What stands out to me is the soffit. If that is the full extent of the cabinets, I'd explore painting the boxes, changing the door and drawer fronts to Shaker, and adding a beadboard soffit. I love the soffits in these photos but it only works with white cabinets. You would add molding at the bottom of the soffit like the second photo. I would keep the island in the wood. If the floor is ceramic tile, I'd keep that too. I'd use a white, light gray, or black countertop and a ceramic subway or 4" square tile. A soft gray or white would be best if you keep the floor. You can add color with accessories. Remove the window shelf and use a window shade in a country pattern.

I have a refreshed oak kitchen - somewhat vintage in style, but the sink, countertop and backsplash are flexible to style.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784356

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784291

I would not put this investment into a kitchen unless the cabinets are very sturdy. Doors can be replaced if the boxes are sound.

My sink is the Kohler Whitehaven "short apron" style farm sink. The short apron style can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. There is a "tall apron" style too, so if you are interested, make sure you get the right sink. The Kohler Vault is a stainless steel sink that also comes in a short apron style.

If you paint the cabinets, wait a year before making other changes - be sure your paint job holds up.

the cabinets will change in feel once you change floor and counter. I would leave them....get a "look "with flooring and counter which can be done with reasonably priced selections. Change hardware-look at the difference the darker hardware near microwave does for the look. New faucet/sink/paint the blue trim of window and eliminate the shelf there...it's a good solid traditional window with panes....get a solid traditional faucet: spend on that...leave the cabinets...they will work for you as you make the other changes.

I think you can do a really cute cosmetic update on this kitchen. I’d start with painting just the uppers white. Keeping the lowers wood will keep the look warm. Paint the soffit the same shade or put up matching beadboard as mentioned above. Simple white backsplash (if you opt for a two tone look) Swap out the light fixture- I like the schoolhouse pendant shown in the second photo above. Dark matte or honed countertops; maybe a slate looking floor. Set a realistic budget.

these are all fantastic ideas. any suggestions for color palate? Blue, green, yellow?

your main items if you proceed are counters/floor/backsplash....as you noted above. The before/after shown by oic is how she worked with the wood. I would not be thinking of colors, but rather working with cabinet tone, once the wallpaper is removed, the blue trim is changed around window....CLEAN the cabinets, see what amount of protective topcoat is remaining. To me, they look a bit grimey...question of possible gelstain project to obtain a richer wood tone...maybe darker or more red....then evaluate hardware options...then on to counter, backsplash and floor . I'd want to work with the wood......find the palette for other surfaces. Color? do you mean accessories?

yes, and we intend on changing the floor (possibly the original hardwood if salvagable) of our 100 year old kitchen. the countertops will be changed as well. we were leaning towards a marble or butcher block. We like the look of a farmhouse sink. the hardware will be changed as well. and the appliances will be all stainless.

this house was built in 1920 and has been through several remodels

here is a closers look at the cabinets and countertops

well, you have to decide in your lighted space. Once a thorough clean occurs you may find the oak is not like the orange oak cabinets so many people do over. They look actually more brown, so might be fine with the correct counter and flooring. Don't get too ahead of yourself....needs under cabinet trim for wall cabs and task lighting put in. This can be really fine once some things are cleaned up and then with your changes. Figure out your budget....floors, counter and backsplash can come in at widely different pricepoints. And be certain the existing cabinets are WORTH working around in terms of structure and your long term commitment to the existing layout of your space. Good Luck with your decisions.

If you haven't moved in yet, I think the best thing is to live with it for a little while and see if it's worth a cosmetic update or not. The countertops to me look like they should be #1 to replace. I would not put an expensive stone on old cabinets in an old house unless the cabinets and the house are stable. Just my 2 cents. Congrats on the new house! :)

I would work on the soffit, update the fan/light fixture combo, replace the counter with a stone look laminate one that goes with your new flooring...perhaps LVT.

After almost 5 Years of installing our marble countertops on our “old oak cabinets” I can say that I have not regretted doing it a single instant. In fact I love them and I am truly happy I did it. My cabinets were in real good shape, really good quality construction furniture like, even though they have the much hated arches. I say remove the wallpaper, the blue paint, the fan, the shelf in front of the window, change the floors and change the counter to something that make your heart sing.

If you haven't moved in yet, the only thing I'd do right away is remove the wallpaper. Then live with the kitchen for at least 6 months-year to make sure the cabinets are in good shape and the layout works for you. If it all works, then you can start with the floors, etc.

I kinda like the shelf, to me it's quite charming:) cabinets look good. frankly love the hardware too..:)

please consider whether your appliances stay at the same place, no changes in plumbing etc. because your future apron sink will be right next to the dishwasher, and, I believe, it will influence how it'll look together. I don't know whether I'd do that if I wanted to fully enjoy apron sink..just my intuition, maybe there are successful combos out there somewhere. It's not like I have experience with apron sinks.

Other than that..everybody's different a bit I guess,.I always start with figuring out the flooring..I mean if I'm bothered by it. But in order to give advice one needs to know additional details-is it flooring in the kitchen part only, that will be changed, if yes what other flooring it borders, whether it takes the whole living space and thus will be different everywhere? Hard to recommend finishes until you know the full context.

They all will have to correlate and make sense within context of your house, which is your kitchen is a part of.

what's the overall style of the house? pretty important. you know that, but we don't. your favorite colors? do you want to contrast the wood more, or blend it more?

obviously I'd take away the wallpaper (I love wallpaper. just not this one, and I hear from you you're not mad about it either), and change the light..light can wait though until your vision is more clear.. on the other hand light you love can direct it too, to a degree..who knows. Many smaller things can be an inspiration for something bigger..

Advice to live with it for a bit is a sound advice. Unless you live with it already-and then you kinda know

Ashley, your oak cabinets are perfect classy country! Suggested color options:

The sage green or blue colors for your walls would be beautiful with the oak, if you are painting the trim white. (My kitchen is the opposite - sage green painted cabinets and oak floors)

I also recommend the Kohler apron front sink, and white beadboard for the backsplash as an economical option.

Additional note (not what you asked about, but FYI): If you ever have an opportunity to put in a new kitchen, get drawers for the base cabinets instead of cupboard doors and shelves. I hadn't been able to use my lower cabinets for years from not being able to get down and get things out - bad knees/back - now with drawers everything is super-accessable. It's great for anyone, not just the physically challenged.