i'd paint the pantry door and then see if having that gone makes the cabinets less annoying to you.

having not black appliances would also be a huge improvement, they are black holes. i'm looking at you, giant light sucking fridge!

yes on redoing the island a single height. ditto the dark stools.

i LIKE white cabinets but i'm not in favor of painting existing wood ones. every time a bit of paint chips off, even in careful use, its very ugh. in 6 years when you go to sell they'll be quite worn looking.

undercabinet lighting would be wildly helpful for you, as your counters and backsplash are both dark.

New fixtures over the island, they are a little small.

I agree. Painting the cabinets would cost equal to new cabinetry. Paint the pantry door. Add new hardware. Get new lights. Do a new backsplash and new counters.

While I completely understand why people suggest making the island one level, I would add a word of caution. Right now, that raised portion hides the items on the counter next to the sink. I would be totally honest with myself about how I keep my kitchen before I expose it to the rest of the great room.

Your cabinets look great. The wall color could be changed first, as that would do the most (for the least money) to bring it into this decade.

Painting kitchen cabinets professionally (you shouldn't do that any other way) will be expensive. You can update and brighten up the space opting to change the countertops and backsplash. Choosing, for example, white marble as a backsplash like this polished beveled marble tile and one of the bright Caesarstone countertops colors, like Cosmopolitan White or Nougat Quartz.

In six years there will be a new trend for kitchens..so I would work on a few changes that will make you happy now...to break up all the oak...maybe just paint the island....if you still like your counters and backsplash...paint the island and walls to compliment those colors...I might even change the (pantry?)door to a simpler one that will blend with the walls better..if the space behind the door is wide enough I would investigate centering or widening the opening ....lighter/swinging double doors may be more convenient as well...

Since your last reno was 10 years ago ...changing the countertops and backsplash to white variation...will be a safe investment as well as a huge change for you...

However new white tops will probably add pressure to needing to change all appliances as well....

You could remove some of the door centers and add glass to lighten up the look.

Thank you all for your great feedback! What I am hearing from a lot of you is the following:

* Leave cabinets as is

* New cabinet hardware

* New lighting over island

* New appliances...all stainless??

* Pantry door - Paint or do something to lighten it up and break it up with the cabinets. Paint it the wall color.

* Repaint the walls (just that did a year ago...haha)...what color do you suggest? It's so hard to find colors to go with the oak.

* Replace the counters and backsplash...go lighter. One level possibly.

* I love the idea of adding some glass to the door centers! Maybe the pantry too. Not sure how you decide which cabinets to do?

* I didn't clean the kitchen up much before the pic so you're right about being honest about how tidy it is before I lower the island. Haha

I would add to consider a stainless vent hood especially since you have lots of counter space for a microwave or could even have an outlet installed in the pantry and put it in there.

My kitchen is done in a vintage / cottage style, but the countertop and backsplash are flexible to style. The sink is a short apron style that can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet - and also comes in stainless.

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

Curious, is it odd to load the dishwasher with a sink at that angle?

At 1st glance there is a lot of yellow going on in the kitchen. That yellow is making oak cabinets more yellow.

1st- try some new light bulbs.

2nd-paint walls a neutral light color.

I suggest keeping all wall doors in that room cohesive with other doors & trim.

Guide to light hues.

I like the idea Angel had, changing some to glass. If you don't want to show off what is in the cabinet add frosted/textured glass.

I like the 2 tier on the island due to the visual barrier view into kitchen.

I would also get a new layout plan now, before buying new appliances. That way when ready to remodel the new appliances will fit & you won't have to re-buy later.

Those are the only things I would do now.

I would save the rest of $ for a whole new remodel later when ready.

It's a great open space that would be extra nice with stacked or staggered cabinets.

