Updating the hardware would be a quick, inexpensive improvement. Since you are keeping the floor, I'd pick countertops that are in the warm family.

Personally I wouldn't get too worked up over oak cabinets. If you hate them, change them. You could have them painted but like Cor said to change the hardware and maybe upgrade the counters would give your kitchen a new and refreshed look. I think we are too caught up with changing things for the sake of changing things. to keep up with the latest trends which then of course change and we're in the same position. Do what pleases you and it will last beyond the next trend because you don't give a flip and like what you have. Your kitchen looks very nice, Really

Inga

Cor - where do you buy hardware? I found it to be surprisingly expensive.

You're still living there? enjoy your cute handles....

This floor is warm too - Cabinetry: Sherwin Williams waterborne "Alabaster."

https://www.houzz.com/photos/beautiful-functionality-kitchens-transitional-kitchen-phvw-vp~11924442

I didn't notice the hardware before. They are cute. I love a bit of whimsy.

I would get the countertop you like first, (do not get it w/the 4" backsplash) and look into getting a new DW. that one you have really dates your kitchen. you can find a really nice one, lightly used if need be, on craigslist for less than a few hundred. or a new one for 400. also check Lowes for their special sales and floor models. we just scored a brand new washer for $399 that was normally $950 (they were getting rid of the color (white!). Find one in SS to match your ovens (btw, I have the exact microwave!)

do you have an idea of the countertop you want?

To get those cabinets professionally done (and no house painters. has to be qualified cabinet painter if you want them to last) will cost 3K and up.

I'm assuming you're removing the wallpaper?

hardware isn't a big deal. you can do the entire kitchen for less than $50,, get handles and some new knobs, unless you want to drill another hole for your uppers. (AliExpress is a great option for hardware at fantastic price)

Benjesbride,,,,,AliExpress I've gotten killer deals from there. Same items (and hardware) that you find here in the states, with triple mark up. Just as an example, i wanted these for my closet,,,the heavy polished brass w/the crystals. they wanted about $30 each, here,,,but through Ali I think I paid $5 each for them. these are nice quality and very heavy.

Greige-type maybe? and this is called Washboard.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/beautiful-functionality-kitchens-contemporary-kitchen-phvw-vp~11924407

This is what I read (so people don't get on my case) that the trend on painted cabinets are going out and stained wood is coming back in. It's your cabinets to do what you please. I think they look nice the way they are. New counters, back splash, hardware and wall paint and you will have a new looking kitchen. I agree hardware is pricey, but not as pricey and time consuming as getting cabinets painted. I changed mine last year (33 knobs) and got mine off of Amazon for a good price. Yes, it is a personal preference. I like knobs over handles.

I agree that right now they're good. Idea for muted greens for counter/ backsplash - cabinets painted "Slate."

[https://www.houzz.com/products/color-in-space-cabin-palette™-swatches-prvw-vr~10496892™-swatches-rustic-paint[(https://www.houzz.com/products/color-in-space-cabin-palette™-swatches-prvw-vr~10496892)

If you have sun/recessed lighting -- if your house is going more contemporary -- darker with white?

https://www.houzz.com/photos/portland-modern-tudor-kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-portland-phvw-vp~2028376

I appreciate the comments. I have been reading other threads here for a year or more in preparation for my own update and it seemed as though everyone hated oak. Let’s say then that I don’t repaint the cabinets. What kind of counters, backsplash and walls would you recommend?

.... most are asleep, so I'll just restate an earthy green-grey would please me probably ....

I think your off to a good start. I would definitely change the dishwasher. That thing looks antique. I know you said your not changing the floor but I would. The dirty grout lines make it look awful. You know what it reminds me of? Most of them have been remodeled now but it reminds me of the old floors at burger king LOL. At least changing the grout will do WONDERS!

Get one of these oscillating tools and get a few diamond blades like the pictures above. (their real cheap at harbor freight). seal off the rest of the house with tarp or plastic at the doorways cause its gonna get dusty. I go buy a bunch at the dollar store and tape a few together if I need to. It is very easy, just takes time. Just be careful not to chip the side of the tile. Start slow and you'll get the hang of it, then blast right through it. I'm sure youtube shows exactly how to do it. Don't forget to seal the grout when your done so it doesn't get black again right away. Total cost shouldn't be more than $100. Costs more time. I'm guessing a few hours to get the grout out of there. Maybe half a day.

But then again I don't know, maybe you like the dark grout lines. I don't know how many rooms have this tile but if its a lot, this might not be worth it. Just rip it out and put new tile.

I like your tile. I bet that it wears like iron and that it's a snap to clean. You just need to find a creamy countertop that relates to the floor tile.

