It is curious what you really want to accomplish. You said 'it needs painting' so you are deciding to 'change the countertops'. What do you really want to do? The areas that need you update are the cabinets, appliances, floor, countertop, soffit, lack of lighting. The layout seems fine, but the entirety is dated and the materials are inexpensive builders grade. Adding a high cost granite countertop to an inexpensive builders grade cabinet will look just like that.....inexpensive and aging cabinets gussied up with granite.

I want to accomplish a nice looking kitchen without the huge expense of completely redoing it. Visits with grandkids rank a higher priority than a fancy kitchen - I am looking for advice that doesn't break the bank. Can anyone help?

I have oak cabinets and a slightly similar layout - here is what I did - it is a little bit cottage / vintage:

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

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854052

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854029

I also have a "wood kitchens" idea book and it includes a few refreshed older kitchens.

Yes need to get away from that wallpaper 70's look. Counter and backsplash would help a lot! Look into a new flooring also, not much in material cost, its the labor and time that gets the customers.

Ken

There are some really nice laminates out there that you may want to take a look at and this material would work better with your cabinets and flooring than going with a granite or solid counter top. Actually, I like your light color counter top for a color with your cabinets and if I were you would consider a solid light color again and then you could do a busier backsplash. . Stay away from the blacks- too heavy looking for your kitchen. Figure out the counter top first and then back splash and wall paint can be decided on. Are you thinking of anything specific for the range hood?

What Annette said plus updating your hardware also always helps! We have quartz counter tops and I love them! They are very durable and no maintenance, but if you like the look of the granite and its cheaper then go for that! Good luck!

Do you need to replace the countertops? It sounds like you’re overall very happy with your kitchen. Why not just paint? I think removing that border and putting in a lighter paint could really brighten it up. I wouldn’t do black countertops. It already feels a little dark to me, but I’m not a big fan of black countertops in general (I’ve seen some that look great though in just the right space.) I probably wouldn’t go to the expense of quartz if you’re only doing counters. Seems a large expense for what sounds like you just want a little spiffing up. Good luck!

You have an adorable kitchen. Since you say you want a change but not a redo, why not take down the wall paper and change the paint color. And yes black pearl might look lovely but visit a granite yard with one of your doors with you. The dark counter without undercab lighting might be really dark. So, check out all the slabs and see which one would look nice with your cabinet. You might find another economical granite you might like even better...And get an undermount sink, you will love it.

If you don't already have it, Install undercab lighting. If you have grandkids you might enjoy having task lighting under those cabs. It will brighten the space.

Since you mentioned grandchildren, see about getting their hand prints on ceramic tiles and use them in your new backsplash to remind yourself of your love of your family.

jhmarie, Your kitchen looks great and I love the counter tops. It really brightens the room.

Sophie, this looks nice. What kind of countertop would you use?

White quartz. Or laminate. Something with a bit of pattern so as to be more forgiving to real life. It ties in the white appliances. And a less orange floor. If you like the drama of the dark paint, add under cabinet lighting and just change the greennout to a warm grey brown.

Let the wood be the star.

10 years ago we wanted to give our honey oak kitchen a facelift. We changed the hardware, updated the laminate countertop (still used laminate, but a more updated look), and added a backsplash. It made a world of difference without too much expense.

Seems like pdjh has the best idea. Super inexpensive updates and you still have visit the grandkids money :)

I've had black granite and NEVER again. It was beautiful with it's copper sparkles but it showed everything including scratches. I wanted to scream anytime anyone leaned on it. Too high maintenance.

When you replace the counter top, don't add that lip on the back.

Use granite!

Ken

Black yes BUT NO!! That will do that but do not go with the dark color here!

Ken

I concur. Laminate (if it's worn), lighter warm toned paint (No gray it's like white cabinets...over done), go 'wild' with the backsplash. Don't love the floor but hey, it it works.

I forgot to mention that the best change I made was adding under cabinet lighting. Not only does it help my older eyes, it makes my kitchen look prettier too. A friend with oak cabinets has added under cabinet lighting - she is refreshing a little bit each year and still has her older countertops. Just the addition of the lighting makes her kitchen look brighter and fresher.

My mother has oak too, and I have been helping her look for countertops. We found that most of the light granites that were really pretty, were also too busy with mid tone oak. There are some granites with a more homogenous look, she just did not like them much.

You could do a two toned kitchen I had mine veneered on top cabs but I wish I would have painted them instead. And I love my gray and cream kitchen

Here are some pics

I would suggest a granite with some gold, cream, and bits of tan and black in it. It will blend well with the color of the tile and your cabinets. If you want a tall backsplash, you can use a cream subway tile which matches the light color in the granite. If you want a low granite backsplash, paint the wall above it in a semigloss or eggshell paint to match the cream in the granite. Paint the bulkhead the same color as the walls. An undermount sink in stainless steel or cream white porcelain works with granite.

2 tone cabinetry does work very well and has the look!

Ken

Would money be better spent on upgrading to stainless appliances or a better quality countertop?

tedbixby, I was thinking a stainless rangehood would look better than the white? Or is it best to keep the matching colour to the range?

I have no problem with the white appliances as long as you go with a white or light colored counter top but would purchase a new white stove and keep the hood white to match. Look at laminate and see if anything grabs you before you make any decision on appliances or other counter top material.

If you decide to replace your range, consider a slide in and look at a smooth top rather than coils. If slide in is out of your budget, then at least look at a smooth top which will give a more up-dated look.

I changed my hood to a wood hood because I did not like what I could find in white - except an expensive retro one that did not come in the size I needed:) They make several different styles of unfinished wood hoods.

However, that is an expensive change out. I bought the hood unfinished and stained it to match. Hood+vent insert+ install was about $1000 - though cheaper than new appliances. It would be a bit more to get a finisher to do the stain and finish for you and my install was done by a farmer neighbor - I don't think he charged me much. Many like stainless - I just don't, and wanted to keep everything except the cabinets light.

I've seen some hoods like this and it looks pretty nice: