I'd try cleaning really good with murphy's oil soap. Then, adding updated hardware will freshen the look. At least the cabinet doors do not have the arc on the top that looks more dated. New counter, floor and hardware and the kitchen will look quite nice! Oh.. get a fabulous sink faucet and undermount sink (and change the lighting to recessed cans). The "jewelry" in the room will do wonders and look great.

I'd say stainless steel appliances. Install an oak wood floor.

The cabinetry can stay, especially since it's not in the budget.

You should consider something like our King Ivory granite, which you can see here- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/granite-countertops/colors/

Installation requires no demo, so you don't have to worry about damaging your cabinetry, counters or backsplash.

Speaking of backsplash, that would be the last touch in my opinion. I think subway tile would look really good. I think something like our Noir subway tile would look really good in your kitchen.

Good luck, hope this helps!

Thanks so much, I really like your ideas!

I think the oak backsplash needs to go. It makes the kitchen dated looking to me. A glass backsplash subway tile would lighten and brighten the space. Notice how the under cabinet lights really sparkle and brighten the room in this photo? Depending on your budget, laminate has come a long way and looks great. Soapstone would look nice with your cabinets also.

I really like the glass backsplash idea. and the under counter lights! Since I am going to be putting in stainless appliances, what color of countertops and flooring would you suggest to lighten up the kitchen

Can you show a picture of the nearby flooring? That will make a difference.

Paint the cabinets. Oak is dated-looking & drab. If you can afford it, have them professionally done. If not, do it yourself. Either way, you'll be amazed at how much more modern your kitchen looks. You can be trendy & paint the bottoms a dark color & the tops another color, if you dare!

If your DW still works well, you can see if your DW manuafacturer makes a stainless front panel that you can swap out. Or, paint it to match the cabinets (use proper primer). Chances are it will last as long as you need it & you can spend the savings on a nice back splash tile - if it peels, it was a very inexpensive experiment (I've had success with this my newly-wed condo a hundred years ago). I think subway tile is being overdone, but I'm hyper-sensitive to trends.

Congrats on the massive storage you've got (I'm jealous).

Interesting idea for the cabinets but they have that framed look any suggestions for that as far as painting goes and colors too?

BTW..you can take a few of the upper cabinets doors to a glass place and they can put glass fronts in the panel to lighten the feel of the kitchen too. It's not very expensive...cheaper than buying glass doors.

We have ripped out all of the carpet on the first floor and are putting in wood flooring. It has a slight redish tint to it to match the trim throughout the house.

You have so many great ideas, I can't wait to get started!

I wouldn't paint them. First of all, they are oak and it is an open grain which will show thru no matter what color you paint them. I'd suggest to give it a nice rustic look, using either a granite or quartz product with some nice rust colors, I have submitted some pictures of a project that we did. These are new cabinets but we were going for the look that you already have, we just added some wrought iron look to it. We kept the clients salvage wrought iron find, and her exisisting floor and worked around it. Use strong bright colors with with this. You would be surprised how strong colors bring out size better than lightening things up. She kept her appliances but if she had gotten new, I think black or stainless would have been a great choice. Hardware alone, will make a giant difference with your cabinets, and new counterops and paint and you are all set.

First thing is budget. Second thing, is to look inside your cabinets. Are the boxes of the cabinets (bones) real wood? If not, they might not be able to hold up a heavy counter top. There are granite installers who do not care if the cabinet caves in on your legs, one day, so do your homework.

If you do not have the budget to replace the cabinets, now, you might consider replacing the counters with an upgraded laminite. Shock... yes, laminate. It still works and can be replaced, later when you have the money.

If the cabinets are sturdy enough, you might look into having them re-faced, if you do not want to paint them. I think, you need to decide on a color scheme/over all look of your kitchen, first. Do you like painted cabinets? Would you prefer a wood tone? Light, or dark? Light cabinets with dark counter? Or visa versa? Modern? Rustic? Traditional?

On the subject of flooring, usually, with hardwood or tile is best to run it UNDER the cabinet. Not just right up to the cabinet. So, if you have a vinyl floor, now, but eventually want to replace your cabinets... wait until that time to re do your floors. Maybe for now, get an upgraded vinyl.

If you put down a wood or tile floor right now, it will run up to the cabinet and dishwasher and stop. Later, when you want to replace the cabinets, it will be harder to match the floor, if the cabinets are not exactly the same, or if you get a new dishwasher, etc.

By the way, I like the layout of your kitchen and all the nice windows ! :-)

what color countertops would you go with? I have the same oak cabinets in my kitchen and cannot figure out what to do about the countertops. I like the soapstone idea or granite idea but would love some color suggestions! Thanks!

I vote for painting them, and I don't find the grain offensive when I see it in painted cabinets. It will give your kitchen a tremendous lift. And then you can concentrate on the flooring and countertop. These don't need to be the most expensive options to be very attractive; it's more an issue of getting a more current look to those surfaces.

I was in the same position with my own kitchen. We repainted and replaced the hardware, appliances, backsplash and refinished the floors. (before and after are the first images) I decorated the fridge with a collection because we werent ready to replace it. I'd start by deciding on whether you want to paint the cabinets or keep them the same color. With that knowledge, start scouring magazines and Houzz for images of repainted cabinets--some people are having a lot of fun painting old cabinets fun colors these days. if you are less brave, you can introduce color through accessories, and see if you can find kitchens you like that have the honey toned cabinetry (i have attached a couple that i designed). If you keep the cabinets as is, I'd strongly recommend a different material on the floor--not more oak. Ultimately i can see you should update the counters, backsplash, appliances, and floor--and if you can swing a new sink and faucet, and paint the cabinets, you will have a completely new look for under $5000.

Definitely stainless steel appl. although I have had them before and am not the biggest fan, maybe a white,tan, granite mixed countertop, white glass backsplash up the wall, hardware on the cabinet, 2 glass doors, but not sure about the ceiling lighting or the flooring. The overhead lighting is one of those big oak outlined boxes 4 x 6 with the light covers, maybe paint the the oak box white or find different ceiling lights altogether? Floor maybe tile...I kind of like the grey tile in the picture above it goes with the stainless steel. Any thoughts?

Stainless Steel appliances with hardware to match!
If you cannot afford stainless steel, you should still put some hardware on your bare cupboards.

Here's the look with cream paint on your cabinets, and a new floor, countertop, range, and sink: