I agree, not white but cream, matches better with the counters, flooring and pooch. Lots of other color choices for subway tile than white if you really want subway tile.

I wouldn't touch the cabinets. Definitely add undercabinet lights. It looks like you may need to add some recessed lights as well. There's no white in the kitchen, so I definitely wouldn't do a white backsplash.

Cream colors and keep the dog.

Mollyk - i see you have no kitchen photos in your kitchen idea book. Really need to get a total vision before you dig into any kitchen changes. I don’t see painting your cabinets as the best idea. Let me find some alternate ideas for you. Bbl

First, I'd get rid of that lumpy rug under the island. That's a real trip hazard.

Paint the cabinets? Sure--and knock a significant amount of money off the resale value of the home. I don't know what wood the cabinets are, nor how old nor what brand. But as soon as you slap a coat of paint on there, they may as well be cheap MDF cabinets from a discount store. And nobody advertises that in a real estate listing.

My first though (without knowing the rest of the layout) is to frame in a wall so that the naked refrigerator side isn't the first thing you see.

You might do better changing your island and sink with new backsplash for nice updated look without the expense and time to repaint all your cabinets. Here are some ideas.

The wall paint color is on the right tract, but has too much peach in it. You might want to consider repainting with Sherwin Williams Outer Banks

Keep cabinets as is.

The island needs a chandelier (2 small or 1 large).

Get some daylight LED bulbs before deciding anything else. I would hold off on painting the cabinets I would spend the money on a counter depth fridge and some new stools

Leave the cabinets. They aren't dating the look. Instead, get a counter-depth refrigerator and frame it in. Update your lighting, backsplash, window coverings, stools, and cabinet hardware. It will look like new!

Gosh, your cabinets are so gorgeous I really would advice against painting them. I would however replace your backsplash, like you mentioned. Your countertops also look really nice but replacing them would also update and brighten the space. Select a countertop that is white without a pattern/texture to it. However, your counters are already so nice that an update would only be for aesthetic purposes. To further update the space I would get rid of the valance, which feels dated. Then, like mentioned, some under cabinet lighting to brighten it up. I also think some matte black hardware would also look really nice. Lastly, I would replace your bar stools with something in a transitional style.

Hope this helps!

Agree with previous posters above! Your cabinets are gorgeous, and are not what's dating your kitchen.

Simply updating your backsplash (maybe cream-colored glass subway), lighting, and barstools will go a LONG way.

When you're ready to spend more money, update flooring.

Beautiful kitchen!

Your granite and cabinets are beautiful. I would seriously consider changing the flooring and nothing else. The floors don't really work with the granite which is the star of the show.

I understand wanting to paint your cabinets, and do not agree that doing so would automatically diminish resale value, assuming you have them professionally painted/finished. However, I personally feel you would be better off bringing in white by switching out the backsplash (most definitely!) the counters and the floor. Also, as others have mentioned, it would also be nice to make your fridge less prominent looking, by either enclosing it somehow or replacing it with something counter-depth. For inspiration, some pics of kitchens with similarly coloured cabinets.....

I have similar but older cabinets. I think the simple change of backsplash is all you need to do.

My refreshed kitchen:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57579129/list/my-pics-work-in-progress

Here is my wood kitchens idea book:

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

Some are very happy with their previously finished but now painted cabinets. Others are not happy with the durability - just seems to be a little chancy when your cabinets are so pretty now.

Great suggestions everyone! I really appreciate the feedback; I was attempting to make the kitchen have a farmhouse/coastal feel (I’m slowly changing the rest of the house to go along with it). What kind of flooring would you suggest? I love hardwoods but if I leave the cabs as they are I think it may be too much of a wood look. I tend to lean towards neutral/soft/airy feels- any suggestions to brighten it up? The granite was recently installed (by previous owners) so I’m hesitant to swap it out

If you want to keep the granite and move in a farmhouse/coastal direction, then I probably would have the cabinets painted. Definitely not true white, something more of a cream or ivory; perhaps even a soft, light taupe or khaki colour? Then some a backsplash in a complementary colour, and hardwood floors would look lovely, I think.

It's hard to tell the exact colour of your granite from your photo, but these look somewhat similar.....

For the backsplash, I don't think you can go wrong with a classic subway tile in a warmer, cream colour. But, I also would consider something that complements your granite, while bringing in subtle nuances of other colours (I am thinking pale hints of blue, green, and/or grey) as a nod to the coastal look you mentioned. I am thinking of a subtle (nothing so busy that it would compete with the granite) mosaic tile. I think it might provide a nice contrast to your warm granite, and you could use one of the colours as an accent- via kitchen accessories. Just a thought. I couldn't find many pics of exactly what I mean, but these should give you the general idea.....

My sink is a "short apron" Kohler Whitehaven which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. It is more expensive to have done after the countertop is in, so you will want to think about that. The stainless Kohler Vault also comes in a short apron style and has a drop in style that might be less expensive to retrofit. I think you can achieve a cozy farm feel without painting the cabinets. Coastal is a little harder - unless you think New England coastal which would possibly work with the cabinets you have - most of these looks are decor rather than color of cabinets. If you are really thinking of sinking that much money into the kitchen, consider new cabinets - which would allow for an improved layout (get the stovetop out of the island) and really get you what your want. Then you could donate or possibly even sell the cabinets you have.

so you want white cabinets and white subway tiles? all you have to do is look through the redo's on Pinterest and you'll see a million kitchens done like that.

I'd start w/getting new cabinet hardware, maybe a pendant light over the sink, or at least over the island. (your kitchen seems a tad dark,,,,maybe it's just the photos). I'd get new counter chairs, or paint those a glossy enamel like white, or pick a coordinating color you like. (they seem a bit bulky for that island space)

I'd switch out your backsplash to something that goes w/your granite (which I really can't see too well) , then I'd paint the kitchen walls a new color.

If you do all of that first, you'll find you won't have to paint the cabinets, which still look good. Fix the more inexpensive things first and see if that helps. And, you can always just paint the island if you feel you want to change up the cabinets a bit.

hardware,,you interested in some soft gold? I like the style of these too, would really update what you have. if you don't like the gold, get them in the nickel

or try something a little diff. these would work w/your granite.

bring in some color/life w/potted herbs behind your sink

just as a suggestion for island light, take out the one middle recessed light and do a single pedant light on this order (doesn't have to be this modern, just trying to show you the shape of something that would work over that spot)

You could also do your island in this color blue. or choose a soft black as well.

I would definitely update the backsplash.....not a fan of the white....especially with the tile and granite....
My suggestion would be to paint the island only...and update the bar stools.....before tackling all the cabinets....but I like the wood....

Painting the cabinets is not going to improve anything. They are beautiful and good quality! Focus on lighting, updating other things ( floors or backsplash) with lighter, more modern feel.

I think the last thing you should do is to paint your cabinets unless you ate 100% sure what kind of look do you want in the kitchen. Replacing the countertops both on the island and the base cabinets as well as backsplash would update your kitchen a lot. Maybe even removing a part of upper cabinets and replacing it with open shelving would make a lot of difference. For an updated look, I would consider light marble-look quartz countertops and shiny, glass tile, or simple white Arabesque shaped tile. That way you could keep the traditional feel but you would bring it to a whole another level.