You have a bit of oak overload and dark dark going on. I think it's the dark dark that is getting to you. The cabinets look good, and if they are working for you, keep them.
As suggested by others, remove the things up on top and minimize the amount of stuff on the counters. It's okay to keep countertop appliances out where you use them. Rarely- used things can be put away.
Try changing some light bulbs for brighter and whiter lighting. Sometimes it's that easy to brighten a room.
Consider changing out the counters and backsplash for something lighter in color. Add colorful rugs in locations where you spend a lot of standing time. Paint the walls and ceiling in a lighter color. If you have any blank wall areas, add art.
Your existing kitchen is basically two colors: oak and black.
Look through Houzz photos for kitchens which really speak to you. Are they monotone, two-tone or do they have a lot of contrast and color?

Not a Pro.

Do things in steps.......for example

Step back and take in what you have done.

Change out lighting first.

Maybe eliminate all the stuff on the top of the cabinets second.

Replace Black fridge and Black dishwasher with stainless steel third.

Paint door same as wall color second. Personally, a much lighter color on the wall is needed. Maybe a Cream color. Forth.

You may find that taking each small step as you go, you maybe be able to eliminate others when your become comfortable with the look.

You have the kind of kitchen people love to hang out in -- very comfy and inviting!

I agree about keeping your cabinets. I think any of the following would make a nice difference:

Explore ideas of replacing the island with a rectangle or large square. All counter height. Put a painted finish on the island cabinets (something different from oak and lighter colored countertop on the island.

Agree with above posts about adding glass fronts to the uppers and definitely change out lighting to something brighter, change hardware and add stainless steel appliances.

If you're feeling really ambitious ;) perhaps get a larger range and beautiful range hood and put the microwave in your new island. You have such great space on that wall. Maybe add a couple of open shelves on that wall.

I've never hired a kitchen designer, but it might be a good idea to hire one, even if it's for a couple of hours of work/sketch up and he/she could give you some great update/refresh ideas. Looking forward to seeing what you ultimately decide.

Personally, I like the raised bar - it hides everything on the work surface of the island. New hardware for sure would help. And take all the stuff on the top of the uppers off - that’s very dated. Some glass doors or open shelves would help, too.

And stainless appliances, under cabinet lighting. Maybe something jazzier for the backsplash. Better lights. There’s no real focal point right now - everything is very plain. Possibly paint the island, but it may not be necessary.

Love the feedback! Thank you so much! I am so excited about making these changes and updating you! Since I recently painted my entire first level this yellowish color, could I get away with JUST painting the back kitchen walls a lighter color? Something that would go with my white pillars? I hate the thought of having to redo the whole level...we have a 20 ft stairwell. I am attaching pics of the adjoining rooms (hallway off kitchen, eat in kitchen and living room) so you can get the whole picture.

Maybe try new light bulbs before painting and see if that makes a difference? You could have that done before you go to sleep tonight LOL

The paint looks greenish on my monitor, is it so? Yes, just paint the kitchen.

You have some nice things going on in your home.

The paint color is a buttery yellow/tan color. It definitely changed with the sunlight. It's a Sherwin Williams color like Row House Tan.

Computer monitors do not show true color. On my monitor, your wall paint is fine. Only you standing in the kitchen can really tell if it works and if you are not sure ask a friend or family member who seems to have a good color sense - and is not hung up on what is trendy. I am going through our local Parade Homes and find many of the designers talking about what is trendy rather than what is good design.

Thank you jhmarie. I really don't want trendy either. I want something updated that we can enjoy and won't have to do major changes for when we go to sell. I am always afraid to go to Parade Homes as it makes me want to change everything I have. LOL

gle, where did you get your wood "E"? I really like it!

Tuesday Morning. About 6 months ago. :)

Thanks!

Ok friends...I've been working hard on your suggestions and have an update and would love for you to see what I have done! I raised the desk area so the counter on the one side is one level, I got new quartz countertops, new backsplash, new hardware, new pantry door, new appliances, new lighting above island, under cabinet lighting, removed stuff from top of cabinets, painted the kitchen walls a light gray and painted the island a charcoal color. I plan to paint the rest of the cabinets the charcoal color this winter! LMK your thoughts. :) It has been a labor of love, but I finally feel like I can enjoy it!

