We had similar cabinets in our prior house and like you didn't want to invest a lot. We sanded the cabinets and clear coated them which gave a much lighter color to the wood. we also changed the hardware to stainless steel. I removed decorative board above the sink. this not the best picture but it's the only one I have handy. we sold the house many years ago.

Btw we had exact the same hardware on our cabinets as what you have.

Tat's cabinets look great. I never knew they could be that light. I bet it was a bit of work.

You will have to invest in this space eventually. either renovate for yourselves or accept the lesser value for your home when you sell. Wait a little, save, plan, and get a new kitchen so you can enjoy the use of base drawers with better storage, a good lighting upgrade, matching and up to date appliances. LIKE.... Ikea …..! Basic L kitchen will not be expensive.

What about a bright/bold color? Cranberry or a green or blue?

Wht is your style ? Maybe a soft green for the cabinets with a laminate counter and new handles . IMO white will not work with those floors and the appliances .

The cabinets are a pretty color, nice wood tone. A clean and refresh is a good idea.

Google white and wood kitchens. Blonde, natural, unstained, organic, raw wood tones is a way a lot of people are warming up their white on white on white kitchens. White kitchens sound good in theory but they're a visually ergonomic nightmare and some people just can live in the white-out. These are from this IG account: https://www.instagram.com/joannagaines/

Remove the valance and a new countertop will be a great refresh. New paint color...maybe a green or blue.

I think wite would be a little stark with the white floor. Most painted white kitchens I see that are warm and cozy have a wood floor or similar warm color floor. I also like your cabinets and would probably work on a vintage style - not paint, change out the countertop and either a vintage sink or a "short apron" apron front sink which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet.

This older kitchen came out great in white, but note the wood floor. This looks like a reproduction vintage sink and wood countertops:

This pic comes from this website which includes a painting tutorial: http://keepingitcozy.blogspot.com/2013/04/all-about-painting-cabinets.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KeepingItCozy+%28KEEPING+IT+COZY%29&m=1

My own kitchen does not have the retro cabinets - just older, and I kept the wood, but changed the counters / backsplash. My sink is a "short apron" Whitehaven sink - which is a little pricy but I love it. The shorter apron gives it a more vintage cast iron sink look.

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

If you are sure you want to paint, this greener tone may work better with your floors:

I also like this blue:

Sage green might also look good with the light floors. Just don't let it get drab by being to grayish.

If you do paint, consider adding some wood back into the kitchen to warm it up - might even be just some wood cutting boards against the wall. If you have room for it, a butcher block top small island or cart would help.

You might also want to look into floor grout paint. I have not tried this myself, but it helps take the "grid" look out of tile floors:

I would not use the white, but a soft gray:

If you want to keep the vintage vibe of your kitchen, this site might be a resource:

https://retrorenovation.com/

I'd clean and refresh the cabinets with restore-a-finish, then get some more colorful runner and accessories. Perhaps new counters.

Or check something like this out, with a larger indoor/outdoor rug:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/kitchen-of-the-week-restored-cabinets-revive-a-midcentury-gem-stsetivw-vs~91884375

I would refresh cabinets.

what is the purpose for doing this? For you? or are you putting it on the market?

I would not splurge on new countertops if you're keeping those cabs. and if you are moving, I wouldn't do anything but clean them very well and paint the walls.

the wood on the cabs aren't in the best of shape. you should give them a good cleaning, a fine sanding to smooth any rough spots, and possibly re-coat them w/the same stain color. that will make a huge difference. I'd do new hardware and remove the scallop over the sink.

put in a beadboard backsplash and paint it that minty green color.

check craigslist for appliances. you can get SS, new or barely used, for a great deal.

BTW, this is an oxymoron

quick and easy upgrade for our kitchen. I think I'd like to paint the cabinets

It's not quick and not that easy, IF you want professional results. it's extremely time consuming with a ton of prep work. you can't just slap on a coat of paint!