Have you gone to a countertop showroom to see what you like? I've had laminate, quartz and butcher block, but I think I'd choose Corian if I had the chance. Maybe your next stop is a showroom to touch and see all the surfaces that are available to you. Grab some samples and set them on the tile and start narrowing options down.

I have an oak kitchen which I refreshed. My style is vintage / cottage, but the countertop and backsplash are flexible style wise:

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

My mother and sister are both considering new countertops for similar kitchens. I took my sister out this past weekend to look around and get samples for my mom. My sister has very different taste from me, and she was drawn to the black / dark granite countertops. She has a lot of light in her kitchen, so that may work for her. My mother wants something light and we primarily looked at quartz. She liked mine - which is LG While Pearl, and she also like LG Rococo, LG Soprano and White Diamond because it has a blue sparkle. She is a long ways from making a decision and she has more countertop places to visit.

Take a door or drawer with you and look for something that reads "warm", but that does not mean it needs to be brown or tan - just have a touch of beige or cream in the colors rather than very gray - a little gray is fine.

I also have a "wood kitchen" idea book:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/thumbs/wood-kitchens

Here is another one:

https://www.pinterest.com/jhmarie123/kitchens-wood/

Thanks for all encouraging suggestions. I should have been clear: along with wall color and counter tops, appliances are all being replaced. So - I'm also happy to hear about suggested appliances - color/finish as well as brands that work for people. Any success stories about coordinating finishes with counter tops, walls, appliances, back splashes, etc. If I don't have to paint the cabinets, that's a big plus.

Warm wood cabinets are pretty flexible to appliance finish. Mine are white partly because I personally do not like stainless, and I think black can darken the space quite a bit - and I wanted a light kitchen. However, I am not fond of over the range microwaves in white and it is hard to find a pretty white hood unless you go retro. I stained a wood hood to match, but many do not want to do that as a wood hood is more expensive. The white also went with my apron front sink.

Stainless is probably the top choice in appliances and my mom is slowly changing hers to stainless. She also has the microwave over the range, but she cannot use it well now due to age. I am short and also don't like the micro over the range. Mine was on a shelf of the same height, but I took it down and put a plate rail in. If you have the space for a countertop microwave, a stainless hood would be pretty and would vent better.

Most of the countertops we looked at would have worked with either the white or stainless appliances. It looks like your range is newer, so you might want to go with stainless, unless you also are considering a more vintage look.

lisak,

I just went back to your original post to look at your tile. It's very nice; why would you tear it out?

Not long ago all the KD were installing enormous light fixtures that remind me of huge ugly hats over kitchen islands. Every design book, designer awards did as well. I personally found them ugly and would never hang lights like that in my kitchen. Now that trend is becoming passe and outdated. I suppose everyone will change their lights to whatever is in vogue. To each his own. Good luck with whatever you do. Maybe you'll post a picture of the kitchen when you've finished.

Inga

I clipped this image from the heath ceramics 2018 catalog this morning thinking that it reminded me of your tile. Tile trends come and go. Ten years ago during the tuscan and brown trend "everyone" wanted travertine. Then it was out with the tuscan brown and in with the marble/white/gray and everyone wanted dark gray floors with maybe linen texture? I don't know. I don't care to keep up really. The point is...all that matters is what works for the one who walks on the floor every day.

lisak,,,,what kind of countertops do you like? and it would be nice to know a budget. Some granites are inexpensive,,,or would you want to do laminate again? for an upper end laminate, you could do one of the inexpensive granites.

Can you post another pic showing the entire kitchen, if possible? I want to see how much of a countertop you need.

do you have any stone yards near you? A lot of them (depending on what part of the country you're in) carry the pre-fab countertops in 8' or 9' lengths. I mention this to people on a budget because it can help out a lot. one 9' piece can cost as little as $350. If you can find a fabricator who will do a small job, they will cut it for your dimensions on site, for less than 1K. buying it through home depot for the cheapest granite could cost you over 2K. This entire wall is all pre-fabs.

you could also look for remnants or 1/2 slabs for further discount.

If you need a full slab, (any leftovers can be done for your bathroom countertops) then some of these will look nice w/oak:

River White granite

Alaska White granite and Taj Majal quartzite, all work well w/oak.

so does a simple black granite. this one is leathered. easier to keep clean

honed Virgina Mist granite (if you do a black, then a pale sage green, pale blue or tan would work for your walls)

Start w/the countertop first, then we can go to paint for your walls (remove that paper first!). afterward, hardware and tile splash.

I would leave your cabinets and floors alone. Replace counter with something light that goes with the warmth in your cabinets and get new backsplash and dishwasher. If you're still wanting to change your cabinets after that, I would go a bit darker with gel stain.

