms. hardware change would be nice. I guess the cabinets just seem very cherry looking, and I am not a fan. thus the idea to paint them. our current house has almost the same layout and I've hated it for 5 yrs.

and there's this wallpaper --- just off the kitchen lol

As already stated, trash the wallpaper. If you're looking for a period color for the cabinets, go with white. It was THE color for kitchens of that era; the modern, sanitary kitchen was really big. When it comes to painting the trim, I think after you strip and paint the walls, you're going to see that you'll want to paint the trim, too. I'd really like to see a close up of the countertops, you say it's not laminate and I'm really curious as to what it is.

BTW, the wallpaper in the kitchen and bath look like it came from a French house of ill repute.

@Vanessa Lucas--To your point about considering painting the cabinets...

Since the cabinets are not original to the house, and bear little resemblance to the style of the time or architecture, keeping the present look out of an imposed sense of obligation to preserve the house's heritage would be misplaced. Obviously, there's currently little there that's evocative of an authentically 1920's Craftsman kitchen. The only reason to keep that 1990's cabinetry as-is would be if you loved it. (which you don't.)

Until you replace the cabinetry and layout, as you indicated you'd like to, painting the cabinets would go a long way to both brighten the kitchen, and convey a decently faithful interpretation of a 1920's Craftsman kitchen--much more so than leaving it wholly stuck in the 1990's. 1920's kitchens were big on painted and enameled cabinetry. As Carolina Kitchen noted, white was all the rage. As an aside, I remember the kitchen of a great aunt and uncle, in a Craftsman bungalow built in the 1920's. The soft green cabinetry was original to the house, and looked amazing. Research, and you'll find a range of historically appropriate variations that also accommodate your own tastes.

Enjoy your wonderful new home!

Yes , i definitely agree about the wallpaper. My opinion would be: New light fixtures, paint the cabinetry white or a cool color that you love. Have you seen black painted cabinetry? Per Pinterest, they look so SO cool! Although, with your concern about a dark kitchen, I could see you not being interesting in that. Also - that support leg for the breakfast bar - could you switch that out with a small, sturdy shelf or a different style leg? New drawer pulls and knobs would spice it up. A pretty rug until you redo floors.

Is that a white tile backsplash? If so, you might thing of painting the cabinets a grey to set it off.

Love the soft green suggestion for your style cabinets. And maybe a rug that can cover as much of the tile as possible, until the big remodel?

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love the green paint idea! but what color on the walls then?? I like the idea to possibly paint the white tile backsplash. I don't have any other pics of the countertop, but it's some kind of Solid surface. my current cabinets are black! lol but time for something new. I love white cabinets, but prob not in this kitchen. hardware for sure make a huge difference! oh and the rug idea is great! I never would've thought about that for the kitchen!

@Vanessa Lucas -- Leave the selection of wall paint til last. You'll want everything else in place so you can see the effect in your home, at various times of day, and only then can you make a fully informed decision about the walls. The tiny nuances of undertones, etc. can make or break the room. Wall paint can be customized to a zillion different specifications to pull everything together. If you haven't already discovered Maria Killam, she's flat brilliant in figuring out the best colors for your home. Her website is mariakillam.com. But don't go there unless you have more than a couple hours. She's addictive. And did I mention, brilliant?

@rocketjcat -- Love the pic of the kitchen you posted! What a great find.

so I'm thinking about this, and searching pics. This is what I've envisioned.
pic 1- love the peninsula pendants! and the idea of grey walls. definitely loving the white uppers while keeping the lowers original. but for a pop of color the green subway tile, or even painting the current tiles? a cute print in a white and green fabric for the window, and still need to research a flooring cover. (plus changing out all the appliances for slate). now my question is should I choose a bright white, creamy white or some other type of white foe the cabinets? and should it be glossy, or maybe chalk paint? antiqued?

Since you just moved in, I suggest that you remove the wallpaper and then wait a yr. During this time, you can find out what you like and don't like about the function of the kitchen, gather more ideas, put together a budget, save for the budget and then prioritize the order you want to tackle the project. I do this with every house (7) and it amazes me what I thought I initially wanted to do ends up changing over the course of the yr. I found by waiting I'm happier with my selections, less pressure to make decisions, the ability to save more money to do more things and gives me plenty of time to research. You'll be amazed how fast that yr goes by.

Enjoy your new home.

I do love the green subway tile example you have. I'd use it even right now, but only if you can commit to your current kitchen floorplan!!! It should look beautiful with your cabinet stain, or if you end up painting them white later on.

Except maybe the green subway tile won't look good with your countertops?, which are not exactly white...

But, alternatively, it looks like you have a very "convenient" beam on the wall that separates your kitchen/dining areas. Since you'll be painting, you could just do some green in your kitchen only, if you'd like.

We used Sherwin Williams "Koi Pond" green in a previous kitchen, and it's quite pretty; along the lines of that subway tile, but appropriate for walls in that it doesn't scream. We sold that house in a matter of hours the first day for sale!

The worst elements are the wallpaper, the flooring, the counters and the lighting fixtures. Wallpaper removal can be done by you or your painter. If the flooring continues under the cabinetry, you would have to match the thickness of the tile for a new floor to be laid, which would be possible if someone knows what to do and has the right tools. If the tile was laid after the cabinetry was installed, it would be easier to replace. The counters are easily replaced, as are the light fixtures, unless you want to add recessed lighting and move the current lighting boxes. I would price out each job to know what the big total would be. Then, if your budget is smaller than that total right now, select which item is the most important to you and which falls within the budget. You may be able to do several things on your list. Your cabinets look decent and the slight reddish color of the finish would be within the Craftsman spectrum.

I actually like the countertops. I was grateful it wasn't granite or laminate.

As for the green tile, I agree that might not be the right shade to compliment the countertops. I just like the idea of a pop of color!
that's too bad about the poor paint job on those cabinets. I am still a huge fan of painting though. I think if I only paint the uppers I could really love the lowers being dark.

Please be advised that the photos of worn painted cabinets posted above by Tony are not professionally painted. They were a DIY project that cost $75 in total and involved no sanding or priming. The homeowner used Rustoleum cabinet transformation kit without all of the coats - http://www.ashleysgreenlife.com/2014/10/how-i-transformed-my-kitchen-cabinets.html?m=1

she posted about to touching them up here and you will find the photos that Tony is posting all over this forum and claiming that they are professionally done - http://www.ashleysgreenlife.com/2016/07/rustoleum-kitchen-cabinet-update-touch.html?m=1

Thanks for the info Artie. Gives the Pros a bad name, when in fact they may do an excellent job.

I'm no pro, but I do understand the importance of prep work before painting to ensure a lasting finish. ;)

It isn't only the prep work but also the final finish which is also one of the differences in price from manufactured cabinets. Either way, be prepared that painted finishes show more wear than stain as least that has been my experience since I've had both.

It's so great you lucked out really liking your countertops :) If they aren't overly tan, a green backsplash should still look fine! I imagine the biggest will be how your backsplash looks underneath your upper cabinets, and that is sure to be stunning!

Here are some Craftsman colors. Love painted cabinets!