Do you have additional "cabinetry" or built-ins in the house that are the same wood as the kitchen cabinets? Your white baseboards, window trim and chair rail should be considered when looking at white choices for your cabinets.

Your kitchen looks totally put together. I don't think white cabinets would work as well. Why not add a backsplash and find a really interesting runner with lots of color?

I love my white cabinets, however they show dirt and eventually require upkeep (repainting). We painter out as they were bleached oak from the 80s. I would probably not paint yours if they are in good shape, unless you are committed to repainting in 10 years or so and cleaning the crevices often.

Yes, I'd change the color, paint the cabinets white. Get a pro, don't try to do it yourself and I'd also change the countertops out. And replace the dining room chandelier, it's dated.

Your cabinets look pretty nice, I wouldn't paint them. Painting is a lot of work and a lot of money. Swap out the countertop for something newer, like quartz or quartzite and put in a backsplash. That would help a lot.

I think your kitchen is beautiful the way it is. White cabinets will always be in style, but I'm betting you'll start seeing more natural wood, as trends change (always). I know people who have changed everything to gray, and I love it. Gray is a nice neutral, but it's been popular for quite a while now, and I have to wonder if, within the next few years, it will look "dated". Remember Harvest Gold and Avocado Green? That trend was BIG, and immediately dated homes that used it. Anyway, gray looking dated in a few years, would be my worry.

I just feel like they are so dark. In the other part of the house, the built ins are white. If we paint them, we would get a pro. Also, they are in great shape...they are real wood, maple. If I were to change out the counter, what would you suggest? Does anyone know how much that would cost?

Thanks!

Ijoma, I agree with your comment about trends, but I think gray isn't in the same category as harvest gold and avacado green. Gray doesn't stand out and make a (hideous) statement like HG and AG. I think it will be a color with some staying power, kind of like brushed nickel. It started as a trend but I don't think it's going away either.

If this is a house you are keeping for several years, then do what you want. Definitely a pro to paint them...but the kitchen is YOUR kitchen and YOU are living with it. If you want a lighter look go ahead....Just make sure you show us pictures!

The best cabinets to paint are those in good condition. I agree they do make the kitchen look dated. Do one thing at a time and step back and see how you like it. Paint the cabinets and then ( I can’t believe I am going to suggest this because I am so sick of this color) but if you did really pale gray to griege then the counters would blend in better. If you think the counters are too busy then change them before painting anything. Paint on large poster boards not on the wall and move them around to see how the light effects them.
Leslie

Or what about painting them a grey color?

What about fixing the actual problem? Get in an electrician to add better lighting. Too much overhead glare and not enough under cabinet or gimbals.

Match the white of your other built ins for your cabinets and change the hardware to a updated version. The style of your cabinets is classic and timeless, so paint will definitely be a fresh update. I can't specify without being in your space, but I think a less patterned countertop would be an good update as well. Pretty house! Search through Houzz photos for "shaker cabinets" and see the variations of countertops and hardware. https://www.houzz.com/photos/taj-mahal-transitional-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~92649193

Your cabinets are totally fine. I'm surprised no one is recommended painting the walls a different color. The right wall color would bring out the warmth and glow of the wood floors or cabinets at all. Here's a go-to article about what paints go best with wood.

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/11-terrific-paint-color-matches-for-wood-details-stsetivw-vs~9025200[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/11-terrific-paint-color-matches-for-wood-details-stsetivw-vs~9025200)

Pinterest has lots of images: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/409053578646103268/

Also do a Google and Houzz search for "best whites that go with wood cabinets." Get under cabinet lighting and consider switching out one or two cabinet doors for glass ones with beautiful dishes inside.

Those cabinets are beautiful! I would focus on changing the counters and adding a backsplash. (and i’m someone who always prefers a white kitchen). . If not, try living with it for a while...so easy to upkeep whereas white needs cleaning and a gentle touch always.

Please do not paint them gray. Consider opening up the arch between the kitchen and dining room - the top part looks a bit low.

Which would cost more - replacing the counters with a white quartz and adding a backsplash or professionally painting the cabinets?


I would paint walls before making a decision. Go after the low hanging fruit and the kitchen evaluate.

I might consider leaving the kitchen and getting rid of the arch which seems to have no reference. I also agree with Sophie that the bulbs in the downlight need to be addressed to get rid of the glare.

The arches are on the other two door ways, so I think we wuold want to keep them. However, I like that picture you did! I'm going to try painting first and see how that goes! Also, we have lights underneath the cabinets already :) I just don't have them on in the picture. I like the idea of swapping out a few doors with glass

mary, please live in the house for a bit before you do anything. While you are living in the house, come up with an end game.

What do you want the kitchen to look like when you are done? Wood is very much in right now. And your cabinets look great with your floor.

oh please,,,no battleship gray! The floor tone is very nice. I'd change the counters before I painted the cabinets (although they would look nice in white but I'd still change the counter).

absolutely paint the walls a different color. how do you feel about a green/gray tone? This color if you are keeping the countertops.

if you plan on changing it to a nice white quartz type of stone, then I like a nice blue tone for the walls. will look great w/the wood

You could probably just freshen up the look by replacing all knobs and pulls with more modern ones and livening up the paint color..lol I’m not saying a bright color but a more clean and classy color..maybe remove the arch shape if possible? your cabinets look like they are in great condition

I have arches to the two 2 entrances to my kitchen but they are higher and the edges are nice and crisp - giving a nice arch look. If you are going to have them, then make them look nice. Like this picture.

You asked about cost...I just put new quartz counters in one of my rental homes and it was $5k. That was perimeter of U shaped kitchen plus an island, with a 6” backsplash. The slabs themselves totaled $700 and all the rest is fabrication and installation.

I last got an estimate to paint kitchen cabinets around 10 years ago and it was $4k. That was to cover white-washed oak (ugh). Ended up having a pro painter do it who didn’t have expertise in cabinets, which was cheaper at $2k but did not turn out well in terms of quality of the finish.

Agree with others about lighting, new paint on walls, doing a runner, and maybe new counters. Would not paint your cabinets since you have high quality wood- and I say that as someone who loves white-painted cabinets.