I too have an oak kitchen (from the previous owners) and the cabinets look a lot like yours. I considered (briefly) painting them, but in my opinion, part of what dates these cabinets in the door style (vs. the clean lines that are popular today, such as shaker). Is it an option to get new doors? (Reface vs. replace. Do people do that anymore?)

If the floor tiles are sound, I wonder if you can regrout with a color that has less contrast. With the stove, have you considered a slide-in style with a hood? It's a cleaner look, though the stove costs more and you have figure out where to put the microwave.

I don't have anything to offer in addition to the great input above, but just wanted to chime in to say that I like the warmth of wood in kitchens. There's something about it that reads "nourishing" to me - which is what a kitchen is all about, fundamentally.

I really like Beth's idea of the Taj Mahal quartzite for a counter top. I think it would be great with your wood and floors.

jhmarie, thanks for sharing your wood kitchen idea book! It has some lovely examples.

I've added photos based on a request. As you can see, a smaller kitchen - square with a breakfast room adjacent that will have the same colors, etc. I will take suggestions you all have graciously provided and look for counters - definitely want to upgrade to better counters and add a tile backsplash. All appliances are being replaced. And yes, paper is going too!

i really thought when I posted this that you would all tell me to paint the cabinets. I'm actually relieved not to feel like I have to.

In case it hasn't been mentioned above, I highly recommend replacing your double basin with a large single basin sink

@ benjesbride, have you seen those low-divide sinks? I like having a divided sink (I often do dishes by hand) so this seems like a good compromise. Thoughts?

https://www.thespruce.com/sink-trend-low-divide-sinks-2109414

girl,,i'm with you. i often do dishes by hand and like having the one side for draining. that low divide seems like a nice compromise. if you do stainless, make sure it's a lower gauge. cheaper, higher gauge (18 and up) can sound 'tinny'.

girl-wonder (love your name, btw) Yes -- we actually installed a low divide for my mother in law as a gift. I've never actually asked her about it, but I definitely like it more than her old double basin.

I had an undermount stainless 7/30 in my previous house and didn't like it. I chose this simple drop in for my current kitchen and 2+ years later I'm still very happy with it. https://www.lowes.com/pd/KOHLER-Riverby-22-in-x-33-in-White-Single-Basin-Cast-Iron-Drop-In-4-Hole-Commercial-Residential-Kitchen-Sink/3547006

I don't do any serious handwashing, though.

One of the benefits of a single basin in a small kitchen is a bit more storage space below because there's one less drain.

Beth and benjesbride, thanks for your quick feedback. I discovered these just a few days ago and they seem like a great idea (but, of course, you never know.....). Thanks for the tip on lower gauge stainless. I haven't picked out a sink yet but was leaning towards stainless because I'm tired of touching up the chips in my current late-80s sink. Not sure what color I'll choose for the countertop. Not sure if that's a consideration. But I'm planning to get stainless appliances, so at least stainless won't clash.

personally I hate ss sinks. they just bug me because of all the water spots. I have had a copper sink for over a decade and love it. it's also a 14 gauge. I believe a 14 or 16 ga SS sink will cost a bit more, but it's worth it sound-wise. have you looked into the Blano Silgranit sinks? they have them in all colors and sizes.

Thanks Beth! Maybe I should skip the SS. So much to decide... ;)

Cute kitchen with lots of opportunities. Replacing the countertop, backsplash, sink, faucet, pendant lighting and removing the wallpaper will make a huge difference. Paint the air return the same color as the wall. Rework the chotchkies on the shelves - right now they are too linear. The trim around the door is white while the ceiling molding is stained wood. I might consider painting the ceiling molding white too to eliminate all the oak look and freshen things up a bit. The breadbox needs to go. I'd also remove the picture over by the door - it looks crowded over there. Have fun with your project and embrace the oak. It'll probably be back in high fashion in a few years :-)

I'm going to second JHMarie's suggestion on ditching the overhead microwave and switching to a functioning hood if at all possible. It will help break up some of the oak-heaviness and visually open your kitchen up a smidge. Not quite like the 'Portland Modern Tudor Kitchen' photo, but you get the idea. It will also provide actual venting. Plus, over a range isn't the safest most functional place for a micro. And the crown molding that currently goes all the way across can be cut and used to trim off either side - no worry about finding matching pieces.

I would personally keep the cabinets the way they are & update your dishwasher, new countertop, paint walls, backsplash, sink & faucet.

It's pretty clear from all of your comments that you don't want to lose the oak cabinets, so get past worrying about what other people think, and think about what you would like your kitchen to look/feel like! If changing out the hardware is all it takes for right now, then splurge on hardware that makes you happy and think of all the money you have saved by not painting out the cupboards or making changes you feel you "have to". When you are ready to change out the other things, because you want to, start with picking out a counter that makes your heart sing and that will dictate your other choices.:)