Ok Houzz friends...I have been hard at work and took all of your suggestions into consideration. Here are my updates:

* New appliances

* New countertops

* New backsplash

* Raised desk area to be one level with counter

* New lighting above island

* Undercabinet lighting

* Painted kitchen walls light gray color

* Painted Island charcoal color (I love it so much I'm doing the rest of the cabinets in December)

* New rain glass pantry door

* Took stuff down from above cabinets (although I think it needs something)

Let me know your thoughts!

Well done! I really like the island too but would think long and hard about painting all the rest of the cabs. I think you are going to really darken the overall look of your kitchen.

Right now the island “pops” in a good way against the inviting warmth of the other wood cabs...afraid if all cabs are the painted color that you will lose the nice, warm inviting vibe you’ve got going.

Looks lovely. You did a great job and when comparing the before and after, it doesn't look like the same place. I agree, maybe painting the rest of the cabinets will not do anything for the room. Hope you are enjoying your new kitchen after all the hard work.

must admit I have scrolled back to your original, a few times: nice changes and quite a different feel in the space. The result is so worth it: your space has such a better vibe now.

Thanks for your nice feedback from all of you! I also repainted the black accent wall and the archway between the kitchen and that accent wall, the living room as well. Needed to pull everything together so it wasn't so choppy! I will post pics of that when the lighting is better. What are your thoughts about putting stuff above my cabinets? They feel so bare and it's such a large, empty space.

Looks great. You might choose one/two shades lighter for uppers. Or even white.

You're used to seeing the tops of the cabinets overloaded. This is such a clean, uncluttered more current look.

Different wall paint may help....not gray or yellow, but something light.
Larger lighting over the bar.
I use area rugs in my kitchen to add color and texture...and they are nice to stand on while prepping or cooking.
Add some art and remove the worded signs.

Filzlady, it's been update. Pls read more of the posting.

No stuff on top gle728, it looks clean and uncluttered.

I would definitely get the rest of the cupboards done. Maybe dark bottoms and lighter uppers so that it is not too dark. I had my 90's oak professionally varnished and have not regretted it! Someday I may have to replace them if chipping and peeling become an issue but for now I am enjoying the refresh.

Leave rst of cupbaords as is, contrast is interesting. NO stuff on top of cupboards 0, nada.

I agree the dark gray on the rest of the cabs may be too much...but if you really want to freshen up the look....white will brighten up the kitchen..and is much more timeless....the gray is a more trendy....will look dated sooner ....as gray has been overused for quite a while now.....for resale not everyone likes a dark kitchen...but everyone can relate to and live with a white kitchen

By the way...your choices so far have been great...good job...

I definitely feel like I need to paint the rest of the cabinets. I'm just done with the golden oak. My floors pop with the gray island. My fear with going with a lighter color or white on the back cabinets is I don't like the look of oak painted white. I understand gray is trendy, but I had to go with a darker color to cover oak. I plan to stay another 5 years or so, hoping this update will work for the next person, but I plan to enjoy it in the meantime.

Cari Cooke how did you get rid of the oak grain on the white cabinets? I'm doing them myself and found a great Benjamin Moore product that is self leveling and doesn't show much grain with the charcoal color, just worried about white.

Thanks for all of the feedback! Gives me some things to consider! I've also thought of doing rain glass inserts on some of the upper cabinets to mix things up. Here are a couple more pics also of the space with the gray walls and accent wall (color of the island).

I have used Ben Moore also to minimize grain on trim and sides of cupboards but the fronts were sprayed with varnish by a professional. Also I don’t mind some grain showing through, others might be more bothered. I chose an off white and a green for the island. Good luck!

Sorry I mean lacquer not varnish.