I wouldn't paint perfectly good cabinets that are only 4 years old. What I would do is remove the 4" backsplash, and add subway tile (or tile of your choice). And if at all possible, remove the toaster oven from the counter and the copper pots from the cabinet tops. Your kitchen really is quite nice.

Generally, the cabinets look good.

I would not paint these wood cabinets.

The wood is a neutral wood stain with modern lines that can go with a lot of choices.

1. take pots off top of cabinets.
2. invest in bright lighting,
3. update the lighting fixtures
4. add lighting under cabinets
5. one hole knobs can be changed to 2 hole pulls, if you wanted.

Later whenever or IF you decide to redo the cabinets, go taller for more storage in the cabinets & maybe add crown & light rail.

I think the toaster oven is fine. I have one on my counter too. Not sure where people think it's supposed to go?

Remove the 4" splash, and replace counters, and add a nice backsplash. The cabinets are lovely as is. That light fixture above the window is not doing the kitchen any favors.

I think you already have a quartz countertop? If so, keep it, see if you can remove he 4" splash and install a simple but pretty backsplash. Cool grays and warm wood tones do not bring out the best in each other. Consider a lighter wall paint - cream, sage green or if you really want gray, try a white with a gray undertone. If you are considering a rustic look, beadboard makes a pretty backsplash and can be painted any color.

My backsplash is very simple, but I like it a lot.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~57088087

jhmarie -- agree - counters look fine. I must have been snoozing when I typed that!

New lighting a door with glass on the open shelves to match the other glass doors, remove the 4” piece that matches the counter and add some fabulouse glass tile it will give the space a boost and keep the cabinets as they are.

The cabinets (which are lovely- not a thing wrong with them) are not what needs to be 'modernized' here, although I would certainly consider new knobs/pulls. As others have already mentioned, those light fixtures really need to go; they are doing you no favours. I would leave the countertop too, but also agree that a backsplash would make a significant difference to the overall look of your kitchen. I think @Beth H offered some great examples for you to consider. Good luck!

I wouldn't paint the cabinets - they are just fine as they are. I would update them with some interesting modern silver hardware and consider white backsplash design, something like these icy white glass Arctic Ice Tiles.

I like the black and white tile backsplash Beth posted. If you went with something like that you might want to paint the window trim either white or black. Getting rid of that wood trim will help modernize the feel of the room.

Better semi flush mount fixture that gives off light in all directions will help

I would not advocate getting rid of new countertops, especially those in a nice material, but I do think the solid white and non rounded edge contributes to the 'dated' look. I see a lot of houses in my area that have the same color of cabinet with solid white formica counters.

I think a cost effective thing to try would be changing the wall color. I'm no color expert, but maybe a brighter color that does not have very much black/gray in it.

I like the suggestion of a tile backsplash that others have made. I'm not a fan of the gray/olive green subway tile, but a bright white might be nice. You could also try one of the mosaic sheets.

switch tiny knobs to more substantial pulls. kitchen is very nice!

The maple cabinets are lovely. Definitely remove all doodads from the top of cabinets. As suggested, new lighting and backsplash would add some visual interest.

What a lovely space. I think you could really change the look though with minimal cost. First I might suggest painting the window frame, sill and panes. You could go with white or black. A mirrored antique glass back splash would provide a little sparkle and interest. I agree with the others concerning the cabinets. Leave them as is. I also agree with P. Colwell to add some glass inserts to more of your upper cabinets. Good luck. Nice project.

The problem is not the cabinets, it's the ghastly lighting in the center of the room.

As an experiment, turn off that light and bring in 3 lamps from the rest of the house (floor lamps in particular). Scatter them around. Turn them all on and see how much better everything looks without those nasty harsh shadows.

Add lighting to diffuse the shadows, lower the brightness of that center light drastically; then lower it some more. Those lights make no sense, especially in a kitchen, where you are always casting a shadow in your workspace because of the center light.

I concur with the others, take off the 4inch curb, install a backsplash, replace the hardware with something more modern and update the lighting to include LED and tape light undercounter lighting. You can update existing lighting by getting new LED bulbs if that is all you can afford right now.