Layout and appliances look great! I’m not a fan of the honey oak or subway tile. I think a nice light gray cabinet would look beautiful and is an affordable option. So many great tile options I’m just tired of subway but start with cabinets and go from there.

Subway tile would look very good - it has been around for a long time so would update the space without making the cabinets look out of place. My kitchen is "dated" by many people's standards, but I don't care since I like to go my own way, and it makes me smile. I did not paint - I do have a subway tile backsplash. It is in a vintage / cottage style:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

Here is a pretty wood kitchen with subway tile backsplash and dark counters:

Todays marketing strives to make people feel their stuff is "dated" so people will go out and by new stuff. Ten years from now, they will be calling a gray / white kitchen dated - don't get caught on the remodeling merry go round - do what you think is right for you.

I'd start w/flooring, new hardware and another type of lighting over the sink. one pendant is fine. new backsplash. Is that your stovetop on the island?

That rounded island is prob the main thing that's dating that kitchen. if you're up to replacing it, you could do that and leave the cabinets as is. Maybe paint the island and get a new top in a white granite or marble-look, square it off or remove the shelf thing at the end (you could have an overhang for stools.) that way, if you want white subway tile, it will tie into the white countertop on the island.

you could also paint it black and get a walnut butcher block top,,,maybe do some pendant lighting over the island.

I did not even see that cooktop Beth. It never ceases to amaze me that kitchens with plenty of perimeter countertops will put the cooktop on a small island with very little landing space. It must have been a thing with kitchen designers ten years ago. There doesn't appear to be anything that can be done about it - not an easy fix. If you ever do a remodel, move the ovens next to the fridge, keeping a landing area by the fridge, and put the stove top where the ovens are.

i agree. and no venting! what happens when you fry? yuck. I would never want my stovetop there, or the backless ones on a peninsula.

There is venting on the cooktop. It pops up in the middle and pulls all the smoke from frying down. So that is not an issue.

I like the honey maple cabinets, I would keep them the way it is. I would have to suggest some changes on the flooring.

Thanks for the great ideas

I think the stain color of your cabinets is making a comeback! I wouldn’t paint them. Instead, I would invest your money in new flooring and simple backsplash. I think you’d be surprised at how that alone will transform your already beautiful kitchen!

You could glaze the cabinets, bringing them a shade or two darker, like the kitchen example you posted. Replace the backsplash with something lighter and plainer. I would consider changes to the floor last.

I like your cabinets as they are currently.

I think you have a very pretty traditional kitchen that could use better lighting. Do you have undercabinet lights? Something nice over the island? I don’t think I’d change much in there!

I like the cabinets as-is, but you could do a lot to refresh the kitchen with new hardware and backsplash. Can you post a picture of the room the kitchen opens into? There's no point in recommending changes for a sleek Scandinavian look if the adjoining room is very traditional! ;)

True gray cabinets might be dated in 10 yrs but that’s about how long most trends are. If the first time and every time you walk into your kitchen and you dislike the current cabinet color, then it’s not for you. Period. Regardless of what I think or others. There are tons of beautiful cabinet colors that people put in right now on trend that I find ugly. That’s what’s great about design you can do what you like. Subway tile is classic but do you want that or something trendy and fun? All up to you. Good luck!

backsplash and floors are the the main offenders here...the floors could be large tiles that look like (white?) marble and the backsplash in a matching material that is a smaller more decorative mosaic style...this is economical but elegant and simple...and timeless....

I think your kitchen is beautiful. I prefer the maple cabinets over white. So rich and warm. Backsplash and new floors maybe, but keep those nice maple cabinets!

I think new backsplash and counter top would go a loooong way

Well my kitchen and yours are related. Honey maple cabinets are my go-to for my two kitchen remodels....once in 1994 and the other (different house) was in 2010. I never tire of that wood. What you “could do” is replace the doors on a few of them with more glass fronts. Or change out only the fronts to a different design..get rid of the arched. What I do not care for is a black counter top. I would check out lighter surfaces. So that would be the only item that I would change... and I would be happy.

Oppps...you enjoy your counters...nadda on that change! Your kitchen ...is gorgeous. Go with great lighting ...

Your kitchen is beautiful and not dated. The trend is to tell people what they have is dated! If you feel you have to change something do the hardware. Get something new to put on the counter. Then use the money to go on a river cruise!

Your cabinets and countertops are beautiful. If it were me, I would redo the floor first (in tile that looks like wood). Then I would replace the backsplash with a light tile, subway tile would be great. Then I might take out the upper cabinetsWith the glass and maybe the cabinets next to it and install open shelves. I think that would give your kitchen a modern, fresh look.

I think your kitchen is beautiful as it is. I would add some colorful runners on both sides of the island. Ignore those silly people who are trying to talk you into using those depressing gray colors. I think the gray trend has run its course and people are seeking more cheerful and liveable alternatives.

The best advice you got was from Jan, who suggested the river cruise. I always wanted to go on a European river cruise, but my health failed before I could do it. Life is full of trade-offs. Don’t trade off an unnecessary kitchen remodel for the chance to make some memories!

I would only change the flooring, hardware, and install under cabinet lighting. I think your cabinets and countertops look nice. My opinion is only paint wood cabinets when the finish is old and ruined.

I agree with all the comments. I never looked at my kitchen and actually appreciates the natural wood. I guess I watch too much HGTV and see people ripping out everything. I think I will concentrate on changing the flooring and backsplash and cabinet hardware. The nice this is they prior owners already installed under cabinet lighting!

I agree -- just backsplash, knobs, and maybe the flooring if after those two changes, you aren't satisfied. Too many people ripping out everything for the newest trend. Go with what you like, not what the "trend" is -- that trend will be over in months anyway.

Lol... I’ve made a comment on here a few times that while house hunting recently every house I look at looks like it’s been decorated by someone who’s been watching too much HGTV ! No originality or creativity. And don’t get me started on crystal chandeliers everywhere... one house I looked at had them over the toilets, tubs, vanity sinks ... and that was just the baths.

Good comments here. A model home designer once told me, "Light, dark, light, dark," when referring to kitchen colors. As in, alternate shades starting with the floor. I, too, love the look of your unpainted wood. So as others have said, maybe start with new floor tile (light) the cabinets and counter are fine (dark); redo the backsplash (light); upper cabinets fine (dark); and if you want to repaint the soffit above the upper cabinets that would again be a light color. I would not paint the cabinets unless, as someone else mentioned, they are in disrepair. Good luck and have fun!

I would keep your cabinets as they are. Stain grade maple cabinets never really go out of style; but painted cabinets will. Change the counters, back splash, floors and hardware. Clean the cabinets up and call it a day. It will save you a lot of money and time; and still look like a brand new kitchen at the end of the day.

Your kitchen is a classic, leave it alone other than improving the lighting.

A fresh coat of paint & some new flooring could help brighten up the space & would help it feel larger.

Just curious.. what flooring and paint did you go with? Thank you! Same dilemma for me.. though 4 years later..

Same dilemma here too. I would like too put champagne colored hardware on maple cabinets but I can’t seem to make a decision.

I would change the floor, countertops and backsplash to white or maybe an accent color forschte splash, change the blinds, update cabinet hardware and you‘ll be surprised. And add under cabinet lighting as well.

Original